126 back in service
 

The last time I used my 126, the clutch teaser spring broke. When I would step on the clutch to stop, it wouldn’t stop. This was about 2-3 years ago. Last July I decided it was time to fix it, so I ordered a clutch rebuild kit and tore it apart. I should have followed the manual and pulled the motor out, but I took the rear end out instead. I had to take the clutch out in pieces, with the motor out it would have came out in one piece. I took the rear out because I wanted to check out the creeper gear, and thought it would be easier that way. The creeper worked fine, but leaked. I’m glad I checked it, because the bearing was shot in it and the shaft was really loose, so I decided to rebuild that too. That was as far as I got and other projects took over.

I wanted to cut grass with this tractor this year, so two weeks ago I got back to work on it. I got the parts for the creeper gear and rebuilt that. Then I put the clutch together.

Yesterday I got to work putting it all back on the tractor. I put the creeper back on the transmission, filled it with fluid, and put it back in the tractor. Then I pulled the motor out to put the clutch in. It went together much easier than it came apart. Now I know just to pull the motor out next time.

This morning I changed the transmission fluid, and put the fenders and rear lift back on. Then it was ready for a test drive. That went well, nothing blew apart or fell off, so I put the mower deck on and cut some grass with it. It’s nice having it back. This is one of my favorite tractors, and one of my most reliable ones. The next things it needs done are tightening up the steering and adjust or replace the brakes. And eventually a proper paint job. It looks good in pictures, but the PO gave it a really bad rattle can/brush job.

Good going!!
The 126 is the 3rd rarest Cub built enjoying a run of only 5,247 units.
I restored mine 6 years ago and added a creeper and hydraulic lift.

Clutch spring looks too compressed, did you use the oem bearing?

Thanks. Your 126 looks great. I would like to give mine a full restoration someday, but then I probably wouldn’t want to use it for any actual work. Being that it’s my only gear drive, I want to use it. I gotta make it look good, but not too good. :biggrin2:
This is the kit I used: https://www.ebay.com/itm/28537478115...Bk9SR9iMseDXYw

I seem to shy away from those kits, the plate is not like the oem. How dos it perform?

I always have wondered WHY the 126 is rare, it seems like all the other 12hp gear drives sold well, from the 122 all the way up to the 1200. There's certainly nothing undesirable about them. Mine is one of my favorites, I'm looking forward to getting new tires on it and a new battery and putting it back to work this season.

So far, it seems to be working good. Much better than before, it starts out smooth and quiet in all gears. Before it would always grind a little starting out in 3rd. I guess time will tell how well it holds up.

They were the 1st series with the one piece fender/foot rest ass'y.
The 106 (sllalso a GD, sold 16,635 units
the 107 sold 10,846
The 127 finished up with 25,485 sold
And the 147, which was the 1st of the 14 HP. Cubs as well
the last of the narrow frames netted IH 15,678 sales.

Just like having an old friend back in your life!

Pretty handy to have that many “spare” tractors kicking around that you can rest them for a few years. Good thing I don’t have the space, I might be in the same boat.

Where did you find these numbers?

Thanks. It’s nice having spares, the only downside is repairs tend to get pushed off like this. I have a few others that need work too. If this was my only tractor, it would have been fixed immediately.