Model 854

[Mr. Mike 3]

Hello, looking for a reputable restoration person, to do a complete restoration of the family 854 tractor/mower. Within a reasonable distance from Colora,Md 21917. 

[SylvanLakeWH 27,810]

 

Interesting request...Lots of members in that area - hope you get some interest!

 

Oh - They are gonna want pictures!!!

[bellevillerod 835]

Man I wish I lived closer. To get paid to do something that I enjoy doing....oh I see that he said reputable...lol. Really need to see pics of the 854 in question. I have one that is in line waiting for summer to begin for it's rebuild. That is one of my favorite tractors. Oh and welcome to the forum, I'm waiting to follow the thread on this one.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

the 854 is nicest looking wheelhorse, I have 1 use to cut the grass with and restoring another one.

you say complete restoration, this can be taken many ways.

are looking for the kohler to be completely rebuilt, the transaxle to be taken apart with new bearings and seals, sandblasted and painted or powder coated, new tires?

another option is to preserve the original paint and patina?

I would figure a budget number you to go with.  you could spend a few bucks to get it going or thousands making it into a museum piece.

post pictures of it that could offer better advice 

[Mr. Mike 3]

Thanks Belleville and jabelman. Our 854 was purchased new by my father-in-law and used for for many years, mowing an acre and 1/2. I replaced the rusted out mower deck,with 1/4" aluminum and installed the original hardware. Our children learned driving fundamentals on it, plus got the grass done:). This mower sat for over 20 years in various sheds, so it will need a thorough going over.

[The Tuul Crib 7,338]

to 

first of all . I am in the middle of a rebuild now and all questions are welcome .

[953 nut 58,486]

Seeing a Wheel Horse stay in the family always makes us happy. The cost of a good restoration job will probably be rather high, labor costs are high for quality workmanship. You may be best off to parcel out the work rather than finding one shop to do the entire job. We have members like @stevasaurus who could do the transmission and @richmondred01 who rebuilds engines. Do most of the disassembly and reassembly your self and take the sheet metal to a body shop.

We can walk you through every step of the project and point you to threads done by others on here that will be helpful. @JPWH did a great job of documenting his 854 journey.

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

along the lines of a "patina" restoration here is a 701, I did all mechanicals and only painted the rims, all the metal was scuffed down and hand buffed with Johnsons paste wax, it really looks incredible in person, keeping all the original paint and scratches memories, etc.. something you might want to consider being you guys owned it since new.

also I attached a picture of my 854 this was an ex pulling tractor I returned back to stock and I cut my grass weekly with it, all the red was buffed and polished and the  wheels and seat were painted antique white 

[Exhaust 25]

Jabelman, that 701 is beautiful.  Patina means a heck of a lot to me.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

Welcome to Red Square. I have an 854 It was my first wheel horse. Best of luck. .  

 

Glenn

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

We want to see that aluminum deck too...

[Mr. Mike 3]

Hi, hope to get some pics out, of the 854 in question, along with my aluminum deck. Our other 854 has a front blade and last winters snow was deep enough to play in. I had put new rear tires on and did opposites with the tread. My theory was forwards or backwards, I would have traction. This worked well and was wondering if anyone else had tried that.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

make sure you add the serial numbers to the registry too!

[Mr. Mike 3]