Cub Conversion Triples Versatility

Cub Conversion Triples Versatility TRACTORS Conversions 32-4-16 An IH 154 Cub is a handy little tractor, but it has its limits. When Marion Schultz was offered one for $200, he snapped it up and began converting it into a handy chore tractor. "The engine worked great, but it only had live hydraulics, and it came with a weak starter/generator," says Schultz. "I wanted to put a loader on it and knew I would want power steering if I did that. I also wanted a 3-pt. hitch on the rear." He installed a Farmall Cub starter. This required modifying the frame some and adding a ring gear to the flywheel as well as an alternator. To get the hydraulic power he would need, he added a 5 gpm pump and replaced the mechanical worm gear steering with a hydrostatic control for a cylinder he mounted under the front axle. Mounting the cylinder required adding brackets to the front axle and making other changes. "I knew the front axle couldn't handle a loader, so I rebuilt the front end," says Schultz. "I put an extra stabilizer on the center pivot pin and made heavier steering arms." Knowing he would want slower speeds for tight loader work, Shultz also slipped an old Model A transmission ahead of the original Cub transmission. This gave him three reverse speeds and a slower forward gear. To fashion a quick-tach loader, Schultz copied a loader on an International 706, though not to scale. He fabricated everything from scrap except for the four cylinders. Mounts are placed so they don't interfere with checking oil or changing oil filters. The loader itself quick attaches with two bolts to either side of the frame and slides off the tractor with the aid of its own hydraulics. A subframe on the tractor's front end seats the loader without bolts when in use and lets it slide away when unhooking. "The main loader frame just tips down, and the grill guard supports it on the ground. I can put it on or take it off in 10 minutes," explains Schultz. "The 48-in. bucket is quick-tach too. The loader has picked up 700 lbs. and can raise the bucket 6 ft., 2 in. off the ground." Schultz had a local machinery shop make the bucket and then added sides himself. He also has a pallet fork for the loader. Everything was made heavy duty. Even the grill guard is made from 1-in. sq. tubing. "The bucket is 10 gauge steel with reinforcing strips around the back and as skids underneath," says Schultz. "The cutting edge is from a cutting edge of a grader blade." To power a rear 3-pt. and provide rear remotes, he rerouted the hydraulic lines that had serviced a mower deck. Schultz installed standard remote couplers so he can use the Cub for raising and moving full size implements. The 3-pt. was made with Cat. III top links for the lift arms, as they were the right length for space and travel needed. Everything else was Cat. I parts. For lift, he installed a hydraulic cylinder with two-way pressure so he can have down pressure too. Schultz replaced the existing turf tires and rims with a set of ag wheels he picked up from a friend. The wide tires had been intended for rear wheels of a combine. Schultz put new centers on them to fit the hub. The diameter was close enough to the old tires that the front wheels were unaffected. Like much about the entire project, they're oversized, which is fine with Schultz. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marion Schultz, 10635 Stephenson Rd., Onsted, Mich. 49265 (ph 517 467-4786).

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