Wiring Thieves

Fuddy Duddy

Well-known Member
Thought I was going to go look at this tractor today. But after a search of the archives seems parts to rebuild these are hard to impossible to come by. He gave me what I thought would be a good price $1200. I do have a spare 172 gasser laying around. But I think I'll past. But can you believe thieves stole the mans wiring from his tractor? Boy, Some people.
601 Diesel
 
Rear and grill indicate a late model 801 which would carry the 172 diesel which is easier to get parts for than the model 601 144 diesel. Good price for that tractor if they didn't steal anything else. Probably stole the battery too.

Kirk
 
It does say 'workmaster' on the side. 801s were 'powermasters'. How would I ID a 172 over the 144? Over the years anything could had been done to it. Yeah, I'm sure they would got the battery too. It probably wouldn't had been any good any way.
Guy did say it has the 5 speed. So it would be x51 or x61.
 
(quoted from post at 11:10:37 01/16/15) It does say 'workmaster' on the side. 801s were 'powermasters'. How would I ID a 172 over the 144? Over the years anything could had been done to it. Yeah, I'm sure they would got the battery too. It probably wouldn't had been any good any way.
Guy did say it has the 5 speed. So it would be x51 or x61.

Looks like a really nice tractor and a good deal at 1200 bucks. If it were closer I'd jump all over it. And if you are seriously interested, I'd suggest you move quickly. It will move fast.
 
Time hasn't yet run out. The guy said he would call me when he gets home from work today. You'd really go for it even if the engine is not rebuildable? It would be buying a Pig in the Poke. Wouldn't be able to start it without wiring.
 
Casting numbers right side bottom section of block.
It's a lot easier to change a decal that to switch rear. 801 rear, maybe 1961/62 with the beefed up ribs.
I would also ask him for the numbers above the serial number.

kirk
 
Here are some casting numbers
B9NN-6015A= 144 D
CONN6015H= 144 D

CONN 6015F= 172 D
There are other number so if you could post them
 
(quoted from post at 10:27:40 01/16/15) Check the casting numbers on the block.
C0NN-6015H - 144D late 1960-1964
C0NN-6015C - 172D-G late 1960-1964

Mark

Plus, if it's an earlier block:

B9NN-6015A - 144D late 1959 early 1960
B9NN6015B - 172D late 1959 early 1960
 
(quoted from post at 11:31:12 01/16/15) Time hasn't yet run out. The guy said he would call me when he gets home from work today. You'd really go for it even if the engine is not rebuildable? It would be buying a Pig in the Poke. Wouldn't be able to start it without wiring.

Couple of things. You mentioned you had an extra 172 gasser available. There's the worst case.....motor swap. And even then you could part out the diesel that came from it. If it's the 172D, then life gets better, as parts are easier to come by. If it's a 172D that runs, even better still.

I also look at it that the sum of the pile of parts there equals or likely exceeds 1200 bucks.

That's also through my glasses.....in that I work on everything myself. If you don't like working on stuff or have to pay people to get it running, then everything I mention goes out the window.
 
A few years back I wouldn't have even thought of it, but these days with a scammer on every block, I can't help but wonder if he might know the engine has problems and cut out the wires himself so he could claim that it ran the last time they used it and that you can't try to start it because the wires are missing. I would bring jumper cables and jump the starter just to see if it will even turn. If it's froze solid you have a bargaining chip to try to get a lower price.
 
(quoted from post at 10:31:12 01/16/15) Time hasn't yet run out. The guy said he would call me when he gets home from work today. You'd really go for it even if the engine is not rebuildable? It would be buying a Pig in the Poke. Wouldn't be able to start it without wiring.
on't need much wire to make that old diesel run. None if you are good with pliers.
 
I don't know a lots about diesels. Guess the only fire is to the glow
plugs. Then the switch some how kills the engine. Not sure about
that part. I could take a battery and battery cables.
It it is an 801 that would make it more interesting. I was saving that
172 for a larger frame or if I needed someday for the 861 I have
now. (Which has 4000 tin on it by the way)
 
Most likely is an 861. I would be in the same boat as you, that price is right at the tipping point. If it is an 861 and not an 851 and it needed a clutch, needed engine rebuilt etc. then I would look at it as a headache that you would break even on maybe.

If it did actually run, the clutch was OK and the hydraulics fine then that is a great deal, sure looks to be pretty solid on the outside.

Could be a franken-tractor you never know till you go see it though. I have ran into plenty.
 

"Wouldn't be able to start it without wiring."

You don't need anything electrical at all to start this tractor. The fuel shutoff is controlled by the throttle lever. Turn on the fuel valve under the tank, pull the throttle lever down about 1/4 to 1/2 of its travel, put it in 4th gear and pull it with another tractor/truck.

It is a late model 8X1 according to the ribbed rear axle center section but the engine may have been changed. The earliest 172D had a 310609 casting number in addition to the other numbers already posted.
 
I offered to fix that tractor for the guy so he could sell it for a good price and he said heck no. Guess he is wanting a big price for a tractor that maybe good or maybe parts.
 
For that kind of money, you can't go wrong. It was running in 2013, sheet metal is good, tires are good, has the 5 speed transmission. Heck parts alone, you could make a lot of money. I'm sure that engine is rebuildable. If I were near, I'd be all over that. Heck I bet you could even get it for a grand. You can tell that tractor has been taken care of.
 
As others have already pointed out based on sheet metal,rear end,etc. it appears to be an 801. Based on the high clutch pedal quite possibly an 861. To far from me but if it were close I'd go for it if the motor isn't looked up. Can't tell from the picks if the stack has a cap or is cover with a can to keep the rain out but definitely worth a good look at that price.
 
Texas has it right above.
No wires or cables or even battery needed to run a diesel.
Pull it with a pu and it would run all day if there's enough fuel.
 
Seems to be a lots of casting numbers out there.
Checked my two out
One is: EAF6015-H, The other is CON6015-J.
Google them just to make sure, both are 172s.
The one on the tractor is clearly marked on what would be the bell housing as 861.
I can write down the numbers giving here and if none match maybe I'll be able to google it on my phone.
 
The EAF number would be'53/'57 before the diesel came out. CONN6015J gasser 172.
861 or 851 on bell.
Gassers and diesels won't have the same block #.
You young guys could probably post right over the phone so if you can post the numbers when you get there.

Kirk
 
Should have a little T handle. Pull out to kill once killed will go back in when released. Not an on/off manual switch.

Kirk
 
looks very nice....I bet it'll run
Those rears on those rims in good shape would probably push a grand around me.
You just can't lose here.
That tractor is so nice, it needs to be saved as-is
but
looking at it with a hard, merciless, business eye and living in the far North where early diesels can be unhappy for 8 months......I'd buy it, put my gasser in it, sell the diesel to get back pretty much all my money and have a very nice 861...for practically free.

I don't buy tractors this time of year. (heat bills)
but I have to say....that tractor at that price...if it was summer...
I might have swooped in and did the 'tough ol world' thing to ya.
Don't wait too long if you want it.
 
Stealing the wiring harness off a 50 year old tractor? The crackheads did you a favor. I never heard anyone complain after rewiring an old tractor.
 
Not enough copper in a wiring harness to amount to anything. Around here the copper thieves go after the big stuff. Once or twice a year you hear in the news that one of them electrocuted themselves trying to steal some cable from a power substation.
 
It appears to be gone now. Not surprised he didn't call me back. I was like the first responder. He said his minimum was $1200. Probably had a lots of offers by the time he got off work. I agree, couldn't be more than a couple of dollars of copper there. My Brother once closed on a house he was getting for a rental. That night someone came in there and stripped all the wiring out of the wall. Cost him a lots to replace the wiring and sheetrock.
 
Yep, you can't hesitate when a deal like that comes up. you snooze you loose. Who ever got that one is likely to make a couple grand off it.
 

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