Cub Cadet 149 Tractor Loader Backhoe - 20 Hour Update 

Since this video I have added a foot control hydro lever. You can see the video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WtLPzACxn-8.html I have also put it through extreme testing by digging 5 foot deep trenches, holes, and have dug out stumps most people would not dare do with a machine they built by hand. So far, every weld, every part has held up to almost 60 hours of pretending it is a larger tractor than it is. You can check our playlists to see some of the projects it has done. Tractor weights approximately 1900#. Total Estimated Cost for this project start to finish was about $4,000. Comparable to a Kubota BX25 at $25,000. Thank you for saving the tractors.

Great to see a update. Twenty hours and the 149 is still looking great !

Impressive build, a testament of your engineering and welding skills👍👍

You may have already done this, but - you could have valve spools oriented so two levers control all functions. Set up heim joints and valves so say - left lever L/R is swing, left lever up/dn is "shoulder," right lever L/R is "elbow," and right lever up/dn is "wrist." You could put a bend in the control shafts to bring them closer to you for better ergonomics, or if you want to get really fancy, make them pistol grip joystick controls (although shifting those valve spools would probably be hard on the wrists). Great build! You do a helluva lot with pen and paper and a few simple tools. An inspiration for all of us DIY'ers. FYI - I wrote service manuals for JD lawn and grounds care/golf and turf equipment back in the 90's. Keep up the good work! Subscribed. Liked.

you did a really good job with that tractor its exactly what I want

I am VERY disapointed in this build. You did very well as far as you went but...... Where is the video of you loading it on the trailer. the drive to Missouri video? And most important the unloading it at my house video?

awesome job especialy doing all that with a fluxcore welder I have built 3 loaders and it's alot of work but fun :)

That 149 has turned out sweet great work man!

Wow very nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

Popping stumps tap roots is hard odo with just lift force. I find that if you hook the bucket under the stump then curl the bucket and push down with the boom to pry the stump up.

I wanna know how much it costed

Too cool bro killer job!! im mocking up a loader for my 100 right now lol tricky trying to set up where to start my mounts on the frame...

I have foot control on mine. I can easily reach it with my hand when running the backhoe. Foot control is a lot easier when running the loader. I have joysticks for the hoe. Made linkage using steering ends from old lawn tractors.

Approx how much is materials cost for front loader and backhoe? Thank you and tractor looks so awesome! Lucky to have it!

Hello Norman, first I love what you did with this cub I think it is amazing...I am going to watch all the videos so the answer to my question may be there, but just in case could you share the your plans with me on the bucket loader and back hoe? I have an old Jim Dandy I am getting ready to restore and this is the kind of thing I want to do with it...again great work ..👍👍

Hello Norman. Just came across your channel. Awesome things you do and build at your place. I'm in Brunswick and in the near future moving to North western New Hampshire to an old 18 acre farm. I've been learning as much as possible about old small tractors vs new ones. Its great to see young folks like yourself reviving equipment that was built to last. One question on hydrostadic control- is it possible to have both on the Cadet.? God bless you and yours .

Those old tractors are built like tanks!

I’m sure you have been asked this before but do you have plans for this?

Awesome video

I wonder how much it would cost me to have you build a loader for my simplicity

Hi, you promised before last Christmas that you'd do a video on how you installed the new hydraulic pump for the TLB conversion. Did I miss that, or is it on your to-do list?

Love the Cub Cadet 149. I have a Case 444 that was given to me. No motor or hydraulic pump. What type of pump and how many GPM does it need to have? I'm putting a 22 HP Predator V-twin engine. I ordered the front end loader plans and plan on adding a grappling arm to the bucket. I have 48" hydraulic tiller. And will be making the loader with a quick attachment setup. and converting the 48" snowblower to hydraulic also with quick connect. Just don't know what type (two-stage or ??) hydraulic pump and how many gpm it needs to be.

Add a foot control to go with the hand control, use them both.

were you using a generator to power the welder? and if so what wattage and for that matter what welder did you use

I seen how you attached your backhoe to the frame. but, do you think their would be a way to quickly detach the backhoe to use other attachments. thank you for any information sir.

is it better to mount the hydraulic pump direct to the engine or run it on the PTO?

Make a foot pedal to lock in for loader use n unlock to use the hand for backhoe use

whys the loader controls on the left side. my massey gc1710 is on the right side, same with every other tractor ive used

Hey would it be possible to keep the hydro lever forward back and add foot control ?

Cub cadet made that hand hydraulic lever with the intent that you would keep one hand on it and the other on the steering wheel. I bet they didn’t intend you putting a loader on it.

I have a k321 and I allways feel like the oil is a little low how many quarts dose it take

You got some really nice tractors how much is one of those tractors on the cheap side bone stock

Will you please make an all my tractors

About how much did it cost to make this setup between hydraulic parts and and metal and stuff ... do you also have an idea on how much it cost to just build the loader? Like to build a loader for myself some time

When you crack the frame from slamming it make a video on it.

In a real tractor thay have them so you can use a foot and a hand control like what you have I’m sure if you look up how to do that then you would be able to do both

THUMB ATTACHMENT PLEASE!

Next Step is to start selling it to the pubic once you do all your legal paper work on it

They do not make them like that anymore!

Love the vintage tractor restoration! Saving these things from the scrapyard is so inspiring, along with the good old american pride of well biult machinery! Thank you for the motivation keep up the good work!

