1955 Country Squire

[PapaMorris 32]

Hey y'all,

 

I found this forum when my grandmother said I could take my late grandfather's tractor, if I wanted to put the time into it.  I have 20 years of aircraft maintenance experience, but basically zero tractor maintenance experience. Haha. So I snapped some pictures and headed to the Internet.   My grandfather was a small engine mechanic after his time in the Air Force and he always took pride in his toys.  Mostly mowers and the like, but he also had this tractor.  It has a wheel horse hood, so with my limited knowledge, I started here and that's where several of y'all helped me out immensely and pointed me in the right direction.   

 

I plan to head back to her place soon and see if I can get it started.    I guess I should ask for any tips at all for getting this ole girl running again.   I've watched countless hours of revival videos on YouTube.  Mostly vehicles, but also some tractors. 

 

First thing I'll do is check the flywheel.  It makes almost a full rotation then catches on something.  I hope it's not the coil pack (I can't remember what it's called) loose in there.  

 

Anyway, thanks for the hospitality and all the info thus far. I can't wait to hear her run again. 

[PapaMorris 32]

[PapaMorris 32]

[Pullstart 64,491]

Though there are many differences, I just want to point out that out that Wheel Horse, before the Wheel Horse brand, was Pond Garden Tractors.  Pond started with 50 lever steer tractors built, then 500 Ride Away Seniors.  They were built using a Model A transmission, and rear end as well. As rare as they are, I am fortunate enough to have found with the help of a friend a Senior for my wife, and Lever Steer for myself.  
 

These are incredibly capable machines, given the massive torque from the long stroke engines, and the big gear reduction portal boxes on the rear.

 

Once you have this machine up and running, there will be lots of noises from the straight cut gears.  Enjoy them!

[AMC RULES 37,145]

@Pullstart

 

500 Ride-Away Seniors? 

Where does that number come from? 

[Pullstart 64,491]

43 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

@Pullstart

 

500 Ride-Away Seniors? 

Where does that number come from? 

Straight From The Horse’s Mouth, no?  If I’m wrong please correct me. 

[953 nut 57,854]

7 hours ago, PapaMorris said:

flywheel.  It makes almost a full rotation then catches on something.

Have you remover the spark plug and attempted a full rotation, could be a bit of water in there.           

[WHX?? 50,698]

2 hours ago, AMC RULES said:

500 Ride-Away Seniors? 

Where does that number come from? 

That's how many Seniors he WISHED he had. 

 

In case I haven't done so  Papa

9 hours ago, PapaMorris said:

20 years of aircraft maintenance experience,

You and @Andy N. could really talk shop then.

 

Start by giving her a bath followed by the new to you check list. Many things on the checklist won't apply but some  will. 

 

Edited April 17 by WHX??

[ebinmaine 70,696]

2 hours ago, AMC RULES said:

@Pullstart

 

500 Ride-Away Seniors? 

Where does that number come from? 

 

 

 

Hi Craig! 

[ebinmaine 70,696]

10 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Many things on the checklist won't apply but some  will. 

 

 

Agreed. A lot of that stuff is model specific but there are many many things that we all added just because of Common Sense.

[Andy N. 2,271]

On 4/16/2025 at 11:03 PM, PapaMorris said:

I have 20 years of aircraft maintenance experience,

 

 fellow AMT @PapaMorris. Looks like a you have a great project there.

[adsm08 2,636]

Rotate the engine in both directions. Does it hang at the same spot going both ways?

 

I know spinning an engine backwards is generally considered a no-no, but that's because it can knock it out of time and that is a test that shows if the engine needs opened anyway. Usually if something is stuck in the flyhwheel it will not hang at the same spot in both directions.

Edited Friday at 01:18 PM by adsm08