Need some D17 education

Sortof looking at a D17 coming up on an auction in a few weeks.  By the SN it's a 60, series 1.  Wide front, real straight sheet metal, good rubber, but didn't look her over that good.  All I know about it is water in the oil.  I'm assuming that would be liner o-rings, but understand it could be block/head.  Have a few questions about the big stick and the hyd.  The hyd is basically the same as my WD, right?  High vol, low pressure, single line out the back, correct?  Searching around, I have seen a few D17's with 2 way full hyd loaders, I assume that if it's not a series 4, then this was done with some extra valves creating a power beyond type setup.  I understand that the big stick gives the extra gears and that pulling it quick gives a sortof powershift.  My question is this, can the neutral in the big stick be used to change gears say from 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, or even from forward to reverse?  Could that be done with the PTO running, say mowing weeds or something.  Or would I still need to use the foot clutch and lose the PTO.  Last, knowing only 60 D17, wide front, good tin/rubber and water in the oil, whats the thing worth?

My D17 that I have been driving since new in 1959, I can shift it into any gear forward or reverse if I do it without letting nuteral too long . I must shift quickly or the gears will start to turn and grind, then I must use the foot clutch. Water in the oil could be as serious as a bad block cracked at bottom between cylinders or simple as a freeze out plug in the head.

Edited by nella(Pa) - 27 Feb 2010 at 7:34am

I paid 1000 for this one but it need some work too.

Edited by Denis in MI - 27 Feb 2010 at 8:31am