The progression of my “cub bug” (aka. Yellow fevor…) and why I guess ISO mounts suck.

[cledford]

Since getting bitten with the "cub bug" (a little over a month ago...) I've acquired 3 QLs (1650, 1450, 1250) and a WF 169.

I'd first bought the 1650 to mow with and to “restore.” (had always wanted a 1650 when I was polishing the seat of my Dad’s 1200 with my butt for hours at a stretch…) Shortly after getting it home I discovered that you couldn't mow & restore at the same time Also, it has some bigish issues - so bought the 1450 thinking it would be the workhorse while I got the 1650 back up to snuff and then it would get sold. The 1450 turned out to have worse issues and is now currently half torn apart awaiting new ISO mounts (among other things) to arrive. I'd gotten the 1650 for a song, so the 1450 didn't seem like a big deal, then the 1250 appeared for less than I can sell a couple parts off of it for… Since I needed a few other parts from it for the 1650 - I was actually saving money, right? Anyhow, suddenly the 169 became available and I decide IT would the restoration project and I should have it for when I was ready to do a restore, vs. being ready to restore and not being able to find one, I mean, they only made 4000 ever, right?

Anyhow, the 1250 is currently my "experimentation" unit. It is a rolling wreck. Missing drive shaft, hydro valves both frozen, numerous small pieces (tank, some body work) missing, etc. It did however, (for $25 more!) come with the engine, which turns by hand. This is my "fun tractor," the one I'm learning on. I even plan to rebuild the motor myself – what can I lose with $25 invested? Today I decided to pull the engine to see what I would be looking at to replace the ISO mounts in 1450. (note, the engines are HEAVY – big, BIG mistake hoisting it by hand onto the work bench!)

Anyhow, the attached pics show why the ISO mounts suck. I have no idea how these got SO deteriorated, but it is amazing! These are the bottom, BACK mounts. It is my understanding they typically fair better than the fronts! I understand this to be due to the fact that most oil leaks occur in the front and the oil combined with the heat quickly rot away the front ISOs. I guess that wisdom is in part valid. One of the fronts was entirely missing, the other replaced with some sort of bolt/nut rigid mount concoction.

Anyhow, I'm busting on the QL series, but I really don't care. I'm learning enough (and of course own a couple) that should I develop a ISO eating oil leak in the future I can STOP and fix it before the worst happens. Having said that, I am looking forward to the 169 and not having to deal with them. I also wouldn’t mind if a 149 found its way home and my "worker" wasn't encumbered with them (ISOs) in the future. Ah the possibilities… I could have the 149 &169. Fix up and trade off the 1450 & 1650, then get myself a 1200 and put a rear PTO and creeper on it to have the fancy upgrades I’d wished Dad had sprung for. Of course the motor from 1250 would already be ready to rock & roll...

You know, I told my fiancée that I was getting into this hobby because it was cheap compared to everything else I’d ever been into Amazing how it has picked up steam so fast… Going to have to enjoy it while it lasts, 25 days and I’m married. Looking forward to it for sure, she’s a great girl – but these tractors are going to need parts

-Calvin

[Diz Jr.]

I hear ya cledford, I started out with a 1450. But it left the next day after the 169 showed up :biggrin2.gif:

[R Bedell]

YUP....what Bill said...

[T-Mo]

I'm going to chime in here. First off, I don't think Calvin was bashing Quiet Lines, but merely pointing out the "extra" maintenance that the ISO mounts require.

I also agree with the idea of having them - reduce the vibration that the frame would otherwise absorb. I have a couple of other brands that use ISO mounts also. I had a 1979 Wheel Horse C-141 Automatic that had the K-321 14 hp Kohler engine on it. Wheel Horses up to 1978 hard mounted the engines like IH did before the QL series. Then starting in 1978, WH use ISO mounts. My '79 C-141 had them and when I rebuilt the engine I replace those mounts. They were shot after 30 years of abuse that Bill mentioned. I also had two JD 200 series, a 1978 214 and a 1979 210, both which had ISO mounts and Kohler K-series engines, the 210 - a K-241 10 hp and the 214 - a K-321 14 hp. Both my JD 200 series still had the original ISO mounts and they were still in good shape. But they can and have been known to wear out like the ones on the QLs do.

I expect that IH, nor Wheel Horse, nor JD made these mounts - they were more than likely bought off the shelf from another vendor. Rubber has and will deteriorate over time - and 30 plus years they will do just that. Is it a bad design, no - it just requires replacing after - say 20 or 30 years or so. Not bad, I say.

[ACecil]

I did what Bill said on a 1250, I used to own. No problems at all afterwards.

[T-Mo]

Bill,
I guess a couple of those remarks can, and probably should be, reviewed as bashing. But, I guess, I'm willing to give a benefit of doubt. But, the comment about ISO mounts could be directed at any tractor, regardless of brand, as I've mentioned other brands use the mounts and they do wear out over time. I guess, my point is, it is an improvement, but the mounts do wear out, just like any other wear item on a tractor, or car for that matter, and should be treated as a wear item.

[truckntran]

Originally Posted by T-Mo

Bill,
I guess a couple of those remarks can, and probably should be, reviewed as bashing. But, I guess, I'm willing to give a benefit of doubt. But, the comment about ISO mounts could be directed at any tractor, regardless of brand, as I've mentioned other brands use the mounts and they do wear out over time. I guess, my point is, it is an improvement, but the mounts do wear out, just like any other wear item on a tractor, or car for that matter, and should be treated as a wear item.

I wonder if these other brand Isos might interchange or if they are less money.....If the ISO mounts were considerably less expensive I bet folks would complain a lot less about them. I'm just happy we can still get them.

[Amigatec]

These are just like any other rubber motor mount, they ALL wear out.

[johncub7172]

Bickering aside, my question as the reader would be to Wild Bill: Is there any prevenative measures to be taken for the nf cracking? I would have never thought had I not peacefully been reading along. For the good of the group.

[T-Mo]

Originally Posted by truckntran

I wonder if these other brand Isos might interchange or if they are less money.....If the ISO mounts were considerably less expensive I bet folks would complain a lot less about them. I'm just happy we can still get them.

I don't own a QL, so I can't comment on the price for one, but I did own a Wheel Horse, and the mounts for them were expensive.