Things I've learned 701

[commodude90 0]

Hello All,

I've been restoring a WH 701 and have it 80% reassembled. I've learned thefollowing the hard way.

Any shaft (i.e.-Steering, foot pedal) that will be accepting collars or pedals, shouldn't be painted util the whole assembly is assembled. I had de-rusted, primed and painted the steering column and other shaft assemblies. The tolerances for the collars and steering gears were so tight that I scraped off most the paint and primer getting them assembled. Maybe just a light coat of primer before assembly would have been enough I think.

Using a combination of wire wheel grinder and electrolysis was the way to go as far as cleaning/derusting the tractor. Most parts fit in a 55 gal plastic garbage can of which I used a electrolysis system described in the tools section on Ihregistry.com . It has worked great at removing paint and converting rust.

The 701 I'm working on has been the simplest garden tractor that i've worked on. I've restored others (ha hmm...a jd112 and ih cc 125) ant really appreciate the rugged design, straightforward engineering. Really a nice system.

I really appreciate all the guidance and user friendly files I've found here. Thanks so much...

[Ken B 3,189]

I restored a 65 JD 110 and a handful of Cub Cadets. You ain't kiddin about Wheel Horses straight forward design! Much easier too work on. :thumbs:

[rmaynard 16,270]

I've learned the following the hard way. Any shaft that will be accepting collars or pedals, shouldn't be painted until the whole assembly is assembled...

I too learned the same way you did. That's when I realized, and appreciated why Wheel Horse painted most of the tractor assembled.

Bob

[rickv1957 73]

:thumbs: Rick

[Coadster32 793]

I too also thought that some of the pics of the tractor painted all assembled were kind of a cheap hackers way of doing it. When I did my 551, I took every nut and bolt off, electrolosis, and primed, pained. Putting it all back together, I learned what you have stated. My problem was that I went with different colors, and had to do more touch up then most. Live and learn. :D

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Maybe not the easiest to see (and yes, it's already posted on here in another thread or two), but here's an idea of how much was assembled before WH blew the paint to them.

(mid 60's models)

[chris11 184]

Great picture T. have any more like that?

[VinsRJ 723]

Include me in the group that learns the hard way too :thumbs:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

701 eh? Hmmmm thats the next one I have in the "ON DECK" circle, and will be getting back on that project soon myself.

I would love to see some pics also!

~Duke

[commodude90 0]

701 fresh off the farm to my driveway..

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[commodude90 0]

try this again

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[commodude90 0]

mid assembly

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[commodude90 0]

3 months later 23aug10

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[commodude90 0]

The tractor is all original except the belt cover (scabbed off a 854 I think) and the seat spring (allis-chalmers-thats why the tilt. I am rebuilding the back seat rest, and looking for the correct plow and deck. I haven't touched the engine yet as it ran fine after freeing up a stuck valve and cleaning the combustion chamber. I don't think that it's ever been rebuilt. Although rough cosmetically I don't think it had a lot of hours on it. It did have a cracked steering column base, I read another post about some having the same problem-is this common? I replaced it with a new base off the afore mentioned 854 parts tractor. It still wants to pull wheelies but has lessened quite a bit as the new belt is wearing in and I get used to the clutch. I probably spent about 250$ on paint, belts, new stainless bolts, and brake band. I made it a point to work on it daily if only to paint parts, or bolt something up. I paid 60$ for the tractor originally and am very happy with the results. I will be working it thru the great Western NY snows we get here in Western NY (Between Erie Pa and Buffalo NY) Great factory picture posted, would love to see more of them. Thanks guys.

[clintonnut 126]

What I usually do for the collars is I will sit there with the air powered hand held die grinder and ream it out until it fits over the painted surface smoothly.

Charlie