Today's Haul - Clean and straight 953 Lots o pics and video

[Jake Kuhn 1,573]

Wow,that was a nice find. Hopefully I will be getting one this summer. Jake

[decksetter 50]

Wow,that was a nice find. Hopefully I will be getting one this summer. Jake

Whose would that be, Jake? Hahaha

[Martin 2,133]

steve, enjoying this thread on your 953.

the 953/1054 are certainly a unique tractor, i enjoyed the experience discovering mine while rebuilding it last year. there are a few things on them that really make you shake your head, the fuel tank being one of them. its one job thats simple on other wh's but very time consuming on these.....

looking forward to more updates!!!! :thumbs:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

I was offered a nice hydro pump for this unit that has been circulated from fireman to gnlark to racinfool and will now end up in this unit where it will be at home. I am not sure if I will put the gas tank back under the seat or leave it where it is? I can tell you that it runs mint and has a sound unlike no other. Sounds throaty if you will.

["D"- Man 827]

Hello Steve, really nice tractor there. The 953's, 1054's and 1054A's are my favorite models, I have a 953 that I am currently restoring and a 1054 that is my worker (for now) I did notice one minor thing that has not been mentioned, there appears to be a stud and nut affair on the left hand steering arm, however; this should be two roll pins (one inside the hole of the other) a 5/16" x 1-1/2" with a 3/16" x 1-1/2" on the inside. P.S. if I didn't already own mine and I didn't already have a fellow that wants me to make him an offer on a 1054 + extras, oh, and I was just a little closer I would up the ante to $350.00. Twin54 Mark.

[chris hall 5]

nice tractor. on my list for sure.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

All-

I got a nice hydro pump from Mike (racinfool) and installed it. Now it is installed, the brake/clutch does not stop the drive belt from spinning and I cannot shift gears? What would be the cause/fix of this? I tried with the guard on and it does the same thing. The manual calls for an 82 inch belt. The hydro pump takes up some belt length. I wonder if the belt that was on it was smaller since it worked perfect and the tractor came without the pump in place.There is a guide on the idler pulley and wonder if that needs to be adjusted somehow? When the manual calls for an 82 inch belt is that ID or OD ? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks !

[1054josh 25]

The hydro pump runs off a separate belt not the tranny drive belt

[1054josh 25]

I just looked back at the beginning of your post and it goes on the little pulley right next to the block. Im not sure on length but I believe its a 3/8 belt.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

From what I can see it runs off the same belt??

[JUSS10 250]

Nope! there are two belts. a 1/2" drive belt and a 3/8" hydraulic belt. the drive belt works just like any round hood of that era. you have your drive pulley on the engine, a pulley on the transmission then the clutch pulley that tensions the drive belt. There is a seperate belt that drive the hydraulic pump. its tough to see the pulley groove for it on the engine, but its the groove that is closest to the block, then that bet just runs the the pump so it always runs all the time. the drive belt goes in the second groove from the block, then you should have your PTO clutch plate. Hope that helps make a little sense

Justin

[1054josh 25]

If u check out martins 1054 redo u can see that there are two belts. But then again maybe th p.o. removed the double pulley for some reason and put a single groove sheave in its place. Stranger things have happened

[1054josh 25]

I can take a picture of the double sheave when I get home this evening if you need

[JackC 617]

Very nice. I too saw it on Ebay and was very tempted but I have too many carburetors to clean as it is.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

A pic would be great. I have 2 pulleys on mine I have to see if I have room for 2 belts in the cover...

[c161rat 185]

Nice score Steve and Love that Connecticut ingenuity with the Quarter!!!!!!!

[1054josh 25]

• 
  
• The one closest to block is where the 3/8 by 47 1/2 inch belt goes. I measured mine and thats the outside measurement since its all apart. Maybe this will help you. and there is plenty of room for both belts inside the cover. i hope the pic helps too. give me a hollar if you needs some more help always glad to help a fellow er out
  

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

Josh-thanks for the pic. I ended up seeing the inside pulley (hard bugger to see). Are you sure it is a 3/8 belt or 1/2 ? I bought a new 1/2 by 82 for the drive and a 47 x 1/2 for the hydro. I think you are right with the 3/8 but that is a really small belt...

[Lane Ranger 11,069]

It is a really small belt for the hydro.

Here is a photo of a 953 with the hydro pump removed. The 3/8 belt runs from the larger hydro pulley to the smaller pulley on the motor. The Wheel Horse/toro belt version of this lasts a long time if everything is aligned just right.

Here is a photo of the spot on our "free" 952 (Serial # 62-580 with the Ross Steering Gear) where the large hole in front of the idler pulley and drive belt guide.

You can see the Ross steering gear set up on this 953 in these two photos:

The Ross Steering gear was used on only the earlier 953 production models. I understand Wheel Horse could not get enough of them to keep producing the high demand for the tractor and chnged the design. The Ross Steerign gear was used on Interntaional Harvester CUB tractors (and that is a great source for replacement parts).

Another "difference" my brother David and I noted was the inside casting marks on the front hood for the grill and lights of the 953 vs a 1054.

The 953 hood is on the left and has no ribs like in the one on the left. The headlights ae also different in the 953 and 1054.

A final "differene" to note is the hydraulic pump in the early 953's. The two pumps side by side (real red one is a 1054) show the original Hein-Werner pump installed inthe 953 was about an inch and a half longer and had the fluid fill tube on the end of the pump. It did not have a threaded plug in the center of the pump that later models did. Also the side panel was "bumped out" in a rounded fashion to accomodate the longer end of the hydraulic pump. I will be rebuilding this original pump for reinstallation in this 953 that we will rebuild.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

ok

[4xfourfun 30]

Great tractor. I love the 953/1054 style tractors, they are a blast to drive. The 1054 parts tractor I just sold was in the 42xxx serial number range so it wasn't too far behind this one. Wish I could have helped you out on your parts!

[Martin 2,133]

stevebo, keep missing your updates, guess ive just got too much to do......

see you got the belt confusion sorted,

so how do you like the 953?

they certainly have enough differences from the norm of that era to make them interesting.

just got on my wifes 1054 tonight for the first time in a while and it was a real change from the others.

she just loves riding it around..

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

Well all I can say is that this tractor is NOT mine... It's my son's and he is riding it all over the place. (he is 5). Great machine and I think the patina on this one is just right. :thumbs2:

[1054josh 25]

Well stevebo did you get the 3/8 wide by 47 1/2 inch long belt put on and does it work like its supposed to now?

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,382]

Josh,

I did get the correct belt and just tried got it hooked up. Problem is that the shaft seal on the hydro unit leaks pretty bad. I need to replace it. part number is B-44. If anyone has one or knows the cross reference part number that wold be great. Thanks !