Finally an oldie

[rydogg 186]

When I started my collection about a year ago my first tractor was a c160, second tractor was a c121 third was a lawn ranger and then another c160, but I kept looking for a round hood I really like the shape and style of them, yesterday I picked up my 653 which is a more common tractor but not in my herd of C series. I am probably gonna get this one repainted and repaired back to original, I have no experience doing this so your "expertise" would be a huge help if you can think of any details I should pay special attention to please let me know, I am going to strip it down and have a family member that restores old tractors do the blasting and paint since I don't have the equipment to do it then I will put it back together. A couple things I know I will be needing is the decals and a seat cover, I am sure there will be more once I get it off the trailer and into the garage to start tearing it down.

These are just some extra parts that came with it and also a Kohler K341 which may be the future replacement for the C160 with the HH160 Tecumseh.

[dandan111 31]

Looks like a nice old tractor,I have

been tinkering with a 654. It is just

about the same tractor you have only

my gas tank is under the hood. It

should look very good after being

painted up. I will not be doing a full

restore on mine but will be fixing

stuff and appling some new decals.

-Nice find-and good luck with the restore.

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Ryan... now that you own it, I'll ask... where did you find that old boy? Definitely looks like a keeper! If I can be of any help, you know I'm only 20 minutes or so away. B)

[Kelly 1,029]

Looks like you picked up a nice machine to start with, that helps not having to find lots of missing parts.

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

It looks to be a rather complete, solid machine.

I think you did good.

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Ha... I just realized... I can tell you where your PO got that tractor from! The LeSeuer show two summers ago! Center of the picture! (in my best magician's voice... "is that you're tractor?!!" ) Just in case you're at all wondering... yes, it is!

see the rusty scratches by the gas tank, and the dark spot where the nose is separating from the hood?

It was brought up here from Missouri by a couple of brothers cleaning out their dad's estate. He had been a collector/puller and had a whole bunch of stuff. Was a fun weekend.

[Lane Ranger 10,943]

Nice looking project tractor Ryan! Good luck with it -it looks pretty solid and complete.

[stevasaurus 22,701]

Jason Monk ...to remember a tractor at a show...2 years ago...and have a picture. How special is that?

rydogg...looks like an excellent resto. :clap:

[KeithB 6]

Nice old Horse, enjoy the restore B)

[Gene_S 93]

Very good find Ryan!!! You even got one of the hardest thing to find some times... The screen that goes on the front of the motor for your 653 is in the last picture in the pile of parts... Don't lose that... :party:

[rydogg 186]

Jason, thats exactly what the PO told me he said they wanted nothing to do with the old tractors so they were selling it all at the show. He still has a few tractors I am trying to get out of him they are a 1055 and a 753 both have the hydraulic pumps, the 1055 has the bug eye lights and chrome cover for the starter/generator belt the PO said this was a tractor that the dealers would get to put on the showroom floor to show all the accessories that could be purchased with the tractor so it is fully decked out and supposed to be pretty rare. He also has a few rj's including an rj35 but he would never part with them. I'm starting to save up some money for LeSeuer can't wait to go but I think I am gonna need a bigger trailer.

[kajamo240 3]

Nice find Ryan! Have fun restoring it!

Can't wait for pics!

[Suburban 550 28]

Nice lookin' tractor, Ryan. Looks to be a nice straight restorable horse. Good luck with it. B)

[Lawn Ranger kid 14]

Nice looking machine.

Josh

[rydogg 186]

Well, I got bored last night and thought I would try to turn my pink tractor back to red with some rubbing compound and polish, it worked great on the fender but the paint on the hood is too thin so it doesn't look so good, my plan was to get this tractor repainted but I talked to the PO yesterday and he said he was thinking of selling me what he called the "holy grail" of most wheel horse collectors which is one of his RJ 35's so I think this 653 paint project is gonna be put on hold for now until I see what he decides and find out what his price is gonna be I will just continue to rub the oxidation out and polish the 653 for now.

[BPjunk 184]

Ryan,

Take a good look at the engine block on your 653 to see if it has a fuel pump on the front side. I can see the fans shroud has been replaced but you seem to have aquired the original in your deal (the screen covering the recoil pulley is very hard to find). Original engines on a 653 are very hard to come by and worth restoring if so equipt.

Wild Bill

[rickv1957 72]

Ryan,nice ol tractor there!,Rick

[rydogg 186]

Wild Bill, it does have a fuel pump on the front, the shroud and cup were changed to put on a pull start but I got all the original parts with it. I cleaned the carb last night and the po reground the valves before I bought it now I am just waiting for the key to get here and i'll see if I can get it to pop off.