cafoose 3,489 #1 Posted October 25 @953 nut @stevasaurus My 953 I got from @Ed Kennell with the sickle was doing fine until the shifter started flopping around loosely. The tractor seems to be in neutral because it free wheeled into the garage. I followed the shifter down and it disappears behind a bunch of sheet metal. Thinking the dog point screw is loose or missing What do I need to take apart to access the dog point screw? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 62,218 #2 Posted October 25 Unfortunately you will need to drop the transaxle to get at the dog point screw. The lower right side bolt (as seen from behind) will be easier to remove if you pull the pin on your lift cylinder and let it fall out of your way. 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,489 #3 Posted October 25 21 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Unfortunately you will need to drop the transaxle to get at the dog point screw. Okay I guess it'll be awhile until I can get to it then. Is there anything else I can check before I do that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 43,119 #4 Posted October 25 Chuck, I'm not sure if will help, but I cut a hole on the seat pan so I could remove the fuel tank from the top. The plate covering the hole is bolted on. These 953s were made with a totally welded frame and seat pan assembly. I assume the frame was then turned upside down to install the fuel tank and the transmission. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 62,218 #5 Posted October 26 Sounds like Ed @Ed Kennell did the hard pare for you. 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,456 #6 Posted October 26 I had no idea the 953's were made like that. Is there a rubber boot you could pull up to just be able to look at the shifter?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 43,119 #7 Posted October 26 (edited) 9 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: I had no idea the 953's were made like that. Is there a rubber boot you could pull up to just be able to look at the shifter?? I don't think so Steve. The entire fuel tank and transaxle is trapped in the weldment of the frame, seat pan and fenders. I was shocked by this arrangement when I attempted to remove the tank. Chuck, I removed the tank to repair a leak that I soldered and I also reenforced some deeply pitted areas with JB Weld. You may be able to cut away a front section of the pan to access the shifter lock screw. Edited October 26 by Ed Kennell 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,489 #8 Posted October 26 3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: You may be able to cut away a front section of the pan to access the shifter lock screw. Ed, I'll check a little later when I get out to the garage 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 62,218 #9 Posted October 26 5 hours ago, stevasaurus said: I had no idea the 953's were made like that. Is there a rubber boot you could pull up to just be able to look at the shifter?? The dogpoint screw can be reached with an allen socket and a 12" extension but you wouldn't be able to align the detent in the shifter collar, adjust the dogpoint and tighten the lock nut. 5 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: The entire fuel tank and transaxle is trapped in the weldment of the frame, seat pan and fenders. I was shocked by this arrangement when I attempted to remove the tank. Not one of the best plans Wheerl Horse wvwe came up with. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 11,633 #10 Posted October 26 (edited) 23 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Chuck, I'm not sure if will help, but I cut a hole on the seat pan so I could remove the fuel tank from the top. The plate covering the hole is bolted on. These 953s were made with a totally welded frame and seat pan assembly. I assume the frame was then turned upside down to install the fuel tank and the transmission. Ed : The UAW union represented the Wheel Horse employees at the time. The local also represented the Studebaker auto plant in South Bend. In 1962 /1963 Studebaker was in trouble financially but they already had several years experience with the use of Unibody construction on the Lark, Avanti, etc. i always called the 953/1054 welded frame, fender set a Unibody that got transferred from some Knowledge of the Studebaker experience. Edited October 26 by Lane Ranger 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 43,119 #11 Posted October 26 19 minutes ago, 953 nut said: 16 minutes ago, Lane Ranger said: i always called the 953/1054 welded frame, fender set a Unibody that got transferred from some Knowledge of the Studebaker experience. Not one of the best plans Wheerl Horse wvwe came up with. There probably wasn't much concern with having to remove a fuel tank or adjust a shifter set screw some 60 years in the future. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,489 #12 Posted October 27 On 10/25/2025 at 7:17 PM, Ed Kennell said: Chuck, I'm not sure if will help, but I cut a hole on the seat pan so I could remove the fuel tank from the top. The plate covering the hole is bolted on. These 953s were made with a totally welded frame and seat pan assembly. I assume the frame was then turned upside down to install the fuel tank and the transmission. @Ed Kennell, I was able to replace the dog point screw without dropping the transaxle I tried rethreading the screw but it broke in two I found the new screws I got at the big show several years ago so I put one of those in. Now the shifter works great However, I noticed the gas tank is leaking again How can I seal it? Maybe someone has a good used tank? @953 nut? By the way, how did you get the screws in the plate holding the straps? I can't get my hands in there to lift the straps to start the screws. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,980 #13 Posted October 27 Eastman sells a kit to clean the tank and seal it from the inside. Their are some good YouTube videos on cleaning and sealing motorcycle tanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 43,119 #14 Posted October 27 1 hour ago, cafoose said: how did you get the screws in Can you fasten the tank, blocks, and straps to the tank and then drop the unit in the hole? Jims idea of sealing the tank from the inside may work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 62,218 #15 Posted October 27 10 hours ago, cafoose said: Maybe someone has a good used tank? @953 nut? PM on the way. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,489 #16 Posted October 27 10 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Can you fasten the tank, blocks, and straps to the tank and then drop the unit in the hole? I can try that. I'm getting another tank from @953 nut so I don't think I'm going to mess with that one. It may be up for sale in the future "as is" if anyone is interested Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
