Use what ya got!

[34_40]

I don't usually have much to share, I don't plan projects or plan to make things - I use my equipment to patch up my old ( call it Vintage ) machines. So last week while changing the oil and servicing the Cub Cadet 73, I noticed the throttle shaft was sloppy / floppy and it began to cause me concern. I know I could buy bushings specifically for this repair, a couple cub cadet vendors sell'em. But I've got a lathe and stuff right?!?!     So I took the carb off and tore it down to see how bad it was. It's the original carb from 1970, my father in law was the original owner and he bought a short block which I installed back in 1987. This little tractor has been a rock for me,  other than oil changes and the usual battery every few years, I've done nothing!  My FIL passed in 88 and I got the tractor then, I tore it down and replaced every bearing and seal, the motor was months old then so I only rebuilt the PTO,  so when I found the carb wear, it wasnt a surprise. The one thing that runs through this repair is I had to do this with only the things I have on hand. So after measuring up the throttle shaft and the bores I set out to find a piece of brass laying about. And I settled on a length that had been used as a punch and was in sorry shape, bent and bruised but I only needed about 2 inches I figured so I chucked it up and when it spun around it wasn't pretty!     the very epitome of interrupted cuts! but I let the lathe whittle it out and got a round shape to 5/8's so I could get it into a collet. One of the other worries was one of the two throttle blade screws broke on the way out!      A tiny screw, so I had to remove the broken part and find a replacement. Again I knew I could buy the factory replacement screw but I think they come by the dozen.. and I am "frugal"..     my other concern was what tooling did I have on hand that would fit my needs. I have bought so much "stuff" in lots some years back that included reamers so I began going through the sizes and came up with 2 that wouldn't make me do a large overbore of the carb body. So I settled on 2 that would leave me a .010" wall thickness,  I now wish I had stopped to take pics to share but it never entered my mind then that I might want to share this with you all. I'm such a newb! LOL      And I have not done much work with collets before, but I must admit this was so much nicer than having a spinning chuck nearby. So working a couple hours over a few nights I did make and fit home made brass bushings, they were intended to be a slip fit but they came out just a bit looser than I wanted so I used some thread locker to help secure and let it sit overnight. I turned my attention to the throttle shaft and removing the broken fastener remains. The original measures out to be a # 2 screw. I set up the drill press and pecked my way through being hopeful the drill would bite and spin out the piece, that didn't happen but I was close enough to center that I didn't hurt the threads to bad.  I was going to settle for a #6 screw as it was what I had. But I kept searching 'cause my memory told me there was something somewhere. And I did find a box of #4 - 40 by an inch that looked brand new / never used!  I have only an idea of where they came from. I did have a tap, brand new / never used.. I've never tapped anything this small! But it all came together, I need to stake the screws yet so they cannot come loose and reassemble tune and test.  Sorry no pics.. my concentration was elsewhere and this was one of those jobs where I didn't want to screw it up! If it ever stops raining.. I may get to use the equipment yet!     

[Piggiron]

If it ever stops raining.. I may get to use the equipment yet!     

If you need a place to test the old girl out, you're welcome to come to my place.  Got a couple acres that would put it through the paces. LOL
Finished cleaning up the place for a house showing today and have another scheduled for Tuesday while mixing and slinging cob on the new house.
Yard at the point of needing mowed again, but requires me to take the tiller off I use to mix the cob, put on the mower deck, cut the grass, and then swap everything back.

[34_40]

Well it sounds like you need a second machine! LOL.  All that swappin' of attachments gets old quick imho! At my peak - I had 7 or 8, mostly Cub Cadet or at least International. Now I am down to this one unit and it will be sold over the summer. The new place is just a house lot.. don't need a garden tractor!

[Piggiron]

The new place is just a house lot.. don't need a garden tractor!

NEED...
Since when did NEED come into the conversation in this place ?
I'll bet as soon as you sell it, you'll NEED it. 

[TerryWerm]

The new place is just a house lot.. don't need a garden tractor!

NEED...
Since when did NEED come into the conversation in this place ?
I'll bet as soon as you sell it, you'll NEED it. 

You guys had better be careful slinging those four-letter words around. 

[34_40]

Need ??  Want ??  it's all the same thing isn't it? 

[Uglydog]

Cool a Cub forum.
CC108 with FEL
CC149 mower

Next up.
CC122 with blade
CC100 with tiller

Huge fun!!!
Although, there are some parts I source such as all the internal engine parts for the 108.

Daryl
MN

[34_40]

 I am down to a Model 73. I think I'll sell it in August or September.  I'll be purging all the attachments I've got left, if you're interested.
I've had multiple "Originals",  169, my fave was a 100..