Cub Cadet 73

Here is where we can talk about all things Cub and then some. Please follow the golden rule and respect others.
This is a free forum and all pictures posted here are for public consumption. They are free to be used as long as you are not using them in a for-profit manner. Also, any pictures subject to copyright or permissions will be removed.
Post Reply
stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

After pondering it for awhile and finally seeing one come up for sale, I decided to pick up a Cub Cadet 73. There are a couple of reasons for it, but primarily my first Cub Cadet was a 73. I had an opportunity to purchase my original 73 a few years back, but the tractor was no longer in the condition that I had it in and the price was more than what I sold it for!! Soooo, I came across this little guy. Didn't have to give a whole lot for it since it was not running when I bought it. Once I got it home, determined it was most likely a broken rod, not too big of a deal. I came across a rebuilt long block 7 hp motor with new rod, new rings and some other work done to it fairly cheap, so I decided this would be the easiest path to get it going again. Pulled the old motor out, and started working on swapping the good parts from the old motor over to the new one I had picked up. Here are the pics I have so far, and more to come as I work through.....
CC 73 1.jpg
CC 73 1.jpg (864.76 KiB) Viewed 8488 times
CC 73 2.jpg
CC 73 2.jpg (897.95 KiB) Viewed 8488 times
CC 73 3.jpg
CC 73 3.jpg (1.32 MiB) Viewed 8488 times
CC 73 4.jpg
CC 73 4.jpg (1.43 MiB) Viewed 8488 times
CC 75 5.jpg
CC 75 5.jpg (1.23 MiB) Viewed 8488 times

User avatar
Tom Scott
Chief Moderator
Posts: 1763
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:11 pm
First and Last Name: Tom Scott
Location: Bentley Springs, Maryland

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by Tom Scott »

Steve - Good to see you into another project! Keep posting as you go!
:beer:
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
<><

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by dag1450 »

Looks like you found some time to play....good for you!
When I was a boy we had a 126. One day we r at a Saturday Church work day and out of the shed comes this tractor with no rear fenders....i was like WHAT. I thought some removed the rear fenders.....and I was in shock how ugly it looked. :shock: . I thought all cubs had nice big box fenders like our 126. :lol:
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Thanks Tom! You know how it is, projects just keep coming around! :lol: I'd like to say it keeps me out of trouble, but that's not really true! lol

Dave, I have to admit, I've always liked the 7 hp line, either with or without fenders! This one is now sporting a set of fenders and headlights to boot....gotta have those for night plowing! I'll post some more pics this evening when I get back to it!

Nick
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:28 am
First and Last Name: Nicholas Magagnoli
Location: LI, NY

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by Nick »

I had a 73 and enjoyed it, looks like a good project, congrats! :beer:

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Made a lot of progress over the last week. Pressure washed and degreased the whole tractor, man what a difference! Picked up a headlight panel, put a set of fenders on it and started putting the 3 pt on (still need to add the lift bar). Have gotten everything off of the old motor and started assembling the new-to-me motor and should be installing it soon. Have to give kudos to Mike Lamar and his wiring harness, what a great product he provides! Everything is marked for a quick and easy install and fits like it's supposed to! If you ever need to replace your harness, check him out under the vendor section of this site!! Everything is coming together nicely so far!! And of course....pics.....
CC 73 6.jpg
CC 73 6.jpg (1.03 MiB) Viewed 8437 times
CC 73 7.jpg
CC 73 7.jpg (908.81 KiB) Viewed 8437 times
CC 73 8.jpg
CC 73 8.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 8437 times
CC 73 9.jpg
CC 73 9.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 8437 times

Klapatta
Posts: 1352
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:25 pm
First and Last Name: Kenneth LaPatta
Location: Rockingham VT.

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by Klapatta »

That is going to be one nice little tractor. :beer:

JLazar
Posts: 195
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:59 am
First and Last Name: John Lazar
Location: Middelfield, OH

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by JLazar »

Sure is! Nice model 73! One thing I do, is cut a piece of roofing shingle to match the battery box floor. This really protects it, and I put some shims between the dash tower, where the battery touches it. That too is a good thing!

Those original hood stickers? The tractor looks even cleaner now! I'm doing about the same thing with my new model 125. :beer:
Expect The Best; IH Cub Cadet!

