Fishing for a project

John Nadzam · Oct 9, 2013

It has been a while since I posted here so here goes,

I am looking for suggestions for and leads on a father/ son project. My son is 10yrs old and we live in the Cincinnati suburbs so the machine has to fit in 1/2 a 2 car garge. . I am a reasonable shatdetree mechanic. I have my 3/4inch socket set and a 1ton engine hoist but no air compressor/welder (yet)I want to do this for two-reasons

1) to bond with my son (and daughters) and to teach them basic mechanical skills
2) to pre them and myself for taking on the larger project of restoring thier grandfathers 1954 SH and 1951 M that I keep running up at the family farm.

I am thinking a cub loboy? but don't know anything about the early cadets?

so what is the group logic?

Thanks
John NADZam

F4RM@11 · Oct 9, 2013

Why not bring one of your existing machines into the garage now? The SH could be a good project to start with. I'm up in Columbus and will likely have a SM in the garage soon for similar reasons.

Jim in Ma. · Oct 9, 2013

I think a Cub lowboy would make a good father & son project. their small and easy to work on.

Janicholson · Oct 9, 2013

Cub Cadet. My reasoning is that it has all the features needed to be a good project, but none of the drawbacks. It would be a modest investment that would be put to work. It also takes up little space. Jim

IH fan · Oct 9, 2013

(quoted from post at 17:20:21 10/09/13)
I am thinking a cub loboy? but don't know anything about the early cadets?
Thanks
John NADZam

A standard Cub or Cub Lo-Boy would be more like working on a "real" tractor, whereas the Cadet is a garden tractor and although simpler to work on, the water cooled engine of the Cub/Cub Lo-boy would be better experience for working on the bigger tractors. One thing the early Cadets did have was the same gear cluster transmission of the early Cubs, and tough as hell... I had two of them.

Tom Fleming · Oct 9, 2013

I agree with an earlier poster. Why not just do the SH? I am not sure what your play money budget is, but a cub or cub lowboy will cost a few $$$ to do it right. If the intent is to teach your kids to "do it right", not sure you are readly for some of the prices you will pay.

I say, do the SH, AND do it right. if your kids enjoy that, then you can get another tractor to do to keep the SH company!

My opinion, your mileage may vary.

rnicholas · Oct 9, 2013

For space and size reasons i would start with a cub or a A/Super A. I haven't restored an H or an M but their size can present challenges that relate not only to space issues but also safety issues.

LMack · Oct 9, 2013

Not to pour on cold water, but if you goal is to teach your 10 year old son . . . your proposed project may be a little too advanced. Not to say you should not do it but I would be afraid his interest at this time does not include restoring a tractor. You might do better teaching him how to fish, plant a few flowers or garden seed, and pick a few beans. I have three grown sons and they did not take much interest until about age 14. This would be your project for now and he will watch a little. By the way, you will need an impact wrench and 1/2" drive sockets at some point. It will be ok because you will need the air compressor for the paint anyway. You might be able to pull it off though, convincing Mom that you need half the garage for several months so that you can bond with your son . . . who will be out chasing Butterflies most of the time.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 9, 2013

Nonsence!

My 10 year old helped me in many phases of restoring my steam tractor years ago.

You're preparing him for a great learning experience. Go for the big tractor!!

Boonville Kid · Oct 9, 2013

I agree with Lmack, a 10-year old boy is not really going to enjoy working on something as big as a tractor, even a little one. If he can't reach around it with his arms, he'll quickly lose interest. Has he shown a real interest in things mechanical? or, do you just want him to. If not, forget it and go fishing, or whatever HE wants to do. If he really is interested in mechanical, I'd suggest spending a couple of hundred bucks and buy a running (that's a running) Maytag engine. An engine, not an electrical motor. Then let him take it apart & you can share in putting it back together and get it running again. He'll learn a lot about electrical/mechanical and you'll both have fun.

gene bender · Oct 10, 2013

Cub Lowboy should keep him interested let him help decide and let him drive one or at least hear one run.

