benjiboo 174 #1 Posted November 1, 2022 (edited) Hello again everyone...it's been a few years since I have been on here and I'm excited to be back in the "club" so to speak. After having sold my C-160 back several years ago I've been "horse less." I've found a little guy I'm going to pick up here in a few days and wanted to know if anyone could help me identify it? The person I'm buying it from doesn't really know anything about it apparently and just said it's a 1961 Wheel Horse. To me it looks like an RJ58? Apparently it has a 4hp Kohler and appears to be pretty straight and mostly complete. Y'all have a keen eye for this so what have I gotten into? Thanks in advance! 🙂 Edited November 1, 2022 by benjiboo 2 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,597 #2 Posted November 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, benjiboo said: The person I'm buying it from doesn't really know anything about it apparently and just said it's a 1961 Wheel Horse. 1961 401 Suburban. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboo 174 #3 Posted November 1, 2022 Sweet. What is the difference between this and the RJ 58s? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #4 Posted November 1, 2022 The rj is way better and it has a straight front axle and no lines on the hood 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #5 Posted November 1, 2022 1 hour ago, benjiboo said: Sweet. What is the difference between this and the RJ 58s? The Suburban front axle was an improvement of strength and durability, according to Cecil Pond. Structurally, that’s pretty much it. back to the club! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,073 #6 Posted November 1, 2022 1 hour ago, benjiboo said: having sold my C-160 back several years ago 2 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,073 #7 Posted November 1, 2022 (edited) 34 minutes ago, The Freightliner Guy said: The rj is way better and it has a straight front axle and no lines on the hood How do you figure? I think the Suburbans were vastly improved over RJs. Sure the RJ was simpler, but the Suburban (551) introduced the two-piece cased uni-drive. That design lasted 70+ years! And you can actually steer a Suburban... Edited November 1, 2022 by kpinnc 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,463 #8 Posted November 1, 2022 8 hours ago, kpinnc said: Good one! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,082 #9 Posted November 1, 2022 Twin lever controls make it a 1960 Suburban. 3 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #10 Posted November 1, 2022 Then a 1960 400 Suburban…. Either way, nice ride! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,281 #11 Posted November 1, 2022 (edited) The Suburban is a fun little tractor that has one interesting trick, If you don't let the clutch out slowly it will do a wheel stand! Your Model 400 has all the hard to find and very high priced options; exhaust shield, foot rests, belt guard, tool box with fenders and even a recoil starter. Good looking unit. Edited November 1, 2022 by 953 nut fat finger 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #12 Posted November 1, 2022 10 hours ago, The Freightliner Guy said: The rj is way better 9 hours ago, kpinnc said: How do you figure? I do have to admit, I much prefer scooting around on an RJ, but that is pure preference. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,082 #13 Posted November 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Pullstart said: Then a 1960 400 Suburban…. Either way, nice ride! Yup. 400 with the Kohler. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,597 #14 Posted November 1, 2022 3 hours ago, Racinbob said: Twin lever controls make it a 1960 Suburban. 13 hours ago, benjiboo said: I must be slipping. Saw the extra pull knob, missed the levers. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,082 #15 Posted November 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Achto said: I must be slipping. Saw the extra pull knob, missed the levers. I knew that you knew better Dan. I figured it was a typo. I didn't even notice the extra pull knob. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHGuy413 2,690 #16 Posted November 1, 2022 13 hours ago, kpinnc said: And you can actually steer a Suburban... Who needs to steer?? 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #17 Posted November 1, 2022 Well you can steer a rj if you cut you hand open and take apart the whole steering setup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboo 174 #18 Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) So would this 4hp Kohler engine be a K91 then? Edited November 2, 2022 by benjiboo Added pic 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,073 #19 Posted November 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, benjiboo said: So would this 4hp Kohler engine be a K91 then? Yep, that's it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,281 #20 Posted November 2, 2022 For what it matters the K-90 and the K-91 are the same engine. Kohler was also making multiple cylinder engines for portable power plants and the last digit is the number of cylinders. Pictured below is a two cylinder OHV Kohler on a generator. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,597 #21 Posted November 2, 2022 24 minutes ago, 953 nut said: For what it matters the K-90 and the K-91 are the same engine. Only difference is that the K90 is rated at 3.5HP at 3600RPM's and the K91 is rated at 4HP at 4000RPM's 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,005 #22 Posted November 2, 2022 Nice find !!!! Agree it's a 1960 model 400 The choke knob was added because they didn't know how to connect the choke lever to the carb or the carb was changed. That hole in the hood the knob is in was for a 550 and the key for the electric start. Plugged on a 400 hood. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboo 174 #23 Posted November 4, 2022 Ok so I found another one I'm probably going to go pick up this weekend. Is this one also a Suburban? 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,082 #24 Posted November 4, 2022 22 minutes ago, benjiboo said: Ok so I found another one I'm probably going to go pick up this weekend. Is this one also a Suburban? Yes it is a 1961. A nice one too. I don't think Clintons made there way on to 61's but if there was one sitting on the shelf the Ponds would have used it. I like. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboo 174 #25 Posted November 4, 2022 1 minute ago, Racinbob said: Yes it is a 1961. A nice one too. I don't think Clintons made there way on to 61's but if there was one sitting on the shelf the Ponds would have used it. I like. So the guy offered to sell me.this one for $500...plus an additional engine and a rusty mower deck that looks pretty rough...is that a decent asking price? 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
