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One thing leads to another!
I had a couple of fixes I needed to do to my 1872 Super. Replace the broken rock shaft, replace leaking gasket in the hydro to trans again, new tires which lead to having to clean and paint the rusty wheels.
Which lead to new front bearings and steering spindle bushings. So why not pull the front axle and clean and paint that. Trans is coming out and it's hard to get to rock shaft and I had to fix the wiring in the dash. So out comes the fuel tank. Well the motor is only 6 bolts so out it comes. Might as well get the dash tower out of the way which gets all the hydro lines clear. Plenty of room to work but everything is dirty and rusty. So I stripped everything off the frame Knocked the broken shaft out of the rock shaft assembly. It came out quite easily. Today I degreased he frame. removed the rust with a wire wheel and grinder and put a fresh coat of primer on it. How far I'll get painting I'm not sure. I may just do the frame and axles for now because the sheet metal is easy to pull and may need the tractor real soon. I love to look of the red tractors so I'm thinking I may try to copy that with late model cub yellow instead. Solid color yellow without the white. I'll probably paint the cab yellow as well. I'm going to replace the worn out rubber treads with DIY bedliner with ground up car tire in it. Same for the pedals. Won't be a job for the purist restorer types but will still be a Cub in yellow. Not much hat I own tends to stay stock for long including the Cub. |
Just a little update with some pics. I'm actually farther along than the pics show but still need to unload some more pics from the camara. I got the tires mounted on the wheels and have the frame primed and one coat of paint so far. All my new steering parts are in. Lot's of things keep getting in the way as usual.
Here is the replacement rock shaft still to be paint prepped. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re001Small.jpg Front wheels being prepped. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re004Small.jpg Front wheels after paint. Yes I'm leaving them black they will match the rear wheels with plastic wheel weights installed. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re011Small.jpg Rear wheels painted. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re010Small.jpg Frame stripped prior to paint prep. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re009Small.jpg Just a couple of teasers for now. |
Thanks for the update and pics, squatch! :beerchug:
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Man you guys make stripping down a Cub and putting it back together look like childs play.
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Nice work squatch :ThumbsUp:
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Squatch.........I've been following all the upgrades and repairs you're doing to your 1872 on various threads. I'm wondering how much all this is costing? You appear to be someone who thinks things through before making the financial commitment, so would you mind explaining your rationale? The reason I'm asking is because I also have an 1872 and your input would help me decide if I want to go the same route.
Thanks. |
Funny....I don't see anything tagged for rebuilding? Must have a better memory than I do....I normally need to finish things up and rebuild them sooner than later...the old mind is going, might end up with a steering wheel bolted to a grill if I left it go too long. The worst is when you end up with extra bolts!:biggrin2.gif:
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Midyearguru, My rationale is probably not real sound for most folks. I grew up poor so everything I had was somebody elses discard that I fixed up. That's what I know. I have as much trouble with new stuff in general as older stuff. I can fix the older stuff. I'm a pretty green guy and made a decision a couple of years ago when I had yet another new truck bought back by the Manufacturer because it wa a lemon. I decided that too many people throw away good stuff and I've lost too much money on new stuff. So I'm back to fixing up old. I consider it enviornmentally sound. Redoing old equipment is the ultimate recycling. I rebuilt my bass boat from a junker. Same with my current truck and now this cub. I usually get in deeper than I wanted but I've gotten used to it.
As for the 1872. I love this tractor. It's the perfect size. Has more than enough power for anything I would use it for. The attachments are still out there for reasonable prices. And new parts are readily available. They don't cost amy more than new parts for a new tractor. I've been lucky getting the things I've needed for the jobs I do. I have a Pintle hook for towing, deck, blade, snowblower, and now a cab. If I need it I can get rear attachments and a 3pt or sleeve hitch. This tractor works like a much bigger tractor. It's stable on my hilly land. There is also nothing really on the market like these Super GTs at this time. And it just plain looks right and I have something unique. Just like with my other projects I get to meet some cool people in my search for Parts and attachments. As for the cost. Most would buy new before dumping real money into an old tractor. My take is if you want to have a NEW old tractor i'ts going to take some cash and some elbow grease. I've replaced many small items as I've gone along and this is the second round of major go through on the cub. Kinda cleaning up what I let slide the 1st time. The more you fix the more reliable it gets. I also get to pay as I go. The money comes out of my pocket. That's hard to do buying a new scut these days. I figure I still have less invested than this tractor cost new with out attachments back when it was new. But not much less. I fugure I'm around $3,500 total now. How much would this much tractor and attachments cost new today? Everything I do makes it more suited to what I'll use it for. You have to spend money on a new one to customize it to your needs as well. Mountain heritage, I take things apart as assemblies. That way I only have to remember the given sub assembly I'm working on at the moment. I do mark wires and such. I also take lots of pictures so I have them as a reference. I've also had most of the major pieces of this tractor apart several times now. That makes it a whole lot easier to put back together. |
Squatch. GREAT reply....and thanks for taking the time to do it. I share your views completely. After looking into the purchase of a new 3000 series Cub, it was obvious that, for a lot less money, I could get a old Super GT in decent shape, build it to my needs, and make it pristine. Glad to know I'm not the only person who thinks like this.
