ducky 1 #1 Posted November 19, 2009 dose any one have a clue on the model of my wheelhorse i hope some one can help me figure out the model. the serial no. is 30732. one more qustin what is a close color to the wheelhorse red? :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 74 #2 Posted November 19, 2009 My guess would be a 1960 suburban 400,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 74 #3 Posted November 19, 2009 Oh international red is close,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clintonnut 126 #5 Posted November 19, 2009 That is a Suburban 400 or 550. The only difference was the engine. Nice find. You got lucky becuase it has a nice hood, original solid seat, and you can still read the serial number. The mower deck is a nice bonus also. IH RED BABY!!! Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 723 #7 Posted November 19, 2009 :notworthy: Nice looking unit, IH Red and Linen White for the wheels and seat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tennessee Country Boy 0 #8 Posted November 19, 2009 Personally I like the Toro Red and Rustolen Almond for all my Restored Wheel Horses. Henry in Tennessee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #9 Posted November 19, 2009 :thumbs: I vote... RED. :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captjake 1 #10 Posted November 19, 2009 Based on the deck and foot rests; it's a 1960. Non original motor. The original would have a round gas tank mounted to the bottom of the hood. Where those straps are. I paint mine with rustoleum regal red. And antique white for the wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #11 Posted November 19, 2009 :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tgranthamfd 29 #12 Posted November 19, 2009 I too would say A 1960 Suburban 400 looking at the deck and firewall if there is no trace of wireing or a batery, and loads of good people and information. As far as the color, check out this link http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=13615 there are lots of opinions, but if you like the color then that is the one that is best. Once again and keep us posted because we love pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tgranthamfd 29 #13 Posted November 19, 2009 Oh yeah if you could get us a good pic of the top rear section of your hood and the brake band mounting tab, we could narrow it down a bit on the year model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suburban 550 28 #14 Posted November 19, 2009 :thumbs: Looks like a 1960 Suburban 400 or 550 with non original motor. I'd have to lean more to a 400 because the lack of any wiring but that could have been stripped due to the engine replacement. Good luck with it. :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whfan74 2,071 #15 Posted November 19, 2009 :notworthy: That is a fine looking machine you have there! IH Red for me.......but pick what you like the best! Hope you enjoy the forum! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 15 #16 Posted November 19, 2009 :notworthy: A lot of guys have pointed toward 1960 (it is), and most of those toward a 400 (most likely). The throttle/choke controls that are now mounted on the hood stand were only used in '60. There was a matching lever on the other side of the channel that has been removed. It would be easy to fab a copy. The decal on the side of the hood was only used in '60. That style brake pedal and deck engage pedal were also from '60, as were the foot rests. I see no evidence pointing toward another year. You hood should have a rectangular opening just behind where the steering shaft goes through. That is where the throttle/choke levers originally mounted. They were most likely moved in order to provide clearance for the current engine's spark plug. These controls may look jury rigged but are correct for this model, they're just mounted in the wrong spot. They are among the hardest to find Wheel Horse parts so don't chuck them! It's hard to tell in your pics but would I be correct in assuming that you got the serial number you listed from the metal plate atop those controls? In 1960 Wheel horse built two models. The suburban 400, which was powered by a Kohler K-91 or Clinton. Both of those were recoil start 4 HP with the Clinton's being less common. The other was the 550. It was powered by a Lauson 5.5 HP with electric AND recoil start. The Lausons are sometimes refered to as Tecumseh or Techys because Tecumseh took over Lauson . Your tractor has been repowered with a non original engine so some detective work is in order to narrow down the specific model. The fenders and toolbox on these models were standard on the 550 due to the battery and solenoid being mounted in the toolbox. If there is evidence of the toolbox having held a battery (rust in the bottom shaped like a battery) and it has a couple of small holes and marks in the paint on the front upright panel where a solenoid was mounted then it was probably a 550. The fenders and toolbox were an option for the 400 but a large number of them were so equipped. If there is no evidence of a battery or solenoid in the toolbox and you see no other evidence of it having any wiring on the tractor itself then it was a 400. There is a slight chance that there is still an imprint of the original engine in the paint on the frame rails. The different engines left differing imprints. If you start a restoration that's more evidence to look for. This model holds a special place for me as my first Wheel Horse was a 400 that my dad bought slightly used in 1960. It was also his first Wheel Horse. Oh! I almost forgot about the color question. Most collectors have settled on Valspar IH red as the closest to original color. If you want to try having paint mixed, I would suggest getting a sample from a spot that has been protected from the elements. The top of the seat spring, the bottom of the hood stand, and the side of the toolbox or inside of a fender that was against the toolbox are your best bets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites