My first Wheel Horse

[cudakid 50]

I finally got my hands on a wheel horse. I'm hoping someone can tell me what I have so I can start locating some correct parts for it. The engine is a 6.25 hp Kohler which I know isn't correct. I would like to find some correct fenders, controls and a mower deck. Please let me know if you need any other pictures. 

 

Thanks in advance, 

Kyle

[Racinbob 11,991]

That's a nice Suburban. Definitely find a tool box and correct fenders. I'm thinking it's a 1960 based on the footrests. Is there a rectangular cutout where the controls go? Rectangular = 60 with lever controls, round = 61 with push/pull controls. What's up with that coupler on the steering shaft? 

Edited March 30, 2019 by Racinbob

[ebinmaine 73,034]

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Nice looking ride!!

 

[953 nut 60,403]

Looking at the pictures it appears to be a 1961 model 401, can't say for sure, the manual for the 401 is attached. There have been some minor modifications done, but the previous owner did a clean job to route the steering over the larger engine. The trailer fenders are not too becoming, but functional.

 

[rjg854 12,260]

All in all a nice set-up 

[dells68 7,499]

I’m digging that little tractor!  It has an almost panzer look with those fenders and 6” front wheels.  I’d find a set of suburban fenders and 8” front rims and leave that engine on.  Got the makings of one nice wheel horse custom!

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,613]

In addition to what @953 nut mentioned, the hood has been raised up in the front also to accommodate the larger engine - maybe that means the hood wasn't modified to make the larger engine fit?

[SylvanLakeWH 28,644]

 

Very nice !!!

[wallfish 18,244]

Please post a pic of the hood at the throttle / choke controls. 

It's has both 1960 and 1961 parts on it.. The foot pedal is modified but it is a 1960 pedal along with the footrests where as the 1961 would have a cast pedal.  The transmission cast numbers indicate 1961.

Many parts are interchangeable between the 2. The mower decks are different but will interchange. Fenders are the same. Controls are different and depend on the hood year. 1960 used lever controls, 1961 used push/pull controls

[wildman 205]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

What's up with that coupler on the steering shaft? 

I would say the coupler was added because they didn't want to modify hood for the larger engine.Thing sure is pretty

[cudakid 50]

      Wow! Thanks for all the quick responses and kind words. Yes it seems the hood was raised using some spacers and additional brackets. I'm assuming the steering coupler is there for the same reason, but I can't wrap my head around how it would line up with the hood in the original location without it. May be the lower shaft angle has been modified too. It has the rectangular cutout for the controls, but someone added a pull style choke and moved the throttle to the side of the hood. (There may not be enough room between the hood and the steering wheel)

      Over all I'm pretty happy with my find. It wouldn't run more than a few seconds at a time, but got that sorted out with a carb cleaning. Going to replace the leaky exhaust pipe today then put it back together and enjoy it while I look for parts.

[clueless 3,272]

52 minutes ago, wallfish said:

 

I have a 1960 400 burb in pieces, that just needs to be put back together in the back of the shop. Another back burner project, fenders, tool box, hood, all in nice shape, just need some paint. Two 4hp kohlers, and the trans ( Built By Jake). I would be interested in doing some swapping for the 6.25 hp engine. Your just 7 hr from me. not that big of a drive for me when it comes to WH stuff down here. Down the road if your interested PM me.

Chris.

[SPINJIM 1,986]

Hood was originally a 1960, but was converted from lever throttle control to push-pull like a 1961.  Footrests and clutch pedal are 1960.

 

I kind of like the fenders, but I'm into customizing.   There are hundreds of Suburbans with the original fenders around, but your's are more distinctive.  Someone did a  lot of work to make everything work together.

   Jim

Edited March 30, 2019 by SPINJIM

[wallfish 18,244]

Except I would cut those fenders shorter at the rear support

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

  to 

[oliver2-44 10,784]

 Very nice, Interesting custom.  They did a nice job not to cut the hood. Make it your own, but I  will say someone did a nice job on it.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,I think your giving me some ideas for a pile of parts i have.

I have a set of Economy Power King tractor fenders and they look like an oversize WH fender......then add a custom aluminum, deck plate slightly oversize tool box Then add some 15" rear tires to fill in the larger fenders........ (as if I don't have enough projects.) 

@cudakid I'd appreciate if you would share some pictures of that steering shaft modification and how they lifted the hood.

[Racinbob 11,991]

That could be why they used the coupler on the steering shaft but I don't see why. The shaft is supported by the hoodstand and the hood goes up it must move back as well so the shaft remains in the hood hole. Definitely a 60 hood and the push/pull holes were drilled in the wrong spot. All the modifications done look to be thought out and well done. The brake pedal extension, the mods to the lift arm and the fenders were well done. In a way the fenders kinda grow on me They remind me of an old orchard tractor. 

[LengerichKA88 1,883]

Sounds like it’s going to be a lot of work, might as well just not even deal with it. I’ll be gracious enough to come take it off your hands

 

Thats a good looking little tractor, I’d love to find a round hood for the kids to ride around on. No matter what you do with it it’ll just be happy to be used. Welcome to Red Square! 

Edited March 30, 2019 by LengerichKA88
Atrocious Spelling errors/precoffee

[cudakid 50]

 Made a couple laps around the yard. Definitely need to wrap the exhaust and it doesn't want to hold 3rd gear. It'll pop out after a few seconds. Other than that, I'm tickled. 

 

Here are some more pics of hood spacers and steering linkage.

[cudakid 50]

[Pullstart 67,094]

Nice Horse and  to , @cudakid!  Though it’s not mine, I’d suggest trimming the fenders a bit too... but that’s just me.  Maybe just enjoy it as you said, that always works!

[WHX?? 51,919]

 Cuda and thanks for the pics.

I'm afraid your transmission will have to come apart to fix that popping out of gear problem. You have a bad  3523 gear in there. It comes from trying to shift on the fly which is a no no.

Fortunately ther are the parts and know how here to fix it. Here is the gear you will need.

  

https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/transmissions.html#!/3523-3rd-gear/p/84932562/category=23548039

 

Yours will look like the one on the left, should look like the one on the right

 

@stevasaurus Has how to videos on these transmission and are easy to open up. Not to mention many other experts here on them.

Pic courtesy of Lowell

Edited March 30, 2019 by WHX22

[ebinmaine 73,034]

@oliver2-44

I've been tossing around the idea of making a big rear wheel horse myself.

Long frame. 8 speed. The 23 horse V-Kohler out of the generator, if it runs. Mid 60's fenders.

I'd be curious to see how you did everything.

 

@cudakid you've got yourself quite a nice Runner there. Don't sweat that 3rd Gear Repair. Pretty easy to do.

 

[Daddy Don 909]

[Racinbob 11,991]

Along with the 3523 Jim mentioned the input gear/shaft might be suspect. Do this test before you open the transmission. Put the transmission in third. You'll feel the shifter balls slip into the detents on the rails. Then, with it in third gear see if there's any in/out play on the input pulley. There should be none. If there is, determine how much and make note of it. You'll need to get a 3/4" ID arbor shim of that thickness to slip on the input shaft as you reassemble things. That play represents the amount the 3523 gear can and will disengage from the input gear as you're running it.