Front-end loader on Cub 123?

[Fred's 123]

I've come the conclusion that I need a front end loader. Shoveling 32 yards of mulch this spring into and out of the wagon behind my cub, and moving 24 yards of dirt more recently (again, all by shovel and the plow on the front of my Cub), has brought me to this conclusion. I also heat with wood, and move many cords of wood every year. That said, I only have 4 acres, and it's all manicured lawn. I don't have any agricultural needs, brush hogging, or woods to maintain.

Honestly, my little Cub 123, although not always the most reliable machine (hey, she's old), does pretty much everything I ever need it to do. I have a 48" mower deck (which serves as a nice back-up to my big mower), a 42" plow blade, and a 42" snow thrower. She's well-equipped to do almost any job I need.

So, the question is... should I aim to put a small front end loader on the 123, or just buy a utility tractor (JD 750'ish) with a front end loader? Yes, I could get 4wd with a utility tractor, and potentially save myself headaches on the rare occasion we get more than a foot or two of snow in one shot, but then I'll have another machine to store and maintain. I have too many toys, so garage space is a bit of an issue around here.

I've seen some small loaders (eg. kwik-way), which have small but still useful capacities. I do not know if there's anything that's a direct bolt-on for a Cub narrow frame, but I am equipped to do fab work. I just don't have much time for it, if it's much behind a few cuts and welds. Moreover, if I use the Cub for loader duty, I need something that I can swap back and forth for plow or snow thrower relatively quickly and easily.

Thoughts? Ideas? Favorite loaders?

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Fred's 123

I've come the conclusion that I need a front end loader. Shoveling 32 yards of mulch this spring into and out of the wagon behind my cub, and moving 24 yards of dirt more recently (again, all by shovel and the plow on the front of my Cub), has brought me to this conclusion. I also heat with wood, and move many cords of wood every year. That said, I only have 4 acres, and it's all manicured lawn. I don't have any agricultural needs, brush hogging, or woods to maintain.

Honestly, my little Cub 123, although not always the most reliable machine (hey, she's old), does pretty much everything I ever need it to do. I have a 48" mower deck (which serves as a nice back-up to my big mower), a 42" plow blade, and a 42" snow thrower. She's well-equipped to do almost any job I need.

So, the question is... should I aim to put a small front end loader on the 123, or just buy a utility tractor (JD 750'ish) with a front end loader? Yes, I could get 4wd with a utility tractor, and potentially save myself headaches on the rare occasion we get more than a foot or two of snow in one shot, but then I'll have another machine to store and maintain. I have too many toys, so garage space is a bit of an issue around here.

I've seen some small loaders (eg. kwik-way), which have small but still useful capacities. I do not know if there's anything that's a direct bolt-on for a Cub narrow frame, but I am equipped to do fab work. I just don't have much time for it, if it's much behind a few cuts and welds. Moreover, if I use the Cub for loader duty, I need something that I can swap back and forth for plow or snow thrower relatively quickly and easily.

Thoughts? Ideas? Favorite loaders?

My Fav is a Cat 992, moves rock fast

[tractordude]

heres a 123 with a johnson loader, they also changed the hydro to a foot control

[Darrell]

I have this Johnson mounted on a NF 126. It will do good for what you are wanting to do plus more , but you have to have alot of weight mounted on the back. The wheelweights on mine are 100 lbs apiece plus my 200 lbs and i have added more weight on the back.

This tractor is a dedicated loader tractor because they can be a pain to remove and store , but i guess you could take it off and add your other attachments.

And they usually bring alot of money , especially for collectors.

It's a tough call. If you just use it once in awhile , i would try to get a dedicated loader tractor. If you think you may need to use it more often and maybe do heavier work , i would get something bigger.

[Fred's 123]

I am strongly considering another tractor, just for the loader. Rule of thumb around here is that if buy a loader, the tractor is free. That's because you can buy a tractor with a loader for almost the price of a loader alone. Then again, most of those tractors are bigger than I need. I'd be happy with less than 20 hp on my loader machine.

The neighbor has a 1980's Deere 750 4WD with turf tires and a loader he might be wanting to sell. It's manual trans (I prefer hydro), but the price might be right, and I'd save on transport costs. Then again, it takes up almost a full garage space to store. A cub, even with a loader, has a much smaller footprint.

Other option is sell my Cub, buy the Deere, and just get a plow and/or snow thrower for that machine. I do love my little Cub, but can't really justify the space to store both.

[Fred's 123]

Just talked with the wife, and she told me to make an offer on the Deere 750, and then said, "Why would you sell the Cub? Don't you need a backup?"

I knew there was a reason I married that girl. She may be parking in the driveway, though.

[cub123]

The biggest thing is finding one, just a kwik way without a sub frame took me years to finally acquire,and I still have to make a frame to go on the 149. The second thing is the 123 will be only for the loader, so I would look for a wide frame to mount it on instead. Hills, mud, and large loads are weak points for any two wheel drive with a FEL. If you heat with wood and move as much as we do a 4x4 tractor really is the only way to go ( we have a ford 1710 & 1720 and it makes chopping wood so much easier) , Im not trying to talk you of of a cub FEL, but as far as a practical tractor..... I'll leave it up to you.

[CADplans]

AND, the JD will move the chicken coop!!





I love the Cubs, but, 24 yards of dirt is too much for a Cub front end loader, IMHO!!

It can be done, but, there may not be much tractor left when the pile is finished.

Get the right tool for the job!!

[Shaner]

if that JD loader tractor is a gear driven, GET IT! gear driven utilitly tractors such as that are getting hard to find. most all now are hydro. it also looks like it has a Great Bend brand loader on it, one of the best IMO

[inspectorudy]

Just to add my two bits to the excellent advice you have already received, I would buy the neighbors JD. I built one of CADplans FEL and it was a blast to build and use but it was not ideal as a heavy use heavy load FEL. I used an old Simplicity dedicated to FEL use only and the rear weight alone was enough to eventually ruin the tractor. Plus, no four wheel drive really hurt any time I was off road which was most of the time which make power steering a real asset. Another thing is that although these little tractors will work as FEL they do not have the weight to ram a pile of rocks or clay to get a full load or to push through sod or underbrush. You have to finesse the bucket again and again to get it full and then your balance is right on the verge of being tippy. I would buy the JD and then when you really need a FEL to do some heavy work you will be really happy you did. BTW, this is not meant to be disrespectful to the many FEL/Cub owners. I loved mine and CADplans has a good product but they are not for heavy repetitive use. And dont' even consider taking the thing off of your tractor to use other implements. Some can do it in thirty minutes or so but it is a PITA and will damage your back!