found fiberglas hood rj35

[younggunfordfan 18]

I came across this guy a few days ago in a group of tractors I bought from an estate. It appears to be in early production 1955, and has a fiberglass hood. It has welded on nuts for the grease zurks on the front steering, a solid bar axle stop no muffler clamp holes or shifter stop it also has a suspended fuel tank without a stand, along with a cable brake. The steering mechanism does appear to have been changed as the steering shaft is the only unpainted metal on the entire machine. The steering links appear similar to the rest except the steering link attaches to the top of the drag bar on the one side and then downward on the other like standard. It has a 1200 Clinton 152 series and a large diameter rear end pulley.... The previous owner had it for 30 years. And it's exactly how he received it. I'm curious as to what the experts think? I know these little guys have had quite the life since new, but the lack of modification holes, and the completeness make me wonder if this truly is a survivor?  I have more pics but hit my 16mb limit 

[953 nut 69,617]

Looking good. I am no expert when it comes to the early RJs but I think the first ones had the fuel tank mounted on a stand and and cable steering. I'm sure @Lane Ranger, @76c12091520h or other RJ experts will be along with more information.

[younggunfordfan 18]

Thanks for the welcome ! @953 nut. I thought so too. Being that the early ones were still being built in the garage and the collective agreement seems to be that no two are quite the same, the fuel tank mount in general is weird. It's fully suspended like the later ones, but completely hidden, nothing sticks down whatsoever and the tank seems long and flat compared to the others I've had. It also has the push button lever for the lift, which the very first did not, not that pond hadn't made that change while still using the glass hoods. It has so many other older indicators. I would suspect a late frame would be possible but the missing muffler holes, the solid bar axle stop, and the large pulley rear are correct for early. It's so strange...

[younggunfordfan 18]

Here are some more pictures including the unpainted steering column and the rear end

[Ed Kennell 47,433]

to the     The RJ guris should be here soon to offer information.

[rjg854 13,389]

I'd be interested in what the gurus have to say also 

[c-series don 12,496]

I think @Lane Ranger and @stevasaurus will be helpful in this matter. I’d like to know more myself! 

[Bar Nuthin 3,310]

 

[WHX?? 58,243]

Interesting that it has the marks of a early RJ but a later steering wheel. Tells one right there not completely original yet??? The other strange things certainly point to a early that has been messed with. One would think that if the tank stand were cut away it would be obvious. 

[Lane Ranger 12,118]

I only saw in person one other fiberglass hood!  Yes they made a fiberglass rj hood early on.  Wheel Horse made the first fiberglass hood for the Senior, the earlier and bigger Wheel Horse. .  My understanding is the supplier of fiberglass was from

Indianapolis.  
 

The first photo is from a Senior ad piece.  Second shows fiberglass hood in a private collection in Toledo, Ohio that i saw several  years ago when i bought a 603 Wheel Horse from my friend John “ Brrly” Campbell!  John had stored some  of his tractors in this business building.  
 

The former owners main office was used to store a number of pristine restored Wheel Horse tractors! 
 

The last photo is the fiberglass hood Wheel Horse and as i have been told and recall they were called an RJ 25!

 

 

 

 

 

[Pullstart 71,334]

 @younggunfordfan, thanks for sharing!

[Retired Wrencher 6,992]

Very interesting story. I never realized that they had fiberglass hoods on these. I guess I’m still learning every day about these tractors and how in the beginning they were made. Take your time with it and just enjoy it.

Edited Sunday at 10:03 AM by Retired Wrencher

[953 nut 69,617]

@Lane Ranger, didn't the Pond's make a fiberglass hood for the "Walk Behind" too?

[Lane Ranger 12,118]

52 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

@Lane Ranger, didn't the Pond's make a fiberglass hood for the "Walk Behind" too?

 

 

Richard:  That Ido not know.  We had a couple Wheel Horse walk behinds at a Show In Jacksonville, Illinois several years ago but I never was up close to it to see what the hood was made of.

 

 

 

[kpinnc 18,987]

5 hours ago, 953 nut said:

didn't the Pond's make a fiberglass hood for the "Walk Behind" too?

 

According to some of the early sales brochures at least. 

 

 

[953 nut 69,617]

             Love seeing a man in a dark suit cultivating the garden.            

[SylvanLakeWH 32,631]

21 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

             Love seeing a man in a dark suit cultivating the garden.            

And steel toed wingtips...

[ebinmaine 80,789]

23 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

             Love seeing a man in a dark suit cultivating the garden.            

 

If there's any rules around my house it's this, never set foot on a tractor without having your three piece suit on.

1 minute ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

And steel toed wingtips...

I've actually seen those for sale!