Pre series d-17?

The first D-17's were just called a D-17, no series. The Series II, III & IV were later model tractors. 

There are three different horsepower ratings; engine, PTO and drawbar. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Engine horsepower tells you little. Unfortunately that seems to be the way all modern tractors are rated. Drawbar horsepower in the most important - it takes into account transmission losses as well as the HP needed to move the tractor itself. PTO HP could be important if you are using PTO equipment. For tillage work, drawbar horsepower pretty much tells you how much beef the tractor has.

It depends, Lonn. Some tractor makers held to the idea of building a heavy machine and using pull-type implements. AC made a lighter tractor and used mounted equipment with the advent of the WD. Lighter tractors put more HP to the drawbar. If you needed a little more weight to get through a tough spot you had a Traction Booster to give you that.

The D17, came out in '57 at the end of the WD45's run, also in '57.

The D17 was how they were titled, when the Series II came out in '60, they started calling the first D17's Series I. That year over lapped, too. So there are both 1960 Series I and II.

In '59 there was a upgrade at Serial #24001. The only one that I can remember, at the moment is the final drives were strengthen.

I think the 63 HP figure, is the gross HP, meaning the HP w/o anything running off the engine. PTO HP, is a more reliable figure as it has all the accessories (pumps, alt/gen and fan) running.

Max draw bar HP (not max weight pulled) is also a good indicator but, there are a few variables to consider, such as surface, slippage, tire size, weight and tire tread foot print as well as compound.


Edited by frnkeore - 11 Jul 2019 at 11:13am

The "S2" had the wider drawbar bail and at s/n 24,001 had full-flow oiling system on the gas engines.  The "S3" models got the combination band & disc brakes and the stronger final drive gears, larger hydraulic sump with a filter, along with an oval muffler, dry air cleaner, headlites on the fenders and new decals on the hood. The best of them was the "S4" and it got the live hydraulic system, an optional and rugged 3-point hitch and the newer brake pedals with a ratcheting brake latch.

Something to remember about HP, it is a force, described by how fast something can be done and torque or maximum draw bar pull, is the actual amount of force/power generated.

I thought the full flow and drawbar upgrade took place at the unofficial series II serial number break? Maybe that is what you are referring to. I surely didn't know there was a power steering upgrade pre Series III.

Okay thanks for the info guys to get more back on my original train of thought what is the value on a series 1 d17 that seems to be all original intact and running and driving good?

Ok, from what I'm being told this tractor is all original and had no modifications done to it it looks really intact and like it has not been messed with (unlike a lot of the tractors I've been going to look at this one looks so far pretty good) he has it priced at 3000 and it includes a 7-foot rear blade
Thanks Matt

All the tires and rims are in good condition I already looked at them the only thing left for me to do is go there and drive it like you say. Hopefully I get a good feeling from this one...
Thanks Matt

I paid $1500 for mine and the guy drove 700 miles to deliver it to me. BUT, mine was no Cherry!

It had 1 good front and 1 good rear tire, bad steering arms and tie rods and the paint was really bad! So add $200 in parts to that, plus a lot of labor.

I'd try to get him down $200 - 500 and buy it. If the blade is a SC, it's worth about $500, $300 if a heavy 3 point.

I looked for over a year for mine, found nothing close by and the asking price for the ones out of my area, was about $3500-4000. They don't come up, very often in my area (West Coast) so, I'm at a disadvantage for them but, I consider them the best tractor, in their HP range.
.

There is one, right now, in my area (first one in 1 1/2 years, or more) for sale on CL, for $7500, with a DO trailer but, he won't get it, I'm sure.


Edited by frnkeore - 12 Jul 2019 at 1:34pm

D-17 chassis s/n 24,001 was supposedly the FIRST tractor built that has the full-flow oil filtering system on it. The filter is like a Fram PH-8A.

DrAllis wrote: You need to go operate it for 30 minutes to get it warmed up really good. And I don't mean idling it. Take it down the road at full throttle. Many of these old gas tractors may run just fine, but when fully warmed up, you'll see a blue haze out the exhaust pipe. That usually means an overhaul is close to happening. That is $1500 in parts alone, let alone any labor. Four new tires are at least $1,000 bucks.  I just purchased an above average Series 3 with a NF for $1600 ...frt tires 90% rear tires 75 %.

I went and drove it around and did not notice any blue smoke. What exactly does the blue smoke indicate is happening to the motor parts, as in which ones are failing? You also say that "usually means"?(what else could it indicate?)
I'm very close to buying this as they all looked to be very straight and solid with good rims and tires and started right up every time every year worked and did not jump out of any gears, the brakes seem to work great also...
when the owner started it up and went to take off he had it in 2nd or 3rd gear and revved it up really high and as I looked back at it there was a small amount of smoke came out that I would say could be considered bluish but it was kind of a harsh take off on his part of driving it as far as I'm considered...
The high, nuetral, low shifter works good
All the lights worked on it(which was a bonus compared to all the rest of the larger tractors I've gone to look at lately)
this tractor seems to be in the best shape of any of them that I've looked at in this size range and age and seems to be the most original and complete with nothing bent or a whole lot messed with.

Thanks Matt
Thanks Matt

Edited by Hunt4Allis - 20 Jul 2019 at 12:28pm