First model with an 8 speed transmission

[rmaynard 17,144]

I guess it's just a matter of semantics. Three forward speeds and one reverse with a high/low range selector. Some call 6 some call it 8.

[TDF5G 2,073]

On 9/6/2016 at 6:21 AM, achto said:

This forum is great! We all get a chance to learn from each other.

One of the best attributes of Red Square IMO.  

[wh315-8 563]

On 9/6/2016 at 7:53 AM, gwest_ca said:

 

Using the few recorded serial numbers we have thought it would be interesting to see when they were built. Not very accurate but possibly shows a trend.

 

Model  Lowest sn Highest sn

  857    266307

1257    271518

1077    277830

L157    280915

L107    281598

1057    285055

  657    286009

1067    288721

  607    290183

1077                     291998

  607                     296338

1277    302095

RE-67  309789     

  657                     317564

1257                     343635

1057                     355372

1277                     363188

L157                     364144

  867    364882

1267    367508

  857                     372875

L107                     379075

1267                     380578

1067                     380818

  867                     381200

 

Garry

Just found this link, I have a 657 with the 8 speed that was factory. I know mine was special ordered with the new 6 speed and a sickle bar. My serial # is 268672. It’s already recorded. Just found it interesting that other 607/657s also came with the new 6 speed. 

[953 nut 65,727]

21 hours ago, wh315-8 said:

Just found this link, I have a 657 with the 8 speed that was factory. I know mine was special ordered with the new 6 speed and a sickle bar. My serial # is 268672. It’s already recorded. Just found it interesting that other 607/657s also came with the new 6 speed. 

The next to last number in the model number would be 6 if it had a six speed as can be seen in the list with numbers being bold.

The next to last number being a 5 indicates that it is a three speed with electric start. There were no six horsepower six speed transmission units though bolting in a six speed wouldn't be a big job. Certainly a six horse power tractor using a sickle bar would benefit from a lower range transaxle. If you have documentation about this special ordered tractor it would be great to share it with us.

[wh315-8 563]

7 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

The next to last number in the model number would be 6 if it had a six speed as can be seen in the list with numbers being bold.

The next to last number being a 5 indicates that it is a three speed with electric start. There were no six horsepower six speed transmission units though bolting in a six speed wouldn't be a big job. Certainly a six horse power tractor using a sickle bar would benefit from a lower range transaxle. If you have documentation about this special ordered tractor it would be great to share it with us.

Unfortunately don’t have the documents for proof. Only that whom I bought it from along with a D200, told me that the D was used for mowing and snow plowing the property. The 657 was ordered with the 6 speed knowing it was first time available that year and with Sickle Bar for mowing along the road and around a pond. Also with the light kit HL5. I knew about the 5/6 difference. And I couldn’t refute what the seller told me because as I look over this tractor, it is very clean and original. And can tell not very many hours. For a Tecumseh it runs as good as new. Easiest starting Tecumseh I ever ran. The original paint is the cleanest of any tractor in my herd. In fact the day I picked it up, it was covered with a blanket. It was his Grandpa’s favorite. They seemed wealthy so have no doubts that he was willing to pay extra. Would seem that going with the 867 would have been the route to go, but we can never know what was going on at the dealership in that day. Without actually talking with original owner, perhaps the dealer made the swap. 
I may have misunderstood the list of models with my original post, for I thought it was referencing the models known to have a 6 speed..by serial number. Now I realize it was highest/lowest known SNs. 
I added the hubcaps from my collection, I need to swap them out with the proper era ones.

[squonk 46,346]

I wonder if the 6 speed was installed at the dealer as part of the original sale. It's known that dealers in the 60's would change some things around to complete a sale. I find it hard to believe the WH assembly line ground to a halt to install a different transmission and any related hardware.

[wh315-8 563]

7 minutes ago, squonk said:

I wonder if the 6 speed was installed at the dealer as part of the original sale. It's known that dealers in the 60's would change some things around to complete a sale. I find it hard to believe the WH assembly line ground to a halt to install a different transmission and any related hardware.

That’s my thought as to what happened. Dealer didn’t have a 867 or other but had this 657 and a deal was made. 

[Easton Rich 1,165]

Kind of a side note, but I have a '68 Commando 6 that was on the floor for 2 years and never sold, so the dealer put on an electric start 8hp Kohler and swapped the dash for the new plastic style. It was restickered and sold that year. I bought it from the original owner.