149/169 identification
 

Hello all, new member here. I read a lot of great info on this site, but first time posting. So I recently bought what I now believe is a 149 that was listed as a 169. First off I kinda thought it maybe a 149 during buying procces and either way it is a great tractor and I feel fine what I paid for it. Seller had it listed as A 169. When I went to look at it he said he bought it as a 149 but based off the serial # tag it was a 169. In 2012 he put $2300 into tractor with one item being a new 16hp short block (I have receipts for this)and a new hour meter which now reads 330hr. Here's the issue now. The engine, muffler and air cleaner are correct for a 169 however the serial # tag is on the rear diff. I'm sure all 169s are suppose to have tag on left frame??. The tag is a 169 tag. I really believe the seller thought it was a 169. I think it's a 149 but my question for all of you is how did a 169 tag end up on the rear diff? The tag does not have any grind marks or pry marks on it and I don't think it's a fake tag just fake 169. I know no one will know the actual answer but looking for speculations. Thanks for all thoughts. Oh yeah I paid $800 and it came with a excellent condition deck. I would post more pics, but can't fiqure out how. When I upload pic it replaces previous one uploaded.

Can you post a pic of the tag?

See if this works, can't seem to post multiple pics??

I can't see the tag very well, but you have a nice machine!

Let's try this picture. Thanks guys

048 should be a 169

Yes the tag is correct, but from what Info I can find all 169s had the serial number tag on the left frame by the brake pedal. This one is on rear diff. There looks to be no sign of a tag ever being on frame.

You are correct, the tag should be on the frame starting in February of 1974, yours was built in October 1974.
I am not sure what is going on there, the tag looks to be a 169, but with the placement off.
Mike

I'd say if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, its probably a duck. LOL.

Could be as simple as somebody was sick that day and another guy was putting on tags. Who knows, but if you are dead set on a 149, I will swap you one straight across! :beerchug:




Randy

It's a 169. Nothing "fake" about it.
Why is the tag on the rear? Well, I'm assuming that all you guys are getting your info from tractordata.com on the "proper" location of the tag.... that info is likely incorrect.

My question:
Is it a 13 fin 16hp? And where did the original motor go??

X-2:bigthink:

It is a 12 fin motor, which I guess makes sense. Sounds like the replacement 16hp were 12 fin. No idea where original motor ended up.

Been thinking about this thread and I was going to ask where it was written that the tag had to be in a certain location after whatever date or serial number? Can someone post some links to this information?

Normally serial numbers and tags don't mean anything to me, unless it's about a low production Cub.

That said; after all these years who knows what parts have been changed and from what tractors these parts came from. If the tag or serial number is on the trans-axle, the only thing you know for sure is what tractor the trans-axle originally came out of.

I have (2) 169's and both tags are on the frame. One is very early built in April 1974. I'm thinking it's a home built 169 and you got a nice tractor for the price.

I would have to second this, my 169 serial number is very close to this one and has the tag on the frame.
Mike

Guys, it can't be fake. The serial number indictates production date. The tag on the rear clearly is original to the rear end.

I'd say that the date stating when they moved them to the frame is incorrect. Or, it was a factory oops. Either way, the tag is legit and original.

169's came with the serial number plate on the frame only. They were never on the rear end. Find a 169 tag, put it on the rearend in place of another model's tag, instant 169. The tag's real. The originality of the tractor is not. The first 169 built has the serial number plate on the frame as well as all other 169's I've seen, along with the two I used to own, one early serial number, one very late.

Under edit: That's a later serial number as well since this series ended in the 529XXX range.

If you look inside the tower from behind the gas tank the 169's had "69" drawn in there with a paint marker from the factory. Unless it has been painted over, or removed.

Heres the picture inside the steering tower

I don't know? Let me go check mine. Does it have the holes in the frame for the tag. Could the frame not be original to the machine?:bigthink:

I have 4 169 all of them are on the frame

Inside of tower looks to have been painted. So no "69" in it. Also no holes in frame from where tag would have been.

Here's a question for the 169 owners:

Is the frame tag the same physical size as a rear end tag? Also, do they have the same wording on them? I want to know if it is even possible to remove a frame tag and put it on a rear end.

The rivets in the OP's tag look pretty old, and the tag doesn't look damaged in any way that would suggest it was removed from a frame. :bigthink:

I love abnormalities.

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

from what I have seen 1974 cub cadets was on the frame :bigthink:

If you wook vewy cwolsy,the wivits :BB&YS:have a been flattened on top,even Rosalie the riveter used a special tool.
Big John,tags are the same,hit the backside of the rivet with a chisel on the frame mounted ones,and the tag comes off.The one that was removed from the tranny was damaged fer sure...