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

[EB-80/8inPA 2,115]

Welcome!  Awesome project you’ve got there.  For saving that Wheel Horse from the scrap pile you should be compensated the $40.

[WHX?? 57,680]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

Here is a link to all of the manuals we have for your 551.

Didn't post Richard 

[Pullstart 71,036]

13 hours ago, Dave D. said:

Haven't seen many Wheel Horse tractors around here in NC.

 

How far from Denton are you?  That farm park is incredible!

[Dave D. 32]

9 hours ago, Pullstart said:

 

How far from Denton are you?  That farm park is incredible!

I'm about 1 1/2 hr from Denton. That's a great show, but over the 4th of July, it was too hot this year.

Love to go to Denton for the Military Vehicle show in April. Looking forward to going again.

 

Dave

[953 nut 68,325]

10 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Didn't post Richard 

                     Fixed it.              

[Dave D. 32]

18 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Here is a link to all of the manuals we have for your 551.

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=551&quick=1&type=downloads_file

Wow!, 

Thanks.

Those will come in handy. This little tractor is cool!

Dug around in the container again today to see what's in there.

A few better pictures:

 

Can't find the gear on the end of the steering shaft, but it's in there somewhere.

 

Front Tombstone Weight

 

 

Dave

[Dave D. 32]

Spending some time looking through those links. Great information. I found the number for the clutch spring and shift boots. The shifter just comes out, there is no shift collar. Could it have fallen into the trans? I need to get one of those collars. Looks like part number 3514. I also found some engines in the old barn. Hoping someone can identify these. One might be useable for this project.

Looks to be a Briggs.

Not sure what this one is no cover.

 Looks a little small.

[WHX?? 57,680]

1 hour ago, Dave D. said:

The shifter just comes out, there is no shift collar.

There should be a ball on the end of the shifter. It may be pinned on the shifter or welded. The  shifter is then held in place by a dog point set screw in your pic circled. It threads into a hole in the ball to hold it in the proper position. I suppose the shift ball could have come off if pined and fell into the tranny but unlikely. Get us a pic of the dog point tip and business end of the shifter. 

 

I have no idea what the motor to the right of the shroudless one is but it's cool and would be my choice. 

Edited Tuesday at 01:03 AM by WHX??

[Dave D. 32]

That is a cool looking engine, if it's got enough horsepower for the little tractor. I'll see what I can do to identify those engines.

Here is the shifter: locking collar is missing.

 

Got the PC7 ordered to fix the cracks in the steering wheel and the hunt for the steering bevel gear continues.

Thinking to just save the patina. Maybe, I'll coat it with Penetrol our something to stop it from rusting. 

Thanks for the help and encouragement. A little cooler weather and I'll get it out in the sun. Thinking I'll call this little tractor C.B. in honor of my wife's grandfather. He's the one who found it on the scrap pile years ago and told me to save it.

 

Dave

[ebinmaine 80,184]

9 minutes ago, Dave D. said:

, if it's got enough horsepower for the little tractor

 

Five or six is enough

[Dave D. 32]

Some of those old engines I've saved are 1 1/2 hp Briggs washing machine engines. I'll do some more figuring.

 

Dave

[Handy Don 17,256]

3 hours ago, Dave D. said:

1 1/2 hp Briggs

If all you plan to do with the tractor is putter around, 1.5 HP will do ya. Only need more to mow, plow, or tow stuff. 

[Dave D. 32]

Interesting, looking at possible engines. I sure would like to put a suitable vintage engine on it. The small military engine won't turn by hand. I do love Kohler engines. Got one on the chipper, the garden tractor, and the zero turn mower. The idea of putting a single cylinder diesel is really cool also.

Can't find the steering gear yet. I will probably be searching for one of those. I do like the idea of at least pulling a trailer around the yard.

Anybody know what engine this would be in the barn? It's military with the sealed spark plug.

I'll keep looking for suitable engines. The reading on these is really interesting. This project may take a while, but it is getting fun!

 

Dave

[Handy Don 17,256]

3 hours ago, Dave D. said:

Anybody know what engine this would be in the barn?

Lets see the other side, please?

The military used/uses a lot of small engines for pumps, generators, winches, and portable hydraulics. 

[Dave D. 32]

Picture of the other side of the military single cylinder engine.

 

 

This is it from the back. 

Thanks for responding.

 

Dave

[ebinmaine 80,184]

4 hours ago, Dave D. said:

Anybody know what engine this would be in the barn? It's military with the sealed spark plug.

 

12 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Lets see the other side, please?

The military used/uses a lot of small engines for pumps, generators, winches, and portable hydraulics. 

 

 

 

A lot of those little single cylinder military engines were rated at only 1.5 HP. I've been told several times over the years that they were more powerful. 

[Dave D. 32]

Milspec stuff is usually over built. This one won't turn by hand, so probably needs a lot of work. The yellow Tecumseh engine is complete, might be a little small and one red engine missing the flywheel cover.

We'll see what pans out. I'll be on the lookout for a kohler at a good price.

As it gets cooler, I'll get the tractor out and we'll see what I can find.

Anybody have an extra steering bevel gear for this?

I'll keep looking for it out in the shop.

 

Dave

[Handy Don 17,256]

Mr. Google image search seems to think it’s a Maytag “multi-motor” washing machine engine. I disagree!

The bracket at the top might have held the fuel tank. 

Edited Tuesday at 10:45 PM by Handy Don

[Dave D. 32]

2 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Mr. Google image search seems to think it’s a Maytag “multi-motor” washing machine engine. I disagree!

The bracket at the top might have held the fuel tank. 

I do have the fuel tank on the shelf, it did fit there on that cradle.

I do have a Briggs washing machine engine with a kick start.

Hadn't cranked it in a few years.

 

 

Dave

 

[Dave D. 32]

 

No cover on this engine. Do you think it's a Briggs or a Techumseh?

All identifying numbers would have been on the shroud.

Can anyone tell what it might be? 

 

Dave

[wallfish 20,460]

1 hour ago, Dave D. said:

No cover on this engine. Do you think it's a Briggs or a Techumseh

Just guessing, Briggs.

That shaft appears to be too high up for a Teccy and also, not many updraft carbs on them. The updraft carb on a Teccy would be a Tolliston carb.

 

[953 nut 68,325]

1 hour ago, Dave D. said:

Can anyone tell what it might be? 

Those plastic oil fill caps tell me B&S, 

[Dave D. 32]

Sounds like it's a Briggs.

I was hoping it was a more appropriate engine for this project.

Since it's missing the cover, I'll keep on looking for a suitable engine.

Those Kohlers are pricey!

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

[kpinnc 18,868]

On 8/30/2026 at 7:03 AM, Dave D. said:

Haven't seen many Wheel Horse tractors around here in NC.

 

There are more than you'd think. Not as many as 20 years ago, but they are still around. 

 

I live about 30 miles NE of Charlotte. There used to be a few members around Fuquay and the Raleigh area. I haven't kept up but I know there are a few still in your area. 

 

 

[Dave D. 32]

Very Cool! Those are some cool pictures. Keep me informed of any shows or get togethers in NC. I've got to get out and see some of these little machines in person.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave