Hauled one home, but struggling to ID it.

[landsurveyor 2]

Well ive been shopping again......but I cant work out what it is by the ID numbers it has a K161 engine on it, starting mechanism (pull start?) is missing though:

Model 1 3731

Serial 447465

Also bought home a set of disks (very rusty!) and an airator, never seen another one of these this side of the pond.

Not sure whether to keep this one or sell on the Charger 12 or Raider 10 hmmm tough decision.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Simon

:omg:

[neil 2,415]

hi simon dont know if you remember me but i bought you two trailers

neil from bridgwater somerset

[neil 2,415]

im not sure but it looks like my commando 8

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Hrmm.... Perhaps an export only model like the 706? It's at least a 1968 with that x-xxxx model number, I also see the 1968 and later rear fender pan. Completely talking out of my butt.... I'm going to guess that it's the export version of the 1969 Workhorse 700, which in the US had a Tecumseh 7hp engine. Maybe this is a European counterpart to it with the Kohler 7hp. Hopefully someone with some more in depth documentation can shed some light on this.

[Coadster32 793]

From the book a 1-3631 is a 1968 500 special. A 1-3741 is a 1969 Workhorse 700. Most things in 68 end in 31, 1969 ends in 41. Looks like the number before it is HP. My guess is 1968, 7hp something or other. (perhaps leftovers) . Kudos for Jason for talking out his end. :omg:

[landsurveyor 2]

Thanks for your replys peeps.

Hi Neil, hope the trailers are serving you well, your collection must be growing some more if you now have a commando as well!?

Thanks for your suggestions Lord Hellmutt and Coadster 32, I had done the same research, with the same conclusions, so I guess I will never know what it is!?

I might break it for bits for my others, not sure yet though, seems too good in some ways, not sure how rare it is?

Any further suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks again.

Simon

[Lane Ranger 11,681]

The two holes on top of the frame in front of the fan steering gear would seem to indicate a battery box had been placed there.

A 500 special was mostly a recoil start tractor with a Tecumseh engine that has already been mentioned. Some dealers did place batteries and Tecumseh engines with starters on the 500 special but not many.

It seems to be another model to me. Not sure what to make of it.

:omg:

[sorekiwi 761]

Interesting tractor, Simon. Looks to me to be a "generic" 1968 vintage tractor, but it would be interesting to know its history.

1-3731 denotes a 1968 500 Special, which basically agrees with what we see in the pictures. Your seat is different, the Specials used the fibregass pan one, and the Specials used an H60 Recoil start Tecumseh.

I have 2 500 Specials and have been collecting serial numbers to try and ascertain a pattern to the detail changes that were made on these tractors throughout their production. Your serial number (447465) is nowhere near any of the other serials I have collected, and is in fact a lot lower than the first serial I have of 485076. I wonder if maybe your tractor was the start of a new model that was later renamed as the "500 Special"? Gary Wests database shows a whole bunch of Commando's and Chargers with serials around yours (some of which are in the UK).

I see there may be signs of a decal along the side of the hood that may have been painted over? Would be interesting to see what that decal said. However I dont see any evidence of the "racing stripe" down the centre of the top of the hood.

The two holes on top of the frame in front of the fan steering gear would seem to indicate a battery box had been placed there.

Both of my tractors have those holes, I'm sure all the short wheelbase tractors used the same frame for that year.

Just for reference, this is what the "500 Special looks like:

[Kelly 1,035]

I thought 1-3631 was the 500 special? I typed in the 1-3731 and found nothing also

[sorekiwi 761]

I thought 1-3631 was the 500 special? I typed in the 1-3731 and found nothing also

Oops you're right there Kelly! The older I get the worse I get with numbers!

It still seems to be your typical 1968 short frame, small engined, recoil start tractor, just with a weird ID number.

[landsurveyor 2]

Thanks for you input folks,

I will have a look at the decals under the paint at the weekend, as the tractor is up at my parents (run out of room here!!)

Maybe I could make it into a 500 special replica, not sure if you can still get the decals though?

Thanks.

Simon

[sorekiwi 761]

Maybe I could make it into a 500 special replica, not sure if you can still get the decals though?

Terry (Vinylguy) does the decal set, and also has the dash decal.

Glad that you are thinking of saving her! :omg: