Suburban

[ML3 1,212]

Found a 1960 Suburban. Original motor turns & has compression, missing carb, air filter, & some ignition items too. He supposedly has the fuel tank. Needs parts for steering also. Paint/bodywork was done a while ago- it probably will buff up decent. Tires are new in front & rears look good. Transmission seems free & it will easily go into gears. It's buried in an old filthy garage surrounded by Bolens tractors. It appears like a lot of little things might be missing. Said he had a box of parts but the garage was such a disaster doubt he would find it. He said to make him an offer, he did say he wasn't giving it away though. I was gonna maybe try to hit him @$300???

 

He also has 1959 Suburban drop axle but it's a lot rougher. It's basically a roller. 

 

I really thought bout if I got it putting a Predator 212 in it to get it up & running while I hunt down & repair/restore original motor. Anyone had experience putting a 212 or any other Predator in a Suburban? I have a built up 212 in a minibike & it works great. 

 

[kpinnc 12,065]

Looks more like an RJ than a Suburban. Rear fenders were an option on all of them. RJs ended in 1959.

 

I thought all mid engine Suburbans (only made 1960 and 61) had drop axles and a different hood? Like the pic below?

 

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I've owned both a RJ-59 and a 551 Suburban, though both left a long time ago. That was the extent of my "burner" tractors. 

Edited April 26, 2023 by kpinnc

[ML3 1,212]

I don't know. I'm going by what the guy selling it told me. I kinda thought it was a RJ. 

[wallfish 17,002]

That's a RJ-58. Looks like it still has the Kohler K91. Typically not very difficult to get those running.

Missing

exhaust shield

Belt guard

Throttle control

Gas tank

Recoil starter

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by wallfish

[ri702bill 8,327]

38 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

That was the extent of my "burner" tractors.

 

No "Roasters" here, either......

Edited April 26, 2023 by ri702bill

[ML3 1,212]

5 minutes ago, wallfish said:

That's a RJ-58. Looks like it still has the Kohler K91. Typically not very difficult to get those running.

Missing

exhaust shield

Belt guard

Throttle control

Gas tank

Recoil starter

 

Kinda thought it was aRJ. It's also missing steering gear. He says he has it. 🤞 The items you mentioned it's missing are they relatively easy to obtain? 

[wallfish 17,002]

There isn't a steering gear on the RJs. It's kinda direct drive and they steer FAST. 1/4 turn of the wheel lock to lock

All of those parts can be had but they're also the most common parts missing.

Someone was repopping heat shields and belt guards so they come up on epay every once in a while

Maybe that's a suburban sitting right next to it too. Grab them all !!!!!

[wallfish 17,002]

1 hour ago, ML3 said:

but the garage was such a disaster doubt he would find it.

Mine looks like a bomb went off too but I can typically find everything. Get whatever parts you can. Especially the belt guard if he has it.

[ML3 1,212]

Just now, wallfish said:

Mine looks like a bomb went off too but I can typically find everything. Get whatever parts you can. Especially the belt guard if he has it.

I know there's no belt guard unfortunately. Like I originally said I may just put a Predator in it for now if it can be done relatively easy & w/o hacking up body/frame etc. Maybe over next winter I'll get the Kohler all rebuilt. Needs a carb cause it's missing. 

[wallfish 17,002]

You will need to make some belt "fingers" out of wire to simulate the belt guard no matter what engine it is so the gears don't grind. Once you get that far post some pics and we can help you make those fingers to guide the belt. It's fairly easy to do

[ML3 1,212]

8 minutes ago, wallfish said:

You will need to make some belt "fingers" out of wire to simulate the belt guard no matter what engine it is so the gears don't grind. Once you get that far post some pics and we can help you make those fingers to guide the belt. It's fairly easy to do

Good info bout belt fingers. Assume that's to keep belt from jumping around causing gears to grind???? 

 

Idk how soon I'll get to working on it, if I get it. What's a fair offer? I was thinking $300? As much as I'd like to get the other one I don't have room or time for another project. Also I promised my girlfriend id finish her she shed that we had built in Nov. She told me that after her shed is finished I could buy as many tractors as I wanted. 

[wallfish 17,002]

1 minute ago, ML3 said:

She told me that after her shed is finished I could buy as many tractors as I wanted. 

ALWAYS better to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission !!!!!!

The wire fingers guide and support the belt around the engine pulley to allow it to slip and not spin the trans. If the trans pulley is spinning then the gears will grind when shifting

[clueless 3,002]

Get both, they where only made once, girlfriends come and go .