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One thing I didn't hit on last post. Recupeing your costs. Simply put you won't. Not if you sell it anyway. If you sell you won't get the money you have in parts let alone any time you have invested. Most folks don't value someone elses labor. If you keep it for years to use then it's a sound investment. This goes for all my rehab projects. Cars, boats, tractors. Couldn't sell any of them for the parts money I have in them as soon as they are completed and not even used yet. It cost me about $7,500 to rehab my boat. A new equal is about $21k. But if I had to sell it I'd be lucky to get $5k.
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Here are a couple of more teasers. I'm beginning to think of this as the "rat rod cub". The plan for now is satin black frame, wheels, axles, grill. All sheet metal except the dash will be late model cub yellow along with certain brackets:rear panel with black hitch, pedals, power steering ram, and bracket for the ram. I told you the purists would cringe.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...011Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re014Small.jpg Brush painted frame. I had the back already and it's durable and easy to touch up. I use it on lot's of stuff so always have some around when needed. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re015Small.jpg |
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I have an 1882 and I totally agree with you. Matter of fact I agree with your whole statement. Nice comment!:beerchug: |
squatch, you couldnt have said it any better. My three cubs have costed me an arm and a leg to keep running but you should see the expressions on the neighbors faces when I bring them out,its priceless!! Last week on my way to work some guy had a newer craftsman tractor in his front yard for sale for 350,had to laugh but if it was an old cub I would have to stop and buy it
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I know I have small fortune in my 982 but when I take it to shows, it's really nice to see all the people stop and check it out. It ended up being one of the main attractions at the last 2 shows I took it to.
AJ |
I've been steady cleaning and priming. Most everything that is going to be painted that attaches to the frame has been cleaned and primed at least if not the 1st coat of paint. Still have the sheet metal to go but that comes later.
Front axle and hydro/trans on the bench before cleaning. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re018Small.jpg Can you tell I've got an oil leak? This was clean a year ago. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re019Small.jpg These parts will soon be replaced with rod ends like Scott did on his. "Scott when I disassembled the center link I could see no real wear on that pin but mine is a bit sloppy as well. I'm thinking they may just be that way". http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re020Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re021Small.jpg Some cleaned parts. I didn't remove every last speck of paint if it was stuck well and no rust it stayed put. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re030Small.jpg Front end parts cleaned. When I pulled the spindles I found on the Power steering side that both bushings were at the bottom of the spindle hole in the axle. They are supposed to be one on top and one on the bottom. No wonder it was sloppy. They were well worn as well. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re031Small.jpg Clean front axle. The rust is gone. What you see in the pic is dust still sitting prior to solvent wipe down. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re033Small.jpg Here is an even better shot. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re038Small.jpg My garage now looks like the work shop of a mad puppeteer with all the parts hanging on strings. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re039Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re037Small.jpg This is the old rock shaft mower lift. See the wear grooves in the pins? I had these filled with weld on the replacement and filed them smooth. Not perfect but much more substantial than before. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re035Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re036Small.jpg And here is the part that started this whole mess. My replacement rock shaft for the one I broke last winter. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re040Small.jpg I hope you enjoy my pics. And maybe they will come in useful to somebody as a reference on their project. |
Yep...on the pivot...I was thinking of getting couple of machine shims just to take up the slop a bit.
Yeah I always appreciate pics...but....ahhh...what's taking ya so long?:) Scott |
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Squatch - what are you priming and painting with and how are you cleaning/stripping your parts? Looks good, and I'm looking forward to the finished product.
