753

[Rob J. 1,942]

I just picked up this old guy today as part of my Labor Day haul. It’s pretty rough but salvageable. I’m gonna need some parts. I’m also in need of some detailed pics, I’m exactly sure what’s missing, what’s not right. If any of you can help I would most appreciate it. 

[ebinmaine 67,570]

Looks like a good solid rig.  

 

@Handy Don has an 854... 

[Rob J. 1,942]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Looks like a good solid rig.  

 

@Handy Don has an 854... 

well I wouldn’t go that far but for the most part it is. It’s still gonna need some help and as you know me by now I hate cobbled up stuff. I understand the whole concept of just making it work as cheaply as possible but there are limits in my book. 😂 got to get some in depth info and pics to really know what I’m doing here. But that’s part of the whole deal. 

[rjg854 11,378]

If you haven't already, download the manual from the files section for a start.

[ri702bill 8,327]

@Rob J. - Eric @ebinmaine did a great thread a while back about a "Checklist" for acquiring a new-to-you tractor to prepare to get it woken up from a nap. Lots of good info there...

Bill

[ebinmaine 67,570]

10 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

@Rob J. - Eric @ebinmaine did a great thread a while back about a "Checklist" for acquiring a new-to-you tractor to prepare to get it woken up from a nap. Lots of good info there...

Bill

 

Yessuh. 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

12 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Yessuh. 

 

 

Disregard the burning Pullstart tractor... that is NOT the intended result !!!

[ebinmaine 67,570]

2 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Disregard the burning Pullstart tractor... that is NOT the intended result !!!

Prevention is the intention 

[Handy Don 12,233]

14 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

well I wouldn’t go that far but for the most part it is. It’s still gonna need some help and as you know me by now I hate cobbled up stuff. I understand the whole concept of just making it work as cheaply as possible but there are limits in my book. 😂 got to get some in depth info and pics to really know what I’m doing here. But that’s part of the whole deal. 

I started in a similar place with the goal of a nice fresh reliable worker tractor for mowing, towing, etc. Not a parade or trailer queen tractor.

I did take a while to decide between patina and paint. After I had it apart, it was clear there was too much rust for my taste so it got prepped and painted--that did add a lot of time to the refurb. I also upgraded a couple bits but mainly just replaced/repaired missing and worn parts and tidied up. Fortunately for me, the engine did not need machine shop work or new internal parts. I've just finished building a mower deck out of parts decks to go with it.

 

The 753 and 854 are quite similar and it looks at first glance like you got most of the parts! Yours has the saddle seat instead of the square pan--both are commonly seen. The headlights are not WH, I don't think, though headlights were an option in that year. It's a very straightforward tractor to work on mechanically and electrically. The early 60's tractors ('61 to '64) were an important sequence for WH as they refined the chassis and steering within the larger form factor under the round hood and before many now-common safety features came to lawn and garden equipment (just look at those stirrup footrests, for example).

[Pullstart 62,905]

[Pullstart 62,905]

Nice ride!  What kind of parts do you suppose it’ll need?

[Rob J. 1,942]

24 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Nice ride!  What kind of parts do you suppose it’ll need?

Probably a hood to start with. The bottom is gone on this one and the grill is beat up pretty good. I could prolly just repair it and deal with the ugly but I’m not wired that way,,,,,,yet. 😂 I’m also thinking gas tank possibly as it leaks somewhere. I’ll have to dig further into it but in the meantime getting as much contact info and general info as I can. I’m fairly familiar with the square hoods but these roundies are a little different animal. 

[Handy Don 12,233]

Rob, I bailed on my two-piece gas tank when I realized: a) it was seeping fuel, and b) both of the side threaded insert locations (for the hood hold-down thumbscrews) were busted out.

 

Getting that tank to hold gas (ignoring the side inserts for the moment) meant either taking it apart without breaking any of the 13 little steel screws that had been rusting for 50 years in an aluminum body and then getting it back together with a new gasket or else using a liquid internal tank sealer. Either would be iffy and the sealer route would cost almost as much as a used 1-piece tank from a 701 or 702. Some members have welded the seam on their tank--not an option for me.

 

So, I bought a used 701 one-piece tank and new thumbscrews from Lincoln at A-to-Z Tractor, one of the vendors who supports this forum. The 701 tank uses a separate dash so that let me also fabricate a custom wooden panel to hold the ammeter, and the throttle and choke controls plus the voltmeter I wanted to add and leave room for future gauges or switches as well as adding a touch of personalization to my tractor. Lincoln also often will have usable parts like hoods--best to call with a list and then email it--it may take him a couple of days to get back to you.

 

All the other bits I needed came from on-line searches, forum members' parts bins, and sellers at the Big Show. Placing a "want" ad in the classifieds here is a good way to get your need a wide audience.

Edited September 3, 2022 by Handy Don

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

You did well Rob. Give it a good cleaning this will help to see if you have any leaks. Enjoy the ride. 

[Pullstart 62,905]

Hey Rob, how’s about a picture of that front axle?  I can’t recall if the ‘63’s were like the ‘62’s or ‘64’s..

[WHGuy413 2,695]

753’s are great tractors. I have one that is my round hood worker. I mow, plow and use it to tow my heavy firewood trailer. My gas tank does seep out which I know I need to figure out soon. But other than that it’s a great little beast. 

[ri702bill 8,327]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Hey Rob, how’s about a picture of that front axle?  I can’t recall if the ‘63’s were like the ‘62’s or ‘64’s..

Cambered axle with tierods like a '64...

[WHGuy413 2,695]

[ri702bill 8,327]

The right throttle setting and the right gear - makes pushin' the fluffy stuff look soooo easy. Course the heavy slurpee wet stuff can take a tank or 2 ... before it freezes....

Bill

[Handy Don 12,233]

3 hours ago, WHGuy413 said:

753’s are great tractors. I have one that is my round hood worker.

My short list was a 753 or an 854, whichever turned up first. Happened to be the 854.

Can you share what kind of transaxle bracket you have for the front blade? A picture would be neat! Thanks.

[wallfish 17,011]

53 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Can you share what kind of transaxle bracket you have for the front blade? A picture would be neat! Thanks.

The bracket would depend upon which blade frame too

The older A frame style would use the type of bracket that attaches front and back

The newer style long/short adjustable frames would use the type of bracket that mounts top and bottom on the axle.

They will both fit on the trans but the biggest difference is where it positions the lift linkage of the plow frame. It's about a 2 or 3" difference

[Rob J. 1,942]

10 hours ago, wallfish said:

The bracket would depend upon which blade frame too

The older A frame style would use the type of bracket that attaches front and back

The newer style long/short adjustable frames would use the type of bracket that mounts top and bottom on the axle.

They will both fit on the trans but the biggest difference is where it positions the lift linkage of the plow frame. It's about a 2 or 3" difference

I’ve taken it off but it was the kind that bolt on the front and back of axle.