Decisions, decisions... 149 vs 1450
 

I saw a pair of tractors for sale today, and I was wondering which would be the better one to keep (since I can't keep both) if I bought them. One is a 149 with a tiller and mower deck and wheel weights, and the other is a 1450 with a snowblower, front blade, and mower deck and tire chains. They come as a package deal.

I really want the tiller; that's the one part I won't give up on. Would the tiller from a 149 fit on a 1450? And the wheel weights? Or would the snow blower and front blade fit on the 149? Which would be the better tractor to keep?

Same tractor, just different series. 149 was made until the 1450 replaced it. Implements are interchangeable.

I'd keep both.

Main differences between the two.

149
Mechanical pto clutch
Not offered with aux hydraulics from mfr
No side shields
Right hand exhaust discharge
Solid mount engine
Starter generator
Left hand hydro lever

1450
Electric pto clutch
Available with aux front hydraulics from factory
Side sheilds and muffler shroud box
Forward facing exhaust discharge
Iso mounted engine with cradle mount
Bendix style starter
Alternator style charging system
Right hand hydro lever

I have a 1450 and had a 129... similar to 149. I had fewer problems with the 129 and when one would arise, the 129 seemed easier to work on.

Me too........but I still prefer my 1450 over the 129. I like the Hydraulic Lift on the 1450 as opposed to the "armstrong lift" on the 129.

From a mechanical standpoint I'd prefer the 149 but from an operating standpoint I'd prefer the 1450, I'm left handed so I drive with my left hand and operating a 149 with the left hand trans control is really awkward.

Some years back I had that similar dilemma....both have been in my herd for years now! I have to say the 149 is more convenient for tilling due to the proximity of the hydro control and the hydraulic lift. Make room for both.

I would keep the 149, my 0.2.

He who dies with the most toys wins!!:bigthink:

I wish I could keep both, I really do. But I know my wife won't let me. I only have room for one in my shed and I don't see it happening for me to convince her to let me keep the other in the garage.

Personally, I'm a fan of the 82 series tractors. I just like the way they look. They're just hard to find, especially the IH ones, and tractors with tillers are even harder. There's an implement dealer near me who has a CCC 582 for sale for $600, but it has nothing but the deck and rear right angle gear box and lift. And it's not a hydro; something else I want over a gear driven rear.

Forgive my ignorance, but what are all 3 of the levers for on the 149 and 1450? I know one is the hydro control and one would be the hydraulic lift, but what's the other for?

If the 1450 has 2 hydraulic lift handles, it has hydraulic ports to the front of the frame. Very desirable among collectors.

149 would be my choice to keep - providing they are both in the same condition.

I'm just getting started rebuilding a new to me 149. I've had a 149 in the past, 2 different 1250s and a 1650. Plus I've used my dads 1650, his 149s, my brothers 109, my brothers 149, my previously owned 1000, my dad's 1000. and maybe more. Certainly more narrow frame Cubs. I had turned one of my 1250 into a hydro lift for I missed having the 149 hydro lift.

All of the above have been in various conditions, from needing a Lot of work to get running to great running shape.

149 and the 1450 both have hydro lift - very desirable if you're lifting that tiller. The 149 is easier to work on, less shielding if you need to get to the motor and more. My wife would say keep the 1450 for you don't see that motor and starter-generator and belt, etc.

3 levers - Hydro drive control, Hydro Lift, and PTO lever on the 149. 3 levers on the 1450 would be hydro drive and as Delta Cub said 2 Hydro lift handles - that would make the 1450 the keeper if it has these!

If that 1450 has three levers keep that one no matter what.
Otherwise I would go 149

Both the 149 and the 1450 have 2 handles on either side of the control panel in addition to the hydro control.

You guys aren't making the decision making process very easy!!! I wish I had a way to come up with the $1300 and keep both tractors.

I'm now thinking someone put a 1450 front end on a 149. The PTO for the 1450 should be a switch on the dash, and switch for the electric PTO.

These 2 pics show a rusty 149, and a 1650, you can see the PTO switch just left of the steering wheel column on the 1650. Also the Hydro Lift lever was moved to the right side on the 1650.

https://ames.craigslist.org/grd/5600867205.html

Definitely two different tractors. I just had it wrong with the 3rd lever on the 1450... Looks like it's a tree branch in just the right place to be mistaken for a lever.

