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Got my new front tires on today and my suitcase weights!

May as well .... go BIG.

Now have two of this model. It'll be the next Restore. Couldn't turn down a free one. Only thing missing is the carb (only have half a dozen carbs laying around), but the deck is trashed. Luckily I have two or three replacement decks here as well. I'll have to make it look like this one.

Its a little rough around the edges but it has been sitting in a semi trailer for about 25 years or so. I do have a k91 kohler that is going on it once we get the tecumseh off it. Going to run down the belt gaurd for it but overall its an rj thst has a good hood and gas tank so I'm pretty happy.

Thanks Cas for the complements! Couple of pics of the Original Whirled of Hurt.

For the third year now, I am ready and looking forwards to Fall. Thanks to Oldredrider for the idea and inspiration. What was a nightmare job turned into something I actually look forwards to and enjoy. The ease and efficiency of this idea cuts job in a fraction of the time it used to take and makes for great seat time. Not only another example of what is possible with these old machines but also of the talent , vision, and willingness of forum members to share their knowledge and experience.

Just happen to have one my Dad put on the 857. You are right Paul...has a high comfortable back that folds down, and is very will made.

The check valve or shut off valve has to be before the pump to keep it primed. A marine primer bulb also works. They contain two check valves just like the fuel pump. This is a common problem with the under the seat tractors. If the tanks are kept full, the Kohler fuel pumps are below the pump and they stay primed. The Onan pump is above the fuel level even with a full tank.

It's been a long time since I've undertaken a tractor project. Recently got married, moved, got a new job that keeps me busy so I haven't really had time. Now that I got the garage at our place cleaned out and ran electricity through it I'm ready to take on a project again! First one that I'm gonna take on is this 1045 I purchased a while back. It isn't perfect, but it's mostly there. Engine doesn't have enough parts on it to make it run, but it has compression so that's a start. I've been accumulating parts for it thanks to the big show and some members her so now I have enough to get it going. I'm excited to rear into it and see exactly how bad it will be! First thing I'm concerned with is possibly the hood. The previous owner put this bracket on so he could mount the hood while using the makeshift snowblower that was on it. He must have cut the normal attaching rod off. Now it looks like if I weld on a new rod, the hood will hit my muffler. Anyone have a 1045 that can give me some measurements of the hood to make sure mine is correct? Looking forward to this project! Mike

The casting date for that transmission equates to March 31, 1959. If the transmission is original to your horse you would have an RJ59. The letter is the month. the 31 is the date...the 9 is the year...1959.

Please I need help with identifying so I can search for parts

More extra goodies. Thanks Glen. And made a hood strap.

Alive and well, @squonk, thank God. Just been hibernating at dog shows lately, it seems. Thanks for thinking of me. The other addiction ...

I can't answer your conversion question, But have you replaced the condenser and put in the correct plug? Personally, I prefer the points ignition.

Ok. Ol'Joe is not quite as good as new but is now ship-shape. Transmission, wheels, hood and several other parts swapped out. Electrical issue sorted out. Also new drive belt. Basically complete except for minor tweaks such as choke and throttle cable routing for optimization and it could use a patina muffler shield. If anyone one has an original patina exhaust shield that's willing to part with it, please PM me. @stevebo Ol'Joe is good to go for the most part now. @formariz The electrical issue turned out that B connection had been to engine shroud and was intermittently open. I ran it to negative battery terminal like my other 551 and the key works perfectly. Ignition switch turns the motor off. Thanks for you assistance.

Thats a techumesh motor on there. My bet is a 550 suburban

Here are a couple pics of what to do: I have all the parts you will need.. contact me via direct email to: daveoman@windstream.net

When there is a substantial amount of leaves I will make a video of it. Oldredrider has a video of his but I cant find it. I understand what you are saying. Like you said, this thing is so good at it as it is that there is no need or the motivation to get any more carried away with it. I did not even go as far as Oldredrider did with his. I don't have a way to adjust chute from seat or an idler/tensioning wheel. I found when I first tried it since I always have to move leaves in the same direction that I do not need to move chute. I merely go forward and then backwards. Found that going backwards it blows through grass turning it in the opposite direction than forward pass, cleaning it 100% of any leaves or debris. Also with a little practice one is able to "herd" leaves very accurately going on reverse. It will actually move small 1" thick branches with leaves. It also takes less than one minute to put it on or take it off. Oldredrider's blower is actually a bit larger than mine so I imagine his is even more efficient. Since he has unit serial #1, I claim unit serial #2.

Tough crowd here... but, I've got you bro. http://www.schillmania.com/projects/snowstorm/lights/

Trying to get all the kinks out of it tonight. Probaly give it a good cleaning tomorrow and put a little elbow grease to it and see what happens from there.

Holy Cow! He's alive!!! Hey Mike!

Here's how I keep water out of my tools. Take off goes up in a riser and back down: Out let goes out on the side and then up: Drain on the bottom:

Quite honestly if a craftsman mower flipped over me that many times I would set in of fire AND use the Remington 870 pump shotgun on it as it burned..... Glad to hear you're ok!!!

