Will 0 #1 Posted March 31, 2011 I bought a '65 655 to use in Shriners Parades because it looks like a miniature antique tractor. My clown character is a hillbilly. I have cleaned it up, replaced leaking gas petcock, fixed the ignition wire, and removed the mower deck and supports. I also extended my trailer. I am going to get the battery checked today. I have charged it but it isn't strong enough to crank the starter enough to start the tractor. It starts easily with the rope. My question is how to increase top speed to get up to parade speed? The tractor will do a wheelie in 2d gear so there is plenty of torque. An engineer friend has suggested changing the pulley size (which of course will require a new belt). I want to keep it as original as possible so I would rather not change the motor. Suggestions? I got the one of my tractor on the trailer up. You can see why I had to extend my trailer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #2 Posted March 31, 2011 Hi, Will, and first off, ! Glad to have you aboard. That's a nice looking machine you have pictured. Your engineer friend is correct- changing the pulley (and drive belt) will take care of the forward speed situation, but it will also require some modification of the belt guard. If you want to be able to return the tractor to original condition, I'd advertise in our Classifieds section under "Wanted" for a belt guard, preferably one that may already be in rough shape, to chop up and leave the original untouched. Other members here with more familiarity with the 655 will hopefully chuime in with better advice on how to go about making the modification. My knowledge, such as it is, is more with the 300 and 400 series tractors. Good luck! ~Duff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Will 0 #3 Posted March 31, 2011 Thanks for the welcome and advise. I was thinking I could use the original guard but get longer bolts and use "sleeves" of either tubing or washers to hold the guard off the belt and pulleys. The picture is the one from Craig's list so it won't be there long. I tried to post the one on my little trailer before I added a foot in length to it when I got home but have not figured how to get it down to 56K so I could post it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B-8074 20 #5 Posted March 31, 2011 First . Second, how fast does the parade travel? The tractor in stock form is capable of 6mph. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Will 0 #6 Posted March 31, 2011 Not sure what parade speed is. Just seemed slower than the mini trike that I have been riding. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNYFIX 13 #7 Posted March 31, 2011 Only my suggestion --- and only my suggestion --- For your purpose, I would look at a newer hydro for speed/ease of operation. Yes, newer tractors may do 6 mph or better easier then the older standard tranny tractors. Plus you have infinite fluid drive vs stuck in one gear and one gear only. I know it's not Wheel Horse but some of those older MTD (gasp -- blashphamy) """tractors""" will REALLY move out with out doing anything to them. Could paint it Red and use WH (GASP again) decals -- -- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #9 Posted March 31, 2011 Only my suggestion --- and only my suggestion --- For your purpose, I would look at a newer hydro for speed/ease of operation. Yes, newer tractors may do 6 mph or better easier then the older standard tranny tractors. Plus you have infinite fluid drive vs stuck in one gear and one gear only. I know it's not Wheel Horse but some of those older MTD (gasp -- blashphamy) """tractors""" will REALLY move out with out doing anything to them. Could paint it Red and use WH (GASP again) decals -- -- Painting an MTD "tractor" red and applying decals? Surely these are the end times!!! Hark! I hear the hooves of the Seven Horsemen of the Apocalypse approaching in the distance........ Duff :wh: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Will 0 #10 Posted March 31, 2011 Only my suggestion --- and only my suggestion --- For your purpose, I would look at a newer hydro for speed/ease of operation. Yes, newer tractors may do 6 mph or better easier then the older standard tranny tractors. Plus you have infinite fluid drive vs stuck in one gear and one gear only. I know it's not Wheel Horse but some of those older MTD (gasp -- blashphamy) """tractors""" will REALLY move out with out doing anything to them. Could paint it Red and use WH (GASP again) decals -- -- Thanks but I'll stick with my Wheel Horse. It looks like a miniature antique tractor. It is much more than red paint and decals. I looked at other tractors but they don't have that look. My tractor has 3 forward gears and reverse. I'll compare speed with other vehicles first and if needed change the pulley and belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleredrider 409 #11 Posted March 31, 2011 Putting a smaller pulley on the tranny will make it faster and won't have to modify the guard. Tractor supply has an assortment of them. You may have to shim the gaurs out to keep it from rubbing against belt and pulley. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dandan111 31 #12 Posted March 31, 2011 I would think 3rd gear would be fast enough for a parade? You can change that pulley,it will blow your beard back I bet :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNYFIX 13 #13 Posted March 31, 2011 Putting a smaller pulley on the tranny will make it faster and won't have to modify the guard. Tractor supply has an assortment of them. You may have to shim the gaurs out to keep it from rubbing against belt and pulley. HOWEVER (!!!) and correct us if we're wrong, will he/you be able to get a "aftermarket" pulley with the small keyway that WH uses as the input shaft diameter is (comparitively) small and most pulleys use a wider keyway ---- And to get a pulley w/such a small shaft size you might have to get such a small pulley which means you'll just FLY through that parade !! !! Brain teaser time folks !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNYFIX 13 #14 Posted March 31, 2011 I would think 3rd gear would be fast enough for a parade? You can change that pulley,it will blow your beard back I bet Dunno, seen some parades where the front end really moves out cause they've gotta get to the beer at the end !!! ALSO, antique farm tractor road rallys are becoming the "thing" as well ---- OR ---- you might be at a show and the guys want to have a little road rally of thier own and take thier tractors to the local ice cream shop outside the gates !!! Ding -- Ding -- Ding -- IDEA -- IDEA show organizers !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 605 #15 Posted March 31, 2011 Putting a smaller pulley on the tranny will make it faster and won't have to modify the guard. Tractor supply has an assortment of them. You may have to shim the gaurs out to keep it from rubbing against belt and pulley. HOWEVER (!!!) and correct us if we're wrong, will he/you be able to get a "aftermarket" pulley with the small keyway that WH uses as the input shaft diameter is (comparitively) small and most pulleys use a wider keyway ---- And to get a pulley w/such a small shaft size you might have to get such a small pulley which means you'll just FLY through that parade !! !! Brain teaser time folks !!! The bottom of a standard key can be filed to fit the input shaft of the transmission. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #16 Posted March 31, 2011 Pulleys to fit the trans with the correct keyway are available at any ol' timey hardware. Reduce dia size of the standard pulley by 1/2 -3/4 inch and lookout you'll be a passin them shriners in them fancy go carts! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rockinhorse 45 #17 Posted March 31, 2011 Pulleys to fit the trans with the correct keyway are available at any ol' timey hardware. Reduce dia size of the standard pulley by 1/2 -3/4 inch and lookout you'll be a passin them shriners in them fancy go carts! Will working on a B-80 to increase speed to . Go to www. maurey. com they have pulleys called hubless . they are 3/4 in. bore set screw on key ,solid steel not pot metal. Pulley is 3/4 in wide also will give you room to line up belt. hope this helps . karl flat rock in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #18 Posted March 31, 2011 If you put a smaller pulley on the transmission, you will increase your speed, but may not have the power/tourque to do the wheelies you spoke of..JMHO What the heck, you are just "Clowning around"! Have fun & be safe! Love those Shriners and the parades. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleredrider 409 #19 Posted April 1, 2011 I have a small collection of tranny pulley's I got from Tractor Supply, smallest being a 2" I think. I have a 3 or 3 1/2 on my mower to speed it up some, didn't really do much... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmessenger 0 #20 Posted April 1, 2011 If the stock trans pulley has a 15" circumference and a top speed of 6 mph going to to a pulley that has a circumference of 7.5" would double the speed to 12 mph. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
