I have a couple ?'s

[westofb]

First off, my project tractor is a 149...and had a couple of questions about making some additions too it.

1. I was thinking of adding some type of hitch to the rear, see them listed as different type categories...I have no clue what any of this means. I looked at some of the site sponsors and see they have a (I think) type "O" and a 3 point. Any insight into rear hitches would be appreciated.

2. This is kind of off the wall and hope I don't wind up tearing down my motor in the near future for a rebuild, but in the FAQ section, it shows how to remove the balancing gears from inside the motor case. I guess this is going to be a 2 part question. 2a. I assume the balancing gears are intended to make the motor run smoother, so why would I want my engine to run rougher? 2b. Is there some advantage to remove these gears.

Again, any info or insights appreciated.

[Methos]

Originally Posted by westofb

First off, my project tractor is a 149...and had a couple of questions about making some additions too it.
1. I was thinking of adding some type of hitch to the rear, see them listed as different type categories...I have no clue what any of this means. I looked at some of the site sponsors and see they have a (I think) type "O" and a 3 point. Any insight into rear hitches would be appreciated.
2. This is kind of off the wall and hope I don't wind up tearing down my motor in the near future for a rebuild, but in the FAQ section, it shows how to remove the balancing gears from inside the motor case. I guess this is going to be a 2 part question. 2a. I assume the balancing gears are intended to make the motor run smoother, so why would I want my engine to run rougher? 2b. Is there some advantage to remove these gears.
Again, any info or insights appreciated.

Here's link from the tech section of the site about the hitch. You need sleeve hitch for your 149.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4

I wouldn't tear into a engine to pull the balance gears out unless something else was going on with the engine, but that's just me.

[R Bedell]

The issue with the Balance Gears is that they tend to implode within the block, causing the block to have unnecessary ventilation in the side.

Lots of people remove these gears to prevent the above condition.

The intended design was for smoother operation. However, if there was any wear to the gears, bearings, or shafts, they had a nasty habit of coming apart. The amount of vibration difference is not that noticeable.

If you plan on keeping them in your motor, carefully inspect them and all related parts for any wear and replace as necessary when you open up your motor

[jbollis]

Originally Posted by Methos

Here's link from the tech section of the site about the hitch. You need sleeve hitch for your 149.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4

I wouldn't tear into a engine to pull the balance gears out unless something else was going on with the engine, but that's just me.

Extreme does offer a cat-0 3 point for his tractor.

http://www.xtrememotorworks.com/Part.../CC-03-013.htm

[Methos]

Originally Posted by westofb

First off, my project tractor is a 149...and had a couple of questions about making some additions too it.

1. I was thinking of adding some type of hitch to the rear, see them listed as different type categories...I have no clue what any of this means. I looked at some of the site sponsors and see they have a (I think) type "O" and a 3 point. Any insight into rear hitches would be appreciated.

Again, any info or insights appreciated.

Originally Posted by jbollis

Extreme does offer a cat-0 3 point for his tractor.

http://www.xtrememotorworks.com/Part.../CC-03-013.htm

True but it's $462 plus shipping and he states that it's never been produced before.

From the pdf that I think is imporant.

This kit was never produced by Cub Cadet, International or anyone else. It is an aftermarket accessory. It requires some mechanical knowledge. If you don’t know what your doing, get some help. Hydraulic systems put out a lot of power and can break things, including the pump, which is very expensive to replace.

Sleeve hitches are alot less money for $140 shipped he could get a new one from Mark @ IH Cub Parts (site sponser too!) It really doesn't help him find out the diffrences of the two.

Yes it can be done in the end it's his choice.

[jbollis]

Originally Posted by Methos

True but it's $462 plus shipping and he states that it's never been produced before.

From the pdf that I think is imporant.

This kit was never produced by Cub Cadet, International or anyone else. It is an aftermarket accessory. It requires some mechanical knowledge. If you don’t know what your doing, get some help. Hydraulic systems put out a lot of power and can break things, including the pump, which is very expensive to replace.

