A "D" Joins My Herd.

[Achto 27,605]

@WHX24 and @pullstart were posting adds that they were finding for for sale. This type of enabling got me to looking around until I happened upon one that they missed. It was a D160 at a very reasonable price so I decided to give the seller a call and set up a time to go look at it. His schedule and mine dictated an early morning run for me. With trailer in tow, I started my 3hr journey at 4:30am to go have a look see.

 

What I found was a fairly strait tractor that was in need of a little (Ok maybe a lot of love) Seller was at 2 1/2, after looking it over and pointing out some issues I countered with a buck and a half. We met in the middle at 2 Benny's which I thought was a good enough deal.

 

Of course it didn't happen with out pic's, so here's some shots of me new baby.

 

I would have liked to see some more equipment hanging off from the rear end but for the price it was not a deal breaker.

 

If the meter is correct there are not a huge amount of hours on the 'ole girl.

 

Known issues so far.

Engine turns over & has compression but no spark.

Wiring is a nightmare

Steering needs some surgery.

Missing throttle linkage.

 

My first plan is to see if the Onan will run and how well it runs. If it has major issues I will most likely look for a K341 to replace it with.

 

The steering pivot arm under the tractor has been broken, repaired, broken, repaired etc a few times. I may look for a new one but will more likely fab one from steel as these are often an issue.

 

Future plans are to build a FEL for this tractor and maybe a back hoe. Back hoe is not in stone though. Currently I have so many iron's in the fire that I won't be able to start on this tractor right away, so don't look for any progress on this right away. She will be put on moth balls for a while until I can give her some attention.

 

 

Edited April 4, 2021 by Achto

[WHX?? 48,828]

The goods  out weight the downs  Dan... she's got potential.  You know I got Onan parts crawling out my bung hole so whatever it takes.... spare Ross box ... you did good. 

[ebinmaine 67,626]

Well done man. 

Good to see a solid tractor with great potential in the right hands. 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,465]

Looks to be a great project for you. I hope all turns out well. 

[squonk 41,155]

Nice to know that are still WH's around that can be had for less than half a thou! 

[rjg854 11,387]

8 minutes ago, squonk said:

Nice to know that are still WH's around that can be had for less than half a thou! 

   

[pfrederi 17,741]

Great price hope the hydro is OK but at that price worth polishing some slippers...

Edited April 4, 2021 by pfrederi

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Congrats to the newbie!

Great save Dan,

 

good to know it‘s now in good hands even for a longterm Project.

Good thinks will take it‘s time, so i be patient and curious how it will be turned out after your rework is finally done.

But i be sure there will come a Thread of the rework.

👍

 

 

[rjg854 11,387]

nice fine, at a great price, I'm sure you'll make out with this , you usually do with all your projects

[Tuneup 1,433]

That's a fantastic fined, and for under two Benjies? As long as you expect to find more wrong than you've already had, you'll be as thrilled as I am thrilled for you. Plenty of enjoyment ahead.

[Achto 27,605]

I did some ID tag checking to try to get the production year nailed down. Of course some PO just had to paint over the ID tag. Sorry, just hate it when that happens.

 

In the process of trying to clean it up, I think that I wiped off the year ID number that should be in front of the model number. Why did they stamp every number but that one?!?! I did think that I made out an 81 for a brief second while cleaning so with that and the 5 digit serial number I did some searching. I believe that it is a 1978 model. Maybe @gwest_ca could help with confirming my findings?

 

 

A little dry rubbing reviled the engine numbers

Edited April 4, 2021 by Achto

[Tuneup 1,433]

I can just about make-out an '81'm on that label...

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Nice D-160.Love those Big D's.Love those Onan twins too.Why does almost every D series Horse have a rats nest for wiring??Have fun with your new toy. 

[pacer 3,173]

Course there are rats, but my last 2-3 horses had the dreaded "ammeter" disease.

 

I just bought a D200 with fried wiring and I'm pretty sure it was either the ammeter or the PTO safety- or both, thats where most of the worst melting/frying took place. Was bad enough that I just ripped all the safeties out and went back with a simple on/off/start wiring.

[Achto 27,605]

18 minutes ago, pacer said:

but my last 2-3 horses had the dreaded "ammeter" disease.

 

On my tractors that I have decided to leave the ammeter in, I have place a fuse between the battery & the meter. I've done this even on my un-restored tractors.This way if the meter shorts out the rest of the harness is protected.

Edited April 4, 2021 by Achto

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,332]

2 hours ago, Achto said:

I did some ID tag checking to try to get the production year nailed down. 

 

 

A little dry rubbing reviled the engine numbers

Yup...81-16OS01 1978 D Series Garden Tractor D-160 Automatic Onan BF-MS-3268F 16 Sundstrand 90-1173