Business Is Booming For “Cub” Website
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Since more than a quarter million Farmall and International Cub tractors were built between the years 1947 and 1981, there’s a big market for parts. Ten years ago, Richard Batstone tapped into that market with his website, www.farmallcubforever.com. He operates from his home in Berlin, Mass.
“I love Cub tractors, and I always wanted to have a mail order business, so it grew out of that,” says Batstone.
In the past decade, the site has attracted thousands of viewers who are looking for manuals, OEM parts, videos, or just have questions.
Cub aficionados from across the U.S., Canada, and even foreign countries use the site. Gary Knowles of Miami, Fla., used the website to network and locate parts for the 1952 Cub restoration that took him almost 6 mos. and 1,000 hrs. to complete. The rusted relic he acquired needed an engine, tranny, and rear-end overhaul. Knowles says the website gave him great service and the parts he needed, making his job much easier. His like-new 1952 Cub, which he says might be the only one in Miami, now sports a shiny red and white paint job along with new tires.
Scott Swope of Jessup, Md., restored a Cub as a tribute to his dad, who passed away in 1984. Swope says he remembers plowing with the old tractor when he was 9 as his father taught him the “ropes” of driving.
The original Cub tractor was introduced in 1947 to help farmers with the transition from horsepower to mechanical power. The wheelbase was just over 69 in., the 4-cylinder C-60 gas engine had a displacement of 59 1/2 cubic in., producing about 9 1/4 hp. on a belt and 8 on the drawbar. In the 1960’s, the engines had higher rpm’s and produced 15 hp. The 184 and 185 Lo-Boys had 18 hp. Early Cub models were painted red, those built in the ‘60s were Federal Yellow, with red as an option, and other models had red with white trim. Black striping was added to the Lo-Boys. IH also built Cubs in France starting in 1955 and called them the Super Cub.
Batstone says that thousands of Cubs are still used by vegetable farmers because they’re easy to operate, have good visibility, and have the power to pull a small plow, cultivate, push snow, and mow grass. They can be equipped with 3-pt. hitches and loaders.
The Restoration page on the Batstone’s Cub website has extensive information and photos on how to repair engines, transmissions, and rear ends. There’s even a heading devoted to “Ask Charley,” who’s the walking encyclopedia of information on Cub tractors. Charley is a friend of Batstone who was a Case dealer for many years. Batstone says, “If Charley doesn’t know it, chances are nobody does.” The website also has a “For Sale” section where tractors and equipment are sold on consignment.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Farmall Cub Forever, P.O. Box 296, Berlin, Mass. 01503 (www.farmallcubforever.com).
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Business Is Booming For “Cub” Website COMPUTERS Since more than a quarter million Farmall and International Cub tractors were built between the years 1947 and 1981 there’s a big market for parts Ten years ago Richard Batstone tapped into that market with his website www farmallcubforever com He operates from his home in Berlin Mass “I love Cub tractors and I always wanted to have a mail order business so it grew out of that ” says Batstone In the past decade the site has attracted thousands of viewers who are looking for manuals OEM parts videos or just have questions Cub afficionados from across the U S Canada and even foreign countries use the site Gary Knowles of Miami Florida used the website to network and locate parts for the 1952 Cub restoration that took him almost 6 mo and 1 000 hrs to complete The rusted relic he acquired needed an engine tranny and rear end overhaul Knowles says the website gave him great service and the parts he needed making his job much easier His like-new 1952 Cub which he says might be the only one in Miami now sports a shiny red and white paint job along with new tires Scott Swope of Jessup Maryland restored a Cub as a tribute to his dad who passed away in 1984 Swope says he remembers plowing with the old tractor when he was 9 as his father taught him the “ropes” of driving The original Cub tractor was introduced in 1947 to help farmers with the transition from horsepower to mechanical power The wheelbase was just over 69 in the 4-cylinder C-60 gas engine had a displacement of 59 1/2 cubic in producing about 9 1/4 hp on a belt and 8 on the drawbar In the 1960’s the engines had higher rpm’s and produced 15 hp The 184 and 185 Lo-Boys had 18 hp Early Cub models were painted red those built in the ‘60s were Federal Yellow with red as an option and other models had red with white trim Black striping was added to the Lo-Boys IH also built Cubs in France starting in 1955 and called them the Super Cub Batstone says that thousands of Cubs are still used by vegetable farmers because they’re easy to operate have good visibility and have the power to pull a small plow cultivate push snow and mow grass They can be equipped with 3-pt hitches and loaders The Restoration page on the Batstone’s Cub website has extensive information and photos on how to repair engines transmissions and rear ends There’s even a heading devoted to “Ask Charley” who’s the walking encyclopedia of information on Cub tractors Charley is a friend of Batstone who was a Case dealer for many years Batstone says “if Charley doesn’t know it chances are nobody does ” The website also has a “for sale” section where tractors and equipment are sold on consignment Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Farmall Cub Forever P O Box 296 Berlin Mass 01503 www farmallcubforever com
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