Archive through June 02, 2017

[balbrecht]

Wayne, that tensioner pulley is the correct stock setup for a pin on 38/42/48 inch deck. IH eventually offered a kit to convert it over to the spring tensioner style. I have seen about a 50/50 mix of original and updated tensioners on those decks. I put one on my 100 10 years ago, back when the kits were still available.

 

[digger]

You can still get the kit, it's close to the old one, and will work on the older decks, if you tilt your head the right way, LOL

 

[kmcconaughey]

Wayne, I'm thinking that the PO converted that narrow frame pin on deck to work with the wide frame 128. The front mounting points would have originally had plain eye bolts not the elongated type that are on it now, which are from the later QA series mower decks. The rear brackets were likely raised to work with the geometry of a later style mower sub-frame.

Do you have any photos of the sub-frame that you can share?

 

[wshytle]

Obviously I still have lots to learn. I've never come across this deck before.

The deck was apparently set up to scalp. The front adjusters were raised about as high as they could go too.

I may be ordering that spring tensioner. These decks must have been a pain to maintain.

Thanks for all of the input.

Charlie-

Could you see the sight hole plug alright?

.

 

[wshytle]

Kraig-

I haven't seen the tractor or undercarriage nor do I have any pics. The gentleman lives about 45 minutes away and I asked him if he could bring it next time so I could look it over for him. He doesn't seem to know a lot about these old cubs and he's not the only one learning things here. I just know he would be happier with a 129 for mowing but...

Thanks for the mounting hypothesis. It makes more sense when explained that way.

.

 

[vthomley]

Marty, it already looks better with my dad's 'stones on all 4 corners. I have the air cleaner and cover, and the tunnel cover. but this 128 is missing something else. Who can see what its missing?

 

[kmcconaughey]

Vince, no lift arm/rockshaft?

 

[snicklas]

It's also missing the covers between the fuel tank and frame....

And the little silver lever on the dash.........

 

[vthomley]

Kraig, your way too good, no lift handle. they had taken it off and installed an electric lift at one time. I think I'm mounting this hydro lift from this 125 onto the 128.

Scott, I failed to think of those covers. We have 3ea 149s with those little silver levers, no lever for this one

I'm quite certain my version of mounting this hydro lift will look much nicer than the prior had done

I got this 125 9 years ago, amazing 9 years have flown by since getting this trailer load of really abused Cubs.

 

[jpartak]

Ok, I'm going to have to reach out to the experts again. I apologize in advance for the long post but need to share everything that I've done in an attempt to fix the issue.

Cub Cadet 1250. Snapped the connecting rod blowing snow this winter. Just might have run it out of oil. :-(

Tore the motor down cleaned everything up. Everything was still was within wear tolerances so I went for a rebuild.

New piston / rings / con rod / wrist pin / plug / points.

Timed it with a timing light.

I have what sure as heck sounds like rod knock, but it is highly dependent on engine load.

High RPM / No Load - No Knock
Idle - Knock
High RPM Tractor Moving - Knocks
High RPM Mower Engaged Tractor Not Moving - Knocks
Mowing on a downhill (backdriving engine) - No knock.

I've taken plug gap from .018 - .030. No significant change.

I've run rich down to lean. Lean seems to help.

I'm about 96% convinced that this is a detonation problem but can't eradicate the problem with all my tricks.

Oil is clean with no evidence of mechanical wear (silver flecks suspended in the oil).

I send this out to the oracles of the Cub's in anticipation of a solution.