ARK Loader

[edwroy 138]

Needs some help. Purchased an ARK Loader - Model 550 Serial # 573 - anyone know what year this might be?

 

Thanks,

 

Edwroy

[boovuc 1,090]

If your ARK loader was meant for a Wheelhorse, it would have a Wheelhorse number somewhere on the frame. (normally near the top of the right hand column on the drivers side).

The 550 was given the WH part number 97-48FL01. These were meant for the D series horses though a few members here have mounted theirs to the C series or the 300, 400 & 500 series.

ARK supplied that 97-48FL01 part number from roughly 1976 to 1982.

 

If your 550 loader wasn't made specifically for WH..........it would be difficult to nail down when it actually was made.

[edwroy 138]

Thanks for your response. I did not know. It may explain the orange paint under the red.

 

Thanks again,

 

Edwroy

[Dieselcowboy 210]

My 550 ark is orange also. It was bought new on a D200 in the 70's. I got the owners manual with it and sales receipt., has a wh right on the cover.

[boovuc 1,090]

Interesting although they may have been repainted over the years or the paint aged over the years. (Maybe ARK used orange paint from the start). The ARK I bought when I stripped it was all WH red and very difficult to get off. It did have a little  paint on the cross beam where the WH logo was but it was either Regal Red or another close rattle can paint. Everything else was the original paint. Mine had to have been garaged over it's life considering the PM wasn't meticulous about his possessions. (The 312 it was on when ramairformula74 found it for me was painted 'Mother-Nature Oxidized Brown").

 

Goes to show that just keeping them dry and out of the weather means a lot! Regardless for dating purposes, the 550 ARK fits the bigger D series so if it was made specifically for the WH, it would fall close to those years of manufacture.