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Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum. I inherited a 1960 suburban that my great uncle bought new. It was passed to my dad in the 70’s and was the first thing I ever drove. We used it mostly to to pull a trailer around the yard and I don’t remember the deck ever being on it. Dad parked it in the shed in the 80’s where it sat for years until the shed needed to be removed, then it moved to my shed. Last year I decided to to get it running. I replaced the rubber parts in the fuel system and cleaned the points and it fired right up. Compression was low so I resurfaced the valves and it’s pretty good now. I just don’t know if I should restore it or not. It looks ruff but is mostly original. One front tire was changed (probably in the 70’s) and the recoil is a Clinton that my grandfather probably put on. Any opinions on restoring or not?

Got the 552 torn down. Found cracks hidden in all that grease. So I pulled trans and welded it up properly. So trans is back in now working on other areas. They got one steering peice on backwards lol

Them thar under educated hillbillies must be brothers from another mother, and I'll leave it at that.

It's because we keep telling everyone how great wheel horse is....

I must be getting older and much poorer than I thought! Just looking at the prices of parts and their listed cost on EBay is scary to me! My brother and I will have several tractors at The Portland Indiana Tri- State Enigine Association’s 14th Annual Swap Meet this Friday and Saturday October 12 and 13. Our less than $400 tractorsaccording to EBay listings must each be worth $1000 in parts ! Come and buy a bargain or on EBay!

To me it's not about making the money on the piece so much asit is helping out the next fellow WH owner ! I'm with all y'all ! 😳

Over the past few years I've had pretty good luck with Craig's List. Most of my sales have been for farm related implements and equipment. We also have a local/regional website that is hosted by the publisher of a free "Green Sheet" that I follow for items I'm looking for. I stay away from Ebay because I like to deal face to face with someone. When I list something for sale on Craig's List, I try to be as accurate as possible in my descriptions and I post my items with as many photos as I think will show the dimensions and condition of what I'm selling. To cover as wide of a population as possible for potential sales I'll post in a couple of local city listings around my area. When I am selling something I always have the person travel to me for two reasons. I want to deal on my own turf. You've got to be aware of the typical Craig's List scams and disregard the hackers, but if you're situationally aware (streetwise) you shouldn't get burned. One more "tell" I look at when I'm dealing with Craig's List ads. If the guy has a neat, organized background in his photos and the item isn't sitting in a mountain of trash, I'm more inclined to believe what they have listed has been taken care of and is in good shape. Nice garage or farm shop = well maintained equipment. On the other hand, if someone has posted stock photos in his listing that he got off of the internet instead of the item they are listing, I pass on it. Call me suspicious, and you'll be right. Trust, but verify is how I roll. Cheers! Dave

@WHX21 I think someone is a trouble maker @WVHillbilly520H is not a hillbilly he is a Virginia Gentleman by his adopted home here.

Most times I think the horse part sellers on fleabay are on crack. Most of you guys know what parts go for at the BS. Course then there's the expense of some of us getting to PA. Hey Lane what's with the green & yellow ....'pose your gonna tell us that's yer BILs or something... Least he could do is park it out of sight!

Finally got back around to working on this... I forgot to take a picture before I started taking it all apart again for some additional changes.

Finally got back around to working on this... I forgot to take a picture before I started taking it all apart again. Started out as an 857, added a 42" raider mower deck, narrow front end, some gear reduction steering, round fenders and a big block kohler.

Give that horsey a well deserved rub down. I use a maroon scotch- brite pad to remove the loose rust, then rub in any oil. Maybe a new saddle would be nice.

Just got this beauty from a buddy. 1995 White GT 1855

Including my 400 for reference here... ...to show the potential your original paint still retains.

Kurt's suggestions are spot on. The main problem is if the top cover float bowl gasket gets torn up during removal. After nearly 30 years that's a good possibility. If it comes off intact you might luck out! If not the basic carb repair kit is under $50 and we keep those in stock. Part number is 146-0657. New carbs are also available but rarely required. Part number is 146-0496 If a thorough carb cleaning does not cure the surging, a leaking intake manifold would be the next thing to investigate. This is what comes in the basic kit.

Welcome to Red Square It is only original once. Enough said. :) If you recognize the silos in this picture, about 2 miles west of Leesburg, an excellent member (Scott) lives across the street. He used to have these Meet & Greets with all these horses. It would be good to stop in there and meet Scott and see his collection.

You hear what he just called you Jeff @WVHillbilly520H ?

This is a great source for Transmission parts https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/transmissions.html Here is the manual for your tractor I think the suburban 400's had a snowblower, but I don't think I've actually ever seen one. Also here is a good thread for those 3 piece transmissions.

