This is my story.

[546cowboy 302]

This may seem a little long winded but I didn't know where to put it.

Well since everyone here likes a story about these tractors, I guess I'll have to tell you about the 656 I have.

 

I was watching Ebay and saw this 656 in southern Indiana and believe it or not it had a Vanguard 18 hp. Stuffed under the hood. That's right it fit under there without any mods. I have a Woods Zero Turn that originally had that engine in it but has been changed, before I got it, to a 16 Vanguard.

 

Well for the price there was no way I could pass it up, even though it was almost 200 miles away. To make a long story short I bid on it. I paid $350 for it and a friend and I went and got it. So another $80 in fuel.

 

As I said I had no plans for the tractor just wanted the engine. About two months ago I finally got around to pulling the engine and got to looking at the tractor. It was pretty straight and not rusted and I had a brand new Carroll Stream 6.5 electric start sitting here. So a plan started and the next thing you know I have a 656 with new paint and engine that looks and runs perfect.

 

Now for part two! I have a 653 that came with a decent deck just needed to be cleaned up and the front plate replaced. Easy enough. Then after I decided to put that deck on the 656 I had to come up with some parts to operate it. I had some laying around the shop so more paint and some modifications and now the little tractor has a purpose.

 

I just mowed with this little gem awhile ago and it really does mow nice, I do have decals ordered for it from Vinylguy.  I know you have all got a story like this if you have been at it very long but this is mine and here are the pictures to go with it.

Edited May 7, 2013 by 546cowboy

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

That's a nice little horse Lynn!

[stevasaurus 23,287]

Man, that horse looks nice...

[Don1977 605]

Where are the pictures with the Vanguard stuffed in there?  We want the whole story with " Pictures " and a Video would have be better.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Nice looking WH!

[Tankman 3,523]

Very nice Horse you "adopted" for "free" too!

A few decals and you're set.

I made a few of those mower decks using 316 SS. I did use the cast spindle support.

Painted WH red, a magnet wouldn't stick! :smile:

[Parrothead Al 17]

That is sweet, You made a nice tractor.

[raider10-8 9]

i need to know how your hood is soo shinny. i want mine to be like that. i was going to do rattle can clear coat, do u think that would work?

[Racinbob 11,975]

With the engine sitting back on the frame it looks to me that the idler pulley wouldn't clear the engine shaft pulley. No problems there?

[546cowboy 302]

Well as far as pictures with the 18 in it, sorry but I didn't take any as far as the shine on the hood that's what mine usually look like. I use Van Sickle paint and hardener and I have painted quite a few tractors over the last 10 years. I don't use spray cans because you have no control over the spray pattern.

 

On the engine position, if you are talking about the deck idler , it took some tinkering to get it to line up right but it clears OK. This is the first time I have done one of these mower deck set-ups so the whole thing was an experience. I did have to shorten the belt (6") and the belt guard. I think that turned out pretty good though. I did have to make a mounting plate to mount the engine.

 

I do highly recommend this Carroll Stream 6.5 hp. electric start engine as a replacement though. As you can see I did not rewire it to use my dash controls though. The only small problem I have is reaching over and finding the throttle lever while running. I mowed some with it yesterday and it performed great.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Good story and good project. I would have really enjoyed seeing that little Horse with a 16 VanGuard under the hood. I bet it had plenty of power in any gear with the Briggs in it.

[Hodge71 665]

What a great machine!! Very nice horse!!