WheelHorseRJ 4 #1 Posted August 9, 2021 (edited) Hello, I came across this tractor and was told it was a 1957. After looking further I do not believe that is possible. But now have no idea what model it is. I am including photos but cannot guarantee the Kohler K 91 engine is the original. Any help would be appreciated I would love to finish it up and start using it around the house. Thanks Edited August 10, 2021 by WheelHorseRJ More Photos 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,363 #2 Posted August 9, 2021 I'm not a specialist on the older stuff, but 1957 doesn't seem too far off. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,221 #4 Posted August 9, 2021 (edited) The hood and cast clutch pedal with the 3 piece trans indicate it's a 1961 model 401 You'll need a belt guard to keep from grinding the gears when shifting into gear. The belt guard supports the belt around the engine pulley to let it slack off the groove so it doesn't turn the trans pulley. Upon closer inspection of the hood it looks like someone modified a 1960 hood. 1960 hood had that square hole and that's where the throttle and choke controls were located. 1961 used the push/pull controls like what's on there but there was a round hole where the square one is now and a big electrical box plug was used to fill in the round hole. The foot rests aren't original. not bashing just providing information Edited August 9, 2021 by wallfish 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,031 #5 Posted August 9, 2021 All Round Hoods Rock… no matter what year! Congrats on the purchase of your Suburban, they sure are sweet. It’s awesome you are looking to put it to work too. @stevasaurus is also from Elgin and is a transmission guru. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,325 #6 Posted August 9, 2021 After six decades of previous owner modifications it is hard to say if it started life as a 1960 model 400 or 1961 model 401. The one thing I can be sure of is it is a great looking Suburban. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse520H 708 #7 Posted August 10, 2021 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: You’ve got a nice tractor there. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldskool 6,663 #9 Posted August 10, 2021 Welcome. Congrats on your purchase. Nice little tractor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,363 #10 Posted August 10, 2021 How about posting a picture from the front and the back. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,878 #11 Posted August 10, 2021 Welcome! You will find your answers here as well as makes so many friends! Great tractor! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,420 #12 Posted August 10, 2021 Agree 1960 or '61 Suburban for sure. @stevasaurus lives in your town. Maybe he can stop by for a final confirmation? 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 11,439 #13 Posted August 10, 2021 It’s amazing how many sixty year old Wheel Horse tractors are still out there in garages, barns and outside locations where they were ❤️ loved and maintained, rebuilt, reconfigured and kept going because they were prized! You are a lucky new owner! You can get parts, information, advice (mostly good) and very dry humor from the Red Square Wheel Horse members - take full advantage of it for your tractors sake! 3 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,297 #14 Posted August 10, 2021 Very nice looking horse and Welcome to Red Square. It is a 1960 / 1961 for sure with that front axle. The original belt guards are hard to find, but we did have a member that was making them. Have to look around for that. What you can do so you can drive it without grinding gears, is to put some bent wire as guides for the belt. When you step on the clutch the belt guard would funnel the slack in the belt toward the engine pulley. This allows the input pulley on the trans to stop rotating so you can shift. This will work...Wallfish did this for Howard at the big show a few years ago. Notice one on top of belt and one underneath the belt. Need to be about 1/4" from belt. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseRJ 4 #15 Posted August 10, 2021 Wow thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate all the input. If anyone knows of a belt guard or aftermarket belt guard I would love to find one. In the meanwhile I will use the trick stevasauraus suggested. Does anyone know what might have gone in the rectangular hole in the hood? It sure looks like a great spot for an on off switch but I haven't been able to find a photo of what may have been there. THANKS AGAIN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,420 #16 Posted August 10, 2021 36 minutes ago, WheelHorseRJ said: Does anyone know what might have gone in the rectangular hole in the hood? On the 1960 models that cut out would have been for the throttle and choke mounting plate. You can see the throttle and choke levers in the picture below. On the 1961 models the Suburban's came with push/pull throttle and choke knobs like your tractor has. This is one discrepancy on your tractor that is makes it difficult to pin down the correct year. You have a '60 hood that some one has altered to have the '61 throttle & choke. Here is a picture of a '61 model with the correct hood, push/pull throttle & choke, and the round plug for accessing the spark plug. '61 was also the only year to use the type of foot rests that you see in this picture. '60 or '61 either was a good year and your tractor is well worth owning and enjoying. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 11,439 #17 Posted August 10, 2021 (edited) Joe Papke sells repo belt guards for the RJs, Suburbans on eBay. He also sells repo exhaust heat shields. He is one of the few guys very knowledgeable about Schnacke recoils for the older Wheel Horse Clinton and Kohler motors. Edited August 10, 2021 by Lane Ranger 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,221 #18 Posted August 10, 2021 There are cast numbers on the top of the trans to the right of the shifter. Still not a definite to what the actual tractor started out as but if the last number is a 1, then the trans is from a 61. If it's a 0 it's 1960 but it's possible a 60 cast case could be used for a 61. 5 hours ago, stevasaurus said: Wallfish did this for Howard at the big show a few years ago Think that was Howard's first show. Man, he was green! LoL Gears were a grind'n, tires were fall'n off and he had plenty of adventures that first year. 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites