pacer 3,177 #1 Posted May 20, 2015 Groundhog and I drove over to E La Saturday to check on a couple CL advertised D's. Nice young man was trying to get rid of some of his grandfathers 'stuff', consequently he wasnt real up on terminology. He had a definite '78 D-200 and a '73 18 Automatic. I bought the 18, hesitatingly giving him $300 cause it looked rough, been sitting out for many years. I already have a D-180 and a D-160 and I do love those brutes, so along with just wanting another one I have to think about those Sundstrand drives failing at some point. Have become pretty familiar with the D family, but not so on a 18 automatic (is that the proper name of one?)Got that brute loaded by the hardest what with the bypass valve frozen solid and the rear wheels locked and the fronts going flat about as fast as we could air them all this while a heck of a rain storm going on and the Ross steering with about a full round of slack in the wheel --- (Ah, the joys of getting a new horse!)Got it running over the last couple days - strange wiring, with safety switches kaput, and frozen linkages, etc, etc Backed it in and out of the shop a couple times and seemed OK, but the steering was too wanky to drive.Then tackled the Ross -- boyoboy is that thing a booger to get out! whew! I already had a kit and thats the easy part, so after about 17 skinned places on the arms/hands I got it back in and WOW it steers like a dream!So now I can drive the thing and I am VERY surprised. that thing runs like a dream, no smoke, rattles, or shakes and the Sundstrand seems to be quite good - that certainly made the $300 look a LOT better, Its still rough, lots of rust but hey whatauexpect in a 41 yr old machine?Also offsetting the $300 I got a complete K341 - complete - wires, solenoid, air cleaner, etc, for $125 (and it turns freely and has compression!) Im tickled with that (I love that bad a** 16hp) Also got a really nice complete 42" SD deck for $100.Still in negotiation on the D-200 but it dont look too promising, I told him $300 on it also as its in comparable condition as the 18, but dont look good there. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #2 Posted May 20, 2015 I think you did all right for 300 bucks.Looks much better than some of the worn out crap that I've paid much more for.Decent looking mower deck too.Have fun with your new toy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Factory Dog 44 #3 Posted May 21, 2015 I would have to say you did pretty good! Besides, D's are beautiful no matter how rough they might be!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
"D"- Man 827 #5 Posted May 21, 2015 I would have to say you did pretty good! Besides, D's are beautiful no matter how rough they might be!!! Ditto what Factory said. Factory , could you message me sometime? Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #6 Posted May 21, 2015 Deck alone is worth $300. Job well done! Oh the D is really nice too ;) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rexman72 210 #7 Posted May 21, 2015 thats a beast of a tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #8 Posted May 21, 2015 You made quite a haul and a great deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alswagg 128 #9 Posted May 23, 2015 Sell those 15" rims and weights and slip on some aggressive 12X 26 meats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
