New to Wheel Horse what would a good price for a not starting D-180 be?

[qball16 0]

I can pick it up for $350 with a plow but no mower deck. Owner says that the transaxle was recently replaced and that it has some sort of electrical problem that keeps it from starting. Is this a safe price, even if I don't get it running. I would assume that for $350 I could get my money back and more by parting it out. On the other hand, how much should I spend to get it running? What would a good running D-180 be worth. Assuming I buy it, I'm going to bring it to my mechanic friend and make the "sell parts" vs "fix it up" decision right away after he screws around with it a little. I hope it gets running, I need a larger tractor for plowing.

Thanks,

Scott

[Foozerush 40]

Get it..... Any electrical problems can be solved at " SOI university". A member named Save Old Iron is a electrical problem solving phenomenon!!! I would rather see you get it running and plowing!! IMO.... He helped me get my headlights working on my 416-8. And there are plenty of other members who share their knowledge of how to keep your WH working also!! I'm not too familiar with the D series, but depending on condition of said tractor, offer 100 less because it's not running and can't check tranny, Hydraulics... Ect.. So that can give you something to use to get it running..... Good Luck! Welcome to RS!!

[qball16 0]

This price is already $150 less than he was originally asking, so that's about the bottom.

[gregg'shorses 77]

That is a fair price.

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

Wow! 350 is very cheap for a d!!! Even if it does need lots of work that is very cheap for one of those horses! Jake

[Ken B 3,189]

Hopefully the replacement diff. is good.......

[qball16 0]

And if it's not? Is that the weak link? Or hard to find? Or expensive? Or all three?

[Ken B 3,189]

Possibly all three but I'm not the D series pro. Jumpin in not knowing if the hydro and rear diff assembly are any good.....And to top it off not being able to hear the engine run? 300.00 ain't a bad price if you can live with the unknowns.

[pfrederi 18,708]

Did the transaxle replacement include the hydro motor?? If it was just the transaxle then the most likely scenario is one or more differential bolt broke and got wedged between the bull gear and the housing breaking/cracking the housing. If the replacement had newer GR8 bolts you are probably safe there.

A non running D is a big risk as many of them have hydro problems (check the tranny section for numerous D series hydro discussions).

Electronically they really don't have a lot of problems. That Kohler engine was used in a myriad of industrial applications. The coil is an expensive piece, but can be replaced much more cheaply with one from a Harley Davidson.

Assuming the engine is in decent shape you could get you money back on parts if the hydro is toast.

[qball16 0]

Just how hard to find/expensive are the Hydros? Is there a workaround geared transmission swap? This looks like it would plow like a beast, but could also end up taking up half my garage and not working. I'll call the guy and get some specifics on the issue.

thanks

[qball16 0]

I talked to him again. He said the transaxle had a crack in it, that's why it was replaced. hydro was fine. He hadn't gotten around to hooking the two back together. Then, it Just stoped turning over, probably a starter Issue. Should I go for it? I think so.

[SousaKerry 503]

take along a set of jumper cables and see if you can jump strait to the starter terminal bypassing the solenoid. Quick and dirty trick to see if it is indeed the starter or just an electrical problem

[qball16 0]

Did the jumper cable to the starter thing, engine turned over. Brought it to a friend's house and got the ignition, headlights, key working. Engine spins and we have spark but seems like no gas. Checked bowl and float and cleaned the pin, still no gas. So, I need to see if there is a blocked line or filter or a problem with the fuel pump. Once we get the motor running its on to the hydro! Wish me luck.

[Cutlas3391 776]

Nice