1961 Wheel Horse 701 grill question

[Keith Plett 25]

I have a 1961 Wheel Horse 701 that has previously been restored very nicely. I purchased it last Fall and it being the very first Wheel Horse model I have ever owned I am substantially at a loss of knowledge concerning it. I have been told by numerous people that the 701 model only had the flat solid grill, but I have seen many examples including mine that has the slotted grill. Did they use both at one point or another? Just curious which if not both are correct. I am not even considering switching mine out for a solid flat grill. I prefer the slotted grill look over the solid flat version and I feel the slotted grill would be better to help with cooling anyhow. I just have an over-active curiosity about it. Thank you for any information anyone can afford me.

[8ntruck 6,419]

to the forum. My Horses are of 70's and 80's vintage, so I can't really comment on yours.

 

But, there are plenty of good folks here that can answer your questions.  They will be along shortly.

[kpinnc 10,865]

The 701 came from the assembly line with the solid faced hood. The one in the picture isn't mine, but it is the correct hood.

 

In 1962, the hoods came with the slots from there through 1964. In the case of the Lawn Rangers, through 1968.

 

If yours has a slotted grill, it was likely replaced at some point. 

 

A pure guess would be that at some point, the solid face 1961 hood spares ran out. Since the 1962 versions were a bolt-on swap, they naturally became the only replacement available at the time.

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by kpinnc

[Achto 26,611]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

 

 

I recognize that tractor!!  My first resto on a round hood.

 

[ri702bill 7,382]

Keith - the 1961 701 was the only year the solid hood was used on front mounted engine tractors (RJ's had solid hoods too, but engines were mid mounted).

I suppose the slots were added for better cooling while the tractor was moving.

Just to add to the confusion, I picked up an early 702 parts tractor, the hood was slotted, but had the 701 style decals on it - go figure...

Bill

 

 

[Achto 26,611]

8 hours ago, Keith Plett said:

Thank you for any information anyone can afford me.

 

 

Other than the Ride Away Senior the 701 was the first year that  put the engine in the front. Being the first it  had a few unique items that were not found on the '62 models.

 

Solid grill in the hood.

A thicker fan gear for the steering.

A double belt on the starter/gen & a wider guard to accommodate this.

The long foot rests

Fender brace inside the tool box.  

White plastic dash.

Starter button linked to a starter relay.

No recessed area on the drive belt guard for the model decal. No model decal.

Sharper points on the rear fenders.

No cover over the brake linkage.

I'm might have missed some things yet, but the above features were only on the 701 model.

 

It would be my guess that your hood was changed at some point.

 

A couple of pics of my 701 for reference.

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Achto

[Pullstart 59,859]

 @Keith Plett!

[kpinnc 10,865]

@Achto

I've had your 701's pics stored for a while now. One day I hope to restore my 701, and yours is an excellent example! 

 

Keith, welcome to the addiction! You have a great machine to start with, and lots of folks here to assist you when needed!

[ri702bill 7,382]

41 minutes ago, Achto said:

I'm might have missed some things yet, but the above features were only on the 701 model.

The 701 did not have a parking brake either...The double belt setup was 701 only for the starter / generator. That engine did NOT come with ACR (Automatic Compression Release).

[rmaynard 14,932]

Everything that was said above about the 701 is true. The 701 was quite unique because it was a prototype. Many of the features were never duplicated in subsequent models. Probably the most common reason for the hood replacement was the bottom mounting point rusted out easily. Only replacement was the newer 702 style.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by rmaynard

[953 nut 51,940]

9 hours ago, Keith Plett said:

I have been told by numerous people that the 701 model only had the flat solid grill, but I have seen many examples including mine that has the slotted grill. Did they use both at one point or another? Just curious which if not both are correct. I am not even considering switching mine out for a solid flat grill.

            Great question. We have discovered that every ironclad rule about Wheel Horses seems to have an exception or two. The Pond's were rather thrifty and with parts being so interchangeable it could be the supply of solid grills was exhausted before the end of the 701 run and the NEW slotted hood was used          or it could be that a previous owner at some point in the past six decades replaced it with a slotted grill. Who knows for sure? None of us were at the Wheel Horse factory in 1961 supervising the grill installation.

The only ironclad rule that we can all agree on is it is your tractor and yours to enjoy!                                 

[WHX?? 46,932]

Given 701 solid front hoods are hen's teeth anybody faults you for liking the slotted is going to have to answer to us. 