HA NORMAN Nice build. You want to make life easer using the backhou. put a HD thumb on it. The cat Excavtor that i opr had one on it .made everything a lot easer.We did a lot of tree and land clearing.

hello norman! i am following your backo/loader build on a cub cadet. i live right next to you in new-brunswick,canada. Theres a john deere 312 that came up for sale close to my area. it has a 2 cyl kubota instead of the kohler engine. i was wondering if i could do something similar with it? i bough a property and it would be awsome hauling and digging dirt with a diesel 312. i have basically 0 knowledge when it comes to garden tractor. will a need to modify a few parts and can i use the plans that you use in your build series?

pretty much a toy.... cheaper and faster to rent a mini which has more power for most of us normal folk, even those of us that who could build one and most couldn't. Having said that it's a GREAT build, you did a beautiful job with it and thank you for sharing on video. Now, the fact is that you found a way of making money with what you odiously love doing, your very good at it, and your living your dream that you created... That demands respect and leaves you way ahead of those of us schmucks who sit back and watch a video of you having all the fun. You keep up making the cool stuff, the rest of us will keep watching and dreaming..

Dont hack too much. As an operator trainer I can tell u your boom junctions and pins wont handle it for long. Very solid build though nicely done sir

How much did all this cost to build

How much was this build without the tractor?

Clearance problems?!' 😄 you have a front loader my friend you can clear everything out of your way! I watched almost all of the series of this build. And l really wish l could get a loader for my wheel horse, with hydraulic deck lift. I came across your videos after looking for info about small garden tractors, l bought my first one in great condition August 2018, a month ago l got a manual transmission 12 hp C-120 this one has a little rust, but everything is in there.

I was observing you work the 6 spool stick controller, having slight difficulty remembering which stick did what. I don't know if this is do-able, but if you had a joystick controller shaped like saddle stirrup mounted upside down on a joystick, then the footrest part of the stirrup would actually be a shaft you held with your hand. 1. Twisting the shaft would swing the bucket in and out. 2. Rotating the shaft, so that the joystick shaft rotated, would sweep the bucket and boom left and right. 3. Pushing the shaft forward, or pulling backward would extend the bucket forward or backward. 4. Lifting up or pushing down on the shaft would lift or lower the bucket.I seem to recall joystick controllers that have all these functions, except the twist part. You'd have to add the stirrup and twistable shaft part. Also, you'd have to make joystick control action operate one of the spools. I recall something about solenoid spools/valves at Northern Tool.By the way, excellent Cub 149 transformation. I can't believe how much energy you have.

Is that awsom tractor for sale, ll really like.the way you constructed that wonderfull machine!

Thanks that Ignition coil for the wheel horse Did the job

You could do both at the same Time make a foot control and link it to the lever somehow it's easy to do on a wheel horse idk about a cub

Could you not build mechanical pedal that moves the hand lever with your foot? Should be pretty easy and still have the ability to hand control.

How dose it steer, did you add power steering? Thanks

Good job, very professional and well made. I would like to know where did you get your plan for the backhoe?

Norman Where did you get the plans for the front end Loader and Backhoe Thank you

Is the 149 the best to put a loader on? I have a 127 and I want one with a 3 point and loader. The cost of putting the 3 point on mine is up there, then I want a loader with right side controls. Any ideas. I am almost done rebuilding my 127, and I doubt that I will sell it. It has a 42" deck, and I love it.

I used to run backhoe. I just used the hoe to move around. Never bother actually driving the backhoe while digging. Lift the stabilizer slightly, Use the hoe to move the tractor and reposition with the force of the hoe. The hoe should be plenty powerful to lift the back end of your tractor right off the ground if need be. Way faster.

Why don't you install a pedal control on conjunction with the hand control.

Why wasn't the bucket loader spool valve located on the RHS like most other loaders?may have made more efficient operation of One hand hydrostatic drive and other for bucket control.

Did the drawings you got from PF give the hydraulic circuit and specs? I'm going to gain a relationship with local hydraulic shops but figured I'd ask pump and cylinder and hydraulic circuit accessory specs

Lo vorrei fare pure io

make a cuttin blade for the backho. plate with triangels from tip to arm. it would be a 1st. \I/ < bottom edge would be the sharp end. top hooks to arm

Put the control for the bucket on the other side like on a big tractor it helps a lot I run big tractors all the time and it is nice u can control your speed and steering with the left hand and the bucket with your right

I've been subber for years. Love your tractors, builds, restorations, and narrative. Keep em coming...You da man!!

where do you buy the sleeve material for the pins

isavetractors, big fan of your videos, lots of great stuff. I know you mentioned the pump you used was 4 to 8 gpm, but is it 2 stage or not? Would you mind to give the model number of the pump you bought on Surplus Center? Thanks a bunch

Hi Norman. This is specifically pertaining to the FEL. Would you change or add anything to the original design?

How deep can it dig

cool

That’s a great little tractor. Thanks for sharing 👊

Sweet machine! What's the gph on fuel when working it hard at high rpms?

Great job!! I am building One too. How much CC is tour hydraulico Pump?

Would it be possible for me to commission you to build one for me. I own a landscaping company and could use one.

Great machine Norman

Great video Hey where did you get the blue prints for the loader as I am building mine and would like to have more of a detailed plan. I know you mentioned it in part 7 or part 8 of the build but thought maybe you can post a link.

I have a cc154 will the plan you have work for it?

why dont you make it a multi function wit hand and foot control

is a case 446 good for backhoe and fel norm ty

Great rebuild and build,

Do you know how much the loader backhoe cost and which brand is better?