[ML3 1,212]

1 minute ago, wallfish said:

ALWAYS better to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission !!!!!!

The wire fingers guide and support the belt around the engine pulley to allow it to slip and not spin the trans. If the trans pulley is spinning then the gears will grind when shifting

She's really supportive of my spending on hobbies etc. 9 cars, 8 vintage motorcycles, vintage moped, minibike, 22 scale rc cars/trucks, 6 rc boats, 4 rc airplanes, 2 boats, & a Bonanza airplane. All she asks is we go to church weekly. I promised her I'd finish her shed & I been working on it but weather has been cooperating. 

 

I'll definitely have to figure out the wire fingers. I think I understand what you mean though

[ML3 1,212]

1 minute ago, clueless said:

Get both, they where only made once, girlfriends come and go .

That's true! 

[kpinnc 12,065]

1 hour ago, ML3 said:

Needs a carb cause it's missing. 

 

They're still out there. K91s are as bulletproof as a K161/181. I gave 3 of them to the guy who bought my RJ, and the one on the tractor was running. 

 

Belt guard will be the hard part I would think. 

[953 nut 55,279]

1 hour ago, ML3 said:

definitely have to figure out the wire fingers.

A good cheap source of material to make the fingers from can be found at any shop that installs or repairs chain link fence. It is the heavy wire they use tgo stiffen the bottom of the fence so dogs/kids can't push the fence in and get under it.

[Pullstart 62,905]

2 hours ago, ML3 said:

after her shed is finished I could buy as many tractors as I wanted. 

My wife told me if I buy myself a brand new zero turn to keep her big front yard mowed, I could have as many Wheel Horses as I want!  At one point, we were up to 30 in the barn!  

 

 

[kpinnc 12,065]

3 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

My wife told me if I buy myself a brand new zero turn to keep her big front yard mowed, I could have as many Wheel Horses as I want!  At one point, we were up to 30 in the barn!  

 

I once told my wife that I'd make my tractor collecting a trade off. She could get a new critter every time I got a tractor, and we'd split the barn right down the middle.

 

By the time I blinked twice she had 8 goats, a donkey, 4 dogs and 3 cats. 

 

I got a corner in the barn, and feeding the critters cost way more than tractoring. 

 

I still don't know how it happened! 

[wallfish 17,002]

When she caught me sneaking one in the back I told her it was for her. ( It was a RJ-58 ) She still thinks she has one! LoL

[oliver2-44 9,756]

The correct RJ gas tanks are also getting harder to find. When (not if) you go get it leave him your phone number in case he finds that box of parts 

 

Get both tractors to make one   

Edited April 27, 2023 by oliver2-44

[clueless 3,002]

15 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

I once told my wife that I'd make my tractor collecting a trade off. She could get a new critter every time I got a tractor, and we'd split the barn right down the middle.

 

By the time I blinked twice she had 8 goats, a donkey, 4 dogs and 3 cats. 

 

I got a corner in the barn, and feeding the critters cost way more than tractoring. 

 

I still don't know how it happened! 

Of course you do.

[ML3 1,212]

I offered guy $300 & he declined. Said he wanted to be closer to $400. I went as high as $375 & said I'd come get it right away. I may try tomorrow at the $400 only cause it's about 30mi away. He said that he thinks he wants to hold off on selling it.......

 

Bummed but I can't see paying more than $400 for a non-running RJ that's missing quite a few essential parts 

[kpinnc 12,065]

41 minutes ago, ML3 said:

Bummed but I can't see paying more than $400 for a non-running RJ that's missing quite a few essential parts 

 

There are some people who will hold onto something until it's worthless, or until they leave this world over a misguided theory of value. Nothing you can do.

 

Not saying someone shouldn't be firm in what they will take, but sometimes folks are unreasonable because they think what they own is gold laced, platinum impregnated, solid unobtanium.

 

Your offer was far more than I would offer, and I think most would agree that it was a generous offer. 

 

I saw a guy let a Kohler powered 416-8 rot for years over the same thing. When someone finally got it, he got less than a fraction of what he was holding out for. As in this case, it was the seller's loss!

[ML3 1,212]

Guy just called. Said he'd take $400. If I want the other tractor he wants $200. So both for $600??? I didn't look close at the other one. It's definitely got the patina thing going. Hopefully he don't change his mind. Supposed to go get them tomorrow