RJ 35 1955 (how can you tell)

[trettig 0]

How can you tell the difference between a 1955 RJ and a 1956 RJ, 1957 RJ?

Tom

[trettig 0]

Also how rare is the RJ 1955, 1956 and 1957? How many are out there?

Tom

[grnlark 487]

55's and 56's did not have any name on the front of the hood. 57 did.

[VinsRJ 721]

RJ35s are fairly rare, they do come up for sale from time to time though. Nice restored examples and easily restorable examples sell QUICK and usually for good money.

Let me put it this way Tom, you've seen my RJs..... if I had to, I'd sell all of them except my RJ35. :ychain:

[trettig 0]

Thanks for the info.

[Redbirdman 7]

'Straight from the Horses Mouth' said the '55 has no logo and the name Pond on the trans cover.

Whereas the '57 has the logo and no Pond name.

But the '56 could have either or both.........

In fact in "Straight from The Horses Mouth" (endorsed by Cecil Pond), they state the embossed hood was 'introduced for 1956. And no significant changes were made for 1957.'

They also state the first 100 produced in 1955 not only had fiberglas hoods, but cable and spool steering and aluminum steering wheels (later changed to white metal).............now that would be a find!

Of course 58 is a whole new game with the angle iron chassis etc etc......

Anybody?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

I'd like to voice my opinion on two things in this topic............

First - the author of "the book" is a member here, so I will be as kind as possible. (nothing personal, Mike) Although a lot of the information was sourced from the son of the man behind , some things contained between the covers of "the book" appear to have come from the other end of the horse.

The more time you spend around these creatures, the more little changes and differences will be seen. Yes - they are a lot better than some other brands, but there are some things that aren't written in stone. Mid-production revisions, substitutions, and perhaps even an "oops" or two never made it past the factory walls - on paper, that is.

Until thousands of owners and collectors started congregating in large numbers, the ability to compare and actually notice the differences and the "gray areas" wasn't there.

Second - I am not ashamed to admit that the RJ-35 models are not one of my strong points. What I do know (for sure) is that were built in 1955, 1956, & 1957.

The Ponds were trying to get them perfected during that entire time. They were also dealing with registering trademarks, applying for patents, setting up dealerships, establishing reliable suppliers, looking for the best deals on components, designing the Uni-Drive transaxle, etc.

I honestly don't think they can successfully be divided in to three (fool-proof) individual years of production. I prefer to think of the RJ-35 as one three-year production run with many changes. I realize that sales receipts and dealer records could narrow it down, along with some of the unique traits. (such as the gas tank stand, cable steering, etc.) But - over 50 years later, how can a steering wheel, belt guard, hood, or any other removable part be guaranteed to be the part that was on the tractor when it was new? People didn't buy these tractors to keep them original and perfect - they bought them with hard-earned money and they used them. They kept them running and usable however they could. Even some of the OEM replacement/service parts were totally different than the originals.

Yes, Tim LaPree published his thoughts and interpretations on the RJ-25/35 models, but that was a long time ago. (internet-wise) The basics were somewhat easy to figure out, but even he admitted to not being sure on some of the stuff. If everyone who has an RJ-35 would compare notes now, the three-year blur might become a little more clear, but year-to-year smudges will always be there.

My RJ-35 is in many pieces upstairs in my shop. I honestly don't care exactly when it was built - but I know it's an RJ-35 and that's all that matters to me. :ychain:

[rj35hunter 283]

TT, you couldn't have said it any better. I have been trying very hard to determine the differences in the three years of RJ35 production and it's by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I have 8 RJ35 tractors and they are all 8 different. Even though I can determine some of their years easily, the others are kinda shady and I don't think anyone can say for sure! You can see some of their variations change and improve over time, but that is only a guide to help decide the year. I have learned this is what makes this hobby interesting and very challenging!

Clay

[Redbirdman 7]

So then: we have established that the cable steer does exist and is probably one of the first 100 produced? Or not? Perhaps the replaced cables were tossed in a box and later used to refurbish a hulk? And the hood is not any indicator since it would be interchangeable in all three years? (as with the Pond Logo)...

And that Straight from the Horses Mouth is only 50 percent reliable (but Mr. Martino is still a good guy?)

Other than that, everything else is ok

hmmmmmmmmmmm I like this place, my kinda people! :D

[grnlark 487]

... Whereas the '57 has the logo and no Pond name.

I'll have to disagree with this statement, as my '57 has the name on the hood, and does say Pond on the trans case.

[VinsRJ 721]

The reason I didn't chime in on this thread as hard as others have is this is like the "value" question. There is no real straight answer........

Like TT and RJ35Hunter said, pretty much no two are alike. They were built in a garage with whatever parts were on hand at that time or even that day. There are countless documented examples where 55 parts are found on a 56s and 56 parts are found on a 57s. Deciding the year of production is measured with your thumb not a micrometer. You have to take in account the entire tractor...... hood, seat, rear hitch, frame, even the steering shaft can tell you whether it was an iron wheel unit or not..... and then you need to account for the passage of time...... repairs, part swaps and abuse..... all prior to narrowing down the year. :ychain:

[CasualObserver 3,408]

So then: we have established that the cable steer does exist

"We" didn't have any doubt.

There was one or two sold on ebay a while ago. (or not sold and a private deal made... )I don't remember which. There's probably pictures here somewhere... or at the very least a couple threads about it.

Here's a few.

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8553

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=13085

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=16779

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

so were all wheel horses before 1969 put together by hand by cecil and elmer pond? like for example a 1956 rj35

Edited March 14 by The Freightliner Guy

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,333]

7 hours ago, The Freightliner Guy said:

so were all wheel horses before 1969 put together by hand by cecil and elmer pond? like for example a 1956 rj35

All tractors prior to the 1958 RJ were hand built. In 58 they started and assembly line but still hand built if you will