169 Manual to hydro lift??
 

Anyone here ever convert a manual lift 169 to hydro lift? I'm wondering if it's worth it (price for parts) to buy the manual 169 and convert it to hydro lift... Or just hold out for a hydro lift. I'm fairly busy with two jobs, so I have limited time to play around as much as I'd like to.
I'd appreciate any input, thanks!

Ken

The 169 was supposed to have hydraulic lift, but IH had some issues with running out of the parts. Your tractor should have a ported pump on it. If it doesn't, you have to change the pump, hand a valve and handle, install the cylinder, take off the old handle and install the lift bracket, run the lines. It isn't hard, just time consuming....... but you have to round up all the parts first. We just bought all the stuff to do a 129. Cost about $300 IIRC.

As Jonathon said it should have a ported hydro from the factory. If it came with a manual lift, IH sold a conversion kit to convert them over. It had some springs and such that had to be added into the hydro to allow for the lift to work correctly. I wish I could remember the bulletin number for IH........

Yeah, I remember that bulletin. I've even seen it posted on here. Lew probably has a copy. It's no big deal though, just a spring and valve change over on the charge pump relief. Looks like both are still available through cub, if you can't find used. Total cost with shipping, about $40.

I have done this conversion to my 169. It was originally manual lift. Took everything off a parts 149 I had and used it since I already had the ported pump. Works great!

Here is the manual.
http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/169%20Hydr...On%20Setup.pdf

Thanks for the help!
 

Ok, since this can be done fairly easily (thanks for the bulletin), now it'll be harder to pass on this 169. Of course, I should probably put my energy into fixing the steering on my 124 and installing a pto clutch on my 125, but this 169 I'm interested in is supposed to be ready to go and mow.
I don't suppose anyone here would care to represent the voice of reason? If I fix up the two I already have, I could save some money towards one of those fancy red cub cadets I'd like to get someday.

Ken

Ken, go for the 169. Once you get a wide frame you won't want to work on those narrows anymore.:biggrin2:

The voice of reason is get the 169. After you get it the way you want it, you probably won't want a red one. Although the red ones are nice, they can be a little more difficult to work on and to keep running properly.

Get this 169. You'll love it.

My feelings exactly!