Farmall Cub

The Farmall Cub or International Cub (or simply "Cub" as it is widely known) was the smallest tractor manufactured by International Harvester (IH) under either the McCormick-Deering, Farmall, or International names from 1947 through 1979 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The two major variations were the Standard Cub and the Lo-Boy Cub (or Cub Lo-Boy). They are recognized by their distinctive IH Red or Federal Yellow color schemes. In the late 1950's, sales of the Farmall Cub shifted from agricultural purpose to industrial purpose. IH capitalized on the shift, and the standard color for the Cub Lo-Boy and Cub changed from the familiar IH Red to Federal Yellow in 1960, with IH Red as an option. In 1963, International Harvester changed the grill of these tractors to a flat-grill style and dropped the Farmall name in favor of International.

The market of this little tractor was the small-acreage farmer and it was designed by Farmall engineers in the years following World War II to replace a horse or mule for farming purposes. The tractor was offset to the left while the driver's seat and steering wheel were on the right. This concept was called "CultiVision", resulting in a clear view while working the fields.

The Cub sat on a 69 1/4 inch wheelbase, using a 4-cylinder, C-60 gasoline L-head engine, that consisted of a 2 5/8 inch bore by 2 3/4 inch stroke, with a displacement of 59.5 cubic inches. At 1600 RPM, early versions of the C-60 engine produced 9.25 horsepower on the belt and 8 horsepower at the drawbar. Starting in the 1960's, Cub engines steadily increased horsepower with higher rated RPM's, peaking at 15 horsepower for the International Cub and 154 Lo-Boy by 1975, and 18 horsepower for the 185 and 184 Lo-Boys.

The Cub Lo-Boy, introduced in 1955, was a lowered version of the Standard Cub. The rear axle housings were rotated, lowering the tractor about 7-8 inches. Also, the front axle extensions were lowered and the tractor wheelbase was shortened to 62 1/2 inches. These modifications lowered the center of gravity, improving the mowing capability of the Cub.

The Lo-Boy version of the Cub was replaced in 1969 by the 154 Lo-Boy, which had a body style similar to the smaller Cub Cadet garden tractor. Also made were 185 and 184 Lo-Boy models, which were increased horsepower variations of the 154 Lo-Boy. These numbered versions received many upgrades and improvements when compared with the Cub Lo-Boy.

International Harvester also built Cubs for Europe at a factory in St. Dizier, France starting in 1955. The tractors were affectionately dubbed the French Cub. The French version became the Super Cub with a more powerful engine in 1958 until production ended in 1964.

IH ended production of the Cub at the Louisville, Kentucky plant in 1979. Over 245,000 Cubs were manufactured between 1947 to 1979, making it one of the most popular small tractors made in history.

ee also

*International Harvester
*Farmall tractor
*List of International Harvester vehicles
*List of former tractor manufacturers

References

* Fay, G. & Kraushaar, A., "Farmall Letter Series Tractors", Motorbooks International, 1998, ISBN 0-7603-0438-6
* Updike, K., "Farmall Cub & Cub Cadet", MBI, 2002, ISBN 0-7603-1079-3
* Updike, K., "Original Farmall Cub and Cub Cadet", MBI, 2005, ISBN 0-7603-2138-8

External links

* [http://www.farmallcub.com Farmall Cub]
* [http://www.atis.net/CubFAQ/cub_faq.html A.T.I.S. FAQ on Farmall Cubs]
* [http://www.ytmag.com/profiles/cubprof.htm Yesterday's Tractors Farmall Cub]
* [http://www.caseih.com Case IH]
* [http://www.redpowermagazine.com Red Power Magazine]