my new RJ-58

[cruisnblue48 783]

I acquired my third Wheel Horse tractor yesterday to play along my other two 1962 552's. This one is a 1958 RJ-58. According to the serial number, I believe this may one of the early RJ-58 models. Does this fact make this tractor more rare than other RJ's, just curious??? It has the original Kohler K-90 3.5 hp engine which still runs. The seat and fenders are missing. Is there anything I need to look for in particular to replace these missing items? The tractor is in pretty good condition otherwise and should be a relatively easy restorable project.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Awesome find. Looks to be in great shape if it is original. Looks like the elusive trans belt guard is missing though

As far as the fenders go, there were an "ad on" if I recall correctly. They were a "dealer option" from what I have heard, so if you really wanted to, you can run it without them (something I am doing with my RJ-58). Not sure about the seat though, can't help you there.

Either way, nice find, and a very pretty tractor :handgestures-thumbupright:

[Wheel Horse Kid 104]

Congrats on the purchase and Nice Buy! Hope you have alot of fun with it. Good Luck!

[whfan74 2,015]

Looks like you found a real keeper there. Keep your eyes open on Ebay as those items come up from time to time. Also it looks as though you will need the correct gas tank. I may be wrong but it looks like you have a plastic spout coming up through the hood. A left foot rest as well and I can't see the right. Can't really tell but since you are missing the belt guard I am assuming you are missing the heat shield as well. Both pricey items to replace.

Not trying to pick your tractor apart by any means. You found yourself a real gem and one that is definitely worth restoring. Congrats on your new Horse. Keep us updated on the progress.

[WHRNaddict 5]

Nice looking RJ. I see it has the S# sticker on the frame, can you read the # stamped into the lower half? Also there may be a # on the top of the transmission case next to the shift lever, it should start w/ a letter. Post this info and it will tell you appox. when it was manufactured.

[buckrancher 2,675]

you can buy the belt guard and heat shield as reproduction pieces

seat should be the round steel one with holes around the outer rim and five holes in a simcircle close to the hold down bolt

good find

Brian

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Looks like a great restoration project,Jake

[Zeek 2,284]

Nice tractor. Extra bonus on that running motor :dance:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Great find but do NOT run it as is. You need to get those hear shields on the engine or you just might overheat it and seize the motor.

[VinsRJ 721]

Nice find! As stated previously, early production RJs would not have come from WH with the tool box/fenders. Those would have been added on later by the dealer.

If you can, post your serial number and lets see where she falls. IMO anything under 2000-2500 would be considered an early production unit. As for added value being early? I'm not sure that will add value but it does add interest as the early units had some differences from later RJs.

The K90 is a good indicator of an early RJ58 , as well as, the rear hitch.... I can't see from your pic but is your rear hitch there? If its made out of four pieces of band iron then thats another signal that you have yourself an early RJ58.

Belt guards are repopped and can be found on evil-bay from time to time. Gas tanks can be found the same way. You may want to post a wanted ad here on RS for those parts too. I also noticed that your drive belt tensioner pully is not original, you'll need to at least find a smaller one to fit under an original RJ belt gaurd. Good luck and nice tractor!

[AMC RULES 36,945]

NICE! Before Santa left, did he say he was coming this way?

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Looking at the engine a bit closer the fins on the cy. head look like a K91 to me but I may be wrong?

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Nice find!

I see this is your 1st post, so Welcome to Red Square!

[buckrancher 2,675]

I believe you are right Steve K90 head fins are curved K91's are straight

Brian

Looking at the engine a bit closer the fins on the cy. head look like a K91 to me but I may be wrong?

[cruisnblue48 783]

