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Used are pretty plentiful. New decks just don't exist (except the NOS one now that I said that). Spindles I believe are still available. Check the CC Specialties website.
Will the cc specialists know which 50" would fit on my '73 149? Or am I constrained using a 48"?
Jim Chabot retired and sold off most of his collection. Sold his home in the pics and built another (and when I say built, he did his own work, including the home in the pics and the museum bldg. and the new home). Last I knew he still has one of the pre-production Original's. Don't believe it's 409 but 40 something. He still lives in Mass. and a lot of the year in Maine (big time snowmobiling).
Very glad to hear he's still around. I understand the Cub fever. The only cure is more Cubs lol
CC Specialties.org is owned by Charlie Proctor, aka Digger. He knows exactly what deck fits your 149. If you want to use a 44" or 50" newer style IH deck you will need an updated mule drive. The mule drive pulleys will have a slight angle to direct the belt towards the center deck pulley which is slightly offset.
One other thing I forgot to mention. Those lined tires as you call them are generally referred to as "ribbed" tires. Jim Chabot found a brand new pair of Goodyears for his 169. Another of his amazing feats, since they just don't exist. I have a pair of Carlisle on my 169, which are somewhat look a-likes. Here's an old pic from 2001 of my 169 where you can see the tires. You can also see the "pre-production" wheels (they are from an earlier narrow frame Cub Cadet and have the wide offset on the outside). I like the looks and stance. It doesn't show as much camber as the originals.
Gorgeous 169!!
Be interesting to see if the liquid steel pc-7 holds up to the deck vibration.
I hope so. Fingers crossed!
I must have missed that question. I think it's best to open it up for an answer and opinion from everyone that wants to respond.
Manual calls for grease every 16 hours.
Wow - there's apparently a lot of difference in the recommended maintenance. My first and go to tractor was a 1450 with a 50A deck. This is a Quiet Line tractor and the next 14hp Hydro tractor after your 149. I worked on and restored a lot of tractors over the years but my 1450 was the around the house always use unit. Guess I should have read the manuals for others a little closer.
Could the change be the bean counters trying to scheme up ways to make more money on repairs and parts? Longer grease intervals means shorter life.
Well, interesting question about the bean counters. I actually don't think so. At the time the 50A deck was built (1974-80) IH was in one of it's best production periods (at least as I understand it for the famous Quiet Line Series tractors. I don't know what else IH was building. If I recall correctly it wasn't until late in this period or maybe even just after that new management was brought in from Xerox and things went down hill, but not so much in the Cub Cadet or Lawn Products Division).
My 149 has deck wheels on the 44" deck just like yours. They're just mounted higher up, that's all, and has been that way for 30+ years, no problem.
Good to know. I don't plan on using the 149 heavily. Maybe every 2-3 mows vs my 2020.
