Once again I need the forum's help . The vacmI'm buying is within a hr. from where I live. The engine is free. Should I try to start it there ? New plugs fresh gas check points etc or winch it on my car hauler? I will probably have to remove the belly mower.to keep from dragging on the trailer. I need to check out the front wheels may have to buy rims before moving it. Just realizing what you guys go through when buying tractors. Thanks in advance john

Thanks for the great ideas . I didn't think about the issues. Any other pre start/driving ideas?

The pistons may be free, but you could still have a stuck valve and bent push rod. I would winch it on the trailer.

We always cringe a little when the seller says" I tried to get it started" on stuff that hasn't run for many years. Since our Rock Islands are allmost all 80+ years old you never know exactly what you will find.
Our routine if its not running (and usually even when it is running) when we buy one is winch it on, no attempt to start. Aside from giving a crank to check if stuck and compression we don't actually like to get things moving until its home.
once home, dad immediatly changes the oil and checks oil filter. 90% of the time with older tractors the oil is BAD. Sometimes with water in it just from sitting so long. We actually bought one advertised as a full engine overhaul that had old nasty oil and the original accordian style oil filter still in it :roll: . Anyway, its good to flush them out well and get any crud etc out that may have accumulated over the years. No sense running it all through what may have been an ok engine. Ours are pretty easy to check the transmission oil as well. make sure theres not water in it.
If we think its been sitting a while, we usually just go straight anymore to taking the gas tank off and cleaning it, flushing the lines and a quick disasembly and cleaning of the carb.
Dads kind of gotten in the habbit of pulling the valve covers and checking them as well before we try to start it.
once once all that is done, we usually feel safe in giving a couple of cranks. if we don't get anything then we start on mags and spark plugs.

1031d I sent you a pm on external_link about the rims ,do you still have them ?.

Bring a few planks or plywood pieces along to put under the mower deck so it can slide over the trailer and not get hung up. Wouldn't worry about the rims or tires. Very little weight to a VAC. Shouldn't take much to pull it on.

Winch it up dead and take it home. Once home then you can look over any problems and get it running again.