[AT] It's a Cub!

[HaliganBar at aol.com]

Well, It finally happened...I finally have joined the elite of society. Yes, 
that is correct I now own a @$#!* Cub. The deal has actually been in the works 
since last year but, today it was unceremoniously dragged home behind the 
MF202.

My plan had been to get it running and drive it home (about a mile) but, the 
tractor hasn't run in almost a year so I knew I was in for a challenge. I set 
off with a handful of tools and other implements of destruction with high 
hopes of getting the little Cub to roar to life. Everything started off on a 
positive note, all the tires had air in them, there was oil in the engine, water in 
the radiator, only 2 mouse nests (not in critical locations), and gas didn't 
leak all over the ground when I poured a gallon into the tank.

With soaring expectations I turned on the ignition, pulled the starter rod 
and....nothing. The battery was most sincerely dead. Not to worry, I ran to the 
truck, grabbed my battery charger and hooked it up. Uh oh, the reverse 
polarity light lit up...inspite of the fact the red lead was attached to the positive 
terminal and the black lead was clamped to the negative post. Time for plan 
"B"! I jumped into the truck, ran home, and grabbed a 6v battery in my 
garage....back to the cub and installed it. A yank on the starter rod and it turned 
right over..and over ...and over. Not even a pop. Dang...time for plan "C."

I ran back home, fired up the MF202 loader, threw my 15 year old daughter on 
the back, and headed over to the Cub again. I used a cargo strap to raise the 
belly mower and hold it in place. We then pushed the Cub out of the garage and 
hooked a chain from the hoe frame on the MF to the front axle on the Cub. I 
gave Caitlin some very fast driving lessons on the loader, then I hopped on the 
Cub, and off we went down the road. She did a great job of towing and only 
jerked me once. As we left the driveway the PO shouted, "you'll have to drive it 
back if you ever get her going again"...I thought that was some bad karma.

I was planning on using the Cub engine to provide braking so I left the 
tractor in gear and kept my foot on the clutch for the ride home. A couple of times 
on the ride  I turned on the ignition and tried to pop start it but, no dice 
and I shut off the ignition. As we approached our house I finally released the 
clutch to slow me for the first time on the trip. Holy mackerel...it fired 
right up! Someone had installed the ignition toggle switch upside down. I 
quickly shut off the motor so I didn't plow into the back of the MF and we pulled 
into the riding ring.

I disconnected the tow chain and started it again. I let it run for about 15 
seconds and shut it off due to the screech coming from the front of the 
engine. I topped off the hydraulic fluid (thinking dry hyd. pump) and tried 
again...still making the noise. I did manage to identify it as coming from the fan. I 
filled the fan reservoir with oil and lubed the magneto bearing cup just in 
case. Ta da, no more noise and I noticed, no oil pressure on the gauge...dang!

I ran out of time to play with it because I had to leave for work. Tomorrow 
I'll throw a new oil gauge on it and see if that does the trick. I'm cautiously 
optimistic this is the problem because the engine was not making any "I'm not 
getting any oil so I'll grind myself into little pieces" noises. As for the 
particulars..it's a 1949 Cub with a C-2(?) belly mower under it. Everything 
seems to work (except the oil pressure gauge) but I will have some seals to 
replace as well as the front tires.

All things considered...I'm pretty happy with the latest addition to the 
herd....I hope that doesn't change......

Karl