Wheel horse bought . What year is it.

[Dieseltu 26]

Good day,  I bought this wheel horse to mow grass. It was on CL. I had been mowing this grass pictures for about 30 years with a Honda push mower but I can,t do it all the time. I was looking for something narrow like a snapper but they're difficult to find also so I started looking for anything narrow. So I bought this wheel horse  because the lady  replied  and its in nice shape.   I was told it was a 1957. But I did a little looking and it looks more like a 60s Wheel horse.  I drove it home and it cut the grass, after I figured out how to get the deck to run. I went backnm  then went back next day, and it starts right up easy. It's my first rider  and  I flipped it over geting it in the truck. and  bent the seat and broke the tail lights off. It came with a snow plow but I couldnt move it so I left it. It cuts about 3 times as fast as the honda so im real happy.  Saying that I wish I knew what year it is to get some parts I guess. The tie rods loose.  front tires, taillights, maybe fix the choke but it works . Its gonna need something eventually. So heres the pictures fire away. Thank you. 

[Pullstart 62,905]

 

Sorry to hear about it flipping over, they tend to be rear heavy when they are off camber!  Most recommend if power loading, walk beside it   You’re right at thinking it’s a 60’s model.  In ‘65 they went to the square hood and seat pan vs. round hood and round fenders. In ‘64.  The diamond imprint would be where the model decal is, but direct under the dash on the tower should be a model and serial ID plate.  Either way, the engine should be a Tecumseh or most likely Kohler but if that Briggs runs well, leave it as is.  You could easily reference any 60’s model,  it much changed in the gear jammer world.  We’ll reference, say an 857.  That would be 8 hp, electric start gear drive, ‘67 build year.  That will get you what bolt on items are needed for sure.

 

Have fun on your “new” rider!  They are better built than anything from a store these days!

[Pullstart 62,905]

As for front tires, model isn’t really specific.  Just getting something to fit the wheel like an 18x6.50-8 will be enough to get what you’re looking for.  There are vendors like WheelHorsePartsAndMore, K&B Horse Parts, or A-Z Tractor in our vendor site that could hook you up with many of the items you need.  
 

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/92-vendors/ 

[Pullstart 62,905]

And, lubrication and service…

 

If you’re changing the oil in the transmission, most any 90W lube will suffice.  The manual will call for 1.5 qts but I like to stuff 2 qts in mine.  There is a hump cast into the transmission case, so when draining it is advised to safely lift the front end as high as possible.  If the gear oil is milky, a flush with diesel or kerosene would be advised as well.  You can filler’ up and drive it around in circles left and right in each gear, then drain.  Repeat as needed to run it clean.  A fresh shifter boot will be your best bet to prevent moisture from getting back into the case if ever left outside.
 

While you’re at it, the thin viscosity of the flush fluid will tell you if any axle seals are in need of replacing.  If so, and even if not, it’s a great idea to check the tightness of the set screws on your rear hubs.  They are known to loosen over time and waller’ out the keyway slots.  If they are in good shape, tighten the set screw, then loosen a quarter turn, then tighten more, repeat.  You’ll be amazed at how much more you can drive it in, making small increments in either direction.  The jam nut is meant to be tight, but not super tight.  You don’t want to pull the set screw away from the axle.

 

And then.. chassis grease!  When lubing the front end, it’s best to jack up the tractor BY THE FRAME not the axle, to let the axle, spindles, etc. droop and allow grease into where it is needed the most.

 

After that service, you’ll be golden!

[Dieseltu 26]

Yes, It is electric start, The transmission has a low high and reverse. It starts right up with no choke, and it runs great. I was real  happy getting that grass cut sitting. I should of done something 30 years ago. . It sounds just like the ones on You tube. Id really like to change one tie rod end. and put new  tail lights back on. And not mess with what's not broke. 

[Dieseltu 26]

[Dieseltu 26]

[Pullstart 62,905]

4 minutes ago, Dieseltu said:

The transmission has a low high and reverse

Are there two shift levers?  It looks like a “3 speed” to me… so you should have 3 forward gears plus reverse.  If you have a second lever that movers left to right, it would be a “6 speed” having high and low range… and it would have a limited slip differential too!  Those were available in ‘67 model years I believe.

