What Year Is This?

[Internationalcub67 9]

I bought my very first wheel horse and I dont know much about them. I collect the old cub cadets of this era and no a lot of cubs. I am hoping someone can help me out identifying this tractor. The family I bought it from bought it in 1972 and its always been indoors. They believe it is a 1957 but there is no serial number tag. They lost all the manuals as well. The engine tag is still on there. Looks like kohler k91. I believe the tractor is a 1958 or 1959 from comparing pictures. What do you guys think? Should I attempt to restore this, just have fun with it the way it is, or stick to cub cadets? The inside of gas tank is spotless. Appears the machine was taken care of. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

Welcome to Red Square

That engine was used on the 1960 model 400.

 

[parsonsponyz 112]

Welcome to Red Square.

[ri702bill 8,311]

Welcome - I agree that it is an RJ, probably a 1958. It has the 3 piece transmission - it should have raised letters / numbers on the center trans casting that will identify the year - or at least narrow it down to 2... Engine might be from a later 1960 400...

[953 nut 55,163]

2 hours ago, Internationalcub67 said:

Should I attempt to restore this,                     just have fun with it the way it is, or               stick to cub cadets

It is you Wheel Horse and your choice.  In my opinion a real nice survivor like that should be enjoyed as is. Restoration wouldn't improve it and would remove sixty six years of character. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

Will not be a model 400 because of the front axle.

 

[wallfish 16,994]

It's an RJ-58. Same tractor as a1959 and none of them were ever badged 59, but they were built in 1959.

[Internationalcub67 9]

Thanks for the replies. So I guess it could be a 1958 or 1959? Next question is did I overpay for it? I paid $500. 

[Eriks Red horse herd 105]

I Think you did alright on the price. Especially  with the mower deck and the machine  not molested. Very nice looking machine. 

And Welcome ! 

[ML3 1,193]

At $500 especially including mower deck I think you did fine. I look at it like if you are happy with the purchase price that's all that matters. As far as deciding to restore it or preserve it you are gonna get a lot of different opinions.  I bought my RJ from @buckeyes as a restored tractor but thats what I wanted. He was so gracious to sell it at what I considered to be a more than fair price. In fact he made me another deal I  couldn't refuse on a 753 & 953 which both were restored by R&B Wheel Horse Stables. I like having some really nice show quality tractors. I did end up with a really rough Suburban that I turned into a rat rod, lowered with a slightly built Predator 212. Turns out I really like it now. Now I'm wanting a RJ or Suburban similar to how yours looks with maybe some kinda creative power plant?? I did a RJ with a 3hp diesel & it came out really cool. 

 

Oh & by the way........I must admit I've been looking at some older Cubs at the shows. I kinda like them

[953 nut 55,163]

5 minutes ago, ML3 said:

I must admit I've been looking at some older Cubs at the shows. I kinda like them

            your penance is to say three Wheel Horses and four Cecil Ponds; go and sin no more.

[WHX?? 48,813]

12 hours ago, Internationalcub67 said:

or stick to cub cadets? 

NO ... most of us have at least one oddball in the herd ... looks like that one is your odd ball. 

You might have to find a belt guard for it. It aids in clutching for shifting. I believe there are repops out there. 

 

 

RJ's are favorites around here & you did good on the price ... you don't wanna know what I paid for this one. 

 

Ollie @oliver2-44 I thought you said RJs are hen's teeth in TX?? 

Edited November 16 by WHX??

[Internationalcub67 9]

36 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

NO ... most of us have at least one oddball in the herd ... looks like that one is your odd ball. 

You might have to find a belt guard for it. It aids in clutching for shifting. I believe there are repops out there. 

 

 

RJ's are favorites around here & you did good on the price ... you don't wanna know what I paid for this one. 

 

Ollie @oliver2-44 I thought you said RJs are hen's teeth in TX?? 

Wow that is a nice tractor. 

[Pullstart 62,831]

@Internationalcub67 !  Nice RJ great patina!  I love the two tone wheels!  Maybe the family would be able to locate the belt guard if you gave the, a picture of one… it’s quite hard to find originals.

[Retired Wrencher 5,450]

@Internationalcub67  As you can see lots of help here. Enjoy the RJ and the site.

[Racinbob 11,048]

@WHX??

 

Jim!!!! What the heck is in your pocket???? I saw that and had to do a super zoom. I even called Nancy in and she agreed with me. 

[953 nut 55,163]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

What the heck is in your pocket????

Good eye Bob.                 Never figured Jim @WHX?? was a Hello Kitty follower.     .  

Edited Saturday at 01:26 PM by 953 nut

[WHX?? 48,813]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

@WHX??

 

Jim!!!! What the heck is in your pocket???? I saw that and had to do a super zoom. I even called Nancy in and she agreed with me. 

Lol ...I forgot I had that pic and didn't realize it either till  after I posted it!. good eye tho Bob ... 

 

Back when the flame was actually a worker ... good thing I didn't finish hauling stuff ! I had to put it in a safe place. 

 

RJ was supposed to be a trailer queen tho but had to earn it's keep pulling bushes. 

Edited Saturday at 02:03 PM by WHX??

[oliver2-44 9,726]

12 hours ago, WHX?? said:

 

 

Ollie @oliver2-44 I thought you said RJs are hen's teeth in TX?? 

So you're the one that bought Bob's RJ. 

Their even closer to hen's teeth now that you imported that one across the border.

Sadly, my barns so full of every color I wouldn't know where to put one that looked that nice!

How did you get it to Cheese Land, he's about an hour South of me!

 

Edited Saturday at 04:30 PM by oliver2-44

[oliver2-44 9,726]

On 11/15/2024 at 8:46 AM, Internationalcub67 said:

 

Paint on the edges of the nameplate suggest its an older restoration.  

But it has worn back to a nice used look.

Clean it up and keep it as is, or restore as your preference!

[WHX?? 48,813]

11 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

So you're the one that bought Bob's RJ. 

 

Your mistaken Jim ... I got that one from the Squonky in 2016 at the Big Show. Must be a look alike... 

[Internationalcub67 9]

I tried getting it running today but no luck. I was hoping it would fire right up because the inside of the gas tank is spotless. No spark at the points so I assume it needs a new magneto. Im not going to spend anymore time or money on the tractor. The front tires leak becaus the rims are rusty. Too much of a project for me. Im going to put it for sale and let it go if I can get my money back. Im in north texas near dallas.  Hopefully it will go to a good home. 

[953 nut 55,163]

6 hours ago, Internationalcub67 said:

No spark at the points so I assume it needs a new magneto

A bad condenser will cause the spark to go away too.

[WHX?? 48,813]

An old tractor show git her running trick is to run a dollar bill thru the points. Removes any residue from just sitting. @Achto and I used this many times with good luck. 

[squonk 41,051]

On 11/15/2024 at 10:32 PM, WHX?? said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought that lawn in the bottom pic looked familiar! Notice the difference in the quality of the grass!