Second score in 24 hours- meet the 1277!

[Greentored 3,201]

If the Raider 12, (tractor #3) I snagged yesterday and posted wasnt confirmation of the addiction, today is. Buddy had this listed 2 miles away and dropped it off. 

Being kinda new to Horses, wasnt sure what it was but it had a Kohler, foot rests, and a hydro? Research showed most likely a 875, maybe a 1075. Nope. 1277. Never heard of them, but digging online sounds like a picked a winner?  One year only?

If thats the case, so much for a quick flip. This baby will live the rest of her days in my hands

I am 100%, completely, full blown addict at this point and its all you's fault! 

[D_Mac 8,593]

Wheel Horse's are like potato chips and tattoo's. Hard to stop after just one. Nice tractor, congratulations. No that isnt my tattoo.

Edited April 20, 2020 by D_Mac

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

I remember when I was buying up any red tractors I could find within a 250 mile radius! Tons of fun  ...the thrill of the hunt!

  Most ever here at one time was 16 machines. Don’t buy em like I used to, still enjoy them but find it’s easier with just 4 or 5 “ in-stock”.

Nice find with that 1277, and delivered is great!

[Greentored 3,201]

1 minute ago, Sparky said:

I remember when I was buying up any red tractors I could find within a 250 mile radius! Tons of fun  ...the thrill of the hunt!

  Most ever here at one time was 16 machines. Don’t buy em like I used to, still enjoy them but find it’s easier with just 4 or 5 “ in-stock”.

Nice find with that 1277, and delivered is great!

Man, I went through that with Coleman lanterns a few years ago. They are also a bad addiction but much cheaper than Horses. I bought every lantern I ran across, ended up with close to 150, and thought ‘now what?’ Ha! 

Finally had to sell off the common stuff and concentrate on ‘quality over quantity.’ 

So far so good, concentrating on pre 70s Horses and has to be a steal. Ol wallet won’t support too many! 

Sure am enjoying this though and can’t wait to roll into a show and meet you all face to face. 

[ebinmaine 67,268]

@Greentored you're heading a good direction if you stick to it.

 

I like the 70 to 77. I have a 1974 B and C series myself. 

Project tractors are a 1970 Charger hydro and the Colossus which is based on a pile of C parts.

Trina really likes her little 657 and 867.

Same year as yours.

She also has an 856 waiting for attention at some point.

 

 

 

All (?) the horse models from 64 to 67 are named using engine, transmission, and year so they are one year only.

 

Good luck. We know it's our fault... and we're not sorry!!

[Pullstart 62,785]

Congrats on the score!  I’m starting to slow down now with some 19? at the house... 

 

naw, who am I kidding!

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

1277 was my first WH, great machines, there is just something about the feeling you get looking down that long hood while mowing, good luck with yours

[Guest 88vic]

33 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Congrats on the score!  I’m starting to slow down now with some 19? at the house... 

 

naw, who am I kidding!

I'm at 19 myself, it's hard to say no when another great deal drops into your lap. Trying to control the urge is almost impossible. Glad to see I'm not the only one 😂👍

[Achto 27,502]

4 hours ago, Greentored said:

1277. Never heard of them, but digging online sounds like a picked a winner?  One year only?

 

From 1960 - 1967 the last number in the model number represents the year that the tractor was built.

 

1277 - 12 = 12 horse power, 7 = Hydrostatic transmission, 7 = 1967

1257 - 12 = 12 horse power, 5 = Standard transmission, electric start, 7 = 1967

502 - 5 = 5hp, 0 = standard trans, pull start, 2 = 1962

 

The "0" in the middle of the model number can have some exceptions. A 701 & 702 did come with electric start. There are also some one off middle numbers like the 1045 which is basically a 1055 with clam shell rear fenders in stead of seat pan / rear fender. The 633 was basically a 603 with a Kohler engine instead of a Tecumseh.

Edited April 21, 2020 by Achto

[tom2p 2,394]

you dog !

 

but gonna be tough to top the trail machine - neat and unique !

 

Edited April 21, 2020 by tom2p

[dells68 7,498]

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

Congrats on the score!  I’m starting to slow down now with some 19? at the house... 

 

naw, who am I kidding!

I gave up on resisting the obsession.  With at least 26 horses I’m one sick dude!

[AMC RULES 37,127]

 You're just getting started. 

[Greentored 3,201]

Thanks guys!

 @ebinmaine and @Achto ok Im an idiot haha, never really thought of it that way, according to model number they all are indeed 'one year' builds back then. I ran across stuff online when searching "1277" and it appeared to be an oddball, perhaps the combination of 12hp/hydro and footrest style or something, or at least a 'not very common' model. Considering I was looking for a possible Kohler for the 654 trail toy and couldnt find one, and now have two big block Kohlers WITH the tractors, still pretty thrilled

[Greentored 3,201]

8 hours ago, tom2p said:

you dog !

 

but gonna be tough to top the trail machine - neat and unique !

 

Thanks man! That ol trail bomber is a blast, and has a few of my buddies now looking for some form of tractor to do the same.  I built an adjustable wheelie bar for it and was finally able to conquer the 'impossible' creekbed hill behind the shop, riding the bar all the way up.

