Cub Cadet 1450 cradle/motor mount replacement w/pics

[jimbob200521]

Well, since I had Turkeyday off with a few hours to spare, I decided to work on the 1450. Today's goal? Remove the motor. Removing the motor was a learning experience as I'd never removed a Cub motor before but it all ended well. I should hopefully (crosses fingers) have my new engine cradle and mounts in this weekend along with my new hydro fan. Anywho, on to today. I removed the gas tank, hood, and grill. Easy enough. I then moved on to the motor. I attempted (and successfully completed ) removing the ISO bolts only to realize that the motor wouldn't come out. So, I searched around. I found that by cranking one end of the front axle up at a time, I could remove the actual bolts that hold the motor to the mounts. After a bit of finagling, I got all 4 bolts out violla; had the motor free. I grunted and lifted it out to freedom! I snapped a few pics and called it a day to get ready for Turkey Day feast. So here's the pics I took, looks like the ol girl needed the new mounts that are on the way I'll be sure to post back with more pics when I get her completed.

[bkw3614]

If you lifted that k-321 out of its mount without some sort of a hoist, you are pretty good. That is why a lifting eye came on those engines from the factory.

Having said that, I did that job a year ago on my 1250 Nightmare. I had a local welding and machine shop do the recommended engine cradle modification, and after rebuilding the steering sector and tightening the front axle yoke, I now have a machine that doesn't shake too badly and steers well.

This is a great project! It took me awhile to get everything set correctly once back together, but it was all worth it in the end. I wish you great success in this process.

[Sam Mac]

Sweet!

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by bkw3614

If you lifted that k-321 out of its mount without some sort of a hoist, you are pretty good. That is why a lifting eye came on those engines from the factory.

Having said that, I did that job a year ago on my 1250 Nightmare. I had a local welding and machine shop do the recommended engine cradle modification, and after rebuilding the steering sector and tightening the front axle yoke, I now have a machine that doesn't shake too badly and steers well.

This is a great project! It took me awhile to get everything set correctly once back together, but it was all worth it in the end. I wish you great success in this process.

Yeah, was wondering if I was going to need a lift or hoist, or at the very least a 2nd person, to get the motor out but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Don't get me wrong, it was a heavy lift, but not totally impossible. That being said, I have a friend coming over this weekend to help put it back

And I debated doing some steering work but with winter fast approaching and space soon to be a premium, I decided against it. It's not too bad as is, but will need some work in the future.

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Sweet!

Thanks!

[J-Mech]

Lookin good Ryan!!

[Cubcrazy]

Nice progress on the 1450!

[ACecil]

You've been busy! Thanks for the pics.

[jimbob200521]

Well, I got some time today to work on the 1450 and got the job pretty much completed. I started the day by replacing the practically none-existant hydro-fan with a shiny new one.

After that, I set to work giving the frame and engine area a quick spit-shine, the pics pretty much speak for themselves on this one. Next is a quick pic of the grove that was worn from the old rubbers that were obviously past there prime. As a result, as I later found, the drivers-side rear engine mount bolt was stripped so I've got to figure out what to do about that, I'm open to suggestions!

Next up I put the new cradle in place and boy did it look good, especially compared to the old setup that was on the machine. After that, I got in a good grove and missed any more pics until she as all back together Got the engine set in place, bolted up, cables/wires hooked up, grill installed, yada yada yada. Once everything was in place, I turned the key and she fired right up! It took about another hour of adjustments (carb and ISO bolt tightness, I started with about a thread showing as I've read and tightened half a turn from there. I eventually got a good "smoothness". Now I've got to track down those pesky hood rattles ).

Anywho, all in all, it was a great success for not only my first motor pull but my first cradle replacement. I was absolutely against Quietlines before this as the cradle situation scared me but I've got to say, this was well worth the effort. I look forward to next spring/summer when I really get to put her to work as mower and a tiller around the yard and for the garden!

BTW, big thanks to messary for the cradle and ISO mounts, they worked out great! I also want to thank everyone who offered to help me out by welding the brace I needed, I appreciate the great community we have here, thanks guys!

[jimbob200521]

I'm also kind of curious about a couple differences between cradle brackets that I noticed.

1) The corners appear to be notched different, not a huge deal.

2) Another mounting hole on the old vs "new" bracket, but for what?

3) Again, another mounting hole?

4) Why was one bracket set notched out for the impliment mounting bolts but the other not? Was there a difference in cradles from early production model Quietline's vs late production models?

Just a couple differences I noticed while comparing the two. What's your guys' take on them?