Farmall Cub Overview
The Farmall Cub is a small International Harvester tractor built from 1947 through 1964 for gardens, small acreage, and light farm work. Its 59.5 cu in gasoline engine, thermosyphon cooling, and simple layout are part of why so many Cubs are still being repaired and used.
Before ordering parts, check the year, serial range, engine setup, and PTO details against the operator manual or parts book. The Nebraska test and production references help separate basic model specs from details that changed across Cub and Lo-Boy coverage.
Farmall Cub Quick Answers
- Production yearsThe Farmall Cub was produced from 1947 through 1964.
- PowerPublished power data includes 11 hp 8.2 kW, with drawbar data at 9.87 hp 7.4 kW. Match those figures to the documented engine and transmission setup before treating them as model-wide.
- EngineThe Farmall Cub engine displacement is 59.5 ci 1.0 L.
- PTO and hitchThe Farmall Cub has a Cub-10 (0.9375) rear PTO.
- Service capacityPublished capacities include engine oil capacity is 3 qts 2.8 L; transmission oil capacity is 1.75 qts 1.7 L; hydraulic system capacity is 0.56 gal 2.1 L.
Engine and Power
Engine: the Farmall Cub uses a 59.5 ci (1.0 L) gasoline engine with thermosyphon cooling and an oil-bath air cleaner.
Gasoline engine
International Harvester C60 / gasoline / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled
| Displacement | 59.5 ci 1.0 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 2.625x2.75 inches 67 x 70 mm |
| Cooling System | thermosyphon |
| Air Cleaner | oil bath |
| Compression | 6.5:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 1600 (early) |
| Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Starter | manual |
| Starter Volts | 6 |
| Coolant Capacity | 9.75 qts 9.2 L |
| Sparkplug | Champion D-21 |
| Sparkplug Gap | 0.023 inches 0.584 mm |
| Intake Valve Clearance | 0.013 inches (cold) 0.330 mm |
| Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.013 inches (cold) 0.330 mm |
Manufacturer
Manufacture years
Tested drawbar
Transmission
Transmission: Sliding-gear design with three forward gears and one reverse.
3-speed sliding gear
| Type | sliding gear |
|---|---|
| Gears | 3 forward and 1 reverse |
| Transmission Oil Capacity | 1.75 qts 1.7 L |
PTO and Hitch
PTO: Rear PTO is independent, Cub-10 (0.9375) type.
Rear PTO
Rear PTO type
Engine RPM
Hydraulics
Hydraulics: 1200 psi pressure, 2.8 gpm total flow, and a 0.56 gal capacity.
Capacity
Pressure
Total flow
Fluids, Battery, and Service Facts
Maintenance: engine oil 3 qts, transmission oil 1.75 qts, hydraulic 0.56 gal, coolant 9.75 qts, battery 6V, spark-plug gap 0.023 in. See manuals for exact part numbers and service intervals by configuration.
Fuel tank
Engine oil capacity
Hydraulic system
Battery volts
Tires and Dimensions
Tire and dimension values can vary by wheel, axle, and configuration.
Configuration-specific values are split out where the same model has documented differences by engine, transmission, or equipment.
Wheelbase
Weight
Length
Width
Height
Front tire
Rear tire
Ag front
Ag rear
- 8-24
- 9.5-24
Electrical
Electrical rows are included when documented.
Ground
Charging system
Battery volts
Serial Number Lookup
Serial ranges and prefixes help identify year and configuration; verify year tables and regional applicability against official references before ordering parts.
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
final
Manuals and Documents
Use these links to check the operator manual, service manual, parts catalog, or test report that matches the tractor's serial range and equipment.
When a source covers more than one model or variant, confirm the fuel type, transmission, PTO setup, and serial range before using it for parts or service.
- McCormick-Deering Farmall Cub Owner's Manual 5-23-47Operator manual for the McCormick-Deering Farmall Cub (1947) with sections on description, lubrication, maintenance, operation, and specifications.Open source
- International Cub Lo-Boy Tractor Operators Manual 1955-68Operator's manual for Farmall Cub and Cub Lo-Boy (1947 through 1959 window covered in this edition).Open source
- Operator's Manual for FARMALL Cub, Cub Lo-BoyOperator’s Manual for Farmall Cub and Cub Lo-Boy family (IH official lineage; late-model refinements).Open source
- Farmall Cub & Cub Lo-Boy Parts manual 1947 to last builtOfficial-style parts catalog covering Farmall Cub and Cub Lo-Boy models (1947 to last built).Open source
- Nebraska Tractor Test LaboratoryOfficial Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory site with test codes and procedures; includes historical Cub tests context.Open source
- Nebraska Tractor Tests | Tractor Test and Power Museum, Lester F. LarsenDigital collection of Nebraska tractor test reports; explicitly includes McCormick-Deering Farmall Cub test context (Test 386).Open source
- Farmall / International Cub and Lo-Boy Tractor Production Informationhistorical production data and serial-number context for Farmall Cub and Lo-Boy lineage.Open source
- 1947-64 Farmall Cub - Hemmings articleHistorical overview of the Farmall Cub era, model lineage, and market context.Open source
Parts Checks Before Ordering
Do not order Farmall Cub parts from the model name alone. Match the part to the tractor's model code, serial range, engine, transmission, PTO setup, and build year before choosing service parts.
Filters, fluids, belts, electrical parts, clutch and PTO parts, and hydraulic parts can vary by setup. Exact part numbers need a parts catalog, manual, or trusted supplier source before they become recommendations.
Accuracy Note
Tractor specifications can vary by year, region, factory configuration, installed equipment, and later repairs. Match serial range, engine, transmission, PTO setup, and model code before ordering parts or doing service work.