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Got the 875 together today. Had to hand feed her for about 30 seconds and then she ran on her own kinda rough for a minute,then smoothed out and now really sounds like a happy little horse. I wanted to try the hydro before I invested much time in the redo. When I engaged the hydro she would barely move forward or reverse and had a funny tinny noise coming from the tranny. This was my fear buying a non running tractor....a bad hydro. The drive belt seemed loose, so I loosened the engine bolts and moved it forward as much as I could to help tighten the belt. Still no better, then I remembered this. I had opened the tow valve to load it on the trailer. Closed the tow valve and tried her again. Now I can even pop-a-wheelie although she isn't too fast and I still hear the tinny noise in the hydro. I flipped the seat up and found the fan was missing a screw and the other three were loose. That took care of the noise, so we went on a 1/2 mile trail ride. She runs fine and sounds good with the static timing setting, and the carb settings in the manual. Thanks again to Mike and Brandon for all the help. Now, just need to decide what to do with this one.

My new 3 point implement what do you all think? It will be fun at tractor shows.

I started early last summer gathering GT14's and implements. I started the real tear down a couple months ago but its hard to keep up pace what with job, family and HEAT etc. I have been meaning to start a thread to capture some of the activity. This is my fiest full tear down and I am sure I will hit snags along the way. In fact a couple of posts have already delved into them such as pulling the Tiller Pulley. I deem this a restomod since I plan on making some revisions for ease of use. For instance my current plan is to add an Attach-a-matic and wedge the Ariens 60 inch deck under this tractor for next years mowing season. Picked up a 3 point hitch and tiller (still need to pick this up) and I will install the 16 HP K341 and newer Hydro pump that was on the GT14 i got from Baerpath. I have marine grade wire and equipment for the rewire. As I have a working unit, a parts tractor and the tractor I am resto-modding, you may occasionally identify that the tractor in the pic is not the one which will be the final product. The net result is I will have 2 complete GT 14's when done. I have not yet decided if I will restor the second one. Leaning that way as I will paint this one and may Powder Coat the next. Here are some pics to start off,

" Any Crapsman can do that" But for how long? 40 years? I doubt it.

My opinion remains the same as it's always been. No one has come up with any evidence to the contrary, and I don't believe the Pond's would have ever let anything go to waste. My opinion is that RJ-58's were made for two years with four, or perhaps seven (depending if you count engine differences or not as a variant), distinct variants. The last three mechanical variants were during the final year (1959) of production, maybe only consisted of about 1200 or so machines out of a total run of approximately 22,000 - 24,000, and were so because some components were running out, could no longer be had, or were new to the 1960 model year and they wanted to see how the consumer reacted to the changes. The Ponds were designing the Suburban tractor, they didn't have many people working for them at the time, and simply didn't have the manpower to really think a lot into the RJ-58 platform. They had to fill the ever-expanding orders, and this was a common sense, business minded way to get the production numbers they required, and still design a new model for 1960. My opinion in a nutshell: You either have an RJ-58 assembled in 1958, or you have an RJ-58 assembled in 1959. But at the end of the day ... you have an RJ-58.

So I'm at the shop where I volunteer and one of the guys starts flashing pics of a tractor on his phone... "ya. The guy has this thing and it needs a stahteh - thats starter for you non new englanders he shows me the pic and I say. "That's about a 72 commando based on the stickers and steering wheel". Shows me the engine plate and the sticker covering the model and serial,for the machine. Well it's got electric start so I pop on here and download the reference chart for years and engines. Coulda been a 857, nope wrong engine code. turns out to be a 72 commando 8 as best we can tell its not running so I offered $100, there might be extras like a deck or blower or something. He's got 3 machines total so I may come home with something new Oh, and why exactly is this place awesome? Because in 3 months I've learned more about models and options to id old stuff and to find reference materials when I need them thanks All

Well what do you know. Somebody bought this with the complete working electric lift, a new front rim, decent complete and charging 14HP Kohler K, the original cradle mount for the KT17 and an inch and an eighth tranny plus lots of other real good parts for 250 bucks, 40 bucks of gasoline and 5.25 hours of round-trip time! Wonder who it was? Probably someone who really likes 8 speeds, has a bad back and doesn't like pulling the manual lift all the time. Mmmmmm.

Nonsense... my little RJ still earns it keep.

