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I resurrected my '61, Model 551 custom this afternoon.

Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) Here are photos of my 653. It is 100% original. All decals are present and intact even on engine. Even the carburetor looks like it has never been touched. The plow has never been mounted with the hardware still in the sealed bag. Tires still have a lot of the "knibs" on them. It has only cut grass twice in its life. Cas (additional info edited in) Bought it in 2007 on eBay. It came from Columbus,Ohio.My fiercest competitor for it was Wild Bill. It was his questions to the seller and the fact that he stated who he was that really sparked my final interest in the tractor. Needless to say it did not come cheap. I seem to be the third owner. It was originally owned by an elderly gentleman in a farming comunity and it was only used by him for transportation. Its second owner had it only for a little while and used it only twice to mow an elementary school yard. I don't believe this tractor has ever stayed outside one day in its life or ever felt a drop of rain. With the exception of a bill of sale every other piece of paper that came with it in 1963 I have, down to the engine tag warning to put oil in before using. Everything feels tight like new specially the steering. It was certainly loved by its previous owners as testified by its condition. It has never been touched by paint or a wrench. It only had one diode changed at some time in the past . I can also state that it will stay that way for at least two more generations, since it will not go anywhere during that time.

Just a little 1961 model 551, custom... that just happens to sport a stock 22hp Kohler twin.

Bake at 90* for 3 days

Can't remember on the serial #'s Jeff. I'll have to look when I get back over to Dad's to unload. Emory was so tired he slept all the way I school this morning. On the trailer alone there are 2 754s, a B80 with grader blade, a 312-8 with less than 300 hours (showing about 400 because someone forgot and left the key on), a 520 or c195 grader blade, a briny hitch plow, a short frame snow blade with broken springs, an 8 speed trans, a partial leaf sweeper, a 701 or 702 frame, a very nice B80 deck shell, and I know I'm forgetting something. The back of the truck is full of items from a set of H5 lights, plastic wheel weights, cast inside weights, many boxes of parts, an original Wheel Horse branded push mower with Techumseh that runs perfectly, and lots more. I've got to inventory all of the stuff and decide what I'll bring to sell. Emory claimed the push mower on sight😉! Here are some side shots of the trailer and load.

Bunch of chores today but enddd by moving firewood and some dirt with Thumper.

Dells you definitely got a tractor problem! What's worse yer passing it on to your boy....good man!

Woke the 551 up today... from it's deep winter slumber.

You can always do a polish victory laparound the yard

You should dissemble the Rod and put it in the Bed or truck. Then on Thursday afternoon you can assemble it:-)

BTW, Napa has the little insert with a pigtail and spring that slips inside for the bulb contact. Grote GRO841075.

Get an old tach-a-matic mule drive and put a licence plate holder on it, then you will have the worlds heaviest license plate holder... AND front tach a matic...

Sweet score there Dell's ! Emory's looks to be dreaming of what Horse heaven looks like . How close are the serial numbers ? If I remehmber correctly didn't @Shynon find out he has the last one off the line . This disease we all share is a good one . The cuz a I received a phone call this weekend telling us to bring $200 and come pick up a 520 H with 1100hrs . Well both of us really didn't need or have the funds for it but you can guess what happened . There's a new tractor in the herd and we even talked him down on price . Runs and mows great . It's no beauty queen but it's a no brainier picking up a 520H for that kind of money .

Thanks guys. Not sure about the problem, more of a disease and I don't want the cure!!! Richard, I've got to let some my stallions go, I've just got to find time to list them in the show sale thread. Right now, I plan on keeping both 754's though😁! I'll try to post a few more pics and info later this week as I find time.

Oh for the love of tractors that's just disgusting. I'm glad it's you not me. If I was going to pull that off this time of year this far north I'd have to go find a great big giant oven. That thing is looking a little bit less Skittle ish everyday. The ... formerly known as Skittles...

I'd hate to see that booths gas bill lol

Took Skittles down to the bare bones. Put the frame on the rotisserie and got it all stripped, wire wheeled and primed today. Also fixed the crappy weld job on the front. Someone popcorn welded a thick piece of steel on the front to the real thin factory piece. Scuff it and paint it tomorrow and let it bake a couple days. Front axle and side panels are next.

