D-15 Series 2

There is a D-15 series 2 factory 3ph going up for auction down the road from me.  Original owner died and they are selling his estate.  What would be a fair price for this tractor.  Straight off the farm.  I cannot make the auction so I am sending someone to bid for me but looking at a ceiling price to tell him to walk away.

I have a number of the Series II units and would see no problem paying 3500.00 for a nice clean original that is in decent shape. Have seen some go for 2000-2500.00 and all depends on how many attendees are there that really want it, and location.
Diesel would basically double the price as there does not seem to be many survivors.
Optional spool valves on left fender bracket would also add more as a desirable option.
Clean unit with good sheet metal, no rust on rear rims at the valve stems and decent rear rubber is also a plus.
If your attendee bidder has a smart phone, have him get there early and send you some pics, that way you have time to contact him to clarify anything including how it runs if he can hear it before they get to it.
S/N sent to you would also help so you can research what year it is and condition of 3-pt. components also.
3-pt. parts are pricey and I am sure you already realize the 3-pt. is about as robust as the D12 so not designed for serious constant abuse.
Can you tell the 15II is one of my favorite A-C's?
Good luck and hope you get it as the 160 is one tough engine that makes the SII a very handy tractor.

Better buy it. They getting difficult to find. Plus it's really close to you. Hauling shouldn't be a factor then.

I'd go check it out a lot can happen in 20 years to a tractor,maybe not as good as you remember etc.Doesn't matter what market value is  it seems in this case because its
something you really want.Buy it and be happy with your purchase.

Lets put it this way if I sold the 185, I would most likely even be willing to over pay to a point on the D-15 but if the 185 is still in the barn then my top price for the D-15 goes down a bit.  If I don't get the D-15 the 185 stays in the barn.  I have a 175 that can pull anything we have now, just always like the motor and the set up on the 185.

Our D15 Series II has never had high octane put in the tank in the 45 years we have owned it. We use regular 87. If you need to run high octane in yours you must have a problem. Saying a D15 will burn more gas than a 185 will burn in diesel is absurd unless you're using it to plow sod 10 hours a day.

The D-15 is in an estate sell, so doubtfull they would trade.  I have 5 AC in the barn now, just really wanted a D-15 since I grew up on one. 

One of the most user friendly tractors. I have 3 of them. Price wise $1800 to $6500, the $6500 was a show tractor.

High Octane fuel for series 2 D-15's ?? Never heard of such a thing. Like to see that Service Bulletin. Engine low idle speed has to be 400 RPM or less and you must give it a few seconds of actual idle time before shutting off the key. 87 octane fuel should be good enough. 86 octane not-so-much.

Dr. Allis I would be more then happy to share the service bulletin with you once I find it again. I put it away for safe keeping and we'll you know how that goes later you never can remember where that safe place is.
All I can say is last summer I posted my nightmare of getting my d15 with a 160 gas motor going after it was rebuilt and it ended with a problem that I couldn't solve of backfiring and dieseling when shut down even after letting it idle for up to 10 minutes before turning it off. Somone I can't remember who sent me a pm. We called and talked on the phone and he ended up sending me the service bulletin.   But for almost a year now I have used that tractor almost everyday and all I did was switch to high octane fuel and it hasn't given me trouble dieseling since. So I won't argue with success.   As I said once I find the safe place I put my copy of the service bulletin I will be happy to share it.

One problem I see with this "high octane" fix is this: I'm assuming this bulletin was written in the mid to late 1960's ?? and gasoline octane ratings were NOT under the same numbering system calculations as todays fuels are. 91 octane by todays standards is pretty decent fuel compared to 86 or 87 octane also by todays numbering system. I've been around quite a few D-15 II/G-160 engines and never had anyone needing to use special fuel.

yes. if one was "down the road " close and I knew the tractor... Id own it. I love the D-15 II. 

High Octane isn't 'better' necessarily anyway all it is that it doesn't ignite as quite as quick or easily as regular. Accomplish the same thing by adding a little 2 cycle oil or Marvel Mystery Oil to regular it seems to me.

We run regular no ethanol gas in dad's D-15 II. No issues. Origional engine.