Beagles 72 #1 Posted November 28, 2014 Hi all, I am looking for some info on what model Wheel Horse I have. This was my dad's tractor that I used to mowed the lawn with it when I was a kid. I just moved it out of my dad's garage and I am planing to restore it over the winter. Any info on model, best resorce for parts and attachments would be great. I am in sothern Maine area. Thanks, Dave 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,476 #2 Posted November 28, 2014 Welcome to the board , this should be an interesting project ! Don't forget the pictures . The pro's will chime in for the ID . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagles 72 #3 Posted November 28, 2014 on it, I have a photo of the tag, I gust could not fint is when I was posting Thanks for the quick reply, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,028 #4 Posted November 28, 2014 Looks like a 1961 551 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,546 #5 Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) I Agree with others...that is a 61 551 . That looks to be very well maintained over the years. If It were mine, I would just do a good clean up on it, and you would be surprised on how much nicer it will look....maybe go through mechanical stuff, and paint the seat and wheels. I also have heard of people using steel wool and wd40 and bringing back paint. Maybe stevebo will see this thread, he has also oiled down some of his tractors and made them look great again. This is your tractor, do it how you want, but they are only original once. Edited November 28, 2014 by Jake Kuhn 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #6 Posted November 28, 2014 I don't know what it is. But it's sure nice. Best of luck and wellcome to red square. Glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,928 #7 Posted November 28, 2014 Sure is in good shape. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagles 72 #8 Posted November 28, 2014 More phots of the tag and when it was in dad's garage with stuff stacked up onit. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,476 #9 Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) they are only original once. Well played . ^ Just might make the calendar Edited November 28, 2014 by Digger 66 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,769 #10 Posted November 28, 2014 Very nice 551 with all the goodies which most of the time, are usually missing. Hopefully that engine is in decent condition. H55s are getting tougher to find. IMO they are more valuable as original vs a restored tractor so agree with the others about cleaning it up and keeping it original. Restore all the mechanical stuff and start cutting the grass again like you did when you were a kid! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,013 #11 Posted November 29, 2014 That is one fine Suburban, it has all of the hard to find accessory parts and looks great. I agree with others here, clean it up with WD-40 and 0000 Steel wool and enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagles 72 #12 Posted November 29, 2014 Thanks, I will start with a good cleaning and get all the working parts working. Will this tractor take any attachments? Front or side sicklemower, I see the hitch on The back so I think it would take a rake or read blad. Where would be my best place to look for parts? Also this has electric start, I think this is a 6v system correct? Thank you for all the response Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrblanke 840 #13 Posted November 29, 2014 Of course, it is your tractor, and you should do with it what you want! In my OPINION, you should leave as much original paint on it as you can. Once you "fix the blemishes" that were created by your dad's hands, or by your first mowing mistakes, they are gone for ever. Given that it is the mower you used as a kid, how much more sentimental will it be with the original finish? I think you go through it mechanically, replace any seals or worn parts, maybe some new tires, and be done with it. Great looking machine! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,769 #14 Posted November 29, 2014 (edited) The place for parts will depend on what you need. You already have all the good Wheel Horse parts like belt guards, foot rest ect. The mechanical parts can be found at local mower shops and around the web at places like Partstree.com, Pats small engine, Moparts ect. ect. ect. Once you figure out what you need then search around and ask questions here, members can direct you to the places they use. It is a 12v electric start Lauson (Tecumseh) H55 engine. Use a quality lawn & garden size battery, It fits right in the space on the right side of the tractor and sits on the frame. Right where I see battery cables in one of your pics Recently sold sickle bars that fit that tractor. They are model # CBR-32 front sickle bars. You can also find snow/dozer blades, snow blower, moldboard plough, trailer, roller and a bunch more of hard to find attachments. Do a search here on this site for "suburban attachments". There's plenty of data already posted here on those tractors too so there's plenty of good info to read up on. Edited November 29, 2014 by wallfish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Keys 57 #15 Posted November 29, 2014 I have one of those tractors, good machines. Thy are hard to kill!! that's for sure! I like them original, just my !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagles 72 #16 Posted November 30, 2014 Thanks for the reply's, I spent some time today cleaning it up with wd40 and steelwool, I also put some MM oil in the eng and let it sit, and then turn it over to check if it was seized up.(all good) I then put a jump pack on the battery cable too check the starter, she turned over fine, ( plug out ). I am going to clean the carb next and then try and start her up. I have a few questions, There was a problem with the steering so I removed the front wheels and started checking things over and found a loose nut at the bottom of the steering shaft. That will be an easy fix, I notice the steering linkage look different, and I wanted to know if this was OE? ( see attached photo 2078). Front tire are filled with cal I think, what is my best plan for them. The tires are good front and back. Rims might need paint, looking for ideas on that. I would also like to see a photo of how the battery was tie down on the frame, if any one has a good photo. Thanks, Dave 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,769 #17 Posted December 1, 2014 Looks like the tierod was changed but that looks OE to me Rim paint, antique white is very close to linen beige The battery is held in by a piece of 1/8" flat bar with 2 holes that match the 1/4-20 studs if they are still there http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/download/1074-tractor-1961-401-551-701-da-om-ipl-wiringpdf/ SEARCH "suburban 551" in the manuals section for more info for the trans ect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kudzu3 323 #18 Posted December 1, 2014 Dave, that is one nice tractor! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firpo701 407 #19 Posted December 1, 2014 Love it!!! Fine looking 61! :-P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beagles 72 #20 Posted February 16, 2015 I found a hayban sickle model 402c Will my 551 take a side mount sice mower? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites