[Flatbedford]

Nice score on the 149! I am a huge fan of the 149. I just bought my second earlier this month.
I had a similar problem with my hydro lift lever. A pin either wore out or fell out on mine. Here's a diagram from the Cub Cadet parts page. You will probably have to remove the fuel tank to see in there, but you may need a 1/8 x 1 coiled pin.
I replaced mine with a bent nail in a hurry a while ago. Some time I'll repair it correctly.

That is not an IH Cub Cadet snow thrower. I don't know what it is from, but somebody seems to have made it work on the 149. Good luck with it and post some more pictures of the blower and how it has been adapted to the 149.