I’m not going to mention which vendor it was at the big show because I didn’t try to remember his name, but he told me he got into selling Wheel Horse tractors and parts because he assumed “Wheel Horse fans are just under educated hillbillies with deep pockets” or something very close to that. I made an offer at half of what he was asking and he took it. I’m thinking sales at his prices were not great for him... I only have sold items that are of no real use to me, or someone needs worse than me. I look around at a few sites for comparable prices, and usually go with the cheapest price and believe that to be fair.

If I could chime in....... it's ultimately what you want to do with it. Parades or shows mean an investment in parts, paint and time. My tastes run to a tractor's original work clothes. I have a few Wheel Horses, Whites and International garden and full size tractors at my home and at the farm. Only one of my tractors (my 312-8) is somewhat shiny and that's because it came that way from a gentleman who maintained it very well over the years. The rest of my tractors are in different stages of "arrested deterioration." I fix what's broke, paint when necessary, add oil and grease the hell out of them. Works for me. Follow your own instinct but but remember that once you do a half a$$ resotoration, you can't go back to "original" ever again. The most important things are you are happy with it and find enjoyment in whatever process or degree of restoration/fix 'em up that you choose. Just my my two cents worth.

@Moostang! that is one fine original tractor you’ve got, and great back story as well! My vote is to clean up the wheels, polish up the tins and maybe find a seat cover replacement, and enjoy what you have. Everybody has their own special way of wet sanding or preserving paint, from oil to soapy water, with some 600+ grit sand paper to cut the rust and polish the paint. Regardless, enjoy what you have. I think it’ll be easier for you to remember growing up on it just cleaned up, instead of restored.

Ed, I am putting Mark on my evening prayer list. I have great faith in prayer. Glenn

I'm going to Plymouth IN. and he has a wheel horse plow for $100. Guess what I'm buying.

I spent the day with my son Mark (51yo) as he received his first seven hour chemo treatment. today. In early July, Mark was hospitalized with chest pains and numbness in his right arm. After the normal EKGs, and stress tests, it was determined his symptoms were due to stress and anxiety. Due to the numbness, a CAT scan was done to check for a blood clot. This CAT scan did not show any blood clot, but showed a spot on his right lung and thyroid. A tissue sample was taken from the thyroid spot and it tested benign. The spot on the lung was too close to his heart to risk taking a sample, so a PET scan was ordered and it lit up both spots indicating unusual cells. Surgery was scheduled to surgically obtain a specimen of the lung spot. It tested malignant so approx. 20% of his right lung and six surrounding lymph nodes were removed. One of the six nodes tested malignant, so three months of chemo treatment started today. A little background on Mark: He is an athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football in high school and played baseball in the local adult semipro league. He is an avid hiker and white water kayaker. Has been coaching his two sons baseball travel team for five years. He never smoked and had his new log home tested for Radon when he built it. The answer we get when we ask the medical staff why he got cancer is ,bad luck. Mark does have a history of kidney stones, having to pass one about ever 5-6 years. After the lung surgery, he remembered getting a CAT scan during one of his kidney episodes, and reported it to his surgeon. He located the CAT scan that was taken in 2011 and it showed the spot on his lung. It was noted and measured by the radiologist, but never reported. At that time it measures 6mm dia. in 2011. When it was removed two weeks ago, it measured 14 mm dia. Sorry for the long story guys, Remember to hug your kids and grandkids. No one is bullet proof.

My thoughts and prayers are with your son, you and your family.

You should be over here.

I think you are correct about the vent being the shifter hole under the boot. :)

Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate it. I was leaning towards keeping the original patina and I think that’s what I’ll do after hearing everyone’s comments. I would like to be able to use it. I did notice it leaks a little oil out of the axle shaft seal and a few times it pops out of gear (2nd I think). Seems to be a lot of information on this site if someone could point me in the direction for manuals and parts it would be appreciated. Also is there a snow blower attachment for mine? I know there are plows for it. I was thinking it would be a good way to get some use out of it.

@buckrancher might be able to fix you up with a new seat cover

Nice original patina tractor. some here also like to completely disassemble, make any needed repairs, lightly wet sand to remove some rust and bring some red back, then apply several coats of clearcoat. I would keep it original looking, but what ever you do make it your own, and keep the family history alive.

Needs to be cleaned, try some seafoam first... might not help but can't hurt. Search on keyword surging and you will find all kinds of answers to your problem. Onan parts.com would have kits.

They do take time and few less distractions would also help...

I appreciate I survivor now as much as I do a restored one. If it is in good shape like yours is then I say clean it up and leave it the way it is. I have an RJ58 that is in bad shape cosmetically that will be getting a full resto for that very reason, but if it was not all beat up, I'd leave it alone. Mike

I second this and that is a very nice survivor you got and awesome family history with it.

That is a wonderful survivor with a strong family story, don't obliterate all of that with a paint job! If you want to preserve the patina one method used by lots of people is to use steel wool and WD-40 to clean off the surface contaminants and allow the remaining Red Paint to shine.