Farmboy856 · Oct 10, 2013

If your son has shown some mechanical interest/aptitude, then forge ahead by all means. I would vote for an A/Super A/100/130/140--- all the same configuration. Compact and great little machines to learn the basics on, the C113 (A and SA) engine is a great small engine to do a rebuild on, if it needs it and you get that far. As for the cub/lo-boy, it would be my second vote. I have always been a fan of the offsets. I just prefer the heavier and more powerful A/SA for doing chores aroung the place. They are truly an amazing machine for their size. I am in the greater Cincinnati area myself, and I know of an A for sale. My email is open.

cd1 · Oct 10, 2013

I bought my first tractor at about age 10 for 200 bucks, a massey harris 20. my grandfather and dad helped me get it running and I did a lot of the dirty cleaning work. Friend of my dad's painted it for me if I supplied the materials. I did paint up a walk behind gas engine powered cultivator before it though. I've had a pile of tractors since. Start early, before this crappy world gets ahold of him. Even if he doesn't have mechanical aptitude it's not going to kill him to learn atleast some basics. We have so called "men" in this world who wouldn't know their radiator from their alternator or how to change there oil. Sad...

John Nadzam · Oct 10, 2013

All great advice so far, yes I realize it will be more my project than 'our' project, but he has show interest in things mechanical and the tractors, we have even had him driving the SH up at the farm.

The only reason I am shying away from starting out with the M (or the SH) is the size and splitting them. in my garage I only have the 1 ton shop crane. Up at the farm (2hrs away) where the big tractors are I have my father-in-laws old shop which has an overhead beam for block and tackle to take the big guys apart.

NoNewParts · Oct 12, 2013

another vote for an A/ Super A
small, easy to work on, lots of parts available
and a very handy tractor when you are done

Tom Fleming · Oct 12, 2013

well, I have to agree with the posts around size. However, how many here have removed the front pulley on a C-113 engine? Some have, and know what point I am making. I have the right equipment to pull those, but I also purchased the 12 ton puller and large bearing splitter specifically to do it.

If I go with the current thinking around smaller tractor, then a Cub is my vote. The cub front pulley isn't a walk in the park either, but it sure as heck is easier than the one on a C-113/123.

My $0.02 worth.

Denny ('60 Lo-Boy) · Oct 12, 2013

(quoted from post at 17:17:00 10/10/13) All great advice so far, yes I realize it will be more my project than 'our' project, but he has show interest in things mechanical and the tractors, we have even had him driving the SH up at the farm.

The only reason I am shying away from starting out with the M (or the SH) is the size and splitting them. in my garage I only have the 1 ton shop crane. [color=red:e31bb89ffe]Up at the farm (2hrs away)[/color:e31bb89ffe] where the big tractors are I have my father-in-laws old shop which has an overhead beam for block and tackle to take the big guys apart.

John, a Cub would be an excellent size and choice for a garage bay project, and youngsters tend to take ownership of them, especially when there are larger tractors in the mix (just their size). I have spent alot of time with Cubs over the years and could offer advise to you.

Where is the farm located? I'm about 1 1/2 hours north of you up I-75. I have several Cubs and a couple of 140's and maybe one of them is just what you are looking for. :wink: My email is open. Drop me line, if even just to talk tractors.

alderman · Oct 12, 2013

Ditto to your comment. Kids need to be taught how to work and the sooner the better. When my 28 year old son was 10 we were building my garage. He spread 10 yards of sand fill with a shovel by himself and helped my form up for the concrete pour. When the building was up my wife, my son (10) and myself shingled the entire roof in the mist and rain. He had a blast and still talks about it to this day. Over the years he worked with me on every project you can think of and even worked with me side by side to build my wife and me our new home. Due to being taught at an early age what it meant to work we prepared him for a life where if one wants to get ahead you must work at it. No job is too big for a father and son to tackle. Slow and steady always wins the race.

Fishing for a project

John Nadzam

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F4RM@11

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Jim in Ma.

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Janicholson

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IH fan

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Tom Fleming

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rnicholas

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LMack

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Anonymous-0

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Boonville Kid

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gene bender

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Farmboy856

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cd1

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John Nadzam

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NoNewParts

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Tom Fleming

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Denny ('60 Lo-Boy)

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alderman

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