Do not throw out that Tecumseh when you change it out. I know some on this site would love to have that. Nice 1959 RJ.

I have a boat seat on my towable backhoe, that replace the stock seat pan after it rusted out. Cost $34.95 at Kmart better then paying 125 at tractor supply foe a cheap tractor seat, and it more nicer on my butt too.

We want some and !!! I was waiting for Steve to chime in .

For a "non-tractor seat " that is excellent!

Nobody can be sure how many things were added or swapped out on a 57 year old tractor. Fenders were standard on the 550 and optional on the 400. A 550 most likely would have some indication of a battery and solenoid having been there at one time. I'm sure there were many tool boxes from 550's with the holes that made there way to a 400. But is anybody certain the solenoids were always mounted on the tool box? Another indication is that the clutch rods on the 60's were not adjustable and the 61's had a threaded trunnion but that's missing and again an easily swapped part. With that being said I'd lean towards a 400. Or a 550 that had the solenoid mounted elsewhere or the tool box swapped. Or a 401 with a 1960 hood..........and a 60 clutch pedal installed backwards....................... In any case a very nice find,

1960 suburban 400. Very nice looking start for a project too! Congratulations and keep us updated as you go!

still have this old girl

Carburetor cleaner will kill the engine if it's entering the venturi . Starting fluid makes 'em speed up . Speaking from memory , there's a bushing kit available that comes with a new throttle shaft and a bushing with an oversize O.D. that will correct this . I did mine years ago but lost the before and after pics in the great computer meltdown .

Find you "D" series moldboard they're 56" wide, Duke has/had a NOS one for sale in the classifieds, and yes I widened a 42" to 50" for my 520H ain't pretty but got the job done, Jeff.

I don't get it, there aren't even any lights to blow up!

Almost done. Steering Wheel and wiring/ignitions switch installed but got too dark for pics. The clutch and throttle cables on theses beasts is a royal PItA.

I have purchased what I believe is a RJ 58. Serial number behind the front wheel is gone but there is a C31 9 casted into where the transmission shifter is. Anyone able to tell me what year this one is. Thanks for the help.

Take a look here. https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/steering.html Seems Craig has a faster trigger finger than me!

Lots of us consider that to be "Perfect Patina", Looks like you got a good one.

754. Our buddy ended up buying it. We probaly should have. Its in really good shape.

Gasket and grommet in place on the points cover to keep the gremlins out?

I am assuming that you have an RJ. Your horse has a straight front axle. The brake band mount is vertical on the transmission. That would be a Wheel Horse #5003 transmission. Of course we want pictures.

I use a 418-a to mow with and never really noticed it being too hot. Of course when its almost 100* out, I don't guess I would.

Glad to hear it all worked out. Nice to see another one working with the correct parts the way it was intended.

It is actually very light , I don't think the whole thing weigh 20Lbs. Perhaps the only drawback on the way I have mine as opposed to Oldredrider's is that mine floats using its own weight to tension belt, pretty much like a table saw motor. You cant go fast with it since it will bounce up and down and it may flip belt off. I have had a lot of practice with it however and that is not a problem to me plus you have to go rather slow anyway to give leaves enough "flight" time. Having it this way makes it also easier for me to remove it in less than a minute and very easy to store. I can also adjust the height of the whole thing if needed by sliding the blower back on the uni-strut and use a shorter belt. I use this tractor also to move a regular utility trailer filled with firewood and need to place another quick contraption I made in front to add weights to it so I can steer. Added bonus is that the whole thing cost $10.00 for the blower and I think About $25.00 for the chute. The rest I had and it uses belts that I have in stock anyway for different mower decks. I still remember the big smile on my face when I first saw it and let out a big OH YEAH!!!!

On a serious note (please note that I am never serious!) it appears to me that the 417 was the only tractor that came factory with those baby moons. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I was lucky enough to inherit a 417-A and now use it as my dedicated snow blower. I posted these pictures and then realized you can't even see the baby moons!!

OK I would have thought the year was earlier but what do I know the trans doesn't seem to shift into gear so this could be real fun and thank you dells68 for the info here's the ranger

Thank you Red Square members for all your words of encouragement. We are truly blessed with great guys! Edwroy

I found out that a product such as Castral Purple clean will eat any enamel paint over time.I use it all the time to strip paint from plastic models.

I'd be trying "OOPS" and "Goof Off". If that doesn't work then paint stripper but applied directly to the paint only. Most solvents will remove any oils in the leather but just treat that spot with more after removing the paint. I wouldn't worry to much about any other form of damaging the leather other than drying it out of it's oils. Leather is pretty tough stuff and used for that reason.

Is the throttle plate shaft loose? It could be sucking air in around the shaft . With it running, spray it with carb cleaner. If it speeds up, it is sucking air.

The inside of tranny appeared fine from what I could see through the shifter opening and the fluid I drained was good. So no need to flush imo. As far as the GT22-8, progress continues. Currently waiting on a critical part. However updates to the build thread will occur after the Stevebo meet and greet.