RedRanger 1,469 #26 Posted November 28, 2016 Agree on the stamped frame. As for the paint, I'd try steve's idea for the stipes. Acetone or laquer thinner and some rubbing should take off the stripes. Careful wet sanding could also work? Power buffer? For the belt guard, seat, and wheels, I'd use a good paint stripper. You won't save the original paint, but it will remove the layers of crusted paint and should leave some of the patina on the metal. Repaint the wheels and let the seat and belt guard rust back up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #27 Posted November 28, 2016 Jim...look in the inside corners of the frames...one is an "I" beam half, and Ryan's is stamped sheet metal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #28 Posted November 28, 2016 Yup I see it now Steve ...even in Chris's fuzzy you can tell the frame is more gusseted ..... thanks for early RJ IDing 101! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #29 Posted November 28, 2016 2 hours ago, ACman said: I'm getting a schooling in early RJ's ditto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #30 Posted November 28, 2016 I definitely learned alot about early rjs today 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlwaysLookin80 1,308 #31 Posted November 28, 2016 2 hours ago, WHX9 said: I'm missing it Steve This is what I was saying in the PM I sent you. See in 55 they had just brake bent type sheet metal frame. 56 and 57 had the frame like the bottom with like a angle/channel like steel on the sides. Send me that picture of the lift cable hole and we will know for sure 100% it's a 55, but it's a 55. Lol 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #32 Posted November 28, 2016 Ok JA now you gotta school me on the lift cable hole?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #33 Posted November 28, 2016 24 minutes ago, J.A. said: Send me that picture of the lift cable hole Send you a picture not a good one but I'll get a better one when, I get home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,579 #34 Posted November 29, 2016 Looks like a 56 to me with the sheet metal frame. The channel was used in 55 and then after a little while of using the sheet metal they decided to go back to the channel again. Looks like a nice score! Did you get the rest of the reel mower with it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #35 Posted November 29, 2016 (edited) Are you saying that thingy off the front is for a reel mower Jake @Jake Kuhn? I thought maybe that was for the plow(s) that came with it?? Edited November 29, 2016 by WHX9 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #36 Posted November 29, 2016 Glad Jake mentioned it... I kept looking for someone to while reading the whole topic! 32 minutes ago, WHX9 said: Are you saying that thingy off the front is for a reel mower Jim, that bar is for the LMR-30... The other bar for the blade should look like this... Just like is poking out of the middle in the 4th picture here.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,743 #37 Posted November 29, 2016 This whole thread is fascinating. Wow that reel mower would be a really cool attachment to have. How rare are those? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #38 Posted November 29, 2016 9 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said: Wow that reel mower would be a really cool attachment to have. How rare are those? I would like to have one now would be super neat to have! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #39 Posted November 29, 2016 18 minutes ago, Rp.wh said: I would like to have one now Better call them up and go back... it's gotta be tucked away somewhere. You have the lift bar and the guard/engagment pedal on the right side of the tractor too. Especially if it never left the family before coming to you... gotta be there somewhere. If you go... might as well look for the pipe for the snow blade too! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #40 Posted November 29, 2016 Yah I would definitely call him up again Ryan to see if he could shed some more light on the mower. That would be a reel find! They gotta be rarer than the proverbial hen's teeth! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rj35hunter 288 #41 Posted November 30, 2016 By the serial and model number on the original engine it's real close to my 1200 1184 which this model number isn't too often seen and was used in the 55 to 56 crossover time from my research and collecting these serial numbers. Your serial number is 3729308 and my serial number is 3729339. Only difference I see is mine is a toggle kill switch like most all 56 and up RJ's but yours appear to have the larger hole for the brass push kill switch seen on all 55 models. Mine has the same frame, front wheels and tires, etc etc....hope this info is helpful to you! Clay 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #42 Posted November 30, 2016 9 hours ago, WHX9 said: That would be a reel find! Well guys I called and asked earlier today. The man said that about the 70s or 80s they used it to much and junked the reel mower not real happy about that. Never had the correct plow tube he said he has used it like that sense he can remember with the plow which I will not be. I been looking for a reel mower definitely a rare find alot of them where for sale about the 5 years ago.... @rj35hunter that is pretty neat that the number are so close To Each other. Are you going with a 56 also or you think it's a late 55? