My first 'Real' Cub Cadet!

LDPosse · #1 10-30-2009, 12:08 AM

Hey guys!

I finally picked up an actual IH Cub Cadet! This has been a long time in the making!

As a kid, our family got a MTD era Cub Cadet 1315 in the late 80s... I mowed alot of grass with that... Then in the early 90s, my grandfather retired his '79 Cadet 85 special, which I got my hands on and turned into a go-kart!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r2hKQoAN-U

This was my first introduction into IH machinery! A few years ago, I got a Cadet 60, which I used until June 2009 when the already tired motor took a turn for the worse.

Last fall, I swapped an old car for a 1951 Farmall M. What a gem! It looks rough but runs good. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts, or at least a little eccentric owning a farm tractor and living in town.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBjHD-3zixk

I just picked up this Cub Cadet 147 from a guy up the road. It wouldn't run anymore because of 'carb problems'...... The melted down points made me think differently. A new set of points and a fresh condenser, and I was in business!

I already changed the oil, and picked up some HyTran, a new rear gasket, a trans filter, and a new muffler to replace the rusted-out original.

I plan to put it to use soon for leaf cleaning!

I'm wondering what my best bet is for the winter... Last year we didn't get any appreciable snow, so I didn't get to put the Farmall/Model 30 loader with blade to use, but I think with my limited space, the Cub Cadet with either a blade or a 36/42" blower might be easier to manage. Any opinions on that one?

Thanks!

Yosemite Sam · #2 10-30-2009, 03:01 AM

Congratulations on your first Cub.

The first thing you will want to do, is clear your property of any trees, shrubs, flower beds and other such things. Then get with your local contractor and start planning to put your property "under roof" as you will need the storage space for the next 20 or so Cub's that will soon "follow" this first one to your place.

You are correct about the larger machines sometimes getting in their own way when space is limited. Without seeing your place it's hard to tell how much room you have to maneuver your "M" only you can decide that. However If you plan on clearing the driveways in your neighborhood of snow you just may want to use your "M" for that and get a blower or blade for your 147 to do the sidewalks and smaller areas in the neighborhood.

Living "in town" and owning a tractor, sounds like you just enjoy being around, working on, and using the equipment. What ever you decide to do, I'm sure you will have fun.

We finally acquired enough blades that we don't have to "take turns" any more. As soon as we get enough snow to plow, my Brother comes over, and we get everything warmed up and ready to go. Then Betsy, my Daughter, my Brother and I, start clearing out my drive, then on to my Brothers house, then several neighbor's, after that we load up and go into town and do Mom's place, several of her neighbors, the Church, and a few sidewalks around town so the elderly people who "don't drive in the stuff" can get to the store and Post Office. We just have the most fun! Another good thing about it is, after the roads are clear, depending on how much snow we got and how many snows we've had, sometimes Betsy won't have to cook for a month... The food, cookies, cakes and pies just come pouring in. And to think, we do it because we enjoy it. Sometimes I wish we got more snow around here than we do...

Enjoy your Cub... and the next ones that will soon follow.

Diz Jr. · #3 10-30-2009, 07:45 AM

LDPosse,

Nice find on your 147.

R Bedell · #4 10-30-2009, 08:35 AM

LDPosse:

Welcome to our Forum.......

Nice catch on the 147. It is a model I would like to have.

RPalmer · #5 10-30-2009, 09:04 AM

LDPosse,

Nice Cub. I want a 147. It's the biggest hp narrow frame they made. And with the electric lift, what's not to love.

Roblynn · #6 10-30-2009, 10:22 AM

Looks like a great machine LDPosse!

I'm sure that it is beginning of many more! I am anxious to get my projects done so I can start looking for a Narrow Frame machine!!

ACecil · #7 10-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Congrats, on your 147, LDPosse! Good luck with it.

LDPosse · #8 10-31-2009, 12:53 AM

Thanks for the compliments, guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

You are correct about the larger machines sometimes getting in their own way when space is limited. Without seeing your place it's hard to tell how much room you have to maneuver your "M" only you can decide that.

I can swing the M around in my driveway, but it's kinda tight with the loader/blade attached. That narrow front seems to lose traction easy at full lock and just the tractor just pushes ahead instead of turning. I'd hate to crash into my garage with the blade while turning around, that would make for a real bad day! I think a wood frame garage vs Farmall M would not be pretty!

I don't think I'd have much to worry about with the 147, as there is plenty of room to turn it around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPalmer

.......and with the electric lift, what's not to love.

Actually.... The electric lift is broken. I'm debating whether I should try to find another electric lift unit, or convert to manual lift. I have to take the current unit apart I guess and figure out what is wrong.

Mouse · #9 10-31-2009, 01:31 AM

Welcome to OCC!

Don't worry about the neighbors, just tell 'em that your lawn decorations 'work'!
Mouse