Ride Away59 102 #1 Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) Hello everyone, Last week I was at a small tractor show in Durham Ct. I brought my fathers suburban and my brothers rj58. The show consisted of big tractors such as farmalls etc lol. Everyone there loved the little wheel horse tractors. I came across a gentlemen that said he had a wheel horse tractor in his barn but he couldnt really give me any detail on it. We exchanged phone numbers and we planned a time to meet. In my mind I thought it was going to be a suburban or an rj58. Today the gentlemen came over with the tractor. It turned out to be a 1955 rj35 cable steer! It has the original kill switch still on it. The tractor looks rough but its all there but the motor. Iam very happy with this find!! I will try to get more detailed pictures later. Edited August 20, 2013 by Ride Away59 9 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,409 #2 Posted August 20, 2013 Holy Smokes Great find Al Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #3 Posted August 20, 2013 That is the real deal for sure !!!!!!!!!! Super find. Has the right rear tires too !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #4 Posted August 20, 2013 Looks rough? You kiddin me? With a little elbow grease and a little detailing I think it looks just right. Nice score! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #5 Posted August 20, 2013 Love those original tires too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ride Away59 102 #6 Posted August 20, 2013 The best part of this barn find was that it was only 5 minutes from my house!! Its been in a barn for years! Every thing spins freely as far as moving the tractor and steering Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #7 Posted August 20, 2013 I would clean it and preserve it not restore it, it looks pretty nice. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemedc 29 #8 Posted August 20, 2013 Great find for sure, awesome tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #9 Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) What have I been telling you? Be patient! Nice score! Interesting that it has an early brake kit on it too! Edited August 20, 2013 by VinsRJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dennist 139 #10 Posted August 20, 2013 Wow, what a great find from a local guy! Wonder how many of those cable steers are still out there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,554 #11 Posted August 20, 2013 Amazing find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,683 #12 Posted August 20, 2013 What a great find and a great story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55rj35jr 623 #13 Posted August 20, 2013 WOW!! Rare find! I've got a cable steer restored that was real rough, but yours looks to be in real good condition if I were you I'd just clean it up and leave it original....awesome tractor... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 479 #14 Posted August 20, 2013 Now that's awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #15 Posted August 21, 2013 RJ35Hunter is going to be all over that! Break out the check book Clay!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eriks Red horse herd 62 #16 Posted August 22, 2013 Like WOW another one saved. Is the steering wheel Aluminum ? Also is that a Speedex walk behind in pic number 1? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ride Away59 102 #17 Posted August 22, 2013 The steering wheel is iron. The walk behind is a pond garden tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #18 Posted August 22, 2013 Iron wheel will make it not the very early 55. It is what I would call "second generation" 55. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rj35hunter 283 #19 Posted August 22, 2013 RJ35Hunter is going to be all over that! Break out the check book Clay!!!!! Jeff, that is an awesome find but he has been looking or a RJ35 for a while & I got enough to work on for a while! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #20 Posted August 22, 2013 That's true Clay. I've seen the pictures of your basement/shop! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eriks Red horse herd 62 #21 Posted August 22, 2013 Would love to see a pic of your walk away if'n you please? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ride Away59 102 #22 Posted August 22, 2013 Its not mine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krazy_horse 59 #23 Posted August 22, 2013 Boy, What a nice find! As Kelly said "Clean it up and preserve it ". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LFDRET 21 #24 Posted August 22, 2013 (edited) I think your tractor is more rare then you think. from the pic's I think I notice thing that you would not see on a normal 1955 Rj. Please check some of the things in the list below. Early 1955 RJ-35 things Later 1955 RJ-35 Very Early 1955 RJ-35 Gas tank On tank stand Strapped to hood On tank stand Front axle pivot stop Solid steel across axle 2 square blocks at each end No Axle pivot stop Lift lever Solid 3/4 “ round Push button release Solid 3/4 “ round Motion lever No stop Stop welded on end No stop Engine stop Brass push knob Toggle switch Missing Belt tension spring 3 hole in rear to attach 3 hole in rear to attach 1 hole in rear to attach Steering wheel column hole in hood Oval Oval Round and tight Lift cable hole to hitch Oval Oval Round Primary pivot bar assembly Is wider than other early RJ’s Drive pawl in hubs Machined Machined One of them is sawed not machined (The other might have been replace with new wheel hub casting in 1971) Variable speed pulley 3 roll pins /3 holes for slide 1 key way for slide 1 roll pin / hole for slide From what I see in the Pic's The Steering wheel column hole in the hood is round and just big enough space for the wheel column to go through C. Pond must have changed it to a oval to make it easier to remove the hood. I do not see any Front axle pivot stop - axle stops were added later for safety. ​As for the Steering wheel - the aluminum wheel Broke easily and replaced with a cast iron steering wheel If it does have a round hole for the steering column, and there is not axle pivot stops. I do not think any one can disbute that this is one of the first RJ.s - VERY VERY NICE FIND Edited August 23, 2013 by LFDRET Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwl 75 #25 Posted August 22, 2013 Its not mine So because its not your tractor, you cant take a picture of it? Im confused. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
