[AT] It's a Cub!

[Alan Riley]

Congrats on the new family member, Karl.  I have had two 1949 Cubs and still have
one of them (sold the other one 25 years ago).  They are lots of fun!  New and used
parts are readily available.

Alan



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <HaliganBar at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:16 PM
Subject: [AT] It's a Cub!


> 
> 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
> 
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