My first Wheel Horse (Lawn Ranger) restoration

[Paul Adanick 32]

I've been wanting to restore a small tractor (preferably a Wheel Horse) for a long time. I finally bit the bullet and found a 1967 Lawn Ranger in fair shape and very complete.

My goal is to give it a "frame up" restoration.

 

I'll try to document the project as I move forward.

[troutbum70 857]

I think it looks pretty good just as it sits, a wash and wax and it will be parade ready. A very nice find.

[kpinnc 12,055]

I agree, it looks great like it is!

 

But, if you are going to restore it, you've definitely got a solid candidate!

[Ed Kennell 38,175]

It looks like it has been restored making it a  good candidate for a re-restoration.  I would be hesitant to restore an original  finish tractor.

[rjg854 11,361]

I like Ed's way of thinking, if your tractor  "IS"  original, save it as is, it's only original once.

[Paul Adanick 32]

I also would be hesitant to restore an original finish tractor, but no, much of the paint certainly isn't original. I suppose from the angle of the photo, the tractor does look great!

 

It seems that the previous owner liked to "touch things up"...unfortunately, he used some paint that didn't match or adhere well, didn't mask things off and

did some rather poor repairs. Not really a restoration.

 

I would like to put this machine back to original condition (or something as close as I can)…I'll even leave the "factory" weld spatter I'm finding. 

 

On some items I'm not sure how far to take the restoration: for example the "Quadrant- Lift" plate (Item 6, part number 5538). The notches are worn from years of use...do I weld them up and mill them back out or leave them as they are? They still work fine.

[dclarke 4,032]

That looks like a nice one to restore, you'll find lots of help here should you need it. I'll be following along. 

Terry at "redoyourhorse.com" makes all the decals for your Ranger and does excellent work. 

[Pullstart 62,881]

  I think with your reasoning, you’re doing the right thing.  As for the loft mechanism... do what makes you happy.  Nobody gets rich on resale... so make it the way you want it and have fun. 

[305 380]

The only thing I’d do to it would be to change that gas cap

[pfrederi 17,739]

You may also find that that #62 (5551)Plunger Lift lever is worn where it engages the quadrant.  Father bolted a plate on the quadrant to fix it.  (He didn't weld)  after I inherited it i put some weld on the plunger to fill in the wear.

  Father bought the L-107 in May 67.  $469.95.  Been in use by him or me ever since.  She is my chore tractor use year round. So much easier to get on and off than her big brothers...Take care of the front tires that pattern/size is NLA.  Your rears are not original.

[305 380]

Like this

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Looks like a nice tractor!!   The implement lift lever on the 65-68 lawn rangers originally were chrome.    I’m guessing yours was just painted.

[Ed Kennell 38,175]

4 hours ago, Paul Adanick said:

I'm not sure how far to take the restoration

IMO, while you are doing it,  repair or replace all worn parts.      

[305 380]

I like them with a bit of patina, but with excellent mechanicals.  Your Lawn Ranger looks better than mine

Edited June 5, 2021 by 305
Add picture

[Paul Adanick 32]

4 hours ago, pfrederi said:

You may also find that that #62 (5551)Plunger Lift lever is worn where it engages the quadrant.  Father bolted a plate on the quadrant to fix it.  (He didn't weld)  after I inherited it i put some weld on the plunger to fill in the wear.

  Father bought the L-107 in May 67.  $469.95.  Been in use by him or me ever since.  She is my chore tractor use year round. So much easier to get on and off than her big brothers...Take care of the front tires that pattern/size is NLA.  Your rears are not original.

Thanks for the head's up.  It appears that my quadrant had "extra slots" added by the previous owner (I have found a replacement).  It also appears that my plunger is badly worn, but I only have the drawing in the manual to go by. Would it be possible to get a picture of the plunger engaged in the quadrant?

[Paul Adanick 32]

15 minutes ago, 305 said:

I like them with a bit of patina, but with excellent mechanicals.  Your Lawn Ranger looks better than mine

Thanks!  I'll work on locating a gas cap.  That plastic one doesn't even screw on properly.

[Paul Adanick 32]

3 hours ago, Terry M said:

Looks like a nice tractor!!   The implement lift lever on the 65-68 lawn rangers originally were chrome.    I’m guessing yours was just painted.

So I stripped the paint and found the remaining chrome.  I need to decide whether to etch the old chrome and paint or have it re-chromed.

[Paul Adanick 32]

5 hours ago, dclarke said:

That looks like a nice one to restore, you'll find lots of help here should you need it. I'll be following along. 

Terry at "redoyourhorse.com" makes all the decals for your Ranger and does excellent work. 

I have an order in with Terry for chassis and engine decals. I realize now that I forgot to order the mower deck decal set.

 

I also just saw that you own my "next" Wheel Horse I want to restore...the '60 Suburban 400...would you mind sharing some photo's?

[Lee1977 6,659]

I think it's all original those Good Year Tires look new.  Don't think they were sold after the 70's.

[pfrederi 17,739]

57 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

I think it's all original those Good Year Tires look new.  Don't think they were sold after the 70's.

The original rears on my L-107 are Turf-Savers and say Wheel Horse....

[dclarke 4,032]

58 minutes ago, Paul Adanick said:

 

 

I also just saw that you own my "next" Wheel Horse I want to restore...the '60 Suburban 400...would you mind sharing some photo's?

Here’s the Suburban but I no longer have it. I sold it a while back to make room for this ‘56 RJ, I’m finishing it up now. 

[pfrederi 17,739]

1 hour ago, Paul Adanick said:

Thanks for the head's up.  It appears that my quadrant had "extra slots" added by the previous owner (I have found a replacement).  It also appears that my plunger is badly worn, but I only have the drawing in the manual to go by. Would it be possible to get a picture of the plunger engaged in the quadrant?

  Complete with Father's bolt on fix from the mid 80s

[Paul Adanick 32]

46 minutes ago, dclarke said:

Here’s the Suburban but I no longer have it. I sold it a while back to make room for this ‘56 RJ, I’m finishing it up now. 

Absolutely beautiful. Do you sandblast before paint?

[Paul Adanick 32]

59 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

  Complete with Father's bolt on fix from the mid 80s

 

 

It looks like you've welded up an area similar to mine.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

5 hours ago, Paul Adanick said:

So I stripped the paint and found the remaining chrome.  I need to decide whether to etch the old chrome and paint or have it re-chromed.

See if the chrome is still in half decent shape....if it is,try to see if it’s possible to remove the remaining  paint without damaging the chrome.   Then try polishing it with some very fine steel wool.    This worked well for me.

Having stuff re-chromed is very expensive!!!