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,735 #43 Posted November 30, 2016 4 hours ago, Rp.wh said: Never had the correct plow tube Should be easy to make. I am away right now but will post measurements etc. in a couple of days. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #44 Posted November 30, 2016 6 hours ago, Rp.wh said: The man said that about the 70s or 80s they used it to much and junked the reel mower Bummer man... well, then either you've got some good pieces for selling or trading to someone else who has an incomplete one, or a good reason to jump on a junk one when you find it! Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #45 Posted November 30, 2016 (edited) Ryan, I think I would hang onto that bracket and leave it on the horse for now. If you are going to let young people ride that horse, you could stick a bolt in one of those holes and put some bar bell weights on there to help keep the front end down. I happen to have an old set you could have that would look like they belong there. I'm liking what Clay had to say about the stop buttons. I would look for another set of front rims, paint one set black and the other silver and switch them once in a while. Then you have two rj-35s in one. Think of it as a bi-polar RJ-35. Edited November 30, 2016 by stevasaurus 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #46 Posted November 30, 2016 16 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: If you are going to let young people ride that horse, you could stick a bolt in one of those holes and put some bar bell weights on there to help keep the front end down Real good idea Steve...even for us old coots! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rj35hunter 288 #47 Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) 23 hours ago, Rp.wh said: Well guys I called and asked earlier today. The man said that about the 70s or 80s they used it to much and junked the reel mower not real happy about that. Never had the correct plow tube he said he has used it like that sense he can remember with the plow which I will not be. I been looking for a reel mower definitely a rare find alot of them where for sale about the 5 years ago.... @rj35hunter that is pretty neat that the number are so close To Each other. Are you going with a 56 also or you think it's a late 55? IMO I'm leaning more towards very early 56 but its so close I wouldn't argue it not to be a very late 55. I have another all original tractor with the 1200 184 engine serial #3648161 and its more of a late 1955 by its variations. The model numbers of the Clinton for the RJ35 are 1200 152 which is most of 1955, then went to 1200 184 and 1200 1184 (don't see too many of these 2) which is around the 55-56 change over, then the rest of 56 and 57 was the 1200 2184. It also changed to A1200 106 for early RJ58 and later RJ58/59 production was B1290 1107. Hope this helps and makes some sense....also posted some pics of the RJ very close in engine serial number to yours Clay Edited December 1, 2016 by rj35hunter 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,689 #48 Posted December 1, 2016 Nice Hunter Nice...sure am glad there are guys like you out there watching over these kind of herds! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #49 Posted December 1, 2016 8 hours ago, rj35hunter said: .also posted some pics of the RJ very close in engine serial number to yours Thanks for all your wisdom! It's much appreciated any little bit helps and I always am willing to learn and listen. Awesome picture and very nice rj! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris sutton 610 #50 Posted December 1, 2016 14 hours ago, rj35hunter said: IMO I'm leaning more towards very early 56 but its so close I wouldn't argue it not to be a very late 55. I have another all original tractor with the 1200 184 engine serial #3648161 and its more of a late 1955 by its variations. The model numbers of the Clinton for the RJ35 are 1200 152 which is most of 1955, then went to 1200 184 and 1200 1184 (don't see too many of these 2) which is around the 55-56 change over, then the rest of 56 and 57 was the 1200 2184. It also changed to A1200 106 for early RJ58 and later RJ58/59 production was B1290 1107. Hope this helps and makes some sense....also posted some pics of the RJ very close in engine serial number to yours Clay After reading the numbers you quoted Clay I had to go and look at my RJ58 as it has a Clinton engine in it with the numbers 1200 2184 5537538 b, the tractor number is 1218 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
