147 Project

[john.knutson]

I picked up a Cub Cadet 147 project yesterday!

It is not running as-is, it has a non-standard ignition switch and no key, but it turns over with compression (previous owner checked this for me).

The electric lift looks to be in good shape, not seized or anything, but I've not had a chance to really give it a shot due to lack of ignition key. I did try hot-wiring it to a 12v battery and it clicked but did not move, not sure exactly what that means, but if I find it not working I might look into putting my ported hydro in this tractor and replacing the electric lift with the hydraulic lift I have that came off a 1250.

Unlike my 107, I was able to actually get the steering wheel off! I'm starting by just going through cleaning everything up, and rigging up a couple switches to use for testing until I decide what I want to do with the ignition long-term.

Excuse the messy garage, I plan to tidy up a bit tonight before I get back to work on it, I was just too excited last night and started ripping it apart (while taking pics along the way to remember how things were setup).

 

[IHinIN]

Good luck with your new project. Looks like it’s in pretty good shape.

 

[john.knutson]

Good luck with your new project. Looks like it’s in pretty good shape.

Thanks! It does seem to be in pretty good shape. There are some custom fixes/modifications made by whoever had it before the guy I got it from, but no major red flags (yet).

 

[hydroharry]

Yes it does look in pretty good shape. I'm wondering about the "black" engine, gas tank, air cleaner, etc. Could it be a replacement engine? Overhauled and painted up?

 

[kharvey]

Looks very good condition for it's age. 147 was my very first cub and it will always be a favorite.

 

[john.knutson]

Over the long Labor Day weekend I got a bit done on the tractor:

• Made a temporary ignition harness
• Drain gas tank, clean carb bowl
• Split tractor and went through all linkages
• Freed and adjusted stuck hydro lever
• Removed, cleaned, & adjusted brakes
• Ran new wires for rear lights
• Removed & cleaned cylinder head
• Got engine running
• Changed oil
• Clean/degrease everything I came across

Pretty good progress I think!

The engine didn't want to run for more than a minute or two, then it would pitter out unless choked, and even then still pitter out after another 30 seconds or so. I did that a few times to get the engine warm before draining the oil. The oil was not looking very pretty, glad I got it changed early.

After the oil change I was able to get the engine past the point where it was dying and it ran for a couple of minutes solid without choke or anything, perhaps I got something un-stuck in the carb or something, I haven't given it a proper clean, but I did dump and clean the bowl.

I've got it mostly re-assembled, hoping for a maiden voyage under it's own power sometime today.

Now, for the list of wants/needs:

• New headlights, current ones are both cracked and burned out
• New taillights, left one has a cracked housing thanks to my impatience
• Lift - fix/replace electric, or swap for my ported hydro and make/hook up a hydraulic lift
• Sleeve hitch setup

I've already got an order in to ccspecialties for the headlights and some other goodies

Pictures:

 

[glippert]

You're right about that oil not being very pretty! Nice progress so far. Thanks for sharing & posting pics - keep 'em coming.

 

[kmcconaughey]

John, nice progress!

 

[glippert]

You may even end up inspiring me to dig my 147 out of storage in a friend's barn!

 

[john.knutson]

Took it on it's maiden voyage under it's own power today!

Well, maiden voyage since I picked it up anyway

I also got the new taillights installed. I had these lying around, was originally going to put them on my 107 but I never got around to making up a wiring harness for it.

Maiden Voyage:

Taillights:

Front views (headlights are on order):

 

[john.knutson]

I almost forgot to post a pic of my son helping me trace the wiring and ensure good connections/continuity when I first got the tractor:

He really likes touching the tires and sitting on the seat (when the seat is installed of course).

 

[kmcconaughey]

Nice!

 

[kharvey]

Start em young they grow up fast. Some of the best times I had were spent wrenching with my son.

 

[john.knutson]

I've been putting the 147 to some work around the yard. Without a lift about all it can do is tow, but that's fine because it's that time of the year for me between the dethatcher, seed/fert spreader, aerator, and trailer all hook up to the drawbar.