Yes, that could be easily welded and made stronger than original by welding a small flat reinforcement bar to the top side where the stress is greatest. You should also replace the missing center roller which caused the bar to fail.

They are asking for the moon but seldom sell! I have had a few things on my watch list for ever and they just keep being relisted. Good luck with your sale!

https://www.redoyourhorse.com/

I do as above and have a piece of tempered glass from an old screen door setting on a table with a piece of cloth between them below the glass. I taped a full sheet of either 180 or 220 to it. Along with figure 8s be sure to turn the head in your hand so as to keep the wear and pressure points turning on the head. Many people with habitually push harder on one side than the other. Turn it maybe every minute or so. If the head is in decent shape you'll be sanding for 15 - 20 minutes. I had one we sanded for closer to an hour and it came out nice.

1. Seems to me a weld would work. 2. Check classifieds here or CL in your area. Vendors on this site may also have something...Check under Vendors - classifieds... Good luck!

Lol ... she changed her tune Tom when I told her it operated like a golf cart... next word was "can you paint it candy apple"! Unfortunately no word from seller yet. I'm sorry the person you are calling has a voice mailbox that has not been set up yet..... Not a good sign..... Oh well sometimes you get the horse ... sometimes the horse throws you! Got that gut feeling this one is not going to pan out but you guys know out CL finds go so nothing ventured nothing gained. Thought you guys would like the pics anyways

What you are proposing to do is lap the head.Lay the paper grit surface up on the glass plate.If you are using wet or dry paper use a lubricant and move the head around the paper in a figure 8 pattern.Not in a straight line.Once you see full contact with the paper suface,clean the head and you are good to go.

I do too El ....that's why I have to crunch numbers half the day and then hop in a service truck and go into nasty cat crap filled dungeons of a basement to try and fix a POS furnace.... you have a tendency to charge like the dickens to be able to have some coin to pay the bills and have some disposal income to be able to purchase such a beaut. The next service call on Christmas eve will pay for her and then some. Did I mention sometimes 16 hour work days Jimbo? Did I mention eating beans and franks 7 days a week in my younger days so my land was paid off well in advance EB? I other words if you got it.... spend it..ain't never saw a dead man being buried with his money!

I went to pick up a Eaton 1100 to replace one on a fresh water flooded 520H.It took two of us to transfer it by hand from one truck to the other.I could have assembled my engine hoist but figure this might be quicker.

Today I installed the new brake lining I ordered from Bob Maynard perfect just follow his directions. Then I installed a new set of shoes (Deestones) 23 x 10.5 x 12 pick up a pair for $136.00 Now to install the wheel weights.

If you have way more time than money and are as thrifty a some here just make your own repair end. I have taken a scrap piece of 3/16" ID copper tube, cleaned it well, squeezed one end in the vise, drilled a hole and then crimped and soldered it to the old # 6 AWG cable. Took less time than driving to town and back.

Your English is just fine. If you got attacked in other forums, they are arrogant d***heads and should be banned. That will never happen on this site. My Duetsch is a lot worse then your English. Mine familia ist Duetsch...how bad is that?? Glad to have you aboard. Gutin Abend

I haven't been on the site for quite a while. My wife had breast cancer and we dealt with that all of last year and so far things are good. I guess its ironic that the first day in months I decide to check in I come across this. Ed, everybody ( if I may say so) is pulling for your son. I'll go one more by hoping you are able to continue, helping him through the process. I don't know either one of you but I'm pretty certain your company at the chemo facility is more than welcome. You'll be making some "extended family" at those sessions over the course of time. They are kind of like this forum, some of the nicest sincerest people , you'll ever cross paths with. I hope, with all the dedication I can muster, that the treatments do their work and the process isn't uncomfortable for your son. Everyone reacts differently to chemo. Make certain any discomforts that your son experiences are relayed to his nurses and doctors, they want to help him as much as they can. they can only help if they know. The nausea, any of it, let them know. Our people were amazing and I hope the same is true for you. I , more than understand, the concept of being the "navigator" in all this. There will be tough days from time to time and all you can do is hang in there and bare the brunt of it. You have a considerable following of people who look out for you here. I hope I may be in their company. Chris

Thanks to a PM from @JAinVA ,Here is an update on Marks condition. As stated in the first post, He recovered from the surgery where a portion of his right lung and 6 lymph nodes were removed. One of the nodes tested malignant prompting a series of chemo treatments. The first treatment was followed by a tough week where severe heartburn and hic cups caused Mark to be unable to sleep or eat resulting in him losing 12 pounds. After several different meds, we got this under control, and he was feeling good last week. So this week, he started working 1/2 days, but is feeling tired and having periods of nausea. He is scheduled for the second chemo treatment next Friday. I will keep you updated. Thanks again for the reminder Jim. Ed