Are you looking for a powerful, reliable tractor to help with your farming needs? The Farmall Cub is excellent for farmers who desire top-of-the-line performance and features.
Featuring a proven design that has been refined over more than 60 years, the Farmall Cub provides tremendous capabilities along with maneuverability in any terrain type.
In this post, we will take an in-depth look at all aspects of the Farming Cub so that you can make an informed decision on your next agricultural vehicle purchase.
Key Points:
- The Farmall Cub tractor was the smallest model produced in the 20th century in Louisville, Kentucky, by McCormick Deering. The machine often changed its International names and Farmall Cub serial numbers, and finally came painted IH Red (standard color).
- The smallest machine had only 9.25 HP, so it was ideal for smaller gardens, farms, and fields.
- Due to its durable design and features, such as an open operator station, manual brakes, mechanical steering wheel, drawbar, etc., it was adequate for all tasks and saved time.
Table of Contents
All You Need to Know About the Farmall Cub Tractor
If you still need to decide whether or not to opt for the Farm Cub, please refer to the guide below and find exciting factors to help you decide.
Farmall Cub tractor history
The Farmall Cub is a range of small tractors produced by International Harvester from 1947 to 1979. The tractors were made in Louisville, Kentucky, under the McCormick Deering, International names, and Farmall. There were three major series of the original Farmall Cub tractors:
- Farm Cub tractor until 11964 (serial number 224703)
- International Cub tractor until 1975 (serial number 248124)
- New International Cub tractor until the end of their production in 1975.
Early versions were the Lo-Boy Cub/Cub Lo-Boy and the Standard Cub. The small tractor models were noticed for the Federal Yellow and IH Red color schemes. However, the IH dropped the Farmall name in favor of International and changed the grill of the models to the flat-grill style.
It’s also the smallest tractor manufactured by International Harvester. Farmall Cubs are known for their versatility and lightweight, making them well-suited to small farms and gardens.
The Cub Cadet tractor is designed with a simple and efficient design, making it easy to use and maintain. Farmall Cub tractors are available in various models, from the basic Farmall Cub to the Farmall Super Cub.
Farmall Cub tractors were assigned serial numbers beginning with Farmall Cub 501 in 1947. Farmall Cub serial numbers can be found on the tractor’s transmission or engine housing, depending on the model. Let’s see the Farm Cub serial numbers throughout the years:
- 1947: 501
- 1948: 11348
- 1949: 57381
- 1950: 99536
- 1951: 121454
- 1952: 144455
- 1953: 162284
- 1954: 179412
- 1955: 186441
- 1956: 193658
- 1957: 198231
- 1958: 204389
- 1959: 211441
- 1960: 214974
- 1961: 217382
- 1962: 220038
- 1963: 221383
- 1964: 223453
- Final: 224703
Farmall Cubs have been sold for a variety of original prices. For example, Farmall Cub 211411 was sold for $3,995 in 1959. Farmall Cubs can also be found on the used market for various prices, depending on the model and condition.
Finally, the production stopped in 1981, but the tractor remained popular, thanks to its versatility.
Farmall Cub Mechanics
The little tractor is made of durable steel; therefore, you can use it for different operations and heavy and light-duty tasks. Let’s see the specs.
Farmall Cub mechanical
| Chassis | 4 x 2 2WD |
| Steering | manual |
| Brakes | differential contracting band |
| Cab | open operator station |
| Transmission | 3-speed sliding gear |
Farmall Cub dimension
The Cub Cadet tractor offers excellent maneuverability for small spaces without compromising its performance in the field or garden due to its dimensions.
| Wheelbase | 69.25 inches |
| Length | 99.325 inches |
| Width | 48.25 inches |
| Height | 62.75 inches |
| Height (exhaust) | 76.25 inches |
| Operating weight | 1477 lbs (early), 1877 lbs (late) |
| Ballasted weight | 2891 lbs |
Farmall Cub engine specs
The International Harvester C60 engine is a liquid-cooled 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 59.5 ci (1.0 L) and a bore/stroke ratio of 2.625×2.75 inches.
The thermosyphon cooling system, oil bath air cleaner, and manual/electric starter make the engine reliable and efficient. Only the later Cub models used a more powerful engine.
