Looking for some input on my 169.

[Tony Duke]

Hello all. I bought a 169 and a bunch of attachments at an auction. I bought a place with 4 acres and really wanted a small tractor. This was within my budget and it's very freaking cool. But she needs some love. First up is the steering. When I bought it at the estate auction the tie rods were disconnected but new and the steering column is removed. Im VERY new to tractors and would like to hear what others see looking at the pics.

 

[dschwandt]

Custom by Cobblecraft is what appears to be going on here.
Looks like you are in need of a new drag link and left side steering knuckle at least.
AS well as a steering assembly and wheel.

Is the steering column and wheel and associated parts GONE, as in missing in action, or was it just removed for some reason and came with the tractor?
I see this is a hydraulic lift unit (some were not), are the spool valve, cylinder and lift linkage w/plumbing lines still in place under the dash and under the tunnel cover or are those items missing missing as well?

IN any case, the 169 is well worth repairing as needed as it is one of, if not the most sought after Cubs with so few having been produced, around 4000 units. The first of the 16HP Cubs as well as one of the first series wide frame models.
Congrats on your find!!

 

[Tony Duke]

I do have the steering wheel and shaft. I also have a bucket full of other parts I haven't started going through. At some point this week my metal building gets erected and I can pull my tools out of storage and get to fixin this thing. For now I'm going to start ordering parts. I was concerned about the $1500 I paid, but I got the tractor, tiller, snowblower, plow, and mower deck as a package so it seemed like a decent deal. Not sure what it's all worth when up and running though.

 

[Tony Duke]

Steering shaft. Not sure why it was removed. Either it's has a problem or it's easier to remove when doing front end work.

 

[Tony Duke]

Here

 

[1811Cub]

Not sure what the previous owner was trying to accomplish, but it appears that it was an epic fail. Fortunately the parts needed to fix that tractor are used on several different models spanning several years.

 

[kharvey]

At least with the steering shaft out now is the time to clean and upgrade the bearings. Read the FAQ for how to do it.

 

[bkattner]

I'll throw this in. I'd find an 1811 3 turn column to put in there myself.

 

[Tony Duke]

Custom by Cobblecraft is what appears to be going on here.
Looks like you are in need of a new drag link and left side steering knuckle at least.
AS well as a steering assembly and wheel.

View attachment 153529

View attachment 153528

Is the steering column and wheel and associated parts GONE, as in missing in action, or was it just removed for some reason and came with the tractor?
I see this is a hydraulic lift unit (some were not), are the spool valve, cylinder and lift linkage w/plumbing lines still in place under the dash and under the tunnel cover or are those items missing missing as well?

IN any case, the 169 is well worth repairing as needed as it is one of, if not the most sought after Cubs with so few having been produced, around 4000 units. The first of the 16HP Cubs as well as one of the first series wide frame models.
Congrats on your find!!

View attachment 153527

Where are you finding these parts breakdowns? I need part numbers.

 

[Tony Duke]

Not sure what the previous owner was trying to accomplish, but it appears that it was an epic fail. Fortunately the parts needed to fix that tractor are used on several different models spanning several years.

I think the tie rod and drag link we're being replaced but they we're too short so they started welding on extensions. Im going to order all the visibility bad parts and put her back together. Then I can get a better idea of what's wrong

 

[Tony Duke]

I'll throw this in. I'd find an 1811 3 turn column to put in there myself.

Had no idea what you were talking about( I don't speak tractor yet) but after some googling I think that's a great idea. Ty.

 

[dschwandt]

Where are you finding these parts breakdowns? I need part numbers.

HInt: When the page loads, click on the bottom "CUB CADET" in black, not the yellow one.
The black one is for all the earlier (real) cubs and not the ones produced by MTD aka: Cub Cadet Corp

https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/content-asset-page-includes/ari-partstream.html
But again, don't be surprised if most if not all of the numbers are NLA (no longer available) new at least from major parts houses including CCC.
Some or much of what you may need will have to be sourced on the aftermarket or used parts places.

Cub Cadet Specialties, one of the sponsors here would be a great place to start as He has a huge inventory of hard to find NOS (new old stock) stuff that is NLA.And his shipping is top notch, (reasonable) compared to many.

I would also suggest you place some want ads right here on this forum in the classified section. It's free to members to use.
Shipping on larger heavier items will be an issue though.

Heck. I may even have some of what you need!

Also, consider starting a thread or threads on whatever section of the tractor (pictures help a lot here) you may be having issues with or working on.

Good luck & welcome to the group!

 

[-CӞ]

I do have the steering wheel and shaft. I also have a bucket full of other parts I haven't started going through. At some point this week my metal building gets erected and I can pull my tools out of storage and get to fixin this thing. For now I'm going to start ordering parts. I was concerned about the $1500 I paid, but I got the tractor, tiller, snowblower, plow, and mower deck as a package so it seemed like a decent deal. Not sure what it's all worth when up and running though.

Tony,
I think the value of that machine will only increase as you feed that dog and put it to work!
Best wishes as you reassemble the Cub.
-CӞ

 

[Grant Workman]

yeah i think some one was trying to do something and failed miserably

 

[Mark Jackson]

Sweet find Tony! You can have many years of use and enjoyment from these old cubs with just simple routine maintenance.