It's been pretty wet in northeast Ohio this summer. These guys haven't had much time in the lawn. Great day to give them some fresh air.

For the wheelie prevention... that's what my tombstone's for.

Great video Craig. I remember my Dad pushing snow with the new Suburban 400. I did some on it a couple years later but I was still a bit little to go at it unsupervised. They do a great job. Now....pulling a trailer.....that's a different story. Dad would pull the family through the trails and more than once the thing did a wheelie that went too far.

Ed, you have trails?

Love it! Those old Horse Hydro's use a fan off of a Refrigeration condenser to cool it!

A friend of mine repairs these all the time on B @ S racing Go Kart motors. He could probably fix that. but is it worth it or just buy another pressure washer?

As promised :

Don't forget...they can make ice cream, split logs, pluck the feathers off a chicken, tow around airplanes, and surprise a lot of people in a pulling contest. Let's not forget the video link to the four horses pulling a semi back onto the roadway...imaging what else they can do. With the right traction, anything is possible. Last but not least....they can pull the ears off a John Deere!!

Just set up duals on my 753. What do you guys think?

This subject is pretty much answered in a previous post about rod knocking.Just search in the engine forum .Luck,JAinVA

What can a Wheel Horse do? Darn near anything you ask it to do!

Just loving this thread already - shame I can't chip in much on the round hoods, rare as hens teeth here... I'm guessing it will be a few months before we get into the late 60's where I can step in This might feed neatly into my wheel horse family tree thread too....

I told him I'd take it. I'll go after work tomorrow and pick it up. It isn't pretty now but I'll post a couple of pics. When it is freshened up with a little TLC, it will be a strong AND sharp machine. Thanks for everyone's input! If you guys have any thoughts on what I should do with it maintenance wise when I get it home, don't hesitate to share!

From what I've read in the "Straight from the Hor..." I certainly have no reasons to doubt you. Seems that Elmer Pond was quite frugal! Plus I also think I see other signs of more "transitional" models that appear to be either introducing new parts or using up old parts which makes perfectly good business sense to me. It's just that those models don't fall neatly into my \1958\, 1959, \1960. etc. folders or lend themselves to crisp divisions of identifying characteristics. The 603, 701, 854, 1045 and I'm sure others indicate that there was little concern for making complete changes across all models for each of the years. I think they used up what parts they had and changed to new parts as the could, without a great deal of concern about what year it was. That's what I see at least... Thanks Mike! Dennis Thornton

I like my 314 -8 and it seems to respond to all tasks well.

The belt is too short that the PM put on it. Use Toro/Wheelhorse belts if at all possible. NAPA has a belt but it is a hair short also and can lend to some jerky motion. The Toro belt should be #108501. Guys.correct me if I'm wrong!

I was delighted with the book. Mike is a member here and from time to time he has furnished the club with copies for fund raising raffles. When you see the quality of the book you will find the price is justifiable.

Yep, that's what it looks like Mike. And I all ready got my fingers in it when I reached back behind the fender to disengage the hydro drive belt. May have to fashion a guard for the fan to make it safe for the young-uns and the dummys.

On my 1993 312-8 the dispstick tube is short. Therefore you have to reach way down in, and when it finally comes out this is the result. On the late 1980's 312-8's the tube is much longer. What is the deal?

bm P 216,218,220 spec B and beyond, lists the same flywheel for 20 and 35 amp. the original 20 amp stators used on some B and some T 260 engines are now called 35 amp. thank you. boomer

Thats when I would put the wife on it owning a 32 3 window and a 34 roadster exactly why I bought it, got the looks of a miniature hotrod! but its down a ways on my project list so just put it storage yesterday for a future redo.

