D200 Resto ... Florida style!!!!

[rtfbg 744]

OK ... I'm sorry!!!!!

 

I got yelled at because I had no idea how this worked.  I just jumped in with both feet, and I guess I should have read a bit first.

 

So ... I'll start over on my own post, and not trash up other guys stuff!!!

 

Background ... in 1978, I got a new D200 for my Dad at Jacks Wheel Horse in Sarver PA.  First two pics are when it was new, one nice pic, one with my big butt in the middle of it!!

 

Over the years, it was used to mow, plow snow, and spread lots of gravel and dirt.  One hell of a machine, period!!  It also served Dad well as a grandchild entertainment device!!

 

It replaced an older 6hp horse, which we worked to death.  One pic here is me pulling a single plow with Dad steering , or should I say LEANING on it!!  Even with all his weight that lil 6 pulled it!!

 

So fast forward to 2014 ... I'm on a shortlist, with major coronary issues.  On full disability for awhile now, just waitin for the backhoe to show up!  Too much truck driver food I guess!!  I decided to look for a D200 to restore.  I figured I could do that at my own pace, day at a time.

 

I found a complete, but crappy unit down in Naples FL, for way too much $$$!!!  I looked at cheaper units, but when I added the cost of missing parts, this one became a much better deal.

 

It has a mower only, big unit, guy said it's a 60, but I didn't think they put them on 200's, they were 250 only, right??  Anyway, this is gonna be a cruiser only, so at some point, I am going to sell or trade off ALL the mower parts, including the PTO, jack shaft and lift cyl, and probably the valve body as well.

 

First step was to tear it to pieces!!  Fasteners in a parts wash bin, everything else piled on shelves awaiting their turn on the wire wheel / sandblaster table!!

 

For many years, I traveled the country, every state except AK and HI by myself, just me, my truck, and a creatively written log book!!  LOL  Now, I'm not about to cruise the woods alone.  But wait, the D200 is a single seater!!  Not no mo!!  The first part of this is an 18 inch frame stretch so I can have a place for my sexy red head to sit!!!

 

The most troubling part was how to modify the transaxle drive tubes.  My buddy suggested welding hose bibs on each tube, then connecting them with soft lines.  Sounds good to me!!  WOW, talk about an expert welder!!! Sweet job!!

 

So that's done, well, not the lines just yet. Have to mount the axle, and pump to get the exact length.  Not much room for error, as high pressure soft lines don't bend very well!! The frame pieces should be done next week, and I can start putting it back together and get the lines made up. 

 

Now don't get in a rush, it's 92-96 deg everyday here, and the garage is usually 15-20 deg hotter than outside.  Lots of sweat, lots of Gatoraide, and lots and lots of naps!!!  LOL

 

Now, I have to tell you about my first Red Square experience.  I had to hacksaw the steering wheel off, so I needed a new top for the shaft.  Member Bill Price from AL responded to my cry for help.  He cut off an old shaft he had, and sent it, along with some other cool pieces to me FREE OF CHARGE.  That's just wrong! LOL  If that's the kind of people that are common on here, well,  this truly is a special place.  Many thanks brother!!!  You get first dibs on my spare part pile, which will be pretty big!!

 

Stay tuned!!!!

 

[fabricator2009 48]

Nice tractor. Keep up the good work.

[Lane Ranger 10,941]

looking GOOD AND CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE UPDATES ON YOUR PROGRESS!    You really have the Wheel Horse bug!

[JackC 617]

A stretched D200 two seater? Can't wait to see it.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,259]

Very ambitious project....good luck!!

Mike.........

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,328]

I love the old pics !!

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

Not yelling at you! I just wanted the full story

 

Just like you are giving us! Looking forward to it, I love tractors with family history.

 

Thanks!

[Save Old Iron 1,566]

excellent idea on the trans tubes

[brandonozz 168]

I have to agree with everyone else, love the story and old pictures..... at least all but one. LOL

Looking forward to keeping up with your progress on a great project.

[rtfbg 744]

Not making much progress ... friggen HOT!!!  Anyway, I had some old magnets laying around, so I bolted them to an old wood rack, and came up with a great table top tool for holding part.  They are strong enough to hold whatever I put up there ... well, not the axles!!  You can see one here holding a fender, plus a few other little pieces.

[AMC RULES 37,118]

Humm...the magnets are a great idea.   

[Racinbob 11,014]

I just gotta ask. The magnets. Perhaps the bases to old magnetic mount CB antennas? Strong little buggers.

[rtfbg 744]

Close!!  I used to have a lightbar mounted with them.  They are rated at 500lbs ea.  and if you put a flat piece like a fender, you really have to use leverage to get it off!!  lol  They sell them at Harbor Freight, $10ea I think.

[Brrly1 1,146]

Looks good, looking forward to the completion. Very interesting

[Racinbob 11,014]

500 pounds That's a lot of magnet! I don't know what a CB antenna magnet is but they are tough. Just not that tough. Yours caught my eye because quite some time ago I had a mag mount antenna fail..........OK, it failed when I drove in a parking garage.......... Anyways, I tore it apart and use the magnet for various things. You just gave me another use for it. Who knows, Crystal River isn't all that far from here. Maybe someday I'll just happen to be in the area.

[JamesBe1 82]

Excellent thread gulftane.  I am looking forward to watching your resto/mod.

[19richie66 17,485]

Ill be watching this myself. I just picked up a d160. I would be interested in your leftovers, lol. Later, Richie

[rexman72 210]

that's a great tractor

["D"- Man 827]

A D-200 cruiser? So does this mean we can expect to see lots of chrome? Mark.

[rtfbg 744]

CHROME???? A truck driver / boat captain use chrome or stainless???  Why ever would you ask??!!   lol     HELL YEA!!!

[Tankman 3,518]

The history, pic's, plans, all great. Thanks for posting.

 

The herd wants needs to be kept up to date, camera and story. Can't wait! 

[rtfbg 744]

OK, so I have a question for you D guys.  The manual reads "SAE 30" motor oil in the pump, the sticker reads ATF, and my hydraulic gooroo says hydraulic oil ONLY.  Since my entire system is drained, now is a good time to put the RIGHT STUFF in there.  My gut tells me it will perform better with hydraulic oil.  

 

OPINIONS PLEASE!!!!!!!

["D"- Man 827]

Either one but don't mix them, the tranny fluid has a foaming agent in it that the oil does not have.

[pacer 3,160]

You cant go wrong with hyd oil, and it can be found at MANY places and not very expensive (TSC, wally world, auto supply, etc) its used in gazillions of construction equip, etc.

[rtfbg 744]

Thats what I was thinking.  My hydraulic guy said he has hundreds of customers with Sundstrand pumps, everything from wood chippers to vibrating rollers, and they ALL use hydraulic oil.