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by dag1450 »

Steve.... looking good.... but what's going on with the 73s "chin"? Is that a bumper of sorts..... looks heavy!
I just realized something. I thought back then all odd model numbers were hydro...is the 73 a stock gear? Wow!
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by dag1450 »

This was bothering me so I did a little digging....an article I saw said the 73 was basically a 72 with left over parts and the new grill...idk. but why would it not b called the 76. It should b a 76!! :x Someone please explain...
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Hey guys, thanks for the compliments! Everything on the tractor is in fact original, except the fenders, 3 pt and light panel. The seat is in amazingly good shape and has never been repaired. The best I could find out, the tractor had one owner for nearly all of it's life. He mowed with it for years and it was garage kept. The mower deck is even in amazing shape as well. The hood decals actually are all original. The only thing that may get painted will be the grill and possibly the fenders, they have more of a pale yellow color on them.

John, thanks for the ideas as far as the battery go, I will definitely do something along those lines.

dag, the 71 was also odd numbered and a gear drive! :D For whatever reason, they numbered the 7 hp models the Cub Cadet (original), 70, 71, 72, 73. I guess they just kept going in order for simplicity since they were all 7 hp gear drive. You could still get all of the same options...3 pt, hydraulic lift, etc., just had to order fenders if you wanted them.

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Oh and dag, as far as the monstrosity on the front, I'm assuming he put it on as a bumper of some kind. The bad thing is, it won't come off without being cut off the mule drive. Unfortunately, that's going to happen in the next couple of days because I have something else to go on the front of this little gem....

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Just wanted to update everyone on the 73 project I've been working on. Got the motor installed, everything wired up and ready to roll, only to have an oil leak issue. Pulled the motor, fixed the leak (needed a new gasket on the oil pan....used Permatex instead!), got it re-installed andk got her running! The only problem I've found, the threads for the center head bolt are partially stripped and won't allow it to be torqued to the proper specs. Now that everything is running and seems to be all good minus the leak at the head, I'll tackle that job next. Most likely will drill out and rethread slightly over the size of the original bolt size and see how that works. Otherwise, actually had it out and moving on it's own for the first time in years! It's been some work but definitely a fun project to work on!!
CC 73 10.jpg
CC 73 10.jpg (954.17 KiB) Viewed 8391 times
CC 73 11.jpg
CC 73 11.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 8391 times

User avatar
Tom Scott
Chief Moderator
Posts: 1763
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:11 pm
First and Last Name: Tom Scott
Location: Bentley Springs, Maryland

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by Tom Scott »

Steve - Usually a Heli-Coil is a better option than going to a larger bolt. They are expensive, but it is a first class repair that ends up stronger than original. The next larger bolt can use up way more meat than you think. The Heli-Coil doesn't require as much of a drilled hole and it maintains the stock bolt and torque specs. A Heli-Coil is way stronger than original threads and will never strip out unless severely overtightened.
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
<><

User avatar
albie
Posts: 234
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:56 pm
First and Last Name: Albie Breidenbaugh
Location: Jarrettsville, Maryland

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by albie »

Steve, Tom is right a heli coil is definitely the best repair for that head bolt :beer:
105 147 1650 382 782D

stevet
Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:45 pm
First and Last Name: Steve Townsend
Location: White Hall, MD

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by stevet »

Well, I decided to go the heli coil route and it worked very well. Everything went pretty smoothly...something I'm not used to! Finally have just about everything finished, governor is set and running like a champ. Finally put the ags on it and should be good to go! It's been a fun project and as always, a learning experience! On to the next one...
VZM.IMG_20160928_130236.jpg
VZM.IMG_20160928_130236.jpg (265.87 KiB) Viewed 8327 times

User avatar
Tom Scott
Chief Moderator
Posts: 1763
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:11 pm
First and Last Name: Tom Scott
Location: Bentley Springs, Maryland

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by Tom Scott »

Steve, great job, you saved another one! What was "no big deal" for you has sent many machines to the scrapyard.
A mug clink for Steve! :beer:
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
<><

User avatar
cbingaman
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:47 pm
First and Last Name: Chad Bingaman
Location: Northumberland, PA

Re: Cub Cadet 73

Post by cbingaman »

Looking good Steve. Just what is it that you are going to put on the front of that gem? You mentioned it in one of your posts but never said what it was. Wish I'd have known you wanted one. I've been thinking of selling mine.
Cub's of the farm currently: 4-Originals, 2-70's, 100, 122, 123, 124, 73, 106, 107, 126, 800, 782IH built, 982IHbuilt, 782D, 1572. Farmall Cub and Cub Lo-Boy and too many attatchments to think about.

Post Reply