Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

boingy · 2010-07-13 01:33:52

Greetings all.

This is my first post and I've got a bit of a mystery for you.
A friend and I have just bought an interesting vehicle on ebay:

We have not been able to find out very much about it. It's 4WD, powered by a 600CC petrol engine and we think it is one of these:

linky

It was sold as a non-working project and we have not been able to find any information or manuals, or any sources of spares for it.

So far we have got the engine running, and we have engaged a forward and reverse gear and driven it a few yards. The cable-driven diff lock on the rear axle is stuck and there did not seem to be any drive to the front axle at all. We have stripped the front diff and discovered that most of the teeth are broken which might explain the lack of drive! Finding suitable parts is a bit of a problem.

Does anyone recognise it? Googling for "Wu's Agricultural carrier" and "w-16" (the model number) hits nothing useful. We are sure the running gear must be based on that of another vehicle so spares may be available if we can figure out the equivalent part numbers. My guess is that it will be based on a quad bike or similar sized ATV or UTV.

Hopefully someone might be able to identify it or maybe provide a more googleable name for it!

Ian

MR. KRYPTONITE · 2010-07-14 22:24:17

If you dont mind me asking what are your plans for it?

RANGERDALEXP · 2010-07-15 10:03:47

I would say you are on the right track from what i see on the link. I would start posting also on the farm equipment restoration forums because I think there you would have better luck. Tractor restoration has become a big thing now days. I cant see the engine well enough but it looks like a early 1960s vintage Kohler engine :?: .

Also have you sent this picture to that manufacture on the link to see if they built that model. By the color of it it could be manufactured by kubota as well. I am sure that on the long run a lot of the parts will have to be fabricated by you to get it up and running again.....

boingy · 2010-07-15 23:06:19

Thanks for the replies.

Mr K, it will mainly be used for collecting firewood from the woods at the rear of my friend's house. He has access to lots of free wood but only if he collects it. The woods are steep and the ground conditions are not great, especially in winter. A pick-up will not fit down the path. A quad bike will, but would need a trailer.

We do have the contingency of just welding up the front diff but that would be a shame if we can find a way to fix it instead. We have no plans for a full-on, gleaming restoration (although you never know - we might fall in love with it!). It's a miracle we have managed to get it running at all given the number of wires that are just hanging out, not connected to anything! Also, the front diff was completely mashed inside so we are trying not to think about what the rear diff might look like...

As far as we can tell, "Wu's" company no longer exists. That web page is dated 1997 and there is no email details on it.

The farm restoration idea is a good one. Neither of us really know how to describe the vehicle so finding the right forum is a bit of trial and error. We are chasing up local UTV workshops and stuff but we have yet to find anyone that has seen one before. Someone must know loads about them but we have yet to find that person.

Titan · 2010-07-16 11:39:09

Even with broken parts, as long as you have all the pieces you should be able to take them to a machine shop and have them made on a CNC machine or water jet table. The things that can be done in a well equiped machine shop today will be better than what was made when this machine was new 20 +/- years ago. Anything made with steel can be fixed.

whee_atv · 2010-08-06 02:08:40

Greetings all,

My pal Boingy has already posted about this Wu Carrier and thanks
for replies. Now for some updates on progress..

Engine identified as Kohler K361, a 16hp single (well identified
rangerdalexp!). We have service and parts manuals for this. Engine
now starting (electric) and running sweetly. Gearbox stripped,
cleaned out (stones and a brass nut!), is now working nice. Rear
axle has differential and diff-lock (via a lever). Both working
fine, and unit drives OK on rear axle alone (with some weight on
the back).

Only serious problem is with front diff -- all chewed up inside.
See photos of diff externals. We are hoping its an off-the-shelf unit that
maybe somebody on here recognises from another small 4x4, Kei truck,
who knows what vehicle?. Chain drive from gearbox goes to (small)
sprocket in picture. Live drive to rear axle goes from splined shaft through
prop shaft. Front axle drive goes down through some reduction gears inside box
to (chewed) differential cluster itself, then via universal joint half-shafts
to hubs. Would be nice to find a direct replacement for the complete box,
but if we have to we will rebuild whats there.

While searching for front diff solution, we're getting along with other bits: paint,
electrics, seats, and brakes (pathetic) will need attention.

Thanks for any help anybody out there can offer.
John.

RANGERDALEXP · 2010-08-13 13:32:22

I have seen some Lawn equipment with a Stamped steel transfercases but nothing like that on a truck. Maybe go to the wrecking yard and find a transfer case that is close out of a very small 4x4 car or truck and see if it can be converted :idea: . Good luck and hope to see the finished product in the future .

#1 2010-07-13 01:33:52

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#2 2010-07-14 22:24:17

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#3 2010-07-15 10:03:47

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#4 2010-07-15 23:06:19

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#5 2010-07-16 11:39:09

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#6 2010-08-06 02:08:40

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

#7 2010-08-13 13:32:22

Re: Mystery vehicle - Wu's Agricultural Carrier?

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