Robbie C. 1 #1 Posted January 31, 2008 Hello friends i run up on my first round hood yesterday and couldnt leave it for the price ($50.00). The id tags are long gone and the kohler id is no help either I'm thinking 60 or 61 suburban because of the front axle but being new to round hoods i have no clue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #2 Posted January 31, 2008 Robbie if it's a mid engine with a Kohler my big give away id the throttle & choke controls. A 1960 would have lever center of the hood behind the steering wheel column. A 1961 would have push pull cables on either side of the steering column. Try & put a picture on here....that will help with a positive ID & also get a better idea what model you may have. "Edit" the pics did not come up 1st time I read the post....now I see what I believe to be a 1960 400 Suburban. Congradulations Robbie! Nice find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie C. 1 #3 Posted January 31, 2008 hey sorry about that trickster heres some more pics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #4 Posted January 31, 2008 Based on your info... you have a 1960 Suburban 400. (The Kohler makes it the 400... a Tecumseh/Lauson would have made it a 550) The serial number (if it's still there) was stamped into the plate that divides the choke and throttle levers. The top of that plate should say "WHEEL HORSE" the serial number should be stamped right below that and the lower section of that plate should have the shift pattern stamped into it. The serial numbers were done very lightly, and sometimes don't survive the lightest sanding or wire brush... since it was painted over... you might consider mineral spirits or another chemical paint remover on that section. Good Luck!! and Nice Find!! :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #5 Posted January 31, 2008 Looks like Stephen beat me to it with an edit.... lesson to be learned... don't forget to finish a post when you start it...!! ha ha! :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496 #6 Posted January 31, 2008 Robbie, Great find. And at a great price. It looks pretty good also from your pictures. I agree with Jason on the model and year. Awesome find. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #7 Posted January 31, 2008 Jason I think your ID was quite a bit more detailed. I only knew the throtle/choke thing...I didn't know about the numbers stamped into the tractor. I only looked at my post like I was putting the tractor in the ball park. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pond195520032003 27 #8 Posted January 31, 2008 Robbie, Great fine for $50.00 and a nice tractor to boot! i bought a suburban 551 a few years ago for the same price ended up trading it for a 4x4 show truck, the traded a radial arm saw for it back anyway Greg in s.e. ohio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #9 Posted January 31, 2008 You can see a picture of my 400 and another one from Bill P in the photo gallery. 1955-1964 Tractors There's also pictures of mine doing some snow plowing HERE I think Kevin B (muka) has got a picture or two of his doing some work here somewhere too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #10 Posted January 31, 2008 Thats so cute, its cool Nice find Robbie :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 11,878 #11 Posted January 31, 2008 Nice find! SC? Glad to know there are others down here! I'm in NC. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,131 #12 Posted February 1, 2008 Jason I think your ID was quite a bit more detailed. I only knew the throtle/choke thing...I didn't know about the numbers stamped into the tractor. I only looked at my post like I was putting the tractor in the ball park. If you look real close below the front screw hole, you can make out the serial number on this plate: Don't forget the footrest and brake/clutch pedal (and other) differences too..... The 1960 400/550 used strap steel for a pedal and diamond plate steel footrests. The 1961 401/551 had a cast pedal and footrests. The 400/401/550 used the 3 piece Uni-Drive transaxle and had a stamped "sheetmetal" hoodstand. The 550 had the battery in the toolbox under the seat and the starter solenoid was mounted to the front of the toolbox. The 1961 551 had the "new" 2 piece Uni-Drive transaxle but the mounting plate on the back of the frame (like the front-engine tractors) is flipped upside-down. The hoodstand is made entirely of strap steel and the battery mounts ahead of the engine, parallel with the frame. I'm also thinking that the toolbox/fenders were standard on the 550/551 and an option on the 400/401. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #13 Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks Terry, and good points on some of those other differences. I knew the battery on the 551 was out front, but I've never seen the 550. Didn't realize the battery was under the seat! I think I've heard before that it was "in the toolbox" but never put two and two together. I've circled the ID number for those who can't pick it out... looks like maybe a 35871 ? Hard to tell little blurry to me. Mine is #33445 or 33554, I don't remember off hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,131 #14 Posted February 1, 2008 I think it is #30872 (I looked at my magnified picture on my 'puter) I tried for two months to get (borrow) a perfect control plate for a 1960 tractor so I could have a company make new ones for restorations. I was actually going to have them done in clear anodized aluminum with the graphics printed on them so they would stay nice for a long time. The original steel plates can get pretty ugly: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie C. 1 #15 Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks guys loads of good info here, the id plate is still there and i pulled it today for a good soak in paint remover. im going to need a hood and a few other things to restore this tractor, I will post back with the id if its still there kpinnc always good to see neighbors maybe we can do some horse trading some time :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muka 9 #16 Posted February 1, 2008 Nice find Robbie. how bad is the hood be surprised what you can fix. great little machine simple but effective Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie C. 1 #17 Posted February 1, 2008 hi muka the hood is in very poor shape the front lower hood support is fully rust away and there are holes someone before me has cut just above the throttle levers, i think most would part this one out but i feel these little guys need to be save and one more cant hurt :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie C. 1 #18 Posted February 2, 2008 well after a good cleaning the ser# looks to be 24500. the paint protected the chrome on the plate every where but the numbers . anyone have tips on how to restore the plate without destroying the ser#? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
modracer 1 #19 Posted February 2, 2008 looks like your scored for 50$. i have always wanted one of them tractors there was one at tractor show i was at i was guna grab it but it was a little over priced lol my dad calls the the ball burner wheel horse's nice find!!! :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muka 9 #20 Posted February 3, 2008 Nice old machine good luck to you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #21 Posted February 3, 2008 If it were mine, I would try elbow grease and a metal polish such as simichrome. BUT I will warn you I have not tried this! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
