D17 questions

anderson farms · Jun 18, 2022

So in a few weeks there is a D17 coming up at an auction. My son is interested in it. Would it make a good tractor for a 14 year old to rake hay and pull a square bale with? Also could it pull a Heston 530 round baler? He is keeping his eye out for a small round baler to add to his haying equipment. What are the strength and weaknesses of these tractors and what do we need to check out on them?

DrAllis · Jun 18, 2022

D-17's are normally considered very good tractors, but they were made from 1957 thru 1967 with the newest model being the "best" feature wise. As with anything mechanical, you're looking at something that is 50 yrs old or more. Might have been well maintained or maybe not so well maintained. Rake or small square baler is a definite YES. Larger round baler will (I think) require more hydraulics, which only the last models (series 4) will have. Gas tractors are quite good and diesel are far at best.

anderson farms · Jun 18, 2022

Thank you. The pic on the sale bill isnt the best but I think its a series 3 tractor and it is gas

504 · Jun 18, 2022

Great tractor for the year and size. I sold one for scrap price because the guy said he was going to fix it. It leaked oil from one end to the other,rims were shot, and used more oil than gas. That thing sat in the barn for 6 years,I jumped it and it ran onto the trailer.(it was bought at the salvage yard to start with)

DrAllis · Jun 19, 2022

(quoted from post at 19:15:13 06/18/22) D-17's are normally considered very good tractors, but they were made from 1957 thru 1967 with the newest model being the "best" feature wise. As with anything mechanical, you're looking at something that is 50 yrs old or more. Might have been well maintained or maybe not so well maintained. Rake or small square baler is a definite YES. Larger round baler will (I think) require more hydraulics, which only the last models (series 4) will have. Gas tractors are quite good and diesel are fair at best.

fastfarmall · Jun 19, 2022

Too bad its not a D-19,that had enough Hyd to run the baler door and keep it closed!!

dhermesc · Jun 21, 2022

I have a series 4 D17. Good tractor - great for baling hay - mine has spent a lot of time on 273 New Holland baler and accumulator. Biggest issue is remembering to use the power director to stop so the PTO keeps running. The power director is amazing for the time frame it came out - especially compared to the TA in Farmalls. Mine belonged to my FIL and had seen a lot of abuse and kept coming back for more. It has had the head over hauled but the rest of the engine is original with over 8000 hours.

Two big issues I've had - the D17 is pretty fuel hungry - especially compared to the Farmall 350 that I also run. The second is THE BRAKES. Servicing the worn brake pads on a D17 is big undertaking - especially compared to most tractors of that era. I can replace the pads on my 350 in a half an hour and a 9/16 wrench - a D17 requires a day or two (or more) a hoist, a torch and a lot of patients.

D17 questions

anderson farms

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DrAllis

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anderson farms

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504

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DrAllis

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fastfarmall

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dhermesc

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