A Second D-200 joins my stable

[wheeledhorseman 574]

This feels a bit like one of those family anouncements made for a new arrival but I picked up another D-200 at the weekend. It's a 1978 model and so has different decals and rear wheels to the 1977 model I restored last year.

 

 

It immediately met with my son's approval but I must remember to give him the camera and sit on new arrivals myself one of these days as he's hogged the limelight on several occasions now.

 

It was originally supplied for mowing only so there's no front to rear pto shaft, three point, or turning brakes. It was then used on a site to move caravans about so it hasn't had a hard life and hopefully the transmission has lots of life left in it. Basically it all seems to work except the electrical charging circuit. 

 

 

Just managed to squeeze it into the corner of the barn - sorry about the poor quality photo here but it was too cold to get it outside to give it a look over today. Its been seldom above freezing for more than a week now.

 

Eagle eyed 'D family' members may notice some shiny new mufflers have been fitted. Suitable replacements for a D are hard to find and have been discussed before. I can't take the credit for these but the PO found a source that none of us had considered.

 

I'll give more detal and post some photos soon.

 

So..... in short, having become unhappy with just a 'double C' I have now achieved a 'double D' and no hormones or suplements were involved!

 

Andy

[Shynon 7,459]

Looks like a pretty nice machine!

 

             Tom

[Rock farmer 41]

Now that's a fine looking machine!

Just gota get that other headlight working!

Joe

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,294]

You must have plenty of storage space.....those D series eat up a lot of space.

Nice machine!

Mike.............

[Ken B 3,164]

That is a nice one. It moved Caravans? What is that, like a sheep herders wagon or something similar? It sounds like its had a nice easy life!

[rexman72 210]

thats a rugged machine

[JamesBe1 82]

Way to go Andy!  Seems you've got the 'D' fever too.  Does this make you more dysfunctional than the rest of us?

I'm sure that you'll do a fantastic job of restoring it.  Please post lots of pics.

If you need anything shipped from this side of the pond, I'm happy to help.

[coldone 35]

Glad to see another addition to the family and another one saved.

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

Looks very nice!    I'm starting to miss my d, might go after one again someday, but will be a while.

[meadowfield 2,570]

good effort...

 

 

the main question on all our lips is

 

 

 

 

does it go backwards as well as forwards?   

[artfull dodger 394]

Nice find, cant wait to hear bout what the PO did for replacement mufflers.  A friend fo mine is into Case GT's and finding replacement mufflers for the Onan twins that used 2 seperate oval muffler is almost impossible.  Cant wait to see more on your D series.  At first I thougth the WH D series were butt ugly, but tehy have been growing on me to say the least   Mike

[wheeledhorseman 574]

Being a bit  'butt ugly' is, dare I say, part of the D's charm - it's a strange kind of beauty that kind of grows on you.

 

Anyhow, thanks for the interest and comments guys - it's what I like about RS. I'm also grateful for the help and advice I received from cyber friends across the pond while I was restoring the first 'D' and there's no doubt I'll be picking your brains again and seeking help with sourcing and shipping bits with this one.  I'll answer a few points raised generically.

 

I found a bit of time today and topped up the tranny as it was off the dipstick. Fixed the headlamp, tweaked the carb as it was running way too rich and reconnected the rectifier regulator but looks like I'll have to swap it out for a spare tomorrow. I was going to give it a run about the place but noticed the front axle is very loose. Had the same with the last D - oil from the engine lubes up the bolts which loosen up, a job for tomorrow. Pleased with it so far though and yes, this one goes backwards as well as forwards (bonus!).

 

To clarify the meaning of 'caravan' in English (UK) which clearly doesn't directly translate into English (US).......

Here trailers are pretty much anything you tow behind a vehicle e.g. horse trailers, automobile trailers, box trailers etc but not if its something for living in whilst at a show, touring on vacation etc - that's a 'caravan' (don't ask why) The bigger ones that you can live in full time but can't be towed other than into final postion on a site are 'mobile homes' but these have no suspension and are too large to tow on the highway. I'm not certain what you'd call a caravan (perhaps someone would enlighten me) travel trailer?

 

So, people who can't store their caravns where they live tend to strore them at a secure caravan park (trailer park in US?) It's at one of these that the 'D' was used to move them about and into their storage positions.

 

And now the muffler solution devised by the PO.

 

 

These are pit bike mufflers to explain how I think they were adapted to fit here's a more detailed view (click either image to enlarge)

 

 

The solution is ingenious but needs developing a little further i.e. tail pipes added so that the exhaust discharges below the grille frame. I'll give the PO a call to check that I'm right but here's how I think he did it.

 

The elbow fittings have been changed to a smaller size. How? Well I think he cut slots into the threaded ends of the nipples from the engine then squashed the pipe to the smaller diameter and threaded on the elbows. (This is what I need to check so don't go trying it yet.)

