IH Cub Cadet 147 Restoration Thread
 

I have posted a couple of threads about my "new" 147, but I wanted to have one with a proper title, that I will be updating over how ever long it takes me to restore this bad boy back to original. (My Sears Suburban took a year, lol.)

The parts gathering has begun:

1 - I bought an original electric lift actuator from one of our OCC members.

2 - I bought a 42" deck for $25 :ThumbsUp:

Once I got the 147 home, I recalled seeing a narrow frame deck on our local CL many weeks ago, but it was a 48" and I really wanted a 42". What the heck, it's probably long gone anyway. Call the guy up, "I still have it." Great, he's probably ready to dump it after getting no bites. I show up, look at the model number, it's a 42"! :D He took $25 and away I went. He also has a rear lift, but I don't yet know if those work with electric lift models.

This thing is really coming together. It already had the cradle, and here's the new deck:

Solid metal throughout the deck, only a few bends in the leading edge. No rock dimples....maybe these decks are too thick for those? My 50c had a few. Like the Cub, I really like the old vintage look of this mowing deck.

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...5e7ed5a76g.jpg

Outboard pulley covers look bad, but are actually really solid. They should clean up very nicely. I was happy to see these still in place.
http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...ca8bcabb6g.jpg

Fits perfectly on my trailer (needs a resto of its own!) Will be great to drive it right up on the trailer and not pull the deck. Missing the left scalp guard rod.

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...94e135216g.jpg

I wonder if this IH decal really went here?

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...2880d7a16g.jpg

Wheels shot, I've already found a couple of replacements from TSC.

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...688c01c96g.jpg

Pulley was just sitting on the center spindle. To my knowledge a simple bolt will fix this right up. ALL 3 spindles appear to be good. They spin very freely and are quiet. :ThumbsUp: Many of you know these turkeys are $149 each! You could have $550 in your old Cub deck. Keep those spindles full of grease boys!!

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...e2ddb1726g.jpg

Old wooden roller. I assume this was original. Thinking about reproducing a replacement out of a chunk of oak or something.

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...ad8cbc4e6g.jpg

That's quite enough on the deck. Mods, I know this one post is technically about an implement, but this is going to be a top to bottom thread/resto, so I thought it would be great to keep all together.

Work starts on the tractor now, check back for new pics.

:beerchug:

Total $$$ to date. :Duh:

$125 - Cub Cadet 147
$75 - Electric Lift Replacement
$25 - 42" mower deck
$12 - Replacement deck wheels

$237.00

I'll be looking forward to following your progress TSV. Nice score on the deck!

I'll be watching for vids! It will turn out nice. You can use a 3pt on the 147 with the lift it is the same setup it would have to be for a narrow frame.

Great score on your deck! What tractor did the rear lift come off of?

Methos, I am not sure.

This pic I found is blurry, but it's pretty much what he has. I would think I need the multi-bend U bracket to make this fit the 147, but then I still don't know if it works with an electric lift.

If not, no big deal and I'm not going to hurt my wallet trying to get a 3-point on this machine. I have 3-points on both the Sears Suburban and Cub 882. That gives me a bottom plow and box blade ready to go any time. I'd really like to find a front blade and/or snow thrower for this little 147. Although we typically don't get much snow here, last year was like an avalanche.

:D

Looking forward to your restoration, will keep an eye on your thread!

Should work fine on the electric lift, I've got that exact setup on my 147

I'm looking forward, to your restoration, as well! :beerchug:

Yeah it will be fine!

Those deck bearings are so cheap you might want to just replace them while you have it apart for paint anyway...then you for sure won't have to touch it for awhile. As has been said, the 3-point will work, and you need the U-bracket.