The story of my D-250!!

[clintonnut 126]

Hi,

Decided it was time to share the long frustrating but loving every moment of it story of my D-250. To start, this tractor was built in 1975 mod. # 61-20RG01-1722. 1722 is the serial number.

We found this tractor in a Lancaster Farming auction ad for Alfred's Auctions in Heightstown, NJ. We went to the auction and it was in SAD shape. Too much to list but we bid on it and thought we had it until some city gangstas put a bid for $550 on it so we had to go to $650. It also came with a working but rough mower deck. I don't even want to think what would have happened to this tractor if we didn't get it! I know that if they got it, in a couple weeks the driveshaft would've flew apart since the U-joints were shot! Sadly I do not have pictures of it at the auction but here is a pic of it after some near NOS fenders were added from Rays mower shop for a cheap $150.

As we loaded the tractor up I noticed there was a tag wired to it that said "Plow and rototiller, Paul 1732********" That will be talked about later.

As we got into the tractor we made some fixes adding new belts, battery, fixing wires, replacing bulbs, painting small parts, repainting the hood and wheels, new headlight lens, new distributer, rebuilt carb, new fuel pump, new u joints, new oil pan gasket, oil filter, new taillights, new fuel gauge, new voltage regulator, tach/hourmeter, new foot board mats, chrome valve cover, new spark plugs, Ford 9n muffler, Simplicity hood straps (nearly identical), new horn switch, new hydraulic hose, chrome lug nuts, etc.

Chrome valve cover:

Oil filter:

Here are beauty pictures of it from summer 2007.

We went pulling with it and not a good idea for the tranny but the thing was a beast! Maybe I'll build a puller out of one of these with a Cub tranny. This photo was from the little guys show. (Charlie Culley in background)

While pulling at the steam o rama I picked up this.

Paul ended up living a couple miles from Alfred's auctions and we went and got the plow. It was rough but worked. Not bad for $100.

The first disaster was when we moved asphalt shavings with it. I managed it fine but accidently brushed the fender on a poll and put a little crack on the inside of the fenders. Not noticable from outside but the bigger disaster was when the hydraulic hose went on the plow and drenched the tractor in oil. EVEN bigger than that on this job was when my dad hopped on the tractor and tried to finish the job. POOP out goes the PTO shaft out the back. It was like the tractor took a giant sh** out the back with a mixture of oil metal and gears. It seems like to this day every time my dad drives this thing he breaks it! Notice the fray on the old hydraulic hose!

Those are pics when we tore into the tranny here's what we found. This fix took 3-4 months. Pics explain the story. I also replaced all of the clutch components with NOS ones. Synthetic tranny fluid cost $80!!

Bought rear tires from ME miller for it as seen here.

Here it is mowing...

How bout a cab from Lord Hellmutt?!?!

Plowing this winter.

Here it is with a snowblower on 3/3/10. It uses a Cub 982 snowblower shell. Its official name is JAWS II!

The only regret I have about these tractors is not buying one for $400 that had a plow in cab that was in MD and was all original and ran!

I have had some crazy times with this tractor. I got a speeding ticket from Jeff Kane at the Horse show for doing gravel burnouts on one of the back driveways. I also was on a road between the fairgrounds and the parking lot at the 2009 R&T threshers reunion and was going down the hill and pushed the clutch in and let it coast. We were doing about 20 and I let the clutch out and the Rpms went up to 4000! Tractordave3128 was riding on the trailer and couldn't believe what was happening!!!! Maybe he'll chime in here.

Drifting! Looks like it but not really

Barrel roll at R&T

Size matters!

UPDATE: New glass windshield installed and gaurdian buffalo on windshield sill! 3/4/10

I hope to put 3 rib tires on the front soon.

I guess this can be called a documentary.

Charlie

[Gerry w 2]

Nice story Charlie! And thanks for the pics too! It's funny but when Kathy and I headed down to the Steam-o-Rama this summer I told her to look for that beast to find you! I knew that you would be driving it! It looks and runs great, nice job!

And ya GOT to let Dad drive it once in awhile!!!

Gerry B)

[clintonnut 126]

He does once in a while but only under my supervision! B)

[Ken B 3,164]

That is one very serious machine! Nice job with all the work you did on it, she looks sweet.

[Suburban 550 28]

Great story, Charlie and one great lookin' tractor. The snowblower looks awesome on it. B)

[clintonnut 126]

I hope to get a vid of it snowblowing soon.

Charlie

[whfan74 2,066]

Charlie thanks for sharing the story! I can tell you guys poured your heart and soul in to that machine and your dedication and attention to detail really shows. That is one beautiful tractor with so many great memories made with it so far. In 5 years from now you will have a true documentary with that machine...........continue to enjoy the hobby with your dad, that time is priceless! B)

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

What a great story about a great tractor by what has to be one fine young man!!

I say THANKS to your dad for encouraging your activities in this hobby.

Keep that attitude Charlie and you will never be bored.

Thanks for sharing with us. B)

[KeithB 6]

Very nice tractor B)

[rickv1957 72]

Charlie,great story,great tractor! ,Rick

[Horse Fanatic 49]

Great story and even greater tractor!

[rustynut 4]

nice story B)

[wheel horse 1045 2]

great story and picture was a plus,that snowblower looks wicked on there

[VinsRJ 721]

Charlie looks amazing! Put some front breaks on that thing and pull a couple power brakes this year at the WH show B)

[JimD 3,345]

Charlie, you should be very proud of your accomplishments it this hobby thus far. I'm sure your Dad is proud of you. I must say I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next. Very nice work on the D! :party:

[Operator 7]

Charlie I can't say anything that the other guys haven't said.

It was a great story young man! and it shows how much you care for that tractor.

You've grown up with it! Look at you in the first pic's then at the end, you.ve gotten taller

I have a question on the 250 front hyd. system - I see only one hyd. hook up isn't there another one? Or is it gravity down and only hyd. up?

Randy

[clintonnut 126]

The 1976-77 tractors only have one hookup and gravity down, the 1978-81 tractors have 4 hookups which allows you to have power down.

Charlie

[Operator 7]

Charlie where you going to find the appropriate size three-ribs? Does Miller have bigger than they advertise on E-Bay? For the D size.

Randy

[chris11 184]

Charle, That was great. I love the pictures, you seem like a very smart young man. B)

[Cody 276]

Charlie, what a great story and one amazing looking tractor. Keep up the great work.

[Rideawaysenior 25]

Great story Charlie.

Jack

[dclarke 4,032]

great story charlie, nice snow blower. thanks for the pics. B)

[jimbotelho 1]

Charlie your dad should be proud of you .It is nice to see that you are interested in something other rhan say xbox etc? just be careful have fun and be safe How old are you? I wish my 11year old was interested in tractors

[clintonnut 126]

I will be 16 in July.

Put your son on a pullin tractor! That will turn him on!

Thanks for the comments!

I added pics in the first post of the windshield I got today.

Charlie

[dkopp 1]

Thanks for sharing the story and pictures. I would have never guessed that the rear end of a D-250 would be a worm drive unit. Interesting setup. Looks like the retaining rings gave loose and forced everything out the back end. I'm glad to see that you and your dad did it justice.