Another....... What is it Question

[Horseoholic 233]

Got another one of those Wheel Horse identity issues and I'm hoping to get a little guidance and information here. Got this old Girl here recently at a consignment sale , I always loved these models with the fuel tank in the rear of the hood with the hood forming around it and the rounded fenders, Problem is...... She's missing her belt guard that had the model number on it and I've read that Wheel Horse wasn't good at keeping record of serial numbers to year of manufacturer , so I'm limited to what I think with the location of the fuel tank (correct me if I'm wrong) this style was only done between 1961 to 1964 ????         Pictures that I have seen makes me think this one is a model 701 (1961) just because it's the only one I have seen with the long oblong foot rests is this correct ? I'm including pictures of other areas like the bottom of the fuel tank.....I was told these tanks are 2 piece , .....mine appears to be 1 piece , is this  correct ?? The rear fenders look like they are on backwards , the brake / clutch pedal along with the brake linkage rod seems to be installed wrong , and can anyone tell me if that dash panel is correct ????  I haven't seen any others with a toggle switch in the middle of the dash panel . Let me know what you all think , I'M guessing the engine that is supposed to be in her is a Kohler  k161 ? It will be Quite awhile to get to her , there's at least 4 other projects ahead of her, so any early input is greatly appreciated

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,333]

No slots in the grill and those footrests make me think it’s a 1961 model 701.

  Seat spring and fenders are on backwards.

  She’s a project….but aren’t they all 

[kpinnc 14,758]

Agreed. It appears at least to have started life as a 701.

[wallfish 18,275]

I'm on the 701 bandwagon

[ri702bill 9,573]

5 minutes ago, wallfish said:

I'm on the 701 bandwagon

Ditto - The pointed rear fenders with the strap supports, the straight shifter, and no cut-out for the parking brake lever, 'cause there ain't one - all confirm it is (was) a 1961 701.

[Achto 29,436]

Along with the above observations, it also has the thick fan gear on the steering shaft. Another 701 only feature.

[ri702bill 9,573]

Not seeing a starter button or ammeter, only the 2" plug with an on/off switch like a 502.... I wonder if this one had a rope start motor in it at one time .....

 

And yes, Mike, the entire tool box is on backwards - look where the lift cable cut-out is - wrong side.

Edited April 29, 2022 by ri702bill

[Achto 29,436]

55 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Not seeing a starter button or ammeter, only the 2" plug with an on/off switch like a 502.

 

Yep, definitely the wrong dash plate on this tractor. It should have a plastic dash plate.

Edited April 29, 2022 by Achto

[953 nut 60,437]

Your serial number shows up as a 701 on Garry's serial number list.

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=58246&quick=1&type=downloads_file

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,539]

I just added the 58246 to the list.

All of 1962 models and some 1963 and 1964 models would have a 62-xxxx serial number.

 

Is the front axle also unique to the 1961 models?

[ri702bill 9,573]

Garry - I believe all the axle components are the same as the 1962's (502, 552, 702). As noted, the fan gear is 61 only.

[ri702bill 9,573]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

Yep, definitely the wrong dash plate on this tractor. It should have a plastic dash plate

I agree - and it looks like it was homemade out of flat stock - notice the square corners. Definitely not the 1962 cast iron dash from a 702...

Bill

[rmaynard 16,384]

12 hours ago, ri702bill said:

And yes, Mike, the entire tool box is on backwards - look where the lift cable cut-out is - wrong side.

 

When I looked at it, I said the fenders are on backwards. But you are right, it's the whole tool box and seat spring.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

12 hours ago, Achto said:

 

Yep, definitely the wrong dash plate on this tractor. It should have a plastic dash plate.

Your choke and throttle levers are oriented up side down… sweet !  

[Horseoholic 233]

Thanks to everyone for your help in identifying this old Wheel Horse and pointing out some of the flaws in it , I at least now have a good idea where to go from here, Thanks again for all the help. On a final note...…. About the fuel tank question , I mentioned it has a one piece tank, I was told that these styles of tractors had a 2 piece (plate and gasket bolted to bottom of tank) do you all think that this is the correct tank in it , is it only specific for 701's to have a one piece tank ? Thanks again everyone.

[Handy Don 14,150]

8 hours ago, Horseoholic said:

Thanks to everyone for your help in identifying this old Wheel Horse and pointing out some of the flaws in it , I at least now have a good idea where to go from here, Thanks again for all the help. On a final note...…. About the fuel tank question , I mentioned it has a one piece tank, I was told that these styles of tractors had a 2 piece (plate and gasket bolted to bottom of tank) do you all think that this is the correct tank in it , is it only specific for 701's to have a one piece tank ? Thanks again everyone.

The one-piece aluminum tank is correct for a 701 (and desireable--the two-piece versions are susceptible to leaking and are notoriously hard to repair). They were harder to manufacture than the two-piece and required a separate dash panel (as you already know ).

I personally suspect that since in the early 60's aluminum was the "miracle metal", that WH was looking for ways to use it and brag a bit, hence they had aluminum built in and visible tanks through 1964. In '65 the tanks became separate and under the hood on a shelf.