D17, PURCHASE

The price on the D-17 is super. You've lots of margin there to make it a great tractor and still not have more invested than it is worth. In 1994, I bought my 1960 D-17 diesel with an Allis backblade for $750. It didn't run very good, bad starter, bad generator, no PS, no brakes, no hydraulics, bad tires and hardly any paint. It cost me less than $400 to get everything field ready and lookin' good. I had to make a coupling for the PS pump. Engine had stuck valves - took a while to free them up. Still haven't broken into the engine but I do need a new rear engine seal. But it has become my second favorite tractor (behind the D-14). The D series have pushed the WD-45 aside because they are so easy to use. You'll get really attached to your D-17. Sounds like your engine problems can be fixed pretty easily. Good luck!!!!!

I believe the normal use of the two terms is as follows: LIVE power is when you can have power to the PTO and hydraulics anytime the engine is running, regardless of movement or nonmovement of the tractor and even while shifting. INDEPENDENT power is when you can have power to the PTO and hydraulics, independent of the main clutch to the transmission. AC accomplished independent power, first with the hand clutch on the WD, WD45 and CA and then with the power director on the D series tractors. The AC D-17 series 4 was the first with true LIVE power to the hydraulics. Certainly auxiliary hydraulic pumps could be added to models maybe as early as the WC that operated off the front of the crankshaft and required their own hydraulic reservoir. These gave add on LIVE hydraulics but were not factory standard equipment.

Welcome to the world of orange. Is the tractor a gas model, wide or narrow front? We have a '59 Diesel--still trying to get the lift to work properly but I think we're getting close thanks to some good advice from these guys and a few at the other site (unofficial AC). BTW, you'll need a shop manual if one didn't come with the purchase...