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Dnalsae

Wheel horse 501

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Dnalsae

I but a mid engine wheel horse tractor a year and a half ago under the assumption it was a rj-59. I brought it to tractor show and was told it was a 1960. Upon further research I am now unsure as to what I have. It has the swept front axle so I know it is a 1960 or 61. And I have the 2 piece unidrive transmission. Also a pull type throttle. Was the suburban 551 the only tractor with this arrangement? Also it has a rectangle access hole in the dash versus a round one if that makes a difference.

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RedHorse54

Pictures would help us tell you what you have!:wwp:

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clueless

Sounds like a 1960 suburban with the wrong throttle cable.

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Dnalsae

It has the hole for the push-pull cable next to the steering shaft.

My main question is which models of mid engine tractors had the unidrive?

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RedRanger

unidrive=551

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AMC RULES

:wwp: :text-coolphotos:

:WRS:

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Racinbob

The hood isn't a very good indicator of the year in itself. It's an often, and very easy, item to swap out. The rectangular cutout does scream 1960 but the 2 piece transmission case confirms a 551. That model along with the 701 were the first with the 2 piece 5007 transmission. A couple of guys at the show were trying to claim that there was a rare model 500 that was a 1960 with a 2 piece case. With the way Wheel Horse did things back not much would surprise me but I'd have to see some hard evidence. A 551 with a 400 hood does not equal a 500. :)

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953 nut

:WRS:    Over a half century of previous owner modifications can cloud the issue when it comes to identification of a vintage :wh:.

I agree with @Racinbob, 551 with a 400 hood, but we still :wwp:

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ACman

:text-yeahthat: I agree with my fellow Horseoholics ! 

 

Some :text-coolphotos: would really help . This not only helps you , but also others trying to learn the difference between models. (Like me)

Consider becoming a SUPPORTER , it makes posting  pictures a lot easier.

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Dnalsae

Here are some pictures. I hope these help. Sorry about it being in pieces as I was in the middle of restoring it.

20160706_165424.jpg

20160706_165433.jpg

20160706_165450.jpg

20160706_165544.jpg

20160706_165612.jpg

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gwest_ca

Garry

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wallfish

Bob got it right.

Everything but the hood looks 551 to me

Hood is 1960

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Dnalsae

Well that puts me in a predicament then doesn't it. I guess I could look for a correct hood. But for now I will make it look as good as I can.

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Racinbob

Please don't let the hood discourage you. That's a dandy you have there. You could put 60 controls on it and be good to go or sooner or later a 61 hood will come along. Richard is spot on in post #8. There are far fewer true 'originals' out there than many want to believe. I do love originals and seeing folks strive for accuracy but there's nothing wrong with a combination of years.. That's really one of the many great things about these little tractors. So many parts are interchangeable over the years.:)

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Andrew D.

look at the hood support. i'm not an expert and could be wrong, but isn't that the same support as an rj 58/59 would have? any suburban '60 or '61 i have ever messed with had a different support more like a firewall.   

Edited by Andrew D.

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Dnalsae

Ok thanks everyone. I am going make it a 400 with a 2 piece transmission. As I have already aquired a k91T 4 hp kohler. Someday I will find a 5.5 hp tecumseh and a 551 hood. I will just catch hell from the old timers at the tractor shows that I attend until it is perfect.

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Racinbob
9 minutes ago, Dnalsae said:

Ok thanks everyone. I am going make it a 400 with a 2 piece transmission. As I have already aquired a k91T 4 hp kohler. Someday I will find a 5.5 hp tecumseh and a 551 hood. I will just catch hell from the old timers at the tractor shows that I attend until it is perfect.

No, you won't. You'll just get a lot of praise for a nice tractor. I'm one of those 'old timers'. The first Wheel Horse I drove was a brand new 400 that my Dad bought new. I recently finished restoring that very same model and no, it's not 100% original. It's the way I wanted it. The 500 Special I'm doing now won't be per the books either. :)

19 minutes ago, Andrew D. said:

look at the hood support. i'm not an expert and could be wrong, but isn't that the same support as an rj 58/59 would have? any suburban '60 or '61 i have ever messed with had a different support more like a firewall.   

I can see why you think that but no, it's not an RJ. The 551 made room for the battery with that frame. :)

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Andrew D.

learn something new everyday :), thank you  

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Dnalsae

Alright thank you.

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Racinbob
14 minutes ago, Andrew D. said:

learn something new everyday :), thank you  

I may be an old timer but I learn something new here everyday too. :D

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