That was until Sunday, when it started having trouble staying running. I suspect that it is upset that I let it sit outside overnight (under a tarp). It seems to run out of fuel, runs for 30-60 seconds and putters out. Let it sit a couple minutes and it will do it over again. I haven't had time to really look into it, but I will probably dig in a bit this evening.

Anyway, I haven't done a ton of work on the tractor itself, but I did replace the ball joints on the steering tie rod with some grease-able heim joints from digger. The grease-able ones do collect some dust, but I like the ability to pump grease into 'em. I think the new ends eliminated a tiny bit of the slop in the steering, but the bulk of the slop is in the actual steering assembly, so I'll have to pull that and check it out sometime.

I also painted the steering tie rod with some rustoleum I had. I know it's not the correct paint, but you'll probably notice the tie rod has some "custom" fabrication so it's no longer true anyway.

I used the 147 and 107 to help place a swingset we picked up for my son, easier to maneuver around the yard than my Jeep

Finally, here are some pictures of the dethatching setup. I may have already posted them elsewhere on here, oh well. In the second pic, you can see the phone mounted to the left fender. I tried using an app called Field Navigator to track where I had gone (practicing for seeding/fertilizing), but didn't get very precise tracking. I will keep trying, maybe with my wife's iPhone (I have an Android currently). It would be really slick if it was able to track more precisely. The mount is a suction cup mount that I used to use in my Jeep, so it's pretty strong and holds the phone real snug. The brand is "Ram Mount".

 

[mgonitzke]

You might consider straightening the tie rod...it will continue to bend next to the reinforcement if you don't. Or replace it...good used ones should be dime a dozen.

 

[john.knutson]

You might consider straightening the tie rod...it will continue to bend next to the reinforcement if you don't. Or replace it...good used ones should be dime a dozen.

Yup I do plan to replace it, especially before doing any sort of snow duty (which will also require the lift to be working).

 

[john.knutson]

I've still not gotten around to fixing/replacing that tie rod, which is funny because it is probably one of the easier fixes that this tractor needed when I got it.

Anyway, I have gotten some other things done recently:

• Ignition switch replaced
• Lights (& partial ignition) rewired
• Electric lift fixed

Getting the electric lift working was a big win. I was able to replace some worn springs and it is working pretty well now. I would imagine that it could use some lubrication, I will be looking into electric lift care and maintenance.

I noticed the PTO & starter pulley assembly on the front of the engine is very loose as well, the driveshaft key doesn't look like it's the right size. I'm not sure how I ran it as long as I did without noticing that, but I'm working on getting the PTO assembly off now.

With the electric lift working, I am planning to use this tractor with my Peco Lawn Vac and a mower deck for leaf cleanup. I've already got trees dropping leaves in my yard, I've read that some trees will do that to conserve water in drought conditions (like we have been having here in the Twin Cities, MN area). We did get 1" so far this morning in a pretty aggressive downpour, and more in the forecast. Hopefully it keeps coming!

 

[glippert]

We got 1.62" between 5:00-7:00 am here in Olivia. Would've been better to come over a longer time period, but we'll take it!

Thanks for the update on your progress.

 

[dschwandt]

Did any of you guys make it down to Albert City two weeks ago to the Iowa Chapter #5 show?
I was there w/6 Cubs set up right by the feature tractor bldg.

BTW, RPRU is coming back to Iowa at Spencer, June of 2024.
Chapter #5 will be hosting again.

My 147 has a black replacement engine as well.

 

[john.knutson]

I did not make it down, but I did spend this past Saturday at the Nowthen Threshing Show which is about 20 minutes from me. There were a handful of old cubs, but I never caught the owners to chat. My son really did enjoy it, I hope to bring my tractors to that show next year, and continue to venture to more shows further out.

My wife is hankering for a camper to take the family on adventures like that anyway…