Help identifying my recent purchase

[tzthompson 2]

I got this one recently and it appears to be a mixture of several models. It has a front axle like my 753 I am working on. It was advertised as an 854 and came with an 854 belt guard which was not on the tractor but had a 502 guard on it. The engine is a 7hp K161 manufactured for Tri-powered corp which built gas powered golf carts in the early 1960s so I know that has been changed. It came with a complete HY-2 hydraulic system with the ignition box mounted on the side of the tower. The tower, dash, lift and gas tank I believe are 702 or other 1962 models. The battery tray is a bolt on with studs sticking out. It doesn't really look like the tower has been changed out. It has 5 bolt hubs but they have yellow paint under the red which lead me to believe they may have been changed. I love the forum and would like some of your thoughts on it. I am just trying to decide what direction to go with it.

Thanks!!

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Yellow paint is a common anomaly that has never been figured out. It has shown up in multiple years, and has no explanation, because it's pretty commonly accepted that WH didn't prime anything. You have some on the frame under your battery tray too.

You've pretty much nailed all the details though. You have a mutt built from at least two round hoods. I'd guess since you have 502 parts and it was listed as an 854... it's probably those two. How long is the hood?

I would say your dash tower had to have been changed out at some point though, whether it looks like it or not. Probably a long time ago, so they've aged together. Looks like there was a snowblower on this tractor at some point... that bracket and pulley bolted to the frame on the front right was part of it. If you don't want it... sell it. People are always looking for that because they're usually lost because they stayed with the tractor.... not with the snowblower, and they don't always get sold together.

[tzthompson 2]

Thanks for your comments. The hood is 15 1/8" from the gas tank edge to the seam. It is 19" down the center to the front of the hood. I forgot to mention although the PO had changed the seat to a round one which he said was Wheelhorse, he gave me the original square pan with the backrest option on it. Thanks for telling me about the front pulley, I was wondering what it was used on. I won't be needing it here in Georgia.

[krazy_horse 59]

Hey Yall, Another Georgia guy. We are few and far between. I live near Macon. Regards, Jim

[tzthompson 2]

Greetings Jim! I live in Dawsonville, home of Awesome Bill Elliott. I know we have a collectors in Ringgold and Blue Ridge as well.

Tim

[AMC RULES 37,205]

I'm not sayin' you would, but if you ever do decide to part it out...please let me know.

[tzthompson 2]

Will do. You can email me at tzthompson@windstream.net and let me know what you are looking for. I am picking up a 702 this weekend and will probably have some parts to sell from it. In regard to my original question, Is there any evidence that WheelHorse mixed parts when they were changing over to the new production year models. Also, I read a post by Kelly I believe which talked about the battery boxes and which years used which style but can't seem to locate the post again.

[stevasaurus 23,296]

I think it does look like the 702 dash, and you are right about those 5 bolt hubs not being correct. I like the looks of the horse though, it looks to be in good shape. :)

[CasualObserver 3,411]

The 5 bolt hubs are correct if that rear end is from an 854.

As for whether they mixed parts, not really. They stayed pretty true to model changeovers. They had to... otherwise parts lists wouldn't match production. They did "update" parts though as things went along. These were generally alerted in a service bulletin, but not always.

[octfst 378]

The dash is 854 a 702 would be similar to a 701 you said the front axle was like a 753 the 854 would be the same 702 would be similar to a 701. the only diff between a 502 & 702 is the motor.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

An 854 has a two-piece tank (removable bottom) and the dash decal is chrome and black.

A 702 would have the one-piece tank with the bolt-on cast iron dash panel and the decal like pictured above. (a 701 has a one-piece tank with the off-white bolt-on plastic dash panel)

Beyond the obvious engine difference, a 702 also has a starter button, amp gauge vs. the hole plug with toggle switch, and a battery vs. an open top storage/tool box - if it's still there. The serial number / shift pattern sticker normally covers the starter button hole on the 502 (and 633) since the hole is not used.

The ammeter in the tractor above is not original and I see no sign of the serial number / shift pattern sticker, so it very well could be a 502 "body" on an 854 chassis.

[littleredrider 409]

Didn't 854s have the 3 spoke wheel too?? I don't remember what the 702/753 had.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

854's had the smaller two spoke wheel.

[tzthompson 2]

Is the bolt-on battery tray with the studs consistent with the 854? There are no decals regarding shift pattern or serial number. It does have the bolt-on cast iron dash and one piece gas tank as mentioned above.

Tim

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

The bolt-on battery tray is correct for an 854 ~ necessary because of the lower steering shaft change. (tie rod attachment plate was plain steel and welded to the front of the shaft in 1964 vs. the cast iron part that was pinned to the shaft & used in 1963)

[tzthompson 2]

It does have the plain steel tie rod attachment plate and it is welded to the shaft. When looking at the tower, I can see where it did have a starter button mounted at some time. When I got it, it had the ignition mounting box attached to the left side of the tower to allow the HY-2. Then based on what you said Terry, I guess my mutt probably had an 854 daddy and a 702 mommy. Thanks for all the comments and information!!

Tim