Got time for another story? Back in 1987 when I got my 1067 I soon needed parts. I found a weld shop in Ripon, WI called D & D Welding who also had sold Wheel Horses. The guys that ran the shop were real old & old school and when I went in for blades & tie rods one of the guys said he could repair the tie rod ends and weld up new lift bends on my old blades. These guys were obviously more repair the old than sell new parts. He told me he probaly had the parts but was not going to look for them but I was welcome to as he pointed his knarled finger towards the parts room. So off I go .......well the parts room was a couple of dimly lit long isles filled to the brim with all kinds of WH parts in bins, bags & boxes. Trouble was nothin was inventoried or organized. These guys didn't know what a microfische was no less than a computer! After an hour of looking in these bins, bags & boxes I found nothing i needed. I do remember a bin overflowing with 1533 bearings tho! Parts for everything WH, still in orginal packages! I had heard the tax man went there once looking for their sales records and they threated to hook him up to a welder. I didn't go ther much after that as I did't want them cobbling up my old girl any more...too much of that done already! Afew short years later both guys died and the whole place went up for auction. Still wonder what happened to all those parts they had but not as much as wondering where all those RJ's, Suburbans Lawn Rangers ect. they must have sold are now.....awaiting new life as a barn find??? I did find another Toro/power equipment dealer in Oshkosh, WI called TP (Total Power) sales so I started going there. Helpful guys who thought I was nuts for messing with a 1967 tractor so they were more interested in selling me a new tractor rather then helping me keeping Old Red alive. Can't blame them and I sure did drool over them 300/400/500 series on the floor with all the shiney red goodies & attachments. Sucked back then as a young kid trying to start a family with no money! They are still in business but took on something else after Toro killed WH.

For further clarification: http://grammarist.com/spelling/plough-plow/

I was in the same boat as you. Found a small engine place to do the rebuild for me for less than I could have purchased all the tools for. If you plan on doing a bunch of engines, just find a place that will rebuild it for you. I had a Kohler single rebuilt for just over $400 last year (aftermarket) parts, labor and machining all included. Kohler parts are CRAZY expensive, and at this point I dont think the quality is any better than aftermarket you find on ebay.

The Horse'll do what you need to do provided you take care of business. The Stallion'll outlast us all if you groom, clean, sooth it's aches. Hug a Horse today and for years to come.

Van, Ill trade you 2 pies for it!

Quinstar was bought by http://www.mowstar.com I'm not sure about the Wheel Horse name on it though

I think you need to sell it to me at next years Big Show. Thats exactly what I think

Jack, the chain thingy hanging from the rear tell me the tractor has the lift cable / rocker shaft / chain. Its got all the good things going for it mechanically and ground engaging wise. Time to call the owner and go get the tractor before someone else (like me who knows what they are looking at) beats you to it!

This 551 has been under a tarp in a barn for the last 15 to 20 years. The PO bought the tractor new in 1961 and has had it every since - 54 years. I knew the tractor was there, but I had not seen it for at least 20 years. This past week he called and said it was time. We made the deal on this and a Bronco 14.. The 551 is missing the foot rests, has the wrong decals, and the fluid has worked over the front rims, but it has the correct H55D - 2113 -(serial 55209). The muffler and belt guard are both there and it looks to be in nice shape for tractor 54 years old.

Line the bars up with one of the wheel stud holes when mounting the tires

Here are a few interior shots and an up close of the motor so you can see how mint it is.. Wow Denny I didn't realize it has been 6 weeks! It seems like it has been an eternity. If I didn't decide to bring it to work and work on it in the back warehouse I wouldn't have finished it this year. The weather has been kinda rotten this summer and at home I was working on it outdoors.. I guess i did okay because I was also able to give my Crestliner and its trailer a makeover as well. I'm done working on boats for the rest of the summer so if any of you guys find a boat that needs a makeover don't send me the Link because I'll be too busy out on the water!

Isn't the term/model Suburban... simply an evolution of earlier WH marketing such as this 1959 Ride-Away Jr. ad?

I think it smells like cookies baking. Every time I go down there in the morning and smell it, I am starving suddenly.

Some better pictures of mounting the blade. pictures courtesy of other RS members.

Knobs and final engine and deck decals installed. All decals by Denny Clarke and http://www.RedoYourHorse.com! Finally done!

I can now say it's completed! Even cut the grass with it today.

Despite the neck issues I have been plugging away at this project slowly but surely. I managed to get the axle/base sanded, primed and painted. Hope to wrap up the rest of it this weekend. On a side note the Brown Truck delivered these today. New pair of shoes for the 856. After going back and fourth between these and ag's I pulled the trigger on these and better yet they were a present from Santa!!!

TDB, The C-195 deck is a stamped steel design while the 520 deck is a thick flat plate steel design. I do not know the actual weight difference for the decks but I would assume it to be a fair amount. Either deck is a handful to pick it up but the 520 deck is really heavy.