New guy with RJ58

[MAT7 38]

Hi Everyone.
New guy here and just picked up a lil RJ58.   I currently also have a 875 which has been in my family since new.
Being from WI I tend to use the ole girl year round so I wouldn't say my stuff are show machines by any means.  My brother has had a few other RJs,  Burbans, and 8 series tractors years ago but I never really looked over the RJ's that closely.  My deck on the rj needs to be redone yet but its mowing, I just need to get the kinks worked out.

 Now comes a bunch of questions as my 875 has always been my main go to tractor:

-Has anyone even put a snow blower onto a RJ from a suburban?

-With the lighter weight of the tractor how good are these guys for snow plowing?
       

-anyone have a K90 heat shield, belt guard, toolbox or fenders?  

 

[MAT7 38]

here is what I can hope to find out about this lil 58.
May be a early one as it has a k90, and welded hitch.
I'm not savy on the trans #'s maybe someone can shed some light on it.
Original tag says RJ58 and serial# looks like 4 digits ending in either 35 or 85?...?

[neil 2,410]

Welcome to Redsquare , that's a nice RJ to have acquired , there is a dedicated snow blower that fits the RJ but are quite rare .
you can get a reproduction  belt guard from Joe Papke , someone will be along soon that will give you his details .

most of all have fun with your new horse

[Ken B 3,164]

Personally speaking I don't think I'd bother too much working that old RJ, especially with a snow blower. It might have been somewhat okay when the tractor was brand new and everything was fresh.. The snow blade on an RJ will probably push up to 4- 6 inches of LIGHT snow.. Keep that 875 going, you'll be much happier working that one. Very nice tractors  you have there and to Redsquare..

[Brian01 481]

I agree, its more for looks, than anything...could pull a small trailer behind it for light duty work...maybe plow a small garden, etc

[DougC 2,641]

Hello and welcome

[JC 1965 1,530]

Great lookin little tractor. Thanks for sharing and    

[WHX?? 49,183]

Nice  RJ! Belt guard & heat shield can be had as repros, fenders & tool box not that I'm aware of but they do show up on ebay once in awhile  or from members here. Trans will either be a 5010 or 5003, should be a 5003. The 5010 trans differs from the 5003 used on RJ's only in the cast tab the brake band is bolted to. The 5003 is vertical, the 5010 is at a 45 degree angle (info courtesy of @‌Racinbob )

Where in WI are you at?

Edited November 2, 2015 by WHX5

[953 nut 55,863]

    to               Great looking RJ, love the turf tires too. If you put a snow plow and chains on it you can move some light accumulations of snow.

[stevasaurus 22,880]

Nice horse and Welcome to Red Square.  The numbers on your transmission just tell the date the center part was cast...nothing there really.    I would leave the snow blower on that nice automatic you have there...you want that speed control.  The mower and a blade would be fine for the RJ.  You will probably want chains for those turf tires when pushing snow. 

[Vedette 16]

Welcome to the Forum!
I am very new here too.
And have just purchased my first Wheel Horse........1958 RJ58 with a Clinton motor.
I don't have it home yet, but am working on it.
Can't wait to meet others and compare notes.
Brian W

[Brian01 481]

∆ 
 |  Also a RJ58 owner

I love it....neatest little Tractor, simple and look cool too.

Its about time for me to break down n buy some decals n such for mine.. Was gonna get a set of hubcaps off EBay last night, auction ended at 1 am, I fell asleep at 12:30..lol go figure

[Pullstart 63,105]

and you didn't set an alarm? 

[Brian01 481]

It wouldn't have don't any good! I was beat! 

Done even...see I'm still out of it. lol

[wallfish 17,084]

You'd be surprised how much snow those little things can push. I see others say it will only push small amounts of light snow but that's not my experience. I was pushing some heavy snow in decent size amounts one year with my RJ. Have since sold the blade to AMCrules and he was pushing snow with it last year.

I wouldn't bother with the snowblower unless you want it for looks. Those little 4 hp engines don't have the power. BUT, the blower you are looking for is a ST302. It has round sides so you will know when you see it. Borrowed this pic of another member's machine

[Racinbob 11,238]

You're right John. Not enough ponies for a blower that size. But with the pulley reduction accessory it sure would be cool........and fun.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

You might be suprised...   
by the work these little guys can do. 

[WHX?? 49,183]

Nice AMC, back in '58 that was about all we had.How many years was that before you were born?? ... not counting our respected senior  members  here of course.
Nice cup of coffee waiting in side when you are done. 

Edited November 3, 2015 by WHX5

[wallfish 17,084]

here is what I can hope to find out about this lil 58.
May be a early one as it has a k90, and welded hitch.
I'm not savy on the trans #'s maybe someone can shed some light on it.
Original tag says RJ58 and serial# looks like 4 digits ending in either 35 or 85?...?

K90 was a common engine for the 58s with some Clinton B1290s mixed in. Some later may have had the K91
That hitch is also the common hitch used. The early hitches used 3 separate pieces welded together to make the U shape for the top of the slot. Yours is the bent single piece.
Early RJs did not have a casting number on the trans.    - 8 = 1958
A 4 digit serial # could make it somewhat early because they made 20,000 or so or could be middle of the road if 9000 something.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,980]

Nice tractor and welcome to RS!

[cruisnblue48 835]

Nice RJ you have there. This is mine that I bought from Jdogcustoms about four years ago. As far as I know, fenders and tool boxes were optional equipment on the RJ-58's. Yours looks great just at it is sans fenders 

[Vedette 16]

Hi Dave
Do you know any Wheel Horse members closer to Pittsburgh (Butler) Pa.
Brian_

[Vedette 16]

Hi Dave
Do you know any Wheel Horse members closer to Pittsburgh (Butler) Pa.
Brian_

[MAT7 38]

∆ 
 |  Also a RJ58 owner

I love it....neatest little Tractor, simple and look cool too.

Its about time for me to break down n buy some decals n such for mine.. Was gonna get a set of hubcaps off EBay last night, auction ended at 1 am, I fell asleep at 12:30..lol go figure

Brian,
If you need decals toss me a PM I have spare hood and shifter decals.  I can toss them in the mail for ya if you give me your address.

[MAT7 38]

I'll have to snap some photos this weekend... but I got crafty and studied snow plow photos and started fabricating on from scratch.  Only thing is it'll all be stainless
Since I have seen a stainless mower deck and RJ on the board already, why not a plow?!