Picked up my 551 this weekend.

[LeonardS 0]

I picked up my first Wheel Horse on Sunday. I believe it is a 551 with a few modifications. I would like to post some photos but have not been able to make it work. It keeps saying that I can't upload files of this type.

Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to upload files so I can show you what I picked up?

Leonard

[hcminis 1,758]

:thumbs:

Posting Pictures Link

[LeonardS 0]

OK, hopefully this works.

[LeonardS 0]

I know the foot pads are wrong, but they fit well and are quite functional. What is with the throttle mechanism on the dash.....is it from a different model and he fitted it to this tractor? Is the rear hitch/lift mechanism for lifting a plow?

And is it a 551 or what?? I could not find any type of tag on the tractor. It may have been painted over when they went with the Case colors.

Leonard

[JUSS10 250]

i may get crap for saying this, but i really dig the way it looks. usually people really mess them up but that thing looks pretty cool. the rear lift is an interesting mod. i honestly would just keep it like that but thats my opinion. sorry i'm not of any help to tell you what model it is exactly but that thing is cool :thumbs:

[wallfish 18,792]

Yup, it's a 551.

The cast foot rests are correct but installed on opposite sides they are supposed to be on. The rest of it is modified.

The correct throttle and choke cables should come through holes on each side of the steering wheel and be the push/pull type. The one on youir tractor may be a lever from an old snow blower or something.

We may never know exactly what that rear lift was for but I would guess for lifting rear attachments like a land plow.

[hcminis 1,758]

Justin, Justin...thought we were on the "Great minds think alike" and "Cool Kids" page. Then you have to say something like that....LOL LOL

Nice score and believe you are correct with the 551.

[horsefeathers 15]

LeonardS, Great job on the pics! Very cool!

I'd listen to John he's very knolageable on horses!

Rear lift looks like a hight adjuster off a cultivator or something?

What ya' gona' do with it? Restore it?

[JUSS10 250]

D.J. im not against complete resto and making it original. i am in the process of restoring a 753 to original but i guess being a designer and all i just think it looks cool plus i always dug case's color combo of the beige and orange....

but don't be mistaken, i AM a wheel horse guy.

Justin

[Horse'n Around 22]

I really like it a lot.Between the color combo and the different things that the PO had done to it, from the first glimpse of the photo it just kind of oozed (sp?) cool for lack of a better or more suitable word. I know there have been mods to it, you can tell they seem to have been for functionality sake not because they were attempting to temporarially "rig" it to use it...it just looks.... cool. Weather you leave it as is or restore it, I think you have one heck of a awesome Wheel Horse there.

PS....please accept my apologies for using the word "cool" so much, and also for using "ooze" as a positive description I couldnt help myself in this case,. Hey...... at least I didnt use "far out"

Peace

John

[hcminis 1,758]

Justin, I'm just having fun. Agree with you and John as it is different. John is correct with the mods. They are for function and not a quick band aide. Most have jacked up fixes that look stupid and a two year old did them.

Thanks

[LeonardS 0]

Well, my plan when I first saw it, was to restore it to original because I really like the "little" Wheel Horses. I think I will keep the throttle mechanism because it looks very nice. I may also keep the foot pads because they are very functional and comfortable to use.

I still need some help on finding some better front wheels......can they be bought new or do I need to find a better set of used front wheels??

Thanks guys!!

Leonard

[JUSS10 250]

whats wrong with the current front wheels? they look like the correct wheel to me, well at least a wheel horse wheel. is it cause they are all rusty? wire brush em and paint em up. they ought to look pretty good after that.

[hcminis 1,758]

Agree with Justin,

What is wrong with them? This is what mine looked like before

This is what they look like now with the help of Armor All

[LeonardS 0]

Yes, they are very rusty....especially one side. I will sandblast them and see how they look.

Leonard

[hcminis 1,758]

That is what I am doing now with my 401. Plus, they are a little hard to find and some want a nice price for them from what I have found.