What exactly is this tiller?

[Tyler9014 18]

I just picked this tiller up and it seems to have the wrong engine on it compared to any other pictures I can find. The engine is mounted to a thick aluminum plate which is then mounted to the frame. The way the engine plate is mounted seems professional, possibly original. Engine is a cast iron Techumseh/Lauson 8HP. Any information on what I have here would be greatly appreciated.

[Tyler9014 18]

Just realized I posted this in the wrong forum section, not sure how to move it to the attachments forum

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,530]

A-32244 is a 1963 serial number so should be a model WT-242 tiller.

 

Garry

[stevasaurus 22,261]

Don't worry...the Mods will move it if they want.  It looks very close to this image I found in the gallery...at any rate...you can bet it is a WT-24?  The T is for tiller, 24 is 24" and the last number is the year...in my link...it is a 1962. 

 

[Tyler9014 18]

Thanks,mine obviously has the wrong engine and gas tank set up. From what I can tell they are kind of hard to find so i had to get it.

[stevasaurus 22,261]

Absolutely, got to grab it.  Jason, I hope, will find his way in here, (casual observer)...I think he will have some thing to say here.  He is into this stuff. 

Edited November 5, 2014 by stevasaurus

[CasualObserver 3,406]

That tiller is, as has already been identified, a WT-242.  Lots of posts in the past, if you search for any of the models WT-241 WT-242 or WT-244 in the search box you'll find several threads.

 

The WT-241/242 models used a Lauson V55D engine and had the smaller tines, the WT-244 model used a Tecumseh V60 and had the more traditional tines that continued into the tractor mounted models.  The original style fuel tank engine shroud is difficult to find but not impossible if you want to restore it to the original look. The same setup can be found on the Reo Lawn Skiff models, as well as the early Cub Cadet 60, although I don't know what engine models/specs were on those machines, and I don't have any documentation handy to look. The only difference I've seen in them is that some of the fuel fill spots were centered and some were off-centered. Truthfully if you could find the right tank setup and a good V60 or V70 block, very few people would know the difference.

 

These WT-24x tillers were a Wheel Horse design, even submitted for a patent in 1961. Ironically though, by the time the patent was issued in 1965, they had already dropped the product line and moved on to a tractor mounted and belt driven unit. 

 

The patent can be viewed here in Google's Patent search---->http://www.google.com/patents/US3193022

or if you'd like to download a copy, it's in the manuals section here----> 

 

Here's a copy of the spec sheet if that's of interest for display at a show.

 

WT242spec.pdf

 

I had a WT-244 for several years. It was a low priority project that has moved on to another collector. I enjoyed the conversations it stirred up at shows when I'd take it for display. It's a unique piece and generally gets noticed if you display it. On these tillers, the lift bar goes into the slot hitch, and the tiller pivots on the rear wheels to drop into and be lifted out of the ground. I've never seen anyone actually use one of these although my original goal was to try. If you think you want to try, the tractor pulling the tiller should be fitted with an SR-62 or SR-64 speed reduction kit (which are damn hard to find) or use it with a six-speed tractor. The standard three speed uni-drive is too fast for a tiller.

 

Glad you were able to get it, thanks for sharing. I hope you enjoy it.

[Tyler9014 18]

Thanks for all the info. I will probably just get it running and show it as is behind my suburban 400 that Stevasaurus and others helped me to get back into usable condition. I am always amazed at all the helpful members on this site and the amount of knowledge you all are willing to share.

[Geno 1,928]

Very nice piece Tyler, glad you got it.