Found an Old Horse

[gwgdog66 23]

My brother found this out in a field today. Pics are from his cell phone. Looks like it has seen it's better days. Anyone know what it might be? I'm going out to take some better pictures of it next week.

[bell 11]

1960 Suburban 400 or 550

[gwgdog66 23]

Where would the data plate be located? If it's still on it?

[tgranthamfd 29]

What would be a fare price to offer for the ole gal, if they know just what they have? Would it be a good starter project for a couple of newby's? Of corse gwgdog knows a bit more than I do, for now. :drool:

[bell 11]

To me, $100 would be a fair price. Just my opinion. I would offer $50 and go from there. It looks to be fairly solid.

There wouldn't be any data tag on these... Just a Serial Number sticker that would have been on the framerail, towards the front... But, it's probably LONG GONE.

Best of luck getting ahold of it and keep us updated! :omg:

[Prater 76]

Cool Find,

I have come across a few around here but the people want stupid money for them...

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Just a Serial Number sticker that would have been on the frame rail, towards the front... But, it's probably LONG GONE.

That would be if it's a 1961 401... the serial number on the 400 and 550 was on the choke/throttle control plate. (unfortunately, also probably LONG gone.)

I'll agree with the $50-100... seems fair to me.

[linen beige 15]

There wouldn't be any data tag on these... Just a Serial Number sticker that would have been on the framerail, towards the front...

Pssst, Jon, You're thinking RJ.

This looks like a 1960. As Bell said there were two models in '60. The 400 used a Kohler K-91 recoil start with a few having used Clinton recoil starts. The 550 used a lauson (Tecumseh) that had both electric and recoil. If it is a '60 it would have a rectangular hole behind the steering shaft for the engine controls. The serial number was stamped into a plate that covered this hole so the '60s didn't use a sticker. If you find evidence of it having a battery and solenoid in the tool box it was a 550.

There is a slight chance that it is a 1961 model 401. They also used a Kohler K-91 recoil start, but had knobs on the dash for engine controls and had a large round hole behind the steering shaft. Some '61s had serial number tags on the hood stands and some used stickers. The '61s used a cast clutch brake pedal and this one looks to have the flat steel pedal used in '60.

As for $ value, if it is a '60 and still has the engine control levers they are hard to find and up the value. The sheet metal looks pretty good and it has the tool box and fenders. Check out the transmission the best you can. Try to roll it at least one full turn of the back wheels. If the differential is bad the wheels will likely turn almost a full turn then one wheel will stop turning. Also make sure it shifts into all the gears. The rubber boot around the shifter is probably long gone and the trans case is likely filled with water and crud. This could make it hard to roll but it can be cleaned up.

Look over the mower deck for rust through and check out the gear drive and spindles. If everything looks good the value goes up.

Another thing to consider is the wheels. The fronts (and some rears) were originally filled with a calcium fluid that rusted the rims from the inside out. Rims can look like they only have surface rust but when probed with a pick prove to be eaten away. Also the tires can get very hard and may look like they are inflated until weight is put on them. If the rims are solid and the tires decent the value goes up.

I notice the hood is off yet the steering shaft is still in place. That could mean that the hood was cut to get it off. If just a slot was cut then it wouldn't be too hard to fix. At least the back of the hood is still there. A lot of these are missing a few inches from that area. The fuel tank is worth a bit too. IF it isn't rusted out.

I'd say $100 isn't too far out of line if it's not completely worn out, but I'd offer less and see what happens.

[ol550 830]

Would not the deck engagement lever on the deck make it a '61? Mike

[gwgdog66 23]

Thanks all for the information I think my brother has been bit by the Wheel Horse bug. tgranthamfd

Since he is the only one that knows where it is, I think he may make an offer. Offer $25 for each tire, and haul the rest off for free.

[linen beige 15]

Would not the deck engagement lever on the deck make it a '61? Mike

Good point Mike, but the deck may not be original. The machine could also have sat unsold until '61 or later and had a '61 deck put with it. In the photo section I found a 400 of Wild Bill's with a later deck (and a few other later additions) and a 551 of Duke's with a '60 deck (at least a '60 foot lever.).

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,557]

I was buying a bottom plow from a guy locally and he told me about his neighbor who has an old roundhood just sittin in his yard with no motor.... so I drove over, and knocked on the door to ask if it was for sale but the kid said no... I left my info and said call me if they change they;re minds. It is a shame as it looked like a good condition suburban with air in tires etc. The tractor would make an easy restore !!! they are using it as a garden ornament

so... i will keep checking in. if anyone has an old green one maybe we can do a little swap...

[tgranthamfd 29]

Got a little history on this Suburban, the lady was actually mowing with it up untill about a year or so ago, when the engine broke. She took it in to one of the local repair shops and got it repaired. I don't know exactly why, but she couldn't pick it up right away. When she got around, or to where she could get it, the guy at the shop told her he must have gotten rid of it, when cleaning up, and it was their fault for not picking it up sooner. Did not, however, find out weather it was a 4 or 5 horse or if she wants to get rid of it. With the time she has had to "sleep on it", it doesn't look promising for me. :drool:

[bell 11]

There's more out there... Keep searching!!! :omg:

[tgranthamfd 29]

Think I'm going to track her down today and put em on the spot, get a straight answer. If it's not "the right answer" guess I'll keep looking. :omg:

[tgranthamfd 29]

Things are looking up, they had to move and I think they don't want to haul it off. They said to tell me to make them an offer. Will find out tomorrow. Got a chance to give it a good once over. It is solid, trans works well, shifts in all gears. It had 1 engine control cable, and the hood is in tact and it did have the rectangular cut out behind the stearing rod hole, seems like it had a smaller round hole in that area too. The hood had one small ding in the hood on the bottom right corner. All the levers and peddels moved freely. belt cover is there, too. Other than the engine being gone , all I saw wrong was the lift cable was broken, and there might have been a spot rusted out where the lift cable went through the tool box, very small spot. If all goes well I will post better quality pictures tomorrow. Wish me luck. :drool:

[tgranthamfd 29]

Well, all is good!! I got the little horse for a hundred bucks. Banged some of the small stuff on the hood, (folded corners,and small dings), today. Pulled the stering wheel off and put the hood back on, and of coarse took some pictures. Will get them transfered to the computer and post a couple later tonight. Now where to start??????