New Kid on the Block

[Bob Strong]

Hi, all,

Just found this forum.

I'm from Ontario, Canada, and have a Cub Cadet 105 (1969, according to the serial number) that I saw on the back of a truck headed for the scrap yard in 2008. I stopped the truck and wrangled my way to ownership of the tractor. When I got it home, I discovered that the intake valve was frozen open from sitting; WD40 and wiggling with Vise-Grips solved that problem in about 20 minutes, and after replacing the rear axle seals I have been using this tractor as my yard hauler ever since.

This spring I gave the tractor new rear tires, and about two weeks ago I found a good QA42 snowblower near home for cheap and am now working on fitting it to the tractor (not easy; things are not lining up well).

I hope that this forum will provide needed maintenance and operation information.

 

[Jake Olsen]

I like this kind of story about saving these great tractors from the scrap yard.

 

[RAllison]

Welcome to the forum Bob!

 

[Beltrack]

Welcome from Maine

 

[wh cc guy]

Welcome Bob. Glad you joined in with us.

 

[kclift]

Bob
Welcome. I'm reworking my 105 at the present.
Ken

 

[kmcconaughey]

Bob, WELCOME! The 105 and 125 are my favorite models. I grew up with a 125 that my parents bought new in 1969. I still have it but it's in pieces waiting to be refurbished.

 

[Bob Strong]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind welcome.

While fiddling with the snowblower, I discovered that the quick hitch bar needs springs to hold it up. I have some springy stainless wire, so I decided to make a rough approximation of the springs following a photo I saw. After I made them, I couldn't figure out how to install them, so after much frustration I threw them away and used a long coil spring from an old chest-expander exercise thing to hold it up. It works, but it's hardly elegant.

Of course, after the garbage bag with the springs in it went to the dump, I found Digger's picture showing how the springs should be installed. Guess I'll try to make some more.

Oh. Attached are pictures of my el cheapo QA42 as found. Still haven't attached it because the gearbox kept hitting the hitch bar, but yesterday I think I learned from this forum how to cure that problem. Good thing winter's not here yet!

 

[Stu]

Nice! Where did you find the picture explaining the springs on the quick attach bar? I was not able to find an image or explanation so mines (1250) been held up by some wraps of safety wire since I acquired it 5 years ago. Sadly the only “attachment” I have is the mower deck, so it’s not really pertinent I guess but someday I hope to find a plow blade or snowblower. Not a lot of cubs up here in Vermont sadly.

 

[Bob Strong]

Here's what Digger posted. No explanation given, but maybe none is required. The placement of the springs is far different from anything I tried, so I 'm hopeful.

 

[Stu]

Thanks! If you get them figured out, could you show a bit more? Always wondered what that bag of springs was in the spares that came with my 1250.

 

[Paul Turner]

Those springs can be hard to come by. Keep um safe.

 

[Bob Strong]

Just an update here. Haven't tried to make springs again yet because I have been almost overwhelmed getting ready for winter, but I have managed to install the snowblower I found. I had to make a lift plate (or whatever it's called) for the inboard end of the lift rod I made, and it fits but it's too thin and it got twisted when I lifted the blower, but I can fix that. In the meantime, it's in place with hardly any struggle and all I have to do now is put on the belt and see how it goes.

On another front, I have now found a blade for the tractor and hope to pick it up tomorrow. It seems that when you start with this it's like eating peanuts....

 

[Bob Strong]

And now I have a blade.

Very light compared to the snowblower, and I just used it to grade a bit around my mailbox.

Love to play in the dirt, and for now I plan to use it for snow this winter instead of the snowblower, as the blower needs the right belt, and I don't have the inclination to fiddle with it just now. Besides, now that I know what I'm doing I can just slide the blower back on if I change my mind.

 

[RAllison]

And now I have a blade.

Very light compared to the snowblower, and I just used it to grade a bit around my mailbox.

Love to play in the dirt, and for now I plan to use it for snow this winter instead of the snowblower, as the blower needs the right belt, and I don't have the inclination to fiddle with it just now. Besides, now that I know what I'm doing I can just slide the blower back on if I change my mind.

View attachment 155649

Gonna need some weight on the back Bob

 

[Bob Strong]

Gonna need some weight on the back Bob

True, but I weigh a bit, and someone replaced the original battery with a full -sized marine battery that resides in a tray hanging off the back, so I will try what I have first, then see how it goes....

Oh. I have chains, too.

 

[-CӞ]

Gonna need some weight on the back Bob

bob i put one of these on my snow dozer blade and absolutely love it:
Rubber Wear Strips

 

[Bob Strong]

bob i put one of these on my snow dozer blade and absolutely love it:
Rubber Wear Strips

Good thought. I have some flat belt from an old thresher or something, and I can make a wear strip from that.

 

[-CӞ]

it is like a snow-squeegee on pavement; heavenly. and by comparison to metal-on-concrete, incredibly quiet too.

 

[Paul Turner]

Hi, all,

Just found this forum.

I'm from Ontario, Canada, and have a Cub Cadet 105 (1969, according to the serial number) that I saw on the back of a truck headed for the scrap yard in 2008. I stopped the truck and wrangled my way to ownership of the tractor. When I got it home, I discovered that the intake valve was frozen open from sitting; WD40 and wiggling with Vise-Grips solved that problem in about 20 minutes, and after replacing the rear axle seals I have been using this tractor as my yard hauler ever since.

This spring I gave the tractor new rear tires, and about two weeks ago I found a good QA42 snowblower near home for cheap and am now working on fitting it to the tractor (not easy; things are not lining up well).

I hope that this forum will provide needed maintenance and operation information.

This may help. www.ccmanuals.info › pdf › QA 36A & 42A Snowthrower Operators