JCMLDB 5 #1 Posted April 8 Hello! Hoping someone might be able to help me. I have largely completed a restoration of my 1961 Suburban 551 that was bought new and has sat in a shed for 50 years, but I’m missing a belt guard. There is one for sale on e-bay, but it’s expensive and I want to be sure I’m buying the right one for my tractor. I think it’s correct after going through the past posts. I think I need the one with the cross raised ridges. The eBay listing is at: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126316588705. Mine has the 5.5hp engine. If a member could confirm I would be much appreciative! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,004 #2 Posted April 8 to the forum. I'm not a Suburban guy, but one will probably be by shortly. Good bunch of people here. Collectivally, I think we've probably broken and fixed everything on a Wheel Horse that can be broken and fixed. The majority of are willing to offer advice. A surprising amount will be helpful - but, there are always those jokers out there..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,884 #3 Posted April 8 Jake is a pretty smart fella. I don’t know about the value, but if he says it’s correct it probably is. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 221 #4 Posted April 9 (edited) It is the correct one. It is the thin belt guard used on the 551. Just checked the parts book and my early 551 with the Suburban metal tag serial #; that is the correct guard. Mine has the extra hole as well. Apparently all the 3999 guards had the extra hole so they could be used on both the 3 piece and 2 piece transmissions when they ran out of the earlier guards Edited April 9 by evanloock 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,993 #5 Posted April 9 If it's Jakes small engine site and he says it's the right one, you can take that to the bank. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,000 #6 Posted April 9 Whew, parts costs are shooting through the roof. I've bought whole Suburban tractors with a belt guard on them for close to that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCMLDB 5 #7 Posted April 9 Thanks very much everyone! Evanloock: I appreciate you helping me out. The last part is purchased! I have had the tractor restored by a fellow near where I live. He rebored the original engine which we thought was a Tecumseh but is a Lausen, replaced piston and rings (one bought in Texas and the other in Pennsylvania) sandblasted/repainted, new rubber, new decals, rebuilt starter +++ and exactly 14 months to complete. The guy keeps asking me why I want to put so much $ into a “garden tractor” as he mostly restores larger farm tractors. I say to him that it was the tractor I grew up riding on as a kid and has been with us for 60+ years and…it’s beautiful! It was parked in a shed 50 years ago and was going to be “recycled” before I saved it. Can’t wait to pick it up. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,752 #8 Posted April 9 (edited) 22 minutes ago, JCMLDB said: He rebored the original engine which we thought was a Tecumseh but is a Lausen, Lauson became Tecumseh, so parts are interchangeable Edited April 9 by oliver2-44 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCMLDB 5 #9 Posted April 24 If I could ask one follow-up question…I received the belt guard from Jake’s. There are three bolts required to affix it to the tractor. Could someone direct me to where I might find out what size those bolts might be. Again, thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