Engine International Harvester C60: gasoline 4-cylinder liquid-cooled
| Displacement | 59.5 ci (1.0 L) |
| Bore/stroke | 2.625×2.75 inches |
| Cooling system | thermosyphon |
| Air cleaner | oil bath |
| Compression | 6.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1600 |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Starter | manual/electric |
| Starter volts | 6 (12 after the serial number 224401) |
| Coolant capacity | 9.75 qts (9.2 L) |
| Sparkplug | Champion D-21 (AC C86) |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.023 inches |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.013 inches |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.013 inches |
Farmall Cub Transmission specs
The Farmall Cub transmission is a sliding gear type with three forward and one reverse gear. It has an oil capacity of 1.75 qts (1.7 L), making it ideal for agricultural use while offering plenty of power.
The reliable design ensures that the transmission will remain dependable over many years of operation, even in harsh conditions. With its impressive features and solid construction, the Standard Cub transmission is perfect for those looking to get the job done.
| Type | sliding gear |
| Gears | three forward and one reverse |
| Oil Capacity | 1.75 qts (1.7 L) |
Farmall Cub PTO and power specs
The Cub Cadet offers a powerful PTO and other power options. Its rear PTO is independent, running at 1600 or 1800 RPM in a counter-clockwise direction.
Likewise, the PTO is rated for 11 HP (8.2 kW), while the tested belt comes in at 10.39 HP (7.7 kW). This power, coupled with its ability to plow up to 12 inches deep, makes it an excellent choice for any farm or agricultural application.
| Rear PTO | independent |
| Rear RPM | 1600, 1800 (counter-clockwise) |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 10 HP (7.5 kW) |
| PTO (claimed) | 11 HP (8.2 kW) |
| Belt (claimed) | 9.76 HP (7.3 kW) |
| Plows 1 | 12 inches |
| Drawbar (tested) | 9.87 HP (7.4 kW) |
| Belt (tested) | 10.39 HP (7.7 kW) |
Farmall Cub tires specs
The Farmall Cub Lo-Boy tractor offers a range of tires to fit different applications. For agricultural use, the front and rear tires are 4.00-12 and 8-24, respectively.
An additional option for the rear tire is 9.5-24 when used in an industrial setting. These options ensure that the tractor can be equipped with the correct tires for its intended purpose.
| Ag front | 4.00-12 |
| Ag rear | 8-24 9.5-24 |
| Industrial rear | 8.3-24 9.5-24 |
Farmall Cub attachments specs
The Farmall Cub tractor has a variety of available attachments to make tasks easier and more efficient. These include a 42″ mower deck, a 60″ mid-mounter mowing deck, a blade, and a front-end loader. With these, you can easily maintain your lawn or property with little effort and great results.
The versatility of the attachments makes it easy to customize your Farmall Cub to suit your needs. With the proper implements, you can take on any job with ease. The attachments include:
- 42″ mower deck
- 60″ mid-mounter mowing deck
- blade
- front-end loader
What are the alternatives?
The Farmall Cub has a few competitors in the market, such as the John Deere 4020, Massey Ferguson 35, and International Harvester Super C. These tractors are all similar to the Farmall Cub in terms of power output. Still, they offer some unique features that appeal to specific farmers.
For example, the John Deere 4020 has a more powerful engine, while the Massey Ferguson 35 is known for its durability and reliable performance.
The International Harvester Super C offers great value for money with its low price tag and good features. But ultimately, which tractor is best for you will depend on your needs and budget.
Pros and Cons of the Farmall Cub
The Farmall Cub is a popular tractor that has been used for decades to meet the needs of farmers. Its pros include its affordability, simplicity of use, and versatility; it can be equipped with a wide range of implements to tackle any size job.
On the other hand, some cons associated with the Farmall Cub are its small size and limited power, which make it difficult to handle certain tasks such as digging deep trenches or hauling heavy loads.
Additionally, Cub owners claim that its parts availability is limited compared to modern tractors. Despite these drawbacks, the Farmall Cub remains a popular choice amongst farmers because of its affordability and versatility.
Conclusion
Farmall Cub tractors have become a staple of smaller farms and gardens worldwide and for a good reason. This brand provides simple, reliable, affordable tractors that are well-suited to small farms and gardens.
Whether looking for a basic Farmall Cub, Farmall Super Cub tractor Cub Lo-Boy or International Cub, Farmall Cubs are sure to provide you with a reliable and efficient tractor.
