Just joining finally time to work on the $40 Suburban 551

[Dave D. 10]

Years ago, I saved an old Wheel Horse from a scrap pile for $40. Finally looking at getting it together now.

I'm finishing up on my old Ariens Garden Tractor steering and then I'll get on the old Wheel Horse.

It's in the shipping container and when it gets a little cooler, I'll pull it out for some better pictures. Looking forward to getting some information on this. Others have suggested it is a 1961 Suburban 551 from the pictures.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

No engine.

[Dave D. 10]

Thinking I'll just get it running with a Predator 212cc engine and enjoy it.

Planning to do a trans flush and see what it looks like in there.

Someone has cut off the rod for the clutch pedal. It's there just cut. Got to figure how to align it and weld it back.

Hunting up all the pieces in the shipping container.

Looking forward to getting some great information on this cool little tractor.

 

Dave

[WHX?? 57,653]

Manuals should be in the files section. It should have had a electric start Tecumseh HH50 in it but a k91 is acceptable. Or a Briggs or predator. 

[SylvanLakeWH 32,034]

[ebinmaine 80,137]

[Dave D. 10]

Thank you. Looking forward to getting  this little tractor going. Been searching trhough the threads on flushing the transmission.

Haven't seen many Wheel Horse tractors around here in NC. I love the history of the old equipment.

The gear stick is missing the hardware to lock it in the tranny. Gotta make sure it's not down in there, The gears don't look too bad through the hole, but it's been sitting in the storage for 20 + years. I think it has the 5007 3-piece tranny? Digging into the transmission seems a little scary. Leaning towards a rolling restoration and not modifying anything, then maybe a restoration later.

I'll get it out and take more pictures.

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement. Been too hot to do much on it lately, but Fall is coming.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Dave

 

[squonk 47,808]

551 has a 2 piece most likely  a # 5007 

Edited 9 hours ago by squonk

[parsonsponyz 391]

  You're starting with a nice tractor.

[rjg854 13,279]

2 

[Dave D. 10]

Thank you, I'll take some more pictures soon. Got to get all the parts together and start accessing it.

Looking forward to some great information and advice on these little tractors.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

[c-series don 12,328]

@Dave D. With all the help and information here on Red Square I would not hesitate to take the transmission apart to fix it. A guy by the name of Jake Kuhn used to sell a bearing and gasket kit for it, I’m not sure if he still does? He’s out west, Michigan or Wisconsin I believe. @stevasaurus is our resident expert on those transmissions. He’s usually around here to help and answer any questions you may have. You can do it!! 

[Dan 312-8 601]

Welcome to Red Square, where there's wealth of information available in both manuals and tribal knowledge. Gotta love a $40 Suburban with a $750 weight on the front!

You got great bones there to start.

[wallfish 20,405]

The original engine would've been a Kohler K91 but there were some made using a Clinton B1290. I would skip the Preditor engine and find a K91. Old stuff looks funny with a newer style engine on it. I'd also clean it up first and see if the patina is salvageable before just spray bombing it.  

Post some pics of the trans which will determine if it's a 551 or a 401. 

That original front weight is a rare item and worth more than the tractor itself is.

Post wanted ads on here for the parts you're missing like engine, gas tank, belt guard heat shield, shifter etc.  And look often on epay and FB market place

[Dave D. 10]

Thanks for the warm welcome. This is looking like a fun project. Found some more parts today out in the container.

 

Dug around and found the fuel tank today.

 

Dave

[ebinmaine 80,137]

1 minute ago, Dave D. said:

Thanks for the warm welcome. This is looking like a fun project. Found some more parts today out in the container.

 

Dug around and found the fuel tank today.

 

Dave

 

Oh man. Now ya done it. 'Round here when another vehicle is in the picture we all gotta know what it is.  

 

[Dave D. 10]

Ut Oh! I started something! I have a couple of old Military Jeeps I play around with.

A 1953 M38A1 and a 1964 USMC M38A1. Have always loved old Jeeps and tractors. My dad was CO of 1st Hospital Company in DaNang Vietnam 1968 to 1969.  I've installed the decals that he had on his Jeep in Vietnam.

 

 

The Jeep like my dad had in Vietnam

 

 

Dad in DaNang 1968

 

 

Giving rides.

 

Dave

[squonk 47,808]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

The original engine would've been a Kohler K91 but there were some made using a Clinton B1290. I would skip the Preditor engine and find a K91. Old stuff looks funny with a newer style engine on it. I'd also clean it up first and see if the patina is salvageable before just spray bombing it.  

Post some pics of the trans which will determine if it's a 551 or a 401. 

That original front weight is a rare item and worth more than the tractor itself is.

Post wanted ads on here for the parts you're missing like engine, gas tank, belt guard heat shield, shifter etc.  And look often on epay and FB market place

You can tell by the bracing under the hood for the battery location and the rear plate where the trans mounts it's a 551. Would have come with the Tecky. 

[stevasaurus 23,788]

This will help.  5007 uni-drive rebuild.  Welcome to Red Square !!  

 

[Dave D. 10]

Thanks,

This is some interesting reading.

I'm compling information.

 

Cool little machines.

Any clubs and experts in NC?

 

This is starting to seem doable 

 

 

Dave

[WHX?? 57,653]

7 hours ago, Dan 312-8 said:

a $750 weight on the front!

Holy crap Dan I missed that! Yeah we are gonna need more pics of that. 

You might now know it Dave but we call those tombstones and highly sought after. All of 600 fer sure. Get us a good picture of lettering on front to see if it's real. I'm betting it is. 

[WHX?? 57,653]

1 hour ago, Dave D. said:

This is starting to seem doable

Oh yeah real doable around here. We seen guys start out with alot less. 

 

4 hours ago, wallfish said:

original engine would've been a Kohler K91 

You sure 'Fish ... i coulda swore 550/551 had a Techy. 

[Dave D. 10]

I will try to get in and move some stuff around and get some better pics of this tractor.

When I got it the serial number was peeling off and I wrote it down and saved it, but now can't find it anywhere.

 

Dave

[wallfish 20,405]

24 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Oh yeah real doable around here. We seen guys start out with alot less. 

 

You sure 'Fish ... i coulda swore 550/551 had a Techy. 

You're right. I was thinking 401 at first because you can only see the angles in front of the rear tire BUT the frame of a 551 also does that.

But who would want to put a Teccy on anything? 

I know Cas @formariz might have a spare H55 or two. I sold him one a while back.