 

The nipples leading down to the muffler were put in a lathe and the threaded part turned down till it fitted into the end of the muffler. There's a stock securing screw on the muffler to secure it to the pipe and it's been sealed with a bit of paste. The stock muffler mounting clamps have been braced by a bit of flat bar.

 

As far as I can see tail pipes in the style of the originals could be added. These are straight through mufflers but no too loud and give a pleasing 'bark' as the engine opens up under the governor. I'm guessing they'd be quieter with D style tail pipes with the side holes for discharge but I like the sound they make as they are and I don't think they'll attract any complaints from neighbors.

 

Credit for this solution goes to the PO but it's an idea that some of you may wish to try and develop. Despite their size, pit bike mufflers are intended for smaller engines but they've got a large straight through bore so I doubt there's any power loss. I'm both pleased and impressed. What do you think?

 

Andy

[JackC 617]

I love the Ds.  They grow on you.  I have 2 D-160s and spend more money and time on them and use them the least.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,294]

So how do they sound? Overly muffled?

Mike..............

[Anglo Traction 761]

Very good Muffler adaption. Good solution to the rareity of replacement parts. I think I've seen Baffle adapters for Pit Bike Mufflers somewhere that don't impinge much on gas flows or increase back pressure, but if you say they're pretty quiet anyway, I'll stop waffling. I bet they were the first things you checked out when you first looked at the Tractor Andy, and one major item less to worry about. A great aquisition.     

[ericj 1,578]

you can get reducer fitting in black iron pipe ie. 1"inlet to 3/4" outlet and you can get them in 90's or straights this might help you out

 

 

eric j

[tommyg 152]

Well, if I learned one thing through this post, it's that a pit bike is what we call a dirt bike. Did a quick google search for images and it's amazing the options out there. You can even get them anodized in Wheelhorse red!! (or at least close.) The only issue I would see is that to design a pipe to poke through the grille frame, it seems you'd have to give some thought to the angle that the exhaust hole is set at. Don't know if that would be an issue or not. Even still, definitely worth a try.

[fabricator2009 48]

very nice d you have there. My favorite.

[wheeledhorseman 574]

Good to know there are many other D lovers out there.

 

The muffler arrangement I inherited isn't perfect but offers food for thought and needs developing.

 

I was looking at it today and the PO used very short elbows (hope that's what their called in the US) As a result the mufflers don't line up with the holes in the grille frame. Longer elbows (that dont turn though 90 as sharply) are needed. When I get time I'll take it all off and make the nipple and elbow arrangement correct to line up the mufflers with the holes in the frame.

 

Altough dirt bike mufflers (learned a new US word today) have that angled exit appearance I think the actual bore passes straight out so adding a tail isn't impossible.

 

It's always difficult to describe a sound but it grows on you. When you open up the throttle it sounds as though there's way more than 20 horses there! My other D is tucked up for the winter at present but I think the stock exhaust on that is going to sound boring by comparison.

 

I'll try and post a video with sound over the weekend.

 

Andy

[Trouty56 565]

Andy....cool you found yet another big tractor......good shape too......have fun....

[VinsRJ 721]

Very nice! Looking forward to the exhaust developement.

[chrisd200(inactive) 55]

This feels a bit like one of those family anouncements made for a new arrival but I picked up another D-200 at the weekend. It's a 1978 model and so has different decals and rear wheels to the 1977 model I restored last year.

 

 

It immediately met with my son's approval but I must remember to give him the camera and sit on new arrivals myself one of these days as he's hogged the limelight on several occasions now.

 

It was originally supplied for mowing only so there's no front to rear pto shaft, three point, or turning brakes. It was then used on a site to move caravans about so it hasn't had a hard life and hopefully the transmission has lots of life left in it. Basically it all seems to work except the electrical charging circuit. 

 

 

Just managed to squeeze it into the corner of the barn - sorry about the poor quality photo here but it was too cold to get it outside to give it a look over today. Its been seldom above freezing for more than a week now.

 

Eagle eyed 'D family' members may notice some shiny new mufflers have been fitted. Suitable replacements for a D are hard to find and have been discussed before. I can't take the credit for these but the PO found a source that none of us had considered.

 

I'll give more detal and post some photos soon.

 

So..... in short, having become unhappy with just a 'double C' I have now achieved a 'double D' and no hormones or suplements were involved!

 

Andy

Gotta love those D's!!!! I have a mostly original D200 that is used nearly every day for some type of chore..... mowing, plowing, tilling, pulling etc. Has never let me down. Did have the hydro rebuilt about 3 years ago. Engine has never been gone into!! Got a D160 that is in pieces at the moment awaiting restoration. Nice tractor!!

[Tankman 3,518]

I really like the "rugged" look of the D's.

Betting your Stallion'll look 100% great after spending some elbow grease

grooming the "machine."

Should I find one inexpensive enough, will be my project later this year.

Very nice find! Progress reports we're all looking forward to! Be there! :smile:

[Vinylguy 4,674]

Congratulations on the new edition You definitely have D Fever