What to look for in a "D" model

[Gerry w 2]

Guys, I need your help. I'm going to look at two D model tractors next week and I need to know what I should be looking for? What would be warning signs with these models? What are good things to have?

I am a complete rookie when it comes to these but have been really hooked on them since sitting on Darren's D in Maine. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Gerry

[canam1991 2]

loose steering and a weak hydro is the common things to go bad on them the good things are front and rear pto 3pt hitch and some attachments

[Gerry w 2]

loose steering and a weak hydro is the common things to go bad on them the good things are front and rear pto 3pt hitch and some attachments

loose steering is a somewhat easy one to find, what do I do to check the hydro?? Are the PTO's like on regular tractors or do you have to hook up belts and such??

Thanks... :thumbs2:

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,031]

The PTO on the D-160 (Onan twin) that I had was an electric clutch. Some of them are manual. There is still a belt and mule drive needed to operate a deck.

The tractor should be driven as much as possible to see how the hydro tranny works when its heated up Gerry. If possible take it up a hill in both forward and reverse, (but not to steep as you dont want to have your own tractor flipping over thread on here ).

Crawl under it and look for leaks at the transaxle and the hydraulics.

Of course we would love some pics of it as well!

Mike..........

[Gerry w 2]

Thanks Mike,

There is a tow behind mower with it, shows a PTO take off shaft, just don't know where it hooks up, (Never seen one on the rear of one of these!) Electric eh??

I read that tread on flipping over! I hope not to do that, most of all with a "D", that's alot of tractor to have land on you!

Thanks for the info.

[73-18 automatic 8]

If the owner will let you drive it around let the hydro warm up and see if it looses power if it has a 3pt hitch raise and lower it to see if it gets week

[pfrederi 19,293]

Strongly agree with the comments on testing the hydro. If the owner won't let you drive it around to get it hot then he is probably hiding something. Testing the 3 point only checks the condition of the hydro pump. You still need to drive it up and down hills...to test the hydro motor (if there are no hills tie it you car and try pulling the car...you should at least be able to spin the wheel (or move your car ) (I took my hydro motor to a hydro shop and after they opened it was worn... cost to rebuild $700 ouch!!!( I bought a used one instead).

Make sure the finish mower includes the PTO shaft (both halves) and that there is a coupler on the tractor PTO

[Gerry w 2]

I already know the finish mower seems to be missing the cover for the belts, but both sides to the shaft are shown. I emailed the owner and asked for detailed photos before I head over, I am also worried about rust out. The paint isn't in the best shape, but that could be from sitting in a barn/shed for a while.

Thanks for the heads up on the Hydro, I could run it up and down on the trailer ramps, someone also said something about trying to "push" a tree, if the tires spin then it's more then likely okay? He has two kohlers and an oran(SP) engine, any better then the other?

thanks again

[bitten 134]

I have heard that the Kohlers are cheaper to work on. Never have had an onen on a tractor, so that is all I can say on that.

Just a follow up on what has allready been said,Check the PTO, if it hasent been taken care of it can cost to fix. Check that the front axle is tight. See how well the accentric ( hydro lever) works, does it bind up any? Does the lever stay were you put it? Does it creep in to gear when in nuatral? Check to see if parking break works. Check all the guages and lights.

All this stuff can be fixed. Use this info wene it is time to talk price. I have a D200 and really like it, I got a really really good deal on it so the work that I did put into it wasnt all that bad. Think of attachments that you would like to have a remember that they are going to cost more then normal Wheel Horse attacments.

Good Luck and happy hunting.