Farmall A

[avant 1735]

This is probably a stupid question, but here goes. Which is better a Farmall cub with belly mower or a Farmall a with a belly mower. Is there any difference other than horse power. I am familiar with some Farmall tractors (M, 806, 856, 986) but not the cub or the A. Thanks

 

[old]

The Cub has a flat head engine and around 12HP. Farmall A is a bit bigger at 18HP. Both are about the same size as for how long and wide. It would depend on what your trying to do. I have a 1947 Cub that I use to mow some areas. I also have what should sort of be an A but due to a tree fight it is now a BA. Front end is a B rear an A. B and A used the same engine as did one or 2 others.

 

[tractorsam]

My first tractor is/was a Farmall Super A that Ive now had for over 20 years. I always wanted a Cub, then got a chance to drive/work on a few. A Cub sure beats a garden tractor but an A is several times the tractor. More HP, a sleeved overhead valve engine vs the cubs side valve parent bore engine,4 gears vs 3, much more servicable (the hood and fuel tank are one piece on the cub). As you can probably tell, Im just not a fan of Cubs, others will disagree with me Im sure.

 

[CityBoy140]

The Super A I'd different than the A. It has a slightly larger engine and hydraulics that the A does not have.

 

[1946 BN IHC]

If you totally want a better combination of agility and function find a Farmall BN. It has a narrow front end and can so called turn on a dime manoeuvrability [ short turning radius] and good stability due to the wide rear end stance of the wheels [ in comparison to the A] You will have to / and it is not impossible to do/ need to add a hydraulic pump to via belt drive off the front of the engine if you want to use a cylinder to lift the mower deck //or use a hand leaver and linkage which is just as efficient [but slower]
Bet of the day to you. Wm.

 

[tractorsam]

Youre right on the hydraulics but other than the hydraulic
pump drive the engine in the Super A is the same C113 as the
A. The later Super A1 and subsequent 100, 130, and 140 got
the larger C123 that came out with the Super C.

 

[grandpa Love]

I've had a couple Farmall A. And sold them. Got a bunch of cubs and still use them. Belly mower, sickle mower,plow,disk, cultivators....... Love a cub. Smaller tractor,easy to work on. Easy to find implements.

Nothing beats happy time cutting grass with a cub......

 

[Jim in NC]

Many tobacco growers here bought either a Super A or a Cub as their first cultivating tractor when I was a young fellow. I have owned and used both. I have always heard that the early cubs, red rounded front grill, had 9 hp. To me a Super A is my choice. Heavier, more power, more work in less time. I have never had a belly mower on one, but do not have the need for one. I used the Super A to layoff and cultivate garden plots and acres of tobacco fields. They raked hay, pulled tobacco trailers, raked and hauled hay bales, and hauled firewood.

 

[Charlie M]

I have one of each and if I'm not using mounted implements I like the A better - just a larger tractor. However for lifting a belly mower a tractor with hydraulics is a lot easier and Cubs were made to have hydraulic from the beginning, even if they didn't come with it it can be added on easily. The best way to get hydraulics with an A is to go with a Super A although people have come up with ways to get it onto an A.

 

[CityBoy140]

Especlially after looking at the posts here I would consider a Super A, 100, 130, or 140. Ideally get one with a Woods belly mower and whatever other implements you may want. Thesea re basically the A with hydraulics. The 140 was manufactured up until the late 1970s.

We use our 140 in the vegetable garden so we have cultivators, plows, carryall, rear blade and a fast hitch. We have also acquired a spring cultivator (jitterbug), and a front grading blade.

Anyone else here recommending a B or higher is recommending a larger tractor than the A.

 

[grayrider]

Ive had both, the A with a belly mower and a Cub with a belly mower , my vote goes for the Cub. I dont have either one anymore as Ive been using a Gravely zero turn for 8 years now. I am on the look out though for another Cub with a sickle bar to mow around edge of a pond.

 

[brooktre]

I have an A with a woods 60 belly mower. It is easy to lift the mower by hand. And it cuts a 60 swath of grass easily. I have no experience with a Cub so Im not sure how big of a mower they will handle.

Overall it is an excellent grass cutting machine.

 

[Cuznguido]

I have both as well as a C with belly mower. The cub will handle up to a 59/60 inch mower if the grass isnt too tall. It will handle the 42 inch with ease. It is lighter, easier on the ground, quieter and better on fuel than the A. The A will handle a bigger mower but is heavier, but it is also easy to handle. They both are very reliable. The C is bigger and heavier than either but handles a 72 inch with ease and will actually turn tighter than either of the others.

 

[grandpa Love]

Grayrider,I'm on the lookout for a cub with a sickle mower! To sell you! Lol

 

[HenryO]

I have had both and depends on the job. Cub is much easier to steer but I prefer the Woods 60 mower on the A. I mow 20 acres with a Super A(hydraulic lift) every ten days all summer in 2nd gear full throttle and have a good cut. Use an A if you have a lot of mowing.