tractor questions

[econo 32]

Hello I'm new to this forum. Have a 60's era Wheel Horse lawn tractor with a Kohler 181s engine. It's my son's but he recently moved and I thought I would tinker with it a little. Would like to find the model number but don't know where to look. Also it seems to be starving for fuel and I have replaced all the lines and cleaned all plumbing. Was wondering how much fuel should be coming out of the fuel pump. When I disconnect the line after the pump and turn over the engine, it just spits out fuel instead of being a stream, so didn't know if this was normal since it will only run on choke.  Thanks in advance for your help

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

Check up under the dash, above the key. Does it have a squarish looking hood or a round one?

 

Assuming the engine is stock: If its round, chances are its an 854. If its square it could be an 855, 856, 857, 867, and there may be some I'm missing. You can look through the gallery in the 60's and see some good examples.

 

What are your symptoms?

 

You may have a pulse pump or a lever actuated pump. The easiest way to tell is to take it off and see if there is an arm going back into the engine or not. If its a pulse pump I would say start by replacing the diaphragm, which is available from a member here, buckrancher. That's just good preventative maintenance. After that you may be looking at a carb problem, I would thoroughly clean out the carb as well when you do the fuel pump. There are sometimes issues with the throttle plate bushing being too worn so the engine sucks in too much air (see how much side-to-side movement you have on the throttle shaft). Others will chime in here with excellent suggestions as well.

 

Oh and welcome to the forum! And we love pictures!

Edited April 21, 2015 by bmsgaffer

[econo 32]

Thank you for your response. I've included a few pictures this time. Looking thru the gallery I was not able to pin down the model. the hood and the deck seem to be square. the battery is under the seat. It does have a pulse pump and the symptoms are: runs fine for a few minutes then have to leave on choke to continue. I guess my main concern right now is to find out the model.

 

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

I'm not an expert in these eras, but I can narrow it down to an 855 or 856, assuming the belt guard is still original. They are all pretty much the same tractor from different model years. They will have differences but they will be minor.

 

The battery should be on a tray behind the engine, but it looks like the tray is missing. The seat has been replaced but all of that's no big deal if he enjoys it!

 

And other than that... just the wrong color...  

 

Looks like its in pretty good shape!

If you can still read the spec and serial number on the engine that will get us the year, also assuming its original.

[Racinbob 11,036]

Looks like a great candidate for a restoration. Brandon sounds right on about the model. The tags was likely painted over and hard to see. If you do find it hopefully you will be able to clean it up and see the numbers.

[econo 32]

In fact I found the tag it says:    T   855     ser. 116127. Will try to track down the year

[Racinbob 11,036]

No need to search fort the year. The last digit '5' indicates it's a 1965.

[Racinbob 11,036]

FYI. In that era the numbering system went like this:

 

1st digit = horsepower (could be 1st two digits like 10, 12)

2nd digit = 0 was recoil start, 5 was electric start (3rd digit if horsepower was 10+)

3rd digit = model year

 

This is correct for the majority of the models in that era but Wheel Horse threw some anomalies in there a few times.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Racinbob

[KC9KAS 4,741]

   And thanks for the photos, but please repaint it RED!

[econo 32]

Thanks everyone for the great help. It is nice to know what year the machine is. Will make a parts list and check back later....

[papaglide 542]

For being painted to look like a Ford, it looks pretty nice; very tastefull. BUT like the others have said: " please paint it red "

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031]

Nice looking condition. Here is a manual in case you have not found it.

 

Garry

[econo 32]

Great thanks for that...

[prondzy 3,881]

Had a similar issue with my 856 dying on me turns out the gas tank vent hole in the cap was plugged. Resulting in a vacuum in the gas tank while running. Also had it over pressure while parked tank couldn't vent so the vapors pushed fuel out the carb like a stuck carb float. Hope this helps

[slovinski 42]

Your deck looks like it may be model RM364,  you will want to keep it well greased.  There are zerks under the caps on the covers on top of the deck for access.

[econo 32]

Well it was a quick fix to get her running. The mesh screen in the glass fuel bowl was clogged. Nice to hear that strong Kohler motor again. Thank you for the info on the manuals and the deck. all the photos I saw of an 855 showed a more rounded type deck. One of the covers is damaged though so will need to find one or fabricate. Also can you advise as to the correct battery/amps for this model?

[RedRanger 1,468]

Well it was a quick fix to get her running. The mesh screen in the glass fuel bowl was clogged. Nice to hear that strong Kohler motor again. Thank you for the info on the manuals and the deck. all the photos I saw of an 855 showed a more rounded type deck. One of the covers is damaged though so will need to find one or fabricate. Also can you advise as to the correct battery/amps for this model?

You've got an early model square deck (Prior to mid 1960's)  Another reason my guess would have been a 65 tractor.  By 66, WH was converting over to the more rounded stamped steel decks.

The later style decks may have been more efficient, but those square decks have a serious cool factor.  Nice tractor.  She's dying to shed that blue skin though.