New RJ-58

[Laplantebd 92]

Today I picked up this RJ-58. It’s missing the pulley on the gearbox but seems otherwise complete. Kohler K91 turns by hand. Previous owner never ran it. Anything else you guys can tell me about it? I only know what I’ve found the last few days searching around. Is the hitch thing on the rear homemade?  Thank you.

[Pullstart 62,916]

Nice find!  The hitch is stock, the belt guard is not 

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

Could you post more pics of that guard cuz I could you that as a model for my rj

[Pullstart 62,916]

I noticed those pulleys, they don’t seem to be correct either.  The idler/clutch pulley should be a v pulley not a smooth idler.  Also, hood on to the muffler, that’s rare!

[Laplantebd 92]

5 minutes ago, The Freightliner Guy said:

Could you post more pics of that guard cuz I could you that as a model for my rj

Yes sir. I’ll grab a few tomorrow. 

[Laplantebd 92]

5 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I noticed those pulleys, they don’t seem to be correct either.  The idler/clutch pulley should be a v pulley not a smooth idler.  Also, hood on to the muffler, that’s rare!

thank you. That is a huge help! I’ll have to source a few pulleys and possibly a belt guard. 
 

 

[Handy Don 12,237]

That Carter Model N is a nice carb--easy to rebuild and it just works.

[wallfish 17,014]

The idler on a RJ does use a flat idler. It rides on the outside of the belt loop and pushes down on the belt. Tractors after that use a V idler on the inside of the loop.

It's more like a RJ-59 but they were all tagged as RJ-58. The solid seat pan was late 59 into 1960. The height selector was probably added on by a dealer as those are 1960

There should be cast numbers on the trans next to the shifter. I'm guessing the last number is a 9 which would indicate 1959

Edited September 3, 2022 by wallfish

[wallfish 17,014]

The original pulleys on the engine would've been 2 separate 2 1/2" pulleys with the set screw for them in the groove, no hub on them. VERY difficult to find them now! That's the only way you could get a second pulley on for the deck. It went on after the belt guard because there was just a 1" hole in the guard for the shaft. 

Rear fenders were an option so you will see those tractors both ways. With or without fenders.

Edited September 3, 2022 by wallfish

[Laplantebd 92]

8 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

That Carter Model N is a nice carb--easy to rebuild and it just works.

Good to hear!

[Laplantebd 92]

8 minutes ago, wallfish said:

The idler on a RJ does use a flat idler. It rides on the outside of the belt loop and pushes down on the belt. Tractors after that use a V idler on the inside of the loop.

It's more like a RJ-59 but they were all tagged as RJ-58. The solid seat pan was late 59 into 1960. The height selector was probably added on by a dealer as those are 1960

There should be cast numbers on the trans next to the shifter. I'm guessing the last number is a 9 which would indicate 1959

Very cool! Thank you for your insight. I’ll peek tomorrow for a trans number.

 

Does the pulley on the engine look original? Or possibly original to the engine. Tractor data doesn’t list this engine as correct to the tractor. Being such a late production number is it possible to be original? Thank you again. 

[wallfish 17,014]

A Kohler K91 or a Clinton B1290 would be the original engines.

Something looks funny with the pulleys but the diameter looks correct 2 1/2" , Maybe a better pic?

[Laplantebd 92]

Just now, wallfish said:

A Kohler K91 or a Clinton B1290 would be the original engines.

Something looks funny with the pulleys but the diameter looks correct 2 1/2" , Maybe a better pic?

I’ll take a few and measure tomorrow. Thank you. 

[wallfish 17,014]

Hopefully that shower head muffler isn't rotted out on the front. Those are an original item and rare

The exhaust connection to the engine isn't normally done with a piece like that. The engine would have threads and the pipe just threads right into it.

Looks like the gas tank is original too. Another difficult item to find. The outlet on them is opposite the fill neck. You can find more common type with the outlet under the fill neck.

