there are no cheap tractors

I don't post much just read alot, but have to tell about my new tractor. A friend of mine called me about a D17 on craig's list not far from me and it's cheap.  A d17 would be the newest in the line for me and the P.D. would be great on drives, so I went and looked. It had not run in a couple years but was not stuck, the guy told me all he know about the tractor and was very nice. He bought it 15 years ago the gauges did not work and it started running ruff when he stopped using it. he told me he was no mechanic but it needed a manifold to run right, yes it needed a manifold. I bought the tractor got it home, put good used manifold on it and it ran after about 1/4 can of carb cleaner. ran on three cly. at ideal open it up went to 1 cly, so I put a head and distributor on it and it ran like a watch but no oil presure! striped the engine down and the oil pump drive gear on the cam is striped. so it will get the full treatment everything new but the block. I sure hope everything from the clutch back is good! arn't old tractors fun.

I've bought my share of those kind of tractors. I guess you just have to look at the upside that you shouldn't have to worry about fixing it again anytime soon.

Sorry about your luck and hopefully it works out for you,
Denis

yep the old ran when I parked it deal. :)

Jeff I agree and if the objective is to make it run and look like new the initial price paid is the smaller % of the cost. For a lot of us it's just a hobby and I for one enjoy working on them, overcoming the surprises- when your done you will have a great tractor capable of farming 160 acres if needed!

Yep, I purchased a Model B allis 1939. Had not run for 5 years but I got it running before I purchased it. Sounded O.K. without a muffler. Could only move it a couple of feet because of other machinery. Got it home and put a muffer on it and hear a knock in in. Restored in a few years later and now have  more then it is worth in it. But had the joy of over hauling and restoring it. I think we all have a story to tell about a old tractor that we bought but it still is fun working with them and talking about them.

Edited by Rog(NCWI) - 10 Nov 2011 at 7:32am

I remember working at a ford tractor dealership back in the early 80's. An older gent brought in a rather old tractor with engine troubles. I don't remember the make but it was a little smaller than a farmall cub. What stood out was the love this old gent had for this tractor. Even after being told that the work needed would cost 3 times the value of the tractor he still wanted the old girl fixed. They allowed him in the shop while I worked on the tractor (which was rare) and he went on and on about things that were connected in some way with that old tractor. I guess there are some instances where money plays the smallest roll.

On the average the cheapest route to a good running tractor is to buy one that is all ready there. You may pluck a cherry out of a manure pile every now and then but,,,,,,

paid 300.00 for the tractor, final total with labor 3,000.00 I did all the work. the next cheap tractor will get parted out. Oh the tractors name is the $300.00 Sherry!uploads/1167/064.JPG

My 180D came as a pleasant price surprise but had issues, small issues.  Since bought have had to replace the brakes, brake rod/adjusters and axle seals after the brake rods sheared away, the seals in the 3-pt cylinders had begun to leak so they were rebuilt same time, had to pull the trans cover and fish out broken shift forks(been cracked quite awhile) and wound up replacing all of them, does not jump out of any gear but the PTO is a bit stubborn to get in at times.  After rehabbing the wiring, replacing a voltage regulator and then the coolant gauge it seems to be doing good when the leakstop in the radiator gave up and I had to have it boiled and re-soldered at the tank seams. So far nothing major but a lot of little expenses.  I almost forgot, tie rods were frozen together and the ends bad so they got replaced.

I've bought to many tractors that I told myself were a great deal, only to find out that it's got this wrong and that wrong, and If I would have just paid a little extra I could have bought one that is ready to go.