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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.

Good Afternoon: I am interested in purchasing Straight From the Horse's Mouth, but would like to hear what members thought about it first? In addition, does any money from the proceeds go back to the maintenance of the Red Square site?

OK not gonna lie that was kind of fun I took it into the woods and looked for the logs that my wheeler hated.... Two were 9 ft long and 1 FT in diameter. 1 cherry and 1 maple... so not light pine logs... the 4th log I dragged was 31 FEET long and 8 inches in diameter... not as heavy but impressive because of the length. Funniest moment was when I got almost all the way out and it wouldnt go anymore, I backed up and took off again and nothing... after the third time I noticed that the drag cable had taken down a sappling and got stuck on the base... and it was pulling the sappling out by the roots while still dragging the log. I have no doubt that it would of if it could have gotten more traction. I would like to say that it was a nice level straight run but who am I kidding it was more fun with uneven terrain and turns to make while dragging...some where almost 180 degrees. The main differences that I noticed between dragging with the horse vs the wheeler: I never once felt like I would tip over backwards... where on the wheeler I did more than once. It did scare me a few times when it felt like it was going to go over sideways due to uneven ground. But some quick booty shaking and it got some bite and took off again. Once it was moving I had to look back to know the logs where there... I was comfortable on the machine.. where on the wheeler you rode with with your face over the handle bars and your chest on the tank... Vs just sitting and riding like on the wheel horse. There was less calculating my route... I just turned when I had to and it went... on the wheeler you went in one direction until it stopped then went in another to change the angle of the log then start again ... It may sound crazy but I think the machine was more determined to get the job done than I was... and the more I worked it the more it seemed to wake up... I do have to remember to take the parking brake off.... after the second log, I unhooked it and took off and it felt like it was bogging.... thats when I noticed the parking brake was still on... ooops. Wonder what it would have done with good tires... I am still using the old ones that came on it that are hard as rocks even with no air in them. So to say it did what my cub never would have dreamed of doing is a true statement... was it safer and more comfortable and efficient than the wheeler hell yes.. Now what else can I do with it lol

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!

Ed, the Big Show theme tractor next year is CUSTOMS. With nearly a full year you could build a KOOL KUSTOM!

Well the Craigslist had expired, so I called and brought it home for a reasonable parts price.I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but it could become my "ice Cream maker tractor.....so many project ideas!For now i'm going to flush and refill the engine and transmission to preserve them and put it in dry storage..Maybe I can find a second parts tractor to marry the two together!I took the rear wheels off and it fit right into my short bed - even with the frame extension.Please help me identify this engine. I've been looking at lots of photo's but haven't found one with the "angled" spark plug and magneto shown several photos down. The engine is free and the cylinder walls look very good, but the exhaust valve is sticking on some rotationsThe exhaust valve has cast raised letters that say "EX EATON: The intake valve has a screw in the top that looks like the valve head is screwed onto the stem?Do these valves look like the correct setup for this engine, or has this been modified?Transmission moves freely and shifts. 3 piece transmission casting says B3-0.Does the "B3" mean anything? I understand th "0" is for 1960.The front of the hood is very straight, but unfortunately someone butchered the side of the dash I didn't take a picture, but the rear fenders and tool bpx are in good shape!The frame extension has just been tacked on, so it would be quite easy to remove.Is there a way to tell if this id the correct frame for a 1960 400 suburban? Edited 1 minute ago by oliver2-44

Yep, a neat read... definitely get yourself a book, or two.

I believe it is a completely separate entity, not associate with Redsquare. To put it short, if you like wheel horses for more than just a tool to mow the lawn with, then yes, it is well worth the money. And its on sale!

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.

Need a little help with the RJ-35s. I found this: "These RJ35's are are very hard to drive as they are slow and way too light in the front so on any sort of incline you cannot steer. If you do not have the "optional" brake kit it will freewheel on hills and you cannot stop." and I'm sorry, I have no idea where I gleaned this comment, but I've got to know more about the "optional brake kit". And I'm curious if RJ-35 users would tend to agree with, and again, I don't know who said this (sorry...): "If you are looking to do any kind of work I agree you will need at least the 700 series like the 701/702 753 or larger front engine mounted machines. The RJ's and suburbans are great but do not have the power to do any work. Good luck-" Not sure why the 6XXs were skipped... I have driven a mid-engine and it did have a front weight box and I was told that without that box it wouldn't pull anything other than a wheelie! So anyone know about the "brake kit" or want to comment about the usability of the RJs? Thanks! Dennis Thornton

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.

some black steel pipe, a fence post, and parts of a old treadmill. And some welding.

Van, Ill trade you 2 pies for it!

just got a cat a few weeks ago!!

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.

That could be a fun project!

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!

Have some personal enjoyment tinkering with it.

The Dunphy is done! I just picked the boat up from the upholstery shop and it looks great.. The motor is original to the boat, I did the needed maint. on it and she purrs like a kitten. I spent a few days detailing the motor and it looks almost new..Maiden voyage will be sometime this week. The last time this boat was out on the water was 43 yrs. ago!

Too bad they couldn't put a Dunkin Donuts or something similar along the Skyway. They'd make a fortune!

OK Dennis...I am by no means an expert on Wheel Horse tractors, but I feel your pain. If there is one thing that this site lacks, it is the ability to pull up good pictures of horses with an explanation of what is different between the years. Case in point...on the main page we have "Picture Gallery" and the sub-category, "Wheel Horse Picture Horse Gallery" For the most part you can go in there and identify a horse...the problem...I think through the up-grades and from the old "Forum-er Site" a ton of pictures have been lost. Another thing that never happened...the folks that posted these horses only posted maybe one shot (usually the left side) when it would be helpful to show at least 4 pictures showing all sides of the horse. This could be my next project...delete the worthless posts that have no pictures and set it up to have pictures, of every horse that is correct...and if it is not correct...why not. We could go to the members that did have posts in there and see if they want to offer up those pics again. What do ya think?? On a serious side...if you do this...a new member can go into this section...identify his horse and never post anything. In other words, if you have all the information available...you lose the back and forth that so many of us love here on Red Square...that includes the banter. Personally, I think it would do us all a favor to clean up the Wheel Horse Picture Gallery...I think that Brrly1 even started a thread concerning this. Understand that this could become a huge undertaking with a bunch of knowledgeable members weighing in on what is correct and not. If I had the admins blessing on this, I already have some ideas on how to go about this...you have brought up something that , I know, a few of us have been thinking about. I was looking for something to do.

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!!!

That is a Bolens sulky. The Gravely sulky has the seat support angled the opposite direction. Still nice!

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.