Look what jumped on my trailer today!

[Tgtack 779]

4hrs down, 4hrs back, makes for a long day. But was well worth it. Was driving to SE Ohio today (can't get there from here) to pick up an 857 from the fellow I bought my 1276 from 2 weeks ago. Low and behold, last night [a currently unidentified early 60's model, possibly a 754 best guess right now] tractor popped up on CL, exactly 30 mins from where I was going! Made quick arrangements to meet the owner at his job (he had to work today so he took it with him), to look it over. Needless to say it went right on the trailer! Looks to be pretty much all there, metal is in nice shape and steering is tight. Tranny shifts and the brake works. No deck. Has a 1961 hood installed, and a blown 7hp Tecumseh in it, but it came with a running K161T which I figure I can probably convert over if I can find the parts. This one will be long term project after I finish my 1276 that is in pieces right now!

 

The 857 is a good running tractor, pretty much all intact except for steering wheel. Have the original cushion which a friend of mine who does marine upholstery can use to duplicate it. Runs good, cuts good, looks good, but deck is a little noisey, have to look into that. It also came with a snow plow and rear brackets.

 

Paid $450 for the 857 with deck and plow.

Paid $280 for the 754 (?)

 

All in all, a good day!

Edited May 14, 2017 by Tgtack

[rjg854 12,243]

Sounds like a good deal, congrats!

[jay bee 915]

Nice score!!!  Judging from the pictures it looks like we got two addictions going here.....Horses and Hemis!!!

 

Jim

[Shynon 7,484]

That looks like a nice haul, but I don't think that's a 701 only the hood.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,277]

22 minutes ago, Shynon said:

That looks like a nice haul, but I don't think that's a 701 only the hood.

I was thinking the same thing. The footrests and drive belt guard are not the 701 type. The hood is a 701 type so maybe.

  But either way it's a nice score...both of em!

 

  Mike....

[Tgtack 779]

I believe you guys are correct, based on images of others tractors, the dash panel, foot rests, and the parking brake lever seems to identify it as a model 702. It is missing the left side cover if it is a 702.

 

The serial number is 41052 if that helps.

Edited May 14, 2017 by Tgtack

[Tgtack 779]

Here are pics of the brake lever and dash, from what I can find, 702?

[AlwaysLookin80 1,308]

Cool tractor either way 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,518]

If a 1962 the serial number would be 62-xxxxxx.

How about a model 854?

 

Garry

[953 nut 60,333]

[Racinbob 11,989]

2 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

If a 1962 the serial number would be 62-xxxxxx.

How about a model 854?

 

Garry

That was my first thought but isn't the dash a 63? The front axle is 63 +, the steering wheel is 64+. Wheel Horse doing their thing again or 50+ years of parts swapping. No harm, no foul. That's a couple of nice finds. Make sure you wish your wife a happy mothers day.

[DTOM 124]

Its a 64. Steering wheel and seat pan.

[Chris G 3,361]

Nice score on both! The 857 looks good And I would have to say I think the other is a Johnny Cash special. It's a 61,62,63,64.... But still a good score in my book. 

[Tgtack 779]

8 hours ago, Chris G said:

Nice score on both! The 857 looks good And I would have to say I think the other is a Johnny Cash special. It's a 61,62,63,64.... But still a good score in my book. 

Yep will figure out what it is and restore accordingly!

Edited May 14, 2017 by Tgtack

[Tgtack 779]

I think the mystery has been solved. I found my serial number listed in the manuals section, and according to the listing, mine is a 1964 Model 854. So I guess I will be looking for an 8HP Kohler instead of converting the 7HP Kohler pull start engine that came with it.

[DTOM 124]

See.. nobody listens to me anymore.

[Tgtack 779]

2 hours ago, DTOM said:

See.. nobody listens to me anymore.

DTOM, actually, your comment is what caused me to start digging, so I did listen to you! Now I have a dilemma, I was going to convert the 7hp Kohler to electric start for it, but now I am going to need an 8hp!

[DTOM 124]

Thanks, find a K181 and you'll be happy. I mow my lawns with a couple of 854's and it gets the job done nice with a few looks from jealous drive bys.  

[Tgtack 779]

DTOM, this causes me another dilemma. When I bought my 857 the other day, fellow had two. Both in nice shape, chose the slightly nicer tractor, but had a really noisey deck. The other one had a great deck. Well, he offered me the second one for half price. Needless to say, it is coming in a week or two.

 

Now that I found out that I have a 854, I am seriously considering using the engine from the second 857 In it. If I do that, then I will probably pull the frame, cut the welds on the tranny mount, and use it to replace the badly cracked mount on my 1276. So basically the 857 will get parted. Almost hate to do that, but......

[DTOM 124]

The 857 motor would be a good donor but Whats wrong with the 7hp motor that came in it to get it running for now?  And the 1276, would it be easier to weld the cracked mount than go through the other option your thinking of doing?

[Tgtack 779]

Just now, DTOM said:

The 857 motor would be a good donor but Whats wrong with the 7hp motor that came in it to get it running for now?  And the 1276, would it be easier to weld the cracked mount than go through the other option your thinking of doing?

DTOM,

 

I probably won't do anything with the 854 till this fall at the earliest. I know that the rear frame mount on the second 857 is cherry, even though I can weld up the other one, it would be like the 3rd time repaired, just afraid the metal is really getting brittle. I figured I could just sell the K161T since I won't use it, and using the 8HP would be cheaper than trying to convert the K161T over to electric anyway, or trying to find another good running 8HP for the 854.

 

The second 857 has nice metal all around, but, it has the following "issues". Hood does not have the holes for the ornament, possibly filled or is a later vintage although has correct grille. Wrong fuel tank, although original tank is included (some rust in it). Has a 13 hole suburban metal seat mounted on a single flat spring bolted to the 857 fenders. Dash panel has extra holes drilled in it. Has incorrect engine belt cover (flat without the 3 ribs). It has the steering wheel that I need on my other 857 to replace a broken incorrect wheel.

 

Nothing major, and it looks good and runs good, but for what I am getting it for, I can basically sell the K161T and have $0 in the second 857 which would then provide everything I need to fix the minor issues with the other three tractors.

 

The 1276 is the #1 priority as I want to finish it and take it to the June Big Show.

The 854 is a long term 100% restoration project, so no rush on it.

My other 857 is a clean unit that is doing yard duties until this fall when it will get a paint refresh. 

 

The picture is of the 2nd 857.

 

Just because it plays donor duties now, does not mean that it could not come back to life later either.

 

Your thoughts?

[Racinbob 11,989]

I agree on the 854 but you have a 63 gas tank and dash decal. That's a good thing though. That's a one piece tank and the 854 had a 2 piece which liked to leak. Most likely that's why it was swapped out. If the dash decal bugs you can get the correct one from Terry.

[Tgtack 779]

9 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

I agree on the 854 but you have a 63 gas tank and dash decal. That's a good thing though. That's a one piece tank and the 854 had a 2 piece which liked to leak. Most likely that's why it was swapped out. If the dash decal bugs you can get the correct one from Terry.

Racinbob, looks like it is a two piece tank, bolts on bottom and sealer around edges.

[pfrederi 18,711]

Looking at your tank i am reminded some people (most actually) should not be allowed to use Permatex.  They are of the More is better school.

[Tgtack 779]

2 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Looking at your tank i am reminded some people (most actually) should not be allowed to use Permatex.  They are of the More is better school.

Yeah, if that much is on the outside, how much is inside to clog up fuel line and filter! I will be getting the gasket set when I redo it.