gratefulydeadman 25 #1 Posted August 5, 2012 Well I finally got an rj58. it took some wheeling and dealing but i finally got one!! lol.. i started out with buying a tractor for $200 and traded 3 times to get my rj! i dont know much about these older horses. it has a 4hp kohler that runs great since i cleaned the carb. and there isnt a spot of rust on it anywhere. the hood is dented a little bit but its nothing that cant be pounded out. im gonna make this my winter project. can u please look at the pics and let me know if its missing anything. thanks ralph 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #2 Posted August 5, 2012 That little guy is awesome...wanna trade again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #3 Posted August 5, 2012 Nice score Barter King! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #4 Posted August 5, 2012 Looks pretty complete to me. Nice find ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gratefulydeadman 25 #5 Posted August 5, 2012 here are some questions i have... is it supposed to have footrests? and it looks like there used to be a recoil starter on it. should it have one or is the rope i have to wind onto it the way it came? also i was wondering how do i engage the deck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #6 Posted August 5, 2012 On the left side of the mower deck there is a "V" style foot petal engaugement. Push it forward and it should engauge. Foot rests were an option I believe. They make repros for about $48 on ebay. Not sure on the recoil or not. You can add on. Schnakke is the one that is desireable but $$$ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #7 Posted August 6, 2012 Nice looking RJ. Foot rests didn't come out until 1960 sot hey would be an add on to a RJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,907 #8 Posted August 6, 2012 Very nice find! It looks to be complete with ALL of the goodies, minus the recoil starter. Is that a K90 on there too? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,547 #9 Posted August 6, 2012 Thats a vey nice tractor! ~Jake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weien's wheel horses 12 #10 Posted August 7, 2012 I wish mine looked half,that good:-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gratefulydeadman 25 #11 Posted August 7, 2012 thanks for the picture with the arrow wallfish. lol. and yes it is a k91 on there. it starts right up first pull every time!! i jsut need to do some fine tuning on the carb to make it run perfect. but i have yet to see any smoke or hear any knocks. seems like a solid motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 479 #12 Posted August 7, 2012 Looks like you have a nice set of earlier front rims too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomtractor 71 #13 Posted August 7, 2012 I am jealous. I think it is missing red paint in that one spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gratefulydeadman 25 #14 Posted August 8, 2012 Grnlark. How can u tell that they are earlier rims? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt71 6 #15 Posted August 8, 2012 Sweet find, hope i find one in half as good of condition!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,398 #16 Posted August 8, 2012 Lovely looking RJ , So what is your plan for it . are you going to repaint it . ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #17 Posted August 8, 2012 grnlark is my brother so I can say this without getting the business.... he's wrong, LOL. You have standard issue front RJ rims on that unit. There was a short period of time that the early RJ58's got the earlier style RJ35 rims. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gratefulydeadman 25 #18 Posted August 8, 2012 Hey Neil.. I think I am gonna restore it this winter. And thanks vinsrj for letting me know that bit of info about the rims. Hey Neil.. I think I am gonna restore it this winter. And thanks vinsrj for letting me know that bit of info about the rims. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #19 Posted August 8, 2012 Does anyone know if the rear rims are different on the earlier years? I have seen/owned rear RJ rim in which the spacing of the center piece has a smaller gap near the outter rim than others. Just figured I would ask... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #20 Posted August 8, 2012 Does anyone know if the rear rims are different on the earlier years? I have seen/owned rear RJ rim in which the spacing of the center piece has a smaller gap near the outter rim than others. Just figured I would ask... Yes, my 56 RJ35 has the narrow spacing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swel71 0 #21 Posted August 10, 2012 yep my RJ-58 recoil starter was damaged found a guy to repair it cheap If you go to the Kohler website you can download all the PDF files for the engine manuals and part the 4 HP Kohlers came with a Fairbanks-Morse rewind starter motor model # 425-81 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,907 #22 Posted August 10, 2012 Or you can go to the Files section on here and download manuals too. The original recoil on the RJ-58 would have been a Schnake but they are difficult to find which also makes them quite pricey too. Like swel71 posted, the Fairbanks Morse is a good recoil and may be a little easier to find, plus it's a better, more reliable starter. There is also a newer type, stamped steel recoil starter out there that will fit too. It's hard to tell but it looks like the Schnake starter nut may still be on there holding that starter pulley on to the flywheel. It will have teeth on it if that's what is on there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #23 Posted August 10, 2012 I got this recoil off ebay. The guy sells nos fairbanks and reconditioned. Paid around $70 for it and then buffed it to the high shine since I did not want to paint it and have it look non patina like the rest of the tractor. The other pic on the RJ has the Schnakee that demands all the money... This recoil has a cable vs rope and IMO looks much better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #24 Posted August 10, 2012 The smaller style Fairbanks recoil (Kohler) would be more correct for a late 59RJ/Suburban. Your K91 has the Schnake nut and aluminum back-up rope start pulley. IMO both starters are finicky in operation; the Schnake cable and snap and the Fairbanks starter cups wear out. At the end of the day though you can run one of the following recoils: Original Schnake (get in contact with Joe Papke) Small style Kohler Fairbanks (mounting legs are casted in place and would be correct for a late RJ59/Suburban) Larger style Fairbanks (typically found on earlier RJ Clintons/Cub Cadets. Just be aware though you will need the smaller diameter aluminum mounting ring, you cannot use the Clinton mounting ring.) A Tecumseh recoil (incorrect for originality but will work) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twostep 0 #25 Posted August 10, 2012 Is the paint original? I think the old patina'd ones look best which means I wouldn't "restore" it... of course I would also leave off the recoil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
