Restoration Help

[Gregory]

Thanks sawdustdad. I think sticking with the AG's in the way to go. Are those 23*10.5 or 23*8.5 on your 72 in that pic ? Also like the chain idea on the turf tires. That give a wider surface contact area for traction.

[sawdustdad]

I think they are 23x8.50x12s on the 72.

[Merk]

Originally Posted by Gregory

Merk, about 2 years ago I read your thread about 5 times and studied every picture. All I can say, amongst other commenters is that is a great job.... How is it holding up today ?

Ok I need an opinion for I'm about to order tires. Currently the rear tires are 23*8.5*12 AG 's and ribbed on the front. Should I replace what is there with new tires or go with the 23*10*12's. Yes they may be wider but the fender will cover allot also. I have a small yard and I'm more interested in traction more than turf tires would give me. So should I go for the wider tread or stay where I'm at. Also what would look good on the tractor ?

The 70 has been the most used IH Cub Cadet I have in the Spring-Summer and Fall. The only things I had to replace a battery and a coil. I usually run the 70 because it is easy on gas.

[Gregory]

Hello Folks, its been a while since updating this. Work has been making me travel constantly for the past few years.......Ok, I got the frame, hood, seat and all other parts primed and painted and have started putting this tractor back together. Pic's to come shortly......
In taking this tractor apart there was problem with the front axle pin. The pin and axle had to be heated red hot with an acetylene. It took a brass drift and a 5 lbs sledge to remove the original pin. What was discovered was that the roll pin snapped due to a rusty axle pin. IH did not use a grease fitting which has now been corrected. In putting the axle back in I used a new pin (from ebay with a pin) drilled, tapped and installed a zerk fitting. I'm using the original tie-rod ends temporarily until the new ones arrive for test fitting everything back together. Got to say, for a 1963 70, these are robust durable tractors, quite simple in design but extremely reliable and it appears that you can't break them! I bought this because of the heavy duty construction but you really gained an appreciation of this when putting it back together...
Presently I'm rebuilding the steering system, basically to remove the constant slop. Research indicates and please correct me if I'm wrong, replacing worn out parts, like tie-rod ends and other parts. There was wear in the drag link and the front left spindle which has been fixed. I used a tapered pin with retaining bolt. No slop between spindle and drag-link. I've ordered parts to rebuild the steering head, ie the retainer & bearing ball assembly, cam follower but cannot locate a source for the Seal & Seal Retainer which goes between the steering housing assem and the pivot arm.

I may hear it on this forum, but John Deere used the same assemb and the gasket is available from their parts sites. Any other suggestions for sourcing the Seal & Seal Retainer ?

[Merk]

Originally Posted by Gregory

Merk, about 2 years ago I read your thread about 5 times and studied every picture. All I can say, amongst other commenters is that is a great job.... How is it holding up today ?

Little Update on my 70. At 2 different shows the 70 pulled the kiddie barrel train. One show had 13 cars hook together and the other had 6 cars. The 13 car train made the 70 talk a little.

[Gregory]

Thanks Merk. Now that's train (13 cars) and being able to pull it is a tribute to the engine (long stroke) / gear ratio (torque). I'm impressed...... Before I took the 70 apart I'd would airiate our yard using 5 cinder-blocks to supply weight. Ok, our area has a lot a clay along with soil.... but the tractor pulled that ground attachment up hill in first gear at a little over idle. Again I was impressed.

Ok since my help questions on restoration are complete, I started a seperate post titled "Model 70 Restoration project".