wallfish 18,091 #1 Posted October 13, 2008 Hello Everyone, I am hoping that someone can help me identify this little gem. I can Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #2 Posted October 13, 2008 The serial # was a decal that was on the top of the left side frame rail, at the front, a couple of inches back from the bottom of the hood. Here's a picture (not my tractor) I dont see one in your pics but it may be there under the paint. There were traces of one on mine, but completely illegble. Looks like you've got a good solid tractor there. Love that sickle bar mower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-Series14 15 #3 Posted October 13, 2008 I am gonna say it's a 1958. It doesn't have the full lift sector like my 1959. Of course, I might be wrong... :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,641 #4 Posted October 13, 2008 According to Martino's book, the graduated lift sector wasn't added to the RJ until 1959. I don't know if it was an available "add-on" or not, so I'm not 100%. I don't know much about the RJ's lineage, but there has been alot of discussion about the two years being difficult to distinguish between the two (58-59). But, seeing your tractor does NOT have the lift sector, I'm gonna agree with Mike, and say it's a 1958... Just my $.02. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevinator 1 #5 Posted October 13, 2008 I have what is supposed to be a 58 and mine had the 3.6 clinton on it.But I see yours has completely different rear axle hubs on it than mine.Mine didn't have the hitch so I can't say about that. Wheel horse jr club on yahoo has manuals to look at. Maybe here too?Nice find though great for a restore. :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #6 Posted October 14, 2008 I believe this could be an early RJ-58. Does the center trans housing have any numbers stamped onto it near the shift lever? Early ones did not. Also, the round rear hubs look similar to the ones on Dustin Messinger's very early 58 model. I believe these were actually left overs from the walk-behind models used on the 1st RJ's. The full lift sector was available for the earlier RJ's under part number LL-60. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #7 Posted October 14, 2008 There are no numbers on the trans that I can see. The paint is brushed on but not to thick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #8 Posted October 14, 2008 Sounds like an early one. It would have had the leather shift boot as well. We need Dustin on this to confirm the hubs. he engine of course is a Tecumseh replacement, but the tractor has not been chopped up and appears to be one of the 1st 1,000 or so made. Hopefully Dustin will be on here soon to comment. Great find!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #9 Posted October 14, 2008 That would be a nice story to go with it. I guess this is the Clinton motor too, I can't match any of the numbers to the Kohler site. It fires right up 1st pull and sounds really good. Not a bad deal for $100. My wife almost talked me out of going to get it because the "honey do list" was not completed. (like it will ever be). I just left when she wasn't looking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #10 Posted October 14, 2008 What numbers do you have off the engine? It looks like it might be a Tecumseh engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #11 Posted October 14, 2008 Model# 143-597022 s/n# 9090 02922 spec? I'll try and search it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #12 Posted October 14, 2008 It is definitely a Tecumseh engine (those are Sears numbers)- and I'm guessing it to be a 3 to 4 horsepower version. Positively not original to this tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #13 Posted October 14, 2008 That's a Craftsman Tecumseh engine. I check my cross reference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #14 Posted October 14, 2008 My cross reference does not have a 143-597022, but it pulls up on the parts page at Sears.com Your early RJ-58 would have had a Clinton 1200-2184 or Kohler K-90 27107. Later 58 units came with a Clinton B1290-1107 or a Kohler K-91 31307 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #15 Posted October 14, 2008 Thanks for the info. I thought a clinton would look a lot different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #16 Posted October 14, 2008 To determain if this is an early RJ (early 1958) count how many holes are in those rear axle hubs. If there is only 3 holes per hub then it is posible to be a early RJ but if there is 5 holes per hub then the hubs have been replaced with a newer type. Wild Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #17 Posted October 14, 2008 There's only three holes in'em Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,091 #18 Posted October 14, 2008 Should all those holes in the hood be there? There's one on the top front like there was a hood orniment and also a bolt in the front right over the WH words that goes to nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 236 #19 Posted October 14, 2008 Those are extra holes added by previous owners. The only holes that should be in the hood are 5 screw holes to attach the hood to the frame, one for the fuel tank filler, one for the steering shaft, one for the on/off switch, one for the throttle cable, & 2 for the throttle lever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 134 #20 Posted October 14, 2008 Very nice score :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fireman #21 Posted October 14, 2008 You just beat me to that one . Saw it on Craigslist and emailed him. He said he had just sold it! Nice Score :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #22 Posted October 17, 2008 It is definitely a Tecumseh engine (those are Sears numbers)- and I'm guessing it to be a 3 to 4 horsepower version. Positively not original to this tractor. Yep 10-dash 4 on that! having 3 RJ's with Clinton & Kohler the first thing I noticed was no Oil Bath filter. Also Clintons has a distinctive slight V shape shroud cover over the flywheel. Nice tractor! Nice Sickle Mower! Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluetuna08 0 #23 Posted October 17, 2008 nice score!! I told the guy I would come from maine to get it. it looks like it would have been well worth the trip. congratulations Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #24 Posted October 17, 2008 Guard those hubs with your life. Just kidding. Seriously though, you have a VERY early 1958 RJ-58. First clue was the RJ-35 style narrow front rims and tires. These seem to have been slowly phased out and replaced with Good Years on slightly wider rims as the RJ-58 production went along. Next item is the clutch rod and arm that connects to the left side of the tranny. This arm has square ends and is a bit more crude in appearance compared to later models that have a rounded end arm. The numberless trans housing is the next hint as some part numbers etc. were added to the top, righthand, forward side of the center case. Your tractor also has the slightly smaller, deeper seat like the earlier RJ-35's. Now the seat style and smooth trans case can be found on later tractors, but the round Walk Away style hubs are the dead give away. You have a real keeper. Add a K-90 Kohler or B-1200 Clinton and your all set. Oh, would/could have had a leather shifter boot as well. Can't say as I have heard of any more than 3 or 4 like this and that includes one in our own stable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
