1963 Wheel Horse Model #603 Special

[Hammerhead 817]

Here's a hard to find old Wheel Horse, a 1963 Model # 603 Special. These were an economy tractor made with left over parts from the factory from earlier year tractors. They simply used up their old inventory laying around the factory. Notice the super rare, early 1961 style footrest's with the step down design to better fit a mans boot. These footrests also didn't mount on an angle like the regular, later 1961 style footrests that most 1961 tractors have. They weren't used very long when they switched to the angled type that is so common. It also has the old style tool box assemby and oddly enough it didn't have any fenders mounted to it. I have several 603 Specials in my collection and they are all different one way or another. They usually have the early style front rims on them too, these don't have any holes in them to mount wheel weights in. I call these No Holer's, as opposed to One Holer's or 2 Holer's on the newer style WH's. But that's just me! These Specials also had the oddball half moon steering wheel, the only WH tractor this design was used on. :banghead:

[Hammerhead 817]

Seldom seen early 1961 footrest's! Discontinued not long into production. I have about 5 pairs of these laying around on the parts shelf. :thumbs:

[Hammerhead 817]

Early toolbox assembly, these had the straight sides for the old style fenders, but these show no marks around the fender bolt holes, so they never had fenders bolted on this machine. Kinda odd and rare! :thumbs:

[Don1977 605]

Those look like the wheels a tires that came on my trailer. I got one of those free trailers with my C-120.

[pond195520032003 27]

Keith, that 603 looks real familar :thumbs:

[Kelly 1,033]

Do you have a picture of the back of the hood round the steering shaft? I've got a 603 that I'm gathering parts to restore.

[Crazywheelhorseman 69]

The 603's used lawn ranges hoods.

[Kelly 1,033]

If you look at the IPL's the hoods have their own part no. and looking at the drawing in the IPL the back of the hood looks like it is sloted around the steering shaft, most I've seen are not sloted, but a few have been, I knoe a owner or dealer could have cut the hood for easy removal, but I have a NOS hood, (for a Ranger) I want this restore to be as correct as I can get it.

[rickv1957 76]

Had a chance to buy a 603 a while back,it had fenders,Rick

[Hammerhead 817]

Hey Greg, good to hear from you again! Did I get this one from you? Cool if so, I forget where I get some of these little buggers. I do keep files on each tractor so I do have documentation of the facts of each machine. Too lazy to go look too Keith

Kelly, I went and looked at one of my 603's and it has the slot cut out of the rear of it. It looks like a factory made cut, too perfect to be a hack job. The bottom edges are rounded off to blend into the bottom line of the hood. I will check out another 603 later to see what it looks like. I did look on this site and found a 603 that has the cut out type of hood. This style of hood was started for the 1964 Line so these 603's probably came about late in the 1963 year. Any body know anything about that? Thanks...KJ

[pond195520032003 27]

Keith, yep thats the one i had! also sold you a 551

needed the money at the time :thumbs:

[jusjeepn 59]

Looks like a good candidate for restore! :thumbs:

[Rod(NASNUT) 1]

Nice one :thumbs:

[bell 11]

SUPER!!! :thumbs:

[bell 11]

A couple notes...

The steering wheel is on backwards....

And, I believe the difference between the Lawn Ranger hood and the 603 hood is about 1" in length. The '64 and newer hoods were about 1" longer than the pre-'64.

Also, the hoods were NOT cut at the back to remove the hood. The steering wheel was held on with a easily removable pin with a clip, so you could easily pull the steering wheel without having to drive out a roll pin.

Hope this helps, JB

[Hammerhead 817]

Here's another one of my old lady owned Wheel Horses. The original owner was 90 years old when she decided to sell her beloved WH. One of my buddies bought it from her, gave her what she paid for it when new, $500.00. The local WH dealer replaced the engine a long time ago and made it an electric start tractor since she couldn't pull the recoil starter anymore. My friend that bought it also worked on it for many years. The original owners name was , get this, Clarabell Valentine!! Cool name, my buddy passed away a while back and I got this from his estate. His name was Jeff (Kewheel)Keaton and alot of fellow WH collectors knew him around Ohio and surrounding states. I bought about 15 or more of my WH's from Jeff ! If you knew Jeff, let me know, he was a great friend to know! :banghead:

[pond195520032003 27]

thats cool Keith

yes, i knew jeff from williamsport sold him a couple nut roasters back in 01/02 and a plow trac 2 wheel tractor in 04 or 05 :thumbs:

[rickv1957 76]

Keith,very nice tractor once again,Rick