Others here have a better eye than I have when looking at pics. Here's what I see.

Both Cubs should have a 14hp, so both must have replacement engines
44" mower deck and 42" deck the rounded one is a 44"
No drive belt for the 44" deck
Chain missing on the snowthrower
2 link Ice Biter tires chain are nice
Depth adjust stop on the 149 is missing

I'm not sure which one I would keep, well I'd lean towards the 149. But it depends on how they both run.

God.... another one of "those guys". :angry:


My gal doesn't get to decide what "toys" I keep and what I get rid of.
I work, I pay for the house, and I buy the toys. She has other responsibilities.

Amen brother. I bring the cash so just shut up or move on down the road. :beerchug:

That said I like the 149's

149! mine is diehard and the rototiller is the best thing ever! I do know that the snowplow is not hard to get for a 149 and plus there way easier to work on even though everything sticks out of the sides and makes it look ugly.

So do you dictate to her what kind of and how much "stuff" she can have?

Maybe she needs to get rid of half of her things, purses, shoes, nick-knacks and other things that you don't think she needs.

Cut the OP some slack on the wife thing.

I have both tractors, and I agree, if you could keep both, that would be ideal.

I like them both but given a choice, I'd keep the 149. Easier to work on but noiser. More travel up and down for the mower deck. Operates all the implements. You won't have any trouble selling the 1450.

I really like my 1450, though. It's one of my regular grass killers...much quieter.

OK, it's pretty much a toss up. So here's how I'd decide. If you are left handed, keep the 1450. If you are right handed and steer with the right hand, keep the 149. that settles it. right?

My mowing areas covered a lot of uphill/downhill areas, trees, bushes. Lot's of time manipulating the speed control lever to increase/decrease speed and/or direction.

I always found the left side speed control handle on the left side to be somewhat awkward to use and cause a fair amount of strain keeping the left arm extended while steering with the left. On the other hand, with the speed lever on the right side of the steering wheel, I could just rest my wrist on my right thigh and run the speed lever with just hand movement. Much easier for me. I never had a problem with which hand to steer with.

Other than that, I'd take the 149 over the 1450 if for no other reason than to avoid problems with failed motor mounts and related drive shaft problems and cracked exhaust housing pieces on the engine.

As mentioned, the 1450 will be smoother running with less vibration and engine noise is reduced.

I built a new house in 1970 with attached two car garage. The first year, my wife parked her car in the garage. Since then, it seems all the room in the garage is taken up by MY stuff and her car hasn't been in the garage since. Same wife, too.

... more like, "God, more of THOSE guys."

@J-mech, your "help" was about the least helpful reply in here. I don't care if you're a moderator or not. Being able to wield the mighty "ban-hammer" doesn't give you the right to spout off just because you might disagree with what you perceive as someone else's lifestyle. You know nothing about me, don't ever again pretend to.
@Sam Mac, you're obviously a tool who just couldn't help but jump on the bandwagon with your "suggestion" thrown in as a last minute afterthought.
@Yosemite Sam, your reply was even less necessary and more malicious than J-mech's.

All of you can shove off. I don't ever want any of you to respond to another post of mine, and I don't care if you're the only person in the world that has the knowledge I'm looking for.

That is, of course, assuming I don't get banned for standing up for myself to a bunch of tools that can't keep their mouths shut when it comes to something they only (mistakenly) think they understand about me.

I'd go with the 149. Though I am a bit biased towards the first wide-frames.

Wish i had more insight to be of use, but ive never owned a 4 digit before. Only have my 128 about 20 years. now, and a 169 for around 5 years. In my opion the 1450 and 149 for the most part simmilar, may come down to which cosmetic aperance, and which has better looking body lines. In those terms id go with keeping the 149

Well, it's a bit of a moot point from my standpoint now, because those tractors have been sold. Anyway, I think I've made my decision though; I am right-handed but operate the steering wheel with my left (too many years of driving standard transmissions) so I think the right-handed hydro levers are what will work for me.