It's Splitsville for my 125
 

I've made a lot of repairs on Cubs over the last few years, but I was always hesitant to split a tractor. Things have been bad awful slow at work, so I decided to dive headfirst into splitting the early-build 125 (s/n 218313) to resolve the cork gasket issue and speed lurch issues.

The rear pulled easily and it was out within an hour. I can see why the speed lurch was soo bad; the cam plate is barely touching the damper springs and the guide pins are worn flat on one side and cutting a groove to the right to get farther away from the cam plate! The trunion bracket is worn on all corners and towards the front and rear of the tractor on the inside corners. I pulled the hydro unit off the rear end and gave it to Dad to weld up and mill back down to spec at one of the machine shops he does service for (wish I could weld; I'd learn to do this myself). Need to call the dealer tomorrow and order springs and pins and possibly the cam plate depending on price as there is noticable wear on the cam plate guide pin too.

The cork gasket should be straight forward and the rest of the hydro and rear looks fine, if not worn a little after 40+ years of hard use. Amazing how well these tractors hold up to abuse year after year.

I'll update after the trunion is milled right and the cork gasket is done. Also want to find some wavy washers to take up the slack behind the snap rings on the cam plate mounting bracket and trunion spindle.

If this goes well, the 100 splits next to get it's shifter replaced, then the 123, which may require a little more time due to some linkage issues.

:ThumbsUp:

Check this out - look at how the rockshaft is worn down to the right of the jackstand from the fork in the mule drive... eww. The mule drive fork had been welded up with some new angle iron by the PO at some point after the fingers musta broke off, but the rockshaft continued to wear down. I have a hydro lift waiting to go on this tractor if the transmission work goes well and it has a rockshaft to go with it... just in time!! Again, mighty impressed how they hold up after 40+ years...

Looking good Tom!

The rockshaft on my 102 needs some attention too. Oh well it is in line for a refurbish. Yours is looking good keep up the good work.

Dig in! Looking good:beerchug:

Nice work, Tom! Please keep us updated.

Oh yeah!:beerchug:

Glad to see that you cleaned it all up. They need lots of cooling as I'm sure you know they get warm when running.

Finally, some movement with the 125! Wound up getting my old buddy from high school to weld up and file the trunion. It looks soo much better! Can't believe how much it had worn.


Attachment 27048 Attachment 27049






The 703-0194 cam plate was the hardest thing to get my hands on. It's on back-order forever with Cub Cadet; I was able to work through Marlin at IHCCW and he had it to me inside of a week. Thanks again!
Attachment 27050 Attachment 27051


New cork gasket, new cam plate, and shims plus a wavy washer for the sliding plate that moves over the nub on the cam plate. New trunion springs and guide pins, drained what appeared to be ATF out of the rear end, and a new Cub hydro filter and Hytran. Everything went back together ok and it even moved after I was all finished! I pulled that top inspection/access plate on the rear end (the rectangle plate with the 4 bolts) and boy,, it's almost worth pulling fenders and seats for the ease of access and filling with Hytran!
Attachment 27052 Attachment 27053

I ran the tractor at idle after I initially filled it with Hytran and was able to watch the pump suck up the oil to fill the filter and long suction tube after I had opened it all up to do the service work. Topped it off again and all I need to do now is adjust for neutral.

The old 125 drives like it's supposed to again after 40+ years! Up and down hills with no speed lurch and even has proper speed lever travel again. Now I can get cracking on that hydro lift unit in the shed and then pull the front end off this old girl to clean up the engine bay and add in the lift...

Great pics! Thanks for updating us on your progress.