I am pretty sure that it saying it has never been produced before means, by anyone else. He has pictures on his site of one, so I would have to think he has made at least one. Which would be one more than anyone else. A sleeve hitch and the 3-point are basically the same thing as far as the action , motion, and the way in which the is power being applied. If you can put a sleeve hitch on , you shouldn't have any problems putting the 3-point on. And with a 3-point your uses and implements are almost endless.

[Methos]

Originally Posted by jbollis

I am pretty sure that it saying it has never been produced before means, by anyone else.

That was my point.

If work the same does it make sense to pay more for the same results? Just a thought to ponder on. Unless you've got all 3 point attachments why the need to purchase it?

[jbollis]

The way I have been looking at it for my 2 projects is,

1= sleeve hitch set up is around $150 give or take.
2= 3-point set up $425 give or take, 82 series.
3= sleeve hitch attachments. limited selection. The newer ones are made
very cheaply and will not hold up. Older ones are made good and solid
and will hold up ,but are getting hard to find and are expensive when
you do find them.
4= 3 point attachments, Allot more selection. They tend to made more
heavily then the sleeve hitch ones do.
5= I prefer to spend more money upfront and know that whatever I will
need for attachments in future I will be able to find. ex, Try to find a
sleeve hitch back blade or York rake. Sure you could search across the
country for some IH ones and you might find one. Or you could by a new
from brinley, use it, then buy another one next time you need to use it.

[Matt G.]

I have both and have used both. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:

IH 3-point and sleeve hitch adapter:

Pros:
Less initial cost, simpler. Many used 3-points and new/used sleeve hitch adapters available. Used, reasonably priced attachments ($125 or so for a 10" plow, $75-$100 for a cultivator, $100-$200+ for a box blade, etc) are readily available. Implements are more appropriately sized for a non-SGT Cub Cadet.

Cons:
Less adjustment options than the Cat-0.

Cat-0 3-point:

Pros: Higher load capacity; many adjustments so a wide range of attachments will work with minimal downtime changing the setup when changing attachments; very easy hookup/removal of attachments. Larger range of motion for lift.

Cons: Higher initial cost, and few used hitches available. Really expensive (new and used) and harder to find (used) attachments ($200-$250+ for a 12" plow, more for discs, etc) Many attachments, particularly the Brinly 2-gang disc, are too big for anything other than an SGT. (I've also found the 12" Cat-0 plow to be a bit much for my 782D in hard soil) Adjustments may be a bit overwhelming for a newbie. If you want a tiller, you need an impossible-to-find adapter package to use an IH tiller, or a rather expensive self-powered tiller.

I'm eventually going to have all Cat-0 implements since my 782D has a Cat-0, and I'm building one for my 582. I'll probably eventually build one for my 1872, as well. I got lucky and found a couple of cheaper plows, but I could have bought 4 or 5 sleeve hitch plows for what those cost. I think jbollis is being a little harsh to Brinly's newer equipment. Their back blade isn't that bad, and it seems well-constructed, although I have not used it yet. I may convert it to Cat-0 so I don't need an A-frame adapter to use it. Their sleeve hitch plows, at least as of a couple years ago, are nearly identical to the 30+-year old ones most of us have.

For a 149 I would stick with the OEM IH 3-point and sleeve hitch adapter.

[Dave R]

Westofb,

I can give you my observation about Balance Gears in the K321. I also have a 149 I am rebuilding an engine.

Mine knocked bad, I pulled it out and tore it down. It was difficult to get the flywheel off and difficult to get the bearing behind the PTO off. After taking the bottom oil pan off, the engine had been rebuilt at some time, a chunk was broken out of the bottom of the cylinder sleeve and the rod had hit the case and cracked it big time.

Now back to the balance gears. They were both loose on the shafts, wobbled and didn't line up with the other gears. After I finally got the crank out and the balance gears out, each of them had some of the needle bearings gone. I have no idea how they hadn't torn up something else as loose as they were.

Turns out my block is junk, so we are putting a new block in it (not new but a used one) having it bored out and the crank turned, and the balance gears will go in the trash.

Just my .02 cents worth. They are hard to get out, the crank must come out to let one of them out and off the shaft.
Dave R