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That being said. Most of the clean up is being done with various wire wheels mainly a cup brush in my 4.5" angle grinder. Then it's cleaned with mineral spirits and primed with rustoliem rusty metal primer and top coated with 2 coats of rustolieum flat black. I'm brushing it on. The brush gets in the nooks and crannys that a spray gun will never touch. I've done this to a military trailer and 2 different truck frames with great results. Show quality shine it's not. Easy to repair when it gets scratched up it is. The sheet metal will probably get rattle canned with TSC valspar cub cadet yellow. Not the best but I'm not set up for spraying with a gun. Beats rust and I'm about the only one who will ever see it other than a few pics on here. I'll remove the decals with a heat gun along with the glue from the torn up foot treads. I had to trim the right brake pedal to make the winter cab fit. So now the pad doesn't fit. So I pulled all the pads and I'm going to coat the pedals and the foot tread area with "Tuff Coat". It's pretty much the same as "Herculiner" DIY bedliner but water based and made for marine environments. It has ground up car tire in a polyurethane resin base. I have plenty left over from my bassboat project so that's what I'll use. Hope that answers Your question. It should look fine from 20' but it won't be show worthy for sure. Which is fine by me as the way I work it that show finish wouldn't last long either. |
As already said I've been pretty busy so time for the Cub has been sparse. I have managed to get a few things done and have some pics.
The bushings in the end of the cast iron axle are supposed to be one at top and one in the bottom with a tight fit. Well after 20 years the new bushings were slide in by hand. There is no machined lip to keep them in place. I found the height is exactly 3 bushings tall. I still had the old worn bushings and they were slotted bushing which gave me an idea. I took the dremel with a cut off wheel and cut a section out of 2 of the old bushings. This is to allow space for the grease fitting. then I spread them a little for a tight fit and placed them in the middle of 2 new bushings. Compared to the new they are worn enough to make a grease channel. I wiped the outside of the new bushings with some RTV before I installed them to make sure they didn't move after installation and let them sit for a day or 2. Stack of 2 new 1 old. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...001Small-1.jpg Installed (fuzzy pics) http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re002Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re003Small.jpg Axle with fresh paint and new bushings. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re005Small.jpg Spindles installed and tie rods loosely attached. A couple of the bolts are not the proper ones. I'll be picking those up tomorrow. This is the same Heim joint rod end set up that Scott Murphy just showed here. Very HD! http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re006Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re007Small.jpg Axle in the frame and tie rods real close to set. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re008Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...009Small-1.jpg Wheels installed with new bearings and new V61 5 rib tires. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...010Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...011Small-2.jpg The front end is now nice and tight. Completely slop free. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...015Small-1.jpg All the pedal and shaft assemblies are now installed. There is still a little primer showing here and there. That has been painted since the pics were taken. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re012Small.jpg Pedals waiting traction coat. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...013Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...014Small-1.jpg I actually have a good bit of other stuff done and should have some more pics soon. So far I'm pretty happy with the way things are turning out. This tractor should be much more reliable and function more precisely when it's back together! |
Looking good!
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Nice job, squatch! Thanks for the update. :ThumbsUp:
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Looks real good !I wanna see it when you have it all back together, should look pretty mean.I just picked up another 1872 I was just going to steal the rear out of it but I kinda hate to break it up.
Take Care, Bob |
The flat black looks good, couldn't have it in the hot texas sun tho...
Is that the axle that folks recommend for the super steer conversion for older Cub cadets, does anyone know? Gonna be w real workin' machine when you are done...:beerchug: |
Haven't been on much lately. The tractor has been slow going. It's been a crazy year with lots of other stuff taking time away from it. I'm getting close to completion and have plenty of pics. Chassis is back together, Trans resealed and back in, wiring harness completely redone, ready to set the motor back in place maybe tomorrow. The front sheet metal is painted. the few other pieces are primed and should be done by the end of the week (famous last words). Everything looks good so far especially for a rattle can job. I wet sanded the primer with 400 and that helped a lot. I like the yellow color of the TSC paint. Slightly paler than the road grader yellow/orange on my tractor stock. I hope to get the cab painted to match before winter. Same deal solid yellow. Don't have pics downloaded yet but real soon. I guess that makes this a teaser post. Hopefully next week I'll get some seat time on mu Cub again and many new pics up for you folks. I can't wait to see it all together myself!
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Good Deal! I have been curious to see it back together .
Take Care, Bob |
Time for another update. I'm almost there. Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll be ready to mow. Some small parts have not been painted like brake rods. They just got scotchbrited and rubbed with motor oil. This keeps them from rusting and paint doesn't seem to last on them anyway. Same with the hydraulic stuff and drive shaft. The inside of some panels had good clean white paint so I left it. I figured it would serve as a reference if somebody ever wanted to restore it to stock colors again. Like I've said it's a worker not a show piece and just a clean and spruce while I was repairing not really a true resto. But It's turning out pretty well to me.
