lo boy 154, 184, 185 info

chrisinsky · Oct 24, 2013

I am thinking of getting one to replace a throw away mower, and i sold my old ford tractor last year, i mow roughly 1 acre of yard and 5 acres of pasture, and would like to do some light grading in the future with it, and possibly snow removal, is this too much for the lo boys? will i be happy? is there anything to watch out for? How high will the belly mowers mow? I know the pto runs counter clock-wise, and am trying to list everything you couldnt use with that. thank Chris

chrisinsky · Oct 24, 2013

sorry more ?s what should i expect to pay for 1?
I am thinking of restoreing 1? are parts crazy high?
anything else i should consider? and could a women operate 1

Bill Lisbon · Oct 24, 2013

I worked for an IH dealer when these tractors were new. The 154 was one of the worst tractors IH ever built. They were underpowered. They had lots of trouble with the main clutch. The PTO clutch is very expensive to replace. Thats the trouble we had when they were new, one with 30 to 40 years on it got to be a real money pit.

IH fan · Oct 24, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:41:29 10/24/13) I am thinking of getting one to replace a throw away mower, and i sold my old ford tractor last year, i mow roughly 1 acre of yard and 5 acres of pasture, and would like to do some light grading in the future with it, and possibly snow removal, is this too much for the lo boys? will i be happy? is there anything to watch out for? How high will the belly mowers mow? I know the pto runs counter clock-wise, and am trying to list everything you couldnt use with that. thank Chris

Did the pto still run backwards on the later Cubs? I know they did on earlier models, but thought they might have changed that?

chrisinsoky · Oct 24, 2013

really? you still see so much of em around, i know of one that sat under water for a week and in 2 weeks was mowin again

danmcdonald · Oct 24, 2013

I have been cutting my grass about 5 acres with a 154 for about 30 years. Its a nice comfortable quit tractor to run and yes your wife will like it. Remember it is a nice lawn tractor not a bush hog and it is slightly under powered. Parts are cheep and plentiful new and used what was said about the PTO clutch is true. Around here in Midwest any were $750-$1500 for a nice one that runs with deck.

chrisinsoky · Oct 24, 2013

I dont expect it to bush hog, but would like to leave grass about 8" high in the pasture, is this possible?

John M · Oct 24, 2013

My experience with my 154 - Ive cut stuff 2ft tall with it, in first gear and foot on the clutch. I have some areas of my field that are just easier to cut with it like that. I have the deck all the way up as well. When I used it to "mow my lawn" it took me almost twice as long as it did with my Craftsman mower. I had to cut grass every day just to keep the yard looking good. (I slit my yard up into 4 sections, 2 1/2 acres) True I had a bigger deck, but 2nd gear is just too slow. If I had had the "2 speed" trans, I would probably still be using it in the yard.

ken house · Oct 24, 2013

the later models have a bit more power. they cut good and so forth, if you keep the grass down. if you let it get tall, problems. if the pasture is stocked with grazing animals, probably would be o k.

to accomplish what you describe, you probably need more powerful tractor.

mkirsch · Oct 24, 2013

8"? No.

I don't think the deck would cut that high even raised all the way up, and if it did it would not work well.

With the deck all the way up the front of the blades is higher than the rear, so you're cutting the grass TWICE, which takes twice the power.

They have about the same capabilities as far as grass type and cutting height as your typical riding lawn mower. They're just built better.

Around here, a decent one will set you back $2500+. For $750, you'd get a clapped out one that needed a lot of work, probably without a mower deck.

steve alderman · Oct 24, 2013

I had a few of the motors are ok little light on power but watch out for the clutches they suck I around my area they sell a nice for about 1000 and with the hitch 1400 to 1600

tedregentin · Oct 25, 2013

I happen to own 2 cubs. Both are interesting little tractors. Both have good and bad points. My '62 with a loader and one point gets used every day, it seems like. My '72 lowboy 154 has a single blade belly mower. I recently purchased the '72 not running for $500. It had clutch issues, and needs a wiring harness. The clutch in the 154 is not a real good setup. I was able to repair mine without spending a lot of money. If I hadn't had the ability to do some fab work on the clutch, I would have needed to replace the complete clutch and the input shaft on the trans. All of the clutch parts are available, but can be expensive. I have only done a little mowing with mine,but it seems to do good job, with the mower all the way up or down. The three speed trans does not offer enough speed options. I understand that a high-low setup is available that can be added on, but I haven't seen one. If you have the ability and knowledge to do your own repairs you should be fine with a 154.

chrisinsoky · Oct 25, 2013

Is there anything else out there i should consider, i would like belly mower, front blade, etc.. wouldnt mind workin on it? i looked at a massey 1010, and didnt care for it, plus tryin to find a belly mower for it etc.. any other ideas

Denny ('60 Lo-Boy) · Oct 25, 2013

Look for a 184. They were the last made of the three. A lot of the issues discussed above were addressed by then. Not a snow plow type of tractor, but adequate for light grading. A great mower tractor.

Where are you located? There is a 184 just listed in the photo ads in Tenn. from a reputable seller.

lo boy 154, 184, 185 info

chrisinsky

New User

chrisinsky

New User

Bill Lisbon

Member

IH fan

Well-known Member

chrisinsoky

Member

danmcdonald

Member

chrisinsoky

Member

John M

Well-known Member

ken house

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

steve alderman

Member

tedregentin

Member

chrisinsoky

Member

Denny ('60 Lo-Boy)

Member

Similar threads