[Pullstart 62,905]

5 minutes ago, Dieseltu said:

 

 

That tag is for your mower deck.  There should be another direct under the dash. Here are some files on the deck:

 https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=RL-366&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

[SylvanLakeWH 25,596]

[Dieseltu 26]

The transmission  has a low which is right  and a high which is left. And reverse is in the middle you pull  it back and left.  if its got 3 forward i didnt find it yet. Right there where the shifter is sitting is neutral 

[Horseoholic 169]

Could it be a model 856 (1966) ? if the mower deck is original , doesn't the serial tag on the deck saying RL366 specify it being a 36'' deck 1966 model ?

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

 Like Pullstart said just look under the steering wheel dash. small plate like on your deck. Not sure if that is the original engine, but if it runs good that is ok. Keep it clean blow it off after use. Grese and oil two main things for maintenance. Once you find the plate everything will fall into place. Enjoy it take care of it.

[Pullstart 62,905]

1 hour ago, Dieseltu said:

The transmission  has a low which is right  and a high which is left. And reverse is in the middle you pull  it back and left.  if its got 3 forward i didnt find it yet. Right there where the shifter is sitting is neutral 

different tractor, but same shift pattern as shown.  

 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

I just looked in model list first year the installed Brigs was 1971.

Edited August 4, 2022 by Retierd Wrencher

[squonk 41,145]

Not the original engine.

.

Best guess it was a 65 605 or 655 which would have had a Tecky on it that probably blew up and someone slapped on the Briggs

Edited August 4, 2022 by squonk

[953 nut 55,292]

The "Short Frame" square hood models were introduced in 1965 (model 855 and 1055) and the same tractor continued the following year as the 856 and 1056 with no changes. The 1967 857 was a continuation of the 855 and the only change was the seat. Since your  has seen some changes done by previous owners the ID tag below the dash would be the only way to know for sure but parts from any of the above mentioned models are interchangeable. Lowell @wheelhorseman at https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/ can fix you up with the tie rods and most other mechanical parts you need.

This manual should be helpful.

 

[squonk 41,145]

Also not original gas tank & Throttle cable is missing

[kpinnc 12,082]

Nice tractor. I'd just service it and keep running as-is. 

[D_Mac 8,619]

i like it. Short frame square hoods are my favorites. With all the work that has been done to it knowing the exact model really isnt going to mater much. You have the ID tag for the deck if ever you need a part for that. The engine is not original, the lights are not original so any information on wiring or engine parts you are not going to find with a model number. As far as the rest of it those 60s models are all pretty much the same. The good news is the cigarette lighter is original ! Please tell me it works ! Look under the dash panel for the ID tag. Might be painted over, may have to clean it. I would blow all that grass off it, clean it up, lubricate and grease all fittings. Cool looking tractor. My guess would be it is an 856. Welcome

Edited August 4, 2022 by D_Mac

[ACman 7,618]

Like the others have said the Model and serial # tag is a brass tag underneath the dash right in front of shifter knob. It’s tucked up in there so it’s easily missed.and might be painted over so you may need to scrape it off .
This tag reads T 1055 so 10=10hp 5=electric start and the last 5= year. In this case 1965 . Good luck with your purchase 

  

[davem1111 2,030]

5 hours ago, Dieseltu said:

... "It came with a snow plow but I couldnt move it so I left it."

 

If you still can, I'd recruit some help and try to go back and get that snow plow. It's probably valuable if you would either want to use it or sell it. 

 

I like the tractor.  If you like to tinker, you'll have fun with it.

[roadapples 6,983]

[D_Mac 8,619]

Forgot to mention to service the mowing deck as well. Clean the underside and pop the grease caps off on top and grease it up..

[Pullstart 62,905]

15 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

Forgot to mention to service the mowing deck as well. Clean the underside and pop the grease caps off on top and grease it up..

oh yes!  The grease covers have zerks underneath, but you’re best off cleaning all the old grease out and using a sticky grease like Greasy Pete @peter lena’s Lucas red and tacky or corn head grease on the gears directly.

Edited August 4, 2022 by Pullstart
Zerks Zeros. Same difference.