Cell phone GPS also confirmed a top speed of 28mph! Needless to say, shes getting a pulley swap for about half that speed, as anything other than low gear is pretty much useless in the woods if I want to remain sitting on the seat

[tom2p 2,394]

did a fair amount of off road stuff with our 704 - through tight / dense woods and sometimes over small saplings ... would carry a saw for the bigger stuff 

 

we were making and opening dirt bike trails 

 

hood took a beating unfortunately - but no other issues 

 

still have the tractor - stuffed in a garage - but have not used it for around 20 years 

 

 

 

 

pulled this car (pictured below) with that 704 

 

car died - and was blocking driveway  ;  slight grade so could not push - so hooked strap around control arm to the tractor and pulled the car 

 

Edited April 21, 2020 by tom2p

[Greentored 3,201]

@tom2p  OOH, 69 4-4-2!!!???

[tom2p 2,394]

42 minutes ago, Greentored said:

@tom2p  OOH, 69 4-4-2!!!???

yeah - I had two 69's - that 69 442 and a 69 Hurst Olds

the 442 was originally from the west - clean and straight ; almost rust free other than some surface rust ... barely any surface rust on the frame 

 

[Greentored 3,201]

Alright fellas, got the fuel pump cleaned out and functioning, flushed tank, new lines, battery, plug wire, one rear tube (original WH tires, rough but functional!) filed the points and drove her on the trailer to take home (tractors in the shop are becoming a work distraction ha)

She ran but not well and kept 'cutting out', a new set of points and condenser and she purrs like a kitten- and no smoke- gotta love that!

After spacing my garden rows to where the 520H just fits between for dragging the disc (or future cultivator) between the rows, I did not account for the 48" deck being on in summer and ran the deck wheel directly over nearly the entire row of onions while watching the 'beets' side. (fortunately, most of them are making a comeback)

Being that it takes a whole 2 grueling minutes to R&R the deck, think id better just keep this 1277 for cultivator duty, right? See- Im catching on, fellas- one does indeed need more than one Horse!

With that being said, can you all give me the lowdown on these beasts? Anything I need to watch out for? What do those K301s and Sunstrand hydros prefer to drink?

Wiring-wise, it has the standard starter/gen setup and a heavy, double eyelet cable attached to generator A which I need to touch to 12V to whirl it over, as well as a small, standard wire and end coming from the ignition switch start terminal, and no starter push button. This indicates to me that this would be a 'solenoid' model and it is just missing, am I correct? Which wire actually provides the 'charge' for the battery? Probably oughtta replace at least that one.

[ebinmaine 67,268]

27 minutes ago, Greentored said:

Wiring-wise, it has the standard starter/gen setup and a heavy, double eyelet cable attached to generator A which I need to touch to 12V to whirl it over, as well as a small, standard wire and end coming from the ignition switch start terminal, and no starter push button. This indicates to me that this would be a 'solenoid' model and it is just missing, am I correct? Which wire actually provides the 'charge' for the battery

No solenoid 'Red.

 

The S/G will START if current is fed, and CHARGE if spun by engine.

Neat system.

 

Check the electric section for the correct schematic.

 

Kohler engines of that era normally want HD30 detergent oil.

 

Transmission..... Could be ATF OR oil.

 

 

 

I've said a few times.

One tractor per implement is a minimum.

Yes they're easy to swap.

DON'T tell anyone.

 

[Greentored 3,201]

20 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

No solenoid 'Red.

 

The S/G will START if current is fed, and CHARGE if spun by engine.

Neat system.

 

Check the electric section for the correct schematic.

 

@ebinmaine thanks buddy!  Found a few schematics, and it appears someone in the past had replaced the ignition switch with a blade (light duty?) style and most likely wired in a solenoid. Think ill replace the switch with a heavy duty one and be good to go? Not sure how much amperage goes through that "start" terminal to the gen armature, but it makes a pretty good spark when touching the 12V+ to roll it over and start.

Edited April 24, 2020 by Greentored

[ebinmaine 67,268]

1 minute ago, Greentored said:

@ebinmaine thanks buddy!  Found a few schematics, and it appears someone in the past had replaced the ignition switch with a blade (light duty?) style and most likely wired in a solenoid. Think ill replace the switch with a heavy duty one and be good to go? Not sure how much amperage goes through that "start" terminal to the gen armature, but it makes a pretty good spark when touching the 12V+ to roll it over and start.

Oh WOW....  GET THAT OUT OF THERE!

 

Amazing what people think.... Or don't. Sometimes.

 

The switch you have is only rated for a few amps.

 

What you want to do is get a 70 amp rated switch from a known good quality company.

 

Battery cables would have been 8 gauge originally and that's okay if they are very new with no corrosion. You really should replace them with 6-gauge if you can.

 

I can get you some more numbers and information later on today if somebody else hasn't done it by then.

I did a complete wiring harness rebuild on a 1267.

 

[Pullstart 62,785]

For the wiring, in place of a solenoid if you choose to add one, you could go for the 953 S/G wiring with a heavy push button switch.  Simple on/off key to feed ignition coil power and a heavy button to provide the start juice.

 

 

[Greentored 3,201]

@ebinmaine whatcha think of Pullstart's diagram above? I can have a 60 amp push button here in 15 minutes. Think 60 would cut it?

Edited April 24, 2020 by Greentored

[ebinmaine 67,268]

2 minutes ago, Greentored said:

@ebinmaine whatcha think of Peacemaker's diagram above? I can have a 60 amp push button here in 15 minutes. Think 60 would cut it?

I think the best answer for you is... Probably.

 

IIFF the wiring and connections and grounds are all in good condition I would probably use that.

 

[Greentored 3,201]

Thanks buddy! Kinda like the push button idea even if its not factory correct.

Man, considering some of the stuff Ive had to wire and repair on these old musclecars, the Horse will be a breeze.  Solder and heat shrink are in my vocabulary. Scotch locks and butt connectors are not