New Member, Possibly My First A.C.

I'm considering purchase of a tractor for use on food plots on my own land, as well as general work around the property.  

The tractor runs!! The loader works, although I’ll need to add a collar so the hydraulics don’t pass beyond the point of no return. No big deal there.
The PTO works to drive the brush hog Atleast. I did learn that the PTO must be I gaged to lift the 3 point which was something new for me.   Looks like the PTO provides power to the rear hydraulics. Does this sound right to you guys?

Good to know that the air cleaner assembly will be easy to find. Do I need to plan to find an original AC assy from the same few years? Or are their aftermarket ones that fit universally?

One of the front loader arms must have gotten water in it that froze because it is bulged out and cracked. It won’t be a problem to get that squeezed back in and welded.     

Looks to have the 12V conversion, but the battery seems a bit small. What size 12V do you guys run if you’ve done the conversion?

I’m located in Central Iowa. Just north of Adel, rural Dallas County.   

If there are any local experts on this forum shoot me a PM if you’re willing to provide your co tact info. My uncle and a local farmer helped me out looking at the tractor . My uncle is an encyclopedia with old equipment but legitimately said he does t have much experience with an AC. He was able to give some great insight in general. Although I’m glad I did my ow. Research because he had no idea how to start it after turning the key.   I Atleast knew what levers did what.   

Side note. The “drop gears” for the rear axle… these provide for a larger gear ratio for more power without taking up room in the transmission…. Am I understanding that correctly?

Finally.   Can someone give me a quick reference on what fluids I need? Oil, Transmission, Coolant(mixed 50/50?) rear end ?
I read some information on oil for warm weather and cold weather but am hoping to not change the oil every winter and spring. Can I get away with a certain weight for both?   

Thanks for all of the help.   I think I’m going to offer $1500 for everything and go from there. The owner needs to sell it before the property sale closes on Nov. 1st. Otherwise he has to move it or leave it for free to the new owners.   That’s going to work out in my favor I think. It certainly needs a lot of love and work so I do t want to get into it for too much. $2000 is going to be my absolute top dollar.   

your in the right ball park on the price.. Depending on the quality of the TIRES.

Edited by steve(ill) - 09 Oct 2024 at 8:35am

Hello FireMedic,
Have fun wiht your new WD45. I have one too and it's a fun tractor that's easy to work on.

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Best I have right now.

There is an alternator conversion.

Rear tires at new maybe a year old. Fronts have some mild cracking but are in decent shape.
Thanks for the info on the fluids.
The rear 3 point lift : black knob below steering wheel operates PTO, left handle above steering wheel is the lift for PTO.

I’m going to talk to the owner today and try to make a deal. The plan currently is to try to drive it the 15 miles home because I can’t find anyone with a trailer wide enough that is available.   I’ll check all the fluids before I leave and will disconnect the mower for the drive. It’s all back highways and it’s harvest time so people around here are used to tractors on the roads and shoulders. I’ll be able to take gravel for about 1/2 of the drive. I’m actually looking forward to it.     I’ll get more pictures the next time I’m out there.