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mjmccarthy85

New to Forum and thinking of buying D160

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mjmccarthy85

Hi guys. New to the forum and really want a small garden tractor with loader. I came across this D160 but am hesitant to get into something that will be a headache. It does not have the 3 pt hitch or rear PTO. I know it need a cylinder repacked as the loader drifts down a little he said. He's offering it to me with the plow and some spare parts for $2100. Is this a good deal? Anything i should know before looking at it? May go pick it up tomorrow.

 

 

https://nh.craigslist.org/grd/5548998155.html

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82Caddy

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mjmccarthy85

Or I can get this one for $2500. Could really use some guidance.

 

1978 Wheel Horse D250 Tractor - Includes bucket, mowing deck, 2 sets of rear wheels and tires (turf tires and snow tires with chains). Excellent condition.

00y0y_kDxb5oY3h0o_600x450.jpg

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953 nut

:WRS:   We have a few "D Experts" who should be able to let you know what to look out for. The price seems reasonable on both of them if there are no issues. Some folks love the bigger D-250 and some hate them. Take the time to do a search of both on here and educate yourself before making the decision.

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mjmccarthy85

Thanks! Okay Ill do my research. I get worried with anything that age and it's a good amount of money! But anything running with a loader seems to hold its value. I'm leaning towards the D-250 as it looks cleaner.

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elcamino/wheelhorse

Have you checked the Forum Classifieds ? There have been some D series for sale .

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mjmccarthy85

A little. I need something local. Any idea if I can hook up the mower and loader at the the time? If not is it because it wont mount or because they both run off the same thing? Ideally id like the mower on it with the loader and not have to take the loader off all the time to mow with it.

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82Caddy

Can't mount both at the same time, at least with an ark loader on a d series. 

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mjmccarthy85

I ended up going with the D250. It is in amazing shape for its age. It starts right up and purs like a kitten. The deck had been completely gone through although he said the hydraulics to raise and lower are no longer there. So there is a rear pto but no hydraulic 3 point hitch either. Not sure if thats tied together. Ideally i'd like to set it up to have that so the deck raises and lowers. I havent mounted it yet because I need to remove the loader which I dont want to do yet. I was a little apprehensive since its much bigger than the "lawnmower with a loader" I wanted. But Im feeling better about it. For $2500 in its condition I think I'm doing ok. The steering is the only issue which he said is common. Had a lot of play however it doesnt like skip or anything. Of course with the loader and no power steering its not easy to turn. Hppefully thats better with the mower deck and no loader if I play on mowing with it.

 

Any suggestions on how to fix the steering and how to set up the raising and lowering of the deck?

 

 Here are some pics, I go the wider wheels with it (which I have put on) and the weight box which we just took of to transport.

image6.pngimage1.pngimage2.pngimage3.pngimage4.pngimage4.pngimage5.png

Edited by mjmccarthy85
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elcamino/wheelhorse

It looks in real nice shape. Good luck with your new purchase. Now you need another horse to handle the mowing duties so you don't have to remove the loader.

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ericj

i like the mopar rally wheels on the back. nice purchase, someday i wouldn't mind having a D250 someday, good luck

 

 

 

 

eric j 

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mjmccarthy85

Thanks! So I've been researching for the past hour or so and having trouble finding info on the steering box. Is there any adjustment I can do? I see one for sale on ebay but its $300! Is there another one I can swa pwith from a different Dseries? Any info or links to anyone who's done power steering?

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WNYPCRepair
11 minutes ago, mjmccarthy85 said:

Thanks! So I've been researching for the past hour or so and having trouble finding info on the steering box. Is there any adjustment I can do? I see one for sale on ebay but its $300! Is there another one I can swa pwith from a different Dseries? Any info or links to anyone who's done power steering?

 

 

Saw this recently. Re-powered and added power steering. 

Not sure what his plans are for the old steering gear. @82Caddy  Edit: never mind, just re-read and his was shot too.
 

 

Edited by WNYPCRepair

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82Caddy

The one I pulled out was junk. I can check my other parts tractor and see if it's any good. 

 

Are the d-160/180/200 steering boxes the same as a d-250?

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roadapples

I have the same loader on a C160 and love it, but I wouldn`t want to be switching it all the time. I`d get another for mowing. Seems these little horses like to multiply anyway...:) and:WRS:

Edited by roadapples
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Ken B

I'm not a D250 specialist so I can't help you there. I think you did pretty good on the price, the loader alone can go for between 1500 to 2 grand. Has the tractor been restored at one time or is it all original? 

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mjmccarthy85
7 hours ago, 82Caddy said:

The one I pulled out was junk. I can check my other parts tractor and see if it's any good. 

 

Are the d-160/180/200 steering boxes the same as a d-250?

Im asking the guy on ebay to see if the one hes selling for the 250 will fit others. So I will let you know and thanks!

 

 

7 minutes ago, Ken B said:

I'm not a D250 specialist so I can't help you there. I think you did pretty good on the price, the loader alone can go for between 1500 to 2 grand. Has the tractor been restored at one time or is it all original? 

I dont think its been restored. I was told it was mostly a parade tractor and didnt get much use. Some things have been worked on. I got it off a youngrer guy who used it around his house for the past year or so on his projects. Im not sure who he got it off of but he went through the mower deck and I know he got the charging system to work he said. He was pretty knowledgeable about the tractor. He thinks something has been removed in terms of the 3 point hitch. Which makes sense because why a rear pto with no 3pt?

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953 nut

As I understand it the D-250 is a stand alone model with little or no interchangeable parts from other Ds. Be sure the steering box is for the 250. One of the best things to improve your steering will be a lot of weight in your weight box. There is a thread on here about "Hard Steering" that may help you, just do a search. 

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pacer

Like 953 said, from everything I've read indicates that very little - if anything - is the same as the other D's. Dont jump up and buy anything before confirming.

 

FWIW, the other D's steering is a bit of a weak spot also. Its steering is by "Ross" which is an American co - which leads to another thought, the 250 wasnt even made here in the states so its box is likely different.

 

Very nice tractor!!

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roadapples

I put 6 ply trailer tires that hold 70 psi on mine. Steers much easier, although will not fix loose steering...

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mjmccarthy85

Here it is with the tires and doing my first little bit of work. Still worried about something breaking and finding parts. I'm not sure if I'll keep it too long after my projects are done.

 

image1.png

image2.PNG

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Reel Mower Freak

Beautiful house. Looking forward to the pics of the completed project.I see some top soil in your future.

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Robert of Lake Michigan

I think if you decide to become involved with these machines called tractors that are most often 30 or more years old you can very well expect to make repairs on them no matter their purchase appearance.  The love is in the doing in this hobby.  Expect problems to pop up anytime. 

 

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953 nut

If you don't decide to keep the 250 there will be no problem selling it for what you paid.

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TDF5G

I'd say you got the right machine for the job!  That's gonna be a nice project.

:text-coolphotos:

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