Thanks for all the help, comments and advice in helping me identify exactly what I have here. I figured that I could get some answers here at RedSquare and you guys came through with flying red colors, ha.I am learning a lot about early Wheel Horse history and it is quite fascinating. After closer inspection of the labels on my RJ, The model number is RJ-58, Serial no. 4880. I suspect this would be considered an early 1958 model since, as I understand, there were about 20,000-24,000 of these manufactured in '58-'59. Also, the label on the engine says that it is a K-91T 366153, Spec no. 31107A. This confuses me, thought K-91's were on the 1960-61 Suburbans????? There is a "T" stamped in a silver box directly to the right of the printed "K-91". Any significance of this and whether or not this is really the original engine. As for the date stamp on the top of the transmission next to the shifter, there is NO STAMPING of any kind... again I am confused about this based on reading info about the RJ-58 tractor model. As for the pulleys on the right side, there is a much small pulley on the bottom. The guy that I bought this tractor from said he switched the larger one on top to use a belt that he had instead of getting the correct length belt. The rear hitch is a 5-piece steel weldment... it is not cast iron. The gas tank is in fact an aftermarket plastic tank... really the only thing that does not look original on this tractor. Again, there is no heavy rust anywhere on this tractor... everything moves very freely... even the brake band assembly is in great condition. So again, I thank y'all for "picking my tractor apart". That's exactly what I need from you guys to help me figure out what I really do have here.

[speedyleedy 205]

nice r j ! good luck on restoration job ! :)

[buckrancher 2,675]

early RJ's did not have a casting date on the trans. center case and wheel horse did use K91's on them

I have one like yours ( no casting date and a kohler K91

Brian

[cruisnblue48 783]

Thanks for that info, Brian. Now I'm wondering if I might have serial no. "488"? There is a scratch on the label right after the last 8. There appears to be half of a 0 at the scratched mark, but that could be from the scratch as well. There are no zeros in front of the 4... is this correct for seriall numbers on these labels? Trying to figure out how to post more pics on this thread to show you the hitch and right side.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,127]

According to what I have seen/read, the earliest RJ-58's had leather shifter boots and the rear hubs were the round ones used on the last Walk-Away models. (still only used three wheel bolts though)

I believe they also used the narrower front wheels like the RJ-35 models and either a B-1200 Clinton or a K-90 Kohler.

It's highly doubtful that all of those pieces would have been changed on your tractor.

[cruisnblue48 783]

Here are some pics of various views discussed previously in this thread...

So, I am understanding that this model RJ-58 should be fenderless... works for me. I also noticed there are no foot rests shown on the RJ-58 parts manual and I have seen RJ-58 photos without foot rests. Would this be accurate that you would put your feet on the round bar stock only??? Apparently, all I would need then is a seat, period correct fuel tank, belt guard, and heat shield. Not sure what a heat shield is or what purpose it would serve???

[cruisnblue48 783]

Another question I have is should a tractor in this condition/age be completely cleaned up/repainted/restored to original condition or left in the "rough and tough antique" look??? I know it would be entirely up to me and how I want it to look as the current owner. But just thinking long term resale value 20-30 years from now, as I intend to take good care of it for a long time coming, any best guesses? I absolutely hate it that all these old tractors where left to rot away with many of them ending up in the scrap yard.

[Ken B 3,116]

The heat shield runs along side the exhaust pipe next to your right leg/knee area. Trust me, you will want to find one. I went to the Big show in Pa. two yrs. ago without one. I rode around for about a half hr. till I couldn't still it any longer. I walked into one of the indoor vending area's and luckily for me Bill Jenkins had one so I snatched it up.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Here is one I just picked up and even though it was repainted years ago I think I will keep it as is. I think you will find that the consenus here is it takes 50 years to get that patina look and once it is repainted it really should be show condition. It is hard to tell from the pics but you could try wiping it down with wd/or motor oil and see what you think? Some guys prefect the crusty look but for me oiled up is better. Someone once called it the "salad dressing" look....

[wallfish 15,919]

I like the original look, an old tractor that looks like an old tractor. You can still fix/repair all the needed mechanical stuff and keep it original.

Although a beautiful, correct restoration can be a work of art to admire also.

They didn't offer foot rests in '58 so you're OK there. Fenderless would be correct too since they were offered as an option.

Basically, you are missing all the stuff that is most commonly missing but all of it can still be found via repros and patience.

[rj35hunter 281]

My vote is to leave it original & just fix it mechanically & replace what is missing to make it look complete but original. They look nice either way I just think they are worth more in their original condition instead of painted up like a new one. They are only original 1 time. Sometimes a restoration is the only way to go......like my RJ58 I'm restoring right now, but yours is fairly easy to leave original & it look good. It saves alot of time & money to just "fix up" instead of restore too......I'm finding that out now! Good luck with whatever you do with her & welcome to Red Square!!

Clay