10 hours ago, Keith Plett said:

am substantially at a loss of knowledge concerning it. I

Anything you ever need to know about it is right here. BTW you might already know we like 

 Keith 

Some pics of my 701 in resto. 

@squonk you need to lite a 🔥 under Dan I need to gitterdone! 

[Lee1977 6,259]

Wheel Horse never let the shortage of parts stop them from production of tractors. They usualy used the parts they had on hand or could get like engines. Most times it was a special model . There is no way to tell that the slotted hood didn't come stright off the line.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Lee1977

[Keith Plett 25]

Thanks for all of the info everyone! I greatly appreciate it! I absolutely love this little tractor! I've bee a Cub Cadet guy my entire life, but when I saw this come up for sale not far from me I knew I had to have it. Y'all may have already seen it as pics of it have been posted on here before by the previous owner, Jim Demery of Bushnell, Illinois. Hell of a nice guy and very talented in my opinion.

[WHX?? 46,932]

Saaawweeettt Keith... I don't think I've ever seen it and not familiar with Jim Demery... that I remember anyway. 

I really like them wheel weights. 

 

One thing I don't like so a little constructive criticism here guy is the front wheel barrow style tires just don't cut it for me.

The rears are boss tho & that plow is to die for... 

 

Question fellas I see he has the same two holes on the passenger side of the gas tank.  Mine had them too but I fingered they were for a PO throttle so i filled them in. Was I right or wrong? 

 

Nothin wrong with bein a Cub guy dude... I can think of worse brands. A few Cub guys here too and ther is a section of other brands here ... we would love to see some pics of them. 

Edited March 14, 2023 by WHX??

[rmaynard 14,932]

Something different about the rear fender supports.

[Keith Plett 25]

Here are a couple of pics the former owner Jim Demery posted on this forum back in 2017:

 

[Lane Ranger 10,520]

701 is one of my favorites!  Mine is unrestored but still greatly loved!  Not only by me but two previous owners -Devin Stutler snd Jon Bell of Indians who traded this tractor back and forth with each other several times.

 

All 701’s are special but I like that mine has a Hein-Werner hydro pump for lifting implements, a chromed dash (originally from a 702 that had additional holes drilled), and the CBR- 327 front , chain drive cutter bar.    My hood even has a stainless door hinge on the bottom of the hood that allows for easy access and strengthen the original hood bottom to the front of the 701 frame.  If you look close you can see it. 
 

We were fortunate a couple years ago do to efforts by Ryan Transue to get four 701’s with CBR-327 front cutter bars at the Wheel Horse Collectors Club Show.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Lane Ranger

[WHX?? 46,932]

OK Lane now yer starting to tick  me off...rain on my parade 

Just a priceless pic of four guys with some cherry orginal 701s 

You can see now how a 701 is a bucket lister for many of us. 

[Lane Ranger 10,520]

18 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

OK Lane now yer starting to tick  me off...rain on my parade 

Just a priceless pic of four guys with some cherry orginal 701s 

You can see now how a 701 is a bucket lister for many of us. 

Ticking you off once in a while is good for your soul Jim!  Opens up the pores. 

[WHX?? 46,932]

Lol Lane I love you.too!

Hope we didn't rain on your 701 Keith but hopefully you can see about how we are passionate about this model. 

Edited March 15, 2023 by WHX??

[Keith Plett 25]

I can fully understand! I fell immediately in love with mine the first time I saw it on Facebook Marketplace. Even more so when I first saw it in person! I don't see myself ever parting with it. My wife named her Betty.

 

[WHX?? 46,932]

Lol you'll get along good then with Pullstart, EB & Peacemaker...they name all their horses and now got me doing it! 

[kpinnc 10,865]

On 3/14/2023 at 7:54 AM, 953 nut said:

We have discovered that every ironclad rule about Wheel Horses seems to have an exception or two.

 

A Wheel Horse "constant" if one ever existed!  I should have clarified that on my original post.

 

...and a personal caveat that I have exploited on every single machine I have! NONE of the rules for these tractors was ever absolute. So for my purposes, the only "purist" rule I obey is to enjoy my tractors and let them WORK as intended. It's the only way for them to be happy! 

 

On rare occasion- an "off" brand part might even show up (albeit painted red) on my tractors. At least they can continue to be enjoyed! 

Edited March 15, 2023 by kpinnc