So i had a brand new 06 FLHT when i was 19, loved it, rode it. Life started happening, quit my job of 8 years went to school to become a Mechanic, sold my Bike to do it, had a kid on the way all cards were in the air. Im happy to say that my wonderful wife, 5 years and 2 kids later told me to go buy a motorcycle again. 2 days later i brought this home..... 04 ultra classic and im loving every minute of it!

All things considered, kinda of fits doesn't it?😂🤣😜

17 is a weird number.

The one thing I know it does really well... as I'm sure, my neighbors can attest...is makes lots of noise. Surprise, there's no baffles in those straight pipes.

Thank you everyone for the attention of my birthday. The day was celebrated on the balcony in the glorious sun with coffee and cakes with friends and family.. Lars!

Well today I have a set of Wheelhorse wind chimes swaying away in the sunshine. Amazing how quick this stuff sets up in the sun. Bake away. And the only thing left as a testament to how ugly this thing was. Someone went through a awful lot of trouble to get it this way. They actuallytook it apart to paint it the various colors. Sad. Oh well. She’s looking better already. One day I will pull her back apart and do it right but for now it will make her look good and last a lot longer.

How about calling it "Rastaman Vibration"???

plenty of pics of the before. Hurts to look at. But the more I look at her old pictures, I don’t think she was Skittles at all. She’s Rasta

If you keep calling that thing Skittles—which you should—it will be classic how many times you will have to explain the name. Better to just keep a couple of “before” pics handy. Show them the pic-nuff said!

The plate was already on the front it’s just that they played hop scotch with the welding rod. I ground down all the popcorn and cut grooves between the plate and frame. Welded it back solid and cleaned it up. I have a tach a matic for the front but I may just put a license plate on it.

Nice Ritchie! Love the much heavier duty front piece on frame that would hold front attach-a-matic bracket should you decide to work that puppy.

Over the years, many fellows have sold their motorcycle because of the reasons you have stated. I always tell them they will regret it because something will always come up that is more important to the family. Glad you were able to get another bike! I have been riding since I was 14 and have always had a bike (or 2) ever since then....and that was 1969!

Need help just bought a 1075 today its missing a belt guard but some where at my moms i have a charger 14 auto belt guard will it fit ir work with the 1057

Down to the bones. Frame repair, strip and prime.

a simple easy fix may be to cut the steering shaft center the fan gear center the steering wheel and use a clamp type of coupler to fasten them together then adjust the tierods

Now, if the grass is kinda high and really wet, does it have enough power to mow it cleanly? or do you need to make two passes? Very cool!

And by the way..it sounds great!

To get under trees, shrubs ,cars jacked up in your yard for 10 years ect.

Good idea! I’ll have to see if I have any plate worthy of painting.

I think he's explaining how far he's gonna kick his rear he messes with his tractor. Either that or he's explaining we're this far apart on a purchase price!

Skittles license plate

Looks good Richie. I agree with Aldon on the plate. Heavy enough for anything you want to attach to it.

Im going to take some measurements and figure it out before I commit. I have some other stuff to take to my son’s place on the way up. Gotta make it all fit.

I tried several caps with gauges, gave up. All eventually leaked, discolored, clear plastic cracked, forget it. Use caps without gauges, remove the cap and take a peek-a-boo to confirm fuel level. After taking the Horse out, fuel before the Horse rests in its stable. Always ready to ride 'em cowboy.

Here's one taken yesterday.

Check the color...Pink is ATF and Amber is 10w-30 motor oil. Do not mix the two. Gear oil is only used for gear drive transmissions. Do not use it in a hydrostatic.

Nice Mike ...sounds like we may have to bust the old man out and go for a scoot!

Only just saw this thread today Denny (dont get on here very often any more!). Really nice job!

You need to get one because Skittles AND that custom 2 seat hot rod are supposed to be coming.

Oh wow!! So a pair of 754's VERY NICE

The original engine has a very efficient usage of space for all the components,

Went through all my pictures and show pics. @Mrs. Rules took this pic.