Cleaned, sealed and painted trans ready to re install. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...011Small-3.jpg Trans installed. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...023Small-1.jpg Repaired wiring harness. It got re-wrapped with split loom when I installed it. Melted connectors have been replaced with color coded push on connectors. Once It's been fired up and tested all the connections will get painted with liquid electrical tape. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re043Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re041Small.jpg Chassis is various stages of reassembly. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...025Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re027Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...028Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re026Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re054Small.jpg Some painted sheet metal. TSC Valspar rattle can cub yellow. The foot boards were not really painted as they will be coated completely and about 2" up the fender with Black "Herculiner". This is a DIY polyurethane bedliner product that is tough as nails and very slip resistant. That should happen tomorrow. Then I can start installing the sheet metal. The battery tray and pedals were coated with a similar product that I had laying around. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re052Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re053Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re055Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re057Small.jpg I can't wait to get it back together. Hopefully before winter I can get the cab painted solid yellow to match and finish painting the plow and snowblower that I didn't finish last winter. Only thing left to do on the chassis is to install the gas tank. engine and wiring are in and completed since these pics were taken. |
Everything looks great, Squatch! Thanks for the update. :beerchug:
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A few more pics. Masking to put Herculiner on the footboards.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...001Small-2.jpg 1st coat done. I liked the footpads from the cyclops that go up the fender to protect from heels. So I borrowed the idea. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...002Small-1.jpg Finished product. The footboards are now encased in Polyurethane rubber with ground up car tire in it for traction. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...003Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...004Small-1.jpg Set some body panels on to get an idea how it will look. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...005Small-1.jpg There are a few pieces of the mule drive/deck frame hanging on strings for painting. Looks kinda funny in the pic. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...006Small-1.jpg My seat has a couple of small tears but nothing too bad. I wanted to spruce it up but didn't want to spring for a new $100 seat. I found this Cub Cadet seat cover at Home Depot. Even has some pockets in the back. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...007Small-1.jpg I hope to be mowing with my super again very soon! Dang but I'll hate to get it dirty now. |
Looks nice, you are making great progress!
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Not too bad!! Honestly when I seen the black I was kinda :HeadScratch: but the more I thought about it and the reason why you did it - it started to grow on me. It is a work horse, so its not up for the "picture purrrfect award". I think once you get all the panels on it and get it outside in the natural day light - it will be a pretty cool work horse. Definately unique in its own way. I think it will make people take a second look. Can't wait to see the repainted snow cab on it, bet that will look good. Then ready for snow duty! Nice to see you getting it ready before you freeze your hands off trying to assemble it in a cold garage!
:ThumbsUp: Keep up the great updates and work! |
I was wondering at first too but it actually looks really good. You should have some custom decals made for it.
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Looks good. Are you sure you are not a closet STEELER'S fan?
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Today was a great day! I not only got my super finished. I actually mowed the grass with her. This was the 1st time I've run her since late winter. I had forgotten what a wonderful tractor these things are. Effortless power. And I was reminded how much I love my "Rat Fink" hydro lever.
The steering upgrades were worth every penny spent! She used to wander all over and I had figured it was the ram steering. NOPE between the v61 rib tires and the hiem ends, new spindle bushings, and wheel bearings this thing now tracks like it's on rails. Whether in the yard or FLYING down our road. 1st impression of the new Tru-Power AG tires was equally good. I tried to spin them on dewy grass and couldn't. Not even backing up the steep backyard. Same with the V-61s I couldn't make them push sideways in wet grass on the hill. Far superior to the old turfs. I took the pics in the high grass that was way overdue for a mowing and then mowed. No problem at all. I only have about 1/2 a season on the deck since it was completely refurbished last year with new Belts, bearings and seals, gator blades, and sandblasted and painted all over with EZ-Slide graphite paint. I did remove the metal chute deflector and it left a much better appearance to the yard. Before anyone screams foul let me note that my entire property is surrounded by at least 3 rows of mature evergreeans and that there are no children here any more and the neighbors houses are min of 3 acres away. Not much to hit or damage if something goes flying. Just the Tractor. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...011Small-4.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...012Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...013Small-2.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...014Small-2.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...015Small-2.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re016Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re017Small.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...018Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...019Small-1.jpg With the deck and 50lb wheel weights installed. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...021Small-1.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...023Small-2.jpg http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...020Small-1.jpg Apologies to anyone viewing with dial up. Enjoy I sure am! |
You done an awesome job on your 1872, Squatch! Thanks for all the pics. :ThumbsUp:
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Great job,
It will be nice someday when mine is done. Do you have any closer pictures of your hydro control lever ? It is sweet . Those v61's sure are mean looking |
SUPER JOB!! Pun intended
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