Very nice find there.

Edited September 3, 2022 by wallfish

[953 nut 55,324]

30 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

 Also, hood on to the muffler, that’s rare!

            A good shower-head muffler is highly prized by many collectors, take good care of it.

[Laplantebd 92]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Hopefully that shower head muffler isn't rotted out on the front. Those are an original item and rare

The exhaust connection to the engine isn't normally done with a piece like that. The engine would have threads and the pipe just threads right into it.

Looks like the gas tank is original too. Another difficult item to find. The outlet on them is opposite the fill neck. You can find more common type with the outlet under the fill neck.

Very nice find there.

Thank you. Valuable info! I’ll inspect the muffler. Should I pull it off and throw it on a shelf? 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

I never had one of those. But I like how straight and complete it looks. Best of luck. 

[WHGuy413 2,707]

That tractors in great condition! Great find. 

[wallfish 17,014]

9 hours ago, Laplantebd said:

Thank you. Valuable info! I’ll inspect the muffler. Should I pull it off and throw it on a shelf? 

Guess it depends on what your plans for the tractor are. Full restore trailer queen, you want it on there. Kids driving it around everyday, you might want to save it. Somewhere in the middle is a decision to be made. If you're not a fanatic factory correct kinda guy you can sell it to someone that is and finance some of the fixing expenses for the rest of the tractor. That person would love to have it so it ends up being in the right place and more appreciated and you get your tractor to a position you want it to be. Win Win Trade it for the parts and stuff you need?

[oliver2-44 9,761]

Careful trying to remove that muffler, it may be tightly rusted in place.

Replacement original belt guards and exhaust shields are getting hard to find, but you might contact A-Z tractor (in the Vendor Section) to see if he has any

Repop belt guards and exhaust shields show up on Ebay from time to time.

 

[Laplantebd 92]

A little follow up from yesterday and pictures of the belt cover for Freightliner Guy. 
 

Trans numbers end in “9” so it must be a late model production. All the gears appear to function (but rough). I’ll have to figure out the model # for a rebuild. 
 

The pulley on the engine is definitely not original if the original is a two separate pulleys. 
 

Muffler appears to be in good condition except unknown inside until I get it fired up. I would sell it to someone looking for one. 
 

Today I pulled the engine over a few times with rope. (Missing recoil) with a bit of spark. I’ll throw a new plug in and make sure points are set correctly before digging any deeper. Tonight I’ll try to find a service manual for the engine. Condenser must be under the flywheel? Points are really clean. 
 

My little girl was helping. 

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

Thanks for the pics and you can call me kollin 

[Laplantebd 92]

1 minute ago, The Freightliner Guy said:

Thanks for the pics and you can call me kollin 

I just noticed some of them turned sideways. Sorry. 

[wallfish 17,014]

Yup, a 1959 as suspected

Yes, the condenser and coil are under the flywheel.

You can find a single pole to ground kill switch on ebay for that little hole in the hood below the steering wheel

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254377392513?hash=item3b3a12f981:g:7xcAAOSwiWBdlS1V&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4GN40UW3L1KraA6%2B4k5UdZlPk%2BpMMBIgi66GWyjMnCwVqXRrE%2FvMvlUQ6aFtEZX8cL55QY%2FPqqIKmlfFBBqpDYCcL4cDivzH26ppv6va6wsV%2BieRzTyeZX6JdUvjs7YyrNuzdcZQm3vimQEM7ZVbrSWCwyCxlbZdOAEHOOxndg97ggc%2BXclwx6Pt0QKO3Q1Tp8x6n05tloug3WHwbvEiuaxBg64LbncBhxal45GeAV9vDmjLzFown6l5RGJdJ2MngXZMFSOpmiZ5TNaD4C2qXpyljqK6ccxlwak%2BK7%2B64R0U|tkp%3ABFBMxvuG5uBg

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

It’s all good @Laplantebd