Valued Opinion Needed.. Update

[Jovee]

What would you do? I have been watching this for about 6 months now sitting just inside an entrance to an excavation company. Today I finally got bold enough to ask. It's a 17 GTH-L which I am guessing is a decendant of the 7117 (?). It's been sitting outside for two years in that spot. The owner claims it just needed a starter because his hearing impaired father chews the teeth off of everything because he doesn't know things are running. Cars are the same way he says. He claimed he paid $1600 for a new series 2 KT17 3 yrs ago and that it will run. The rear has been hit and the fender pan and hinges are really out of whack. There are a few springs and linkages hanging down underneath. The 42" deck is bent and banged and cracked. I got one spindle to turn reaching under. Both front tires are bald and the rr is flat. Tires arent a problem. It will need paint and a seat also. I dont know what else could be wrong or what to look for on one of these. Does this one have that hydro that can't be pushed? 1691957-1304 I don't mind investing a few bucks but is this one past it's prime? He is asking $250.

[UCD]

Because of the condition, parts and work needed offer him $150 you can alwas come up. They can be pushed by pushing the by-pass valves down.

[richp]

I would buy it for that money. If you can get him down to $150, it would be a steal.

[PhanDad]

I'd also buy it for the $250, but first offer lower. I paid $500 for my 17GTH-L with a blown KT17 in it - but the rest of the tractor and 48" deck was in great shape - always kept inside and maintained. Previous owner didn't keep eye on the oil level and KT's don't run long without oil.

[goatfarmer]

If he guarantees it to run with a new starter,or your money back,I'd go for it.

[firefoxz1]

I think I would go for that also. 3 yr old KT17 that has been sitting for the last 2, I think I would take a chance if there is still fairly clean water free oil on the dipstick and I could still turn the engine by hand.

[Ronald Hribar]

Buy it You can sell motor for double that.

[Jovee]

I actually did offer $100 first when he asked what I would give him. He said he wasnt interested because of the engine investment.I asked what he was looking to get and he said 250. I could reasonable try 200 and see what happens. I will stop back tomorrow and check the stick. Good thinking Tom! I was afraid to move the stuff from the hood and open it because he wasnt there (I spoke to him by phone thanks to his father living across the road) Does that lift unit look like it's all there? And roughly what year did these come out? How steep are starters going to be for this one? I'm limited on my Kohler knowledge especially the twin. Thanks Maynard! That was the biggest worry I had-

[tractormike]

If you can, take off the air cleaner and see what is condition the air filter is in also. That would help you tell what kind of care the machine has had.

[Kent]

Hydraulic lift and hydro... at $200 you'd be stealing it... :D

[RayS]

The Sundstrand and hydraulic lift are worth more than that. I would get it if it was me.

[Chris727]

Looks about the same or better than my 17GTH-L did when I got it, I'd jump on that one. I think that tractor was made around 1991-1992.

[deerhunter]

Joe, You know I'm only about 45 min. south. Let me know if you decide to pass on it!!!!!!!!!!

[HubbardRA]

Joe, If you take it and don't want it, I will give you your money back for it. I paid that much for a 7116H that doesn't run, and was a rust bucket compared to the one you are looking at. That one you are talking about looks good. If I lived closer, it would be in my back yard by now. It is not past it's prime. It is still a baby compared to the ones I have.

[JoeJ]

;)Joe, Grab it, if for nothing else, to show Dean what a real tractor is!!:D

[BrianP]

Too bad I live in SC, if I were closer I'd already have it sitting in my yard. Like other's have said though, I'd have countered his offer of $250 by offering him $200. Gotta meet in the middle when you're haggling. I actually did travel from SC to PA a couple of years ago for the 7016-H I won off eBay. That convinced my wife I'm a genuine tractor nut! The 7016 needed a lot of work and I paid $375. Now I look for deals closer to me.

[Jovee]

quote:

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Originally posted by JoeJ
;)Joe, Grab it, if for nothing else, to show Dean what a real tractor is!!:D

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If he hasn't learned by now.... Good news update (I hope) I stopped back and went over it better after clearing the junk off of it. The oil looks like it was just changed. I was able to turn the front shaft slightly to see it turn at the rear of the engine. The dangling parts were reconnected by me and all is well there. I wasn't able to locate the bypass for the hydro but saw the hinges could be bent straight again. I called him back but he would not budge from the $250. I told him I would take it and he said he would give me a call back when he was home tonight or tomorrow. He says he will be away for the weekend. Nothing like depriving the child on Christmas morning. I just hope nothing goes wrong. Does the deck operate hydraulicly too or is that electric? I was looking for a switch but saw none. The deck is in the down position and may hinder loading a little-

[UCD]

It has Hydraulic lift. Lift the deck by hand and hook it up with a bungee cord over the tunnel. Bottom right picture push free wheeling latch down.It is on top of the pump.

[Jovee]

Thanks Maynard!! I can't see up under as to what style starter is on it. Do the starters for the KT's have the changeable gear like the Briggs have? I'm hoping the teeth were just chewed off. I was venturing thru ebay to get an idea of a price. The gears on the different ones I saw look brass-

[deerhunter]

Joe, To re-state my earlier point, I'm only about 45 min south of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jovee]

48 minutes if you catch that new light at 43. If something changes in my situation, I will relinquish it. I'm worried that he will change his mind or pull that 'someone else offered more money' line I have heard before. He was supposed to call me back but hasnt yet. I know he runs his own business and is busy (very short phone conversations) so I will wait a week before I pester him again. I hate getting my hopes up sometimes. The 3 Allis' and the Panzer I found last month were so convincingly for sale by what the guys wife said but I have never heard back from him. Maybe I should have read between the lines there -lol

[PhanDad]

Joe, as far as pushing the tractor, it's been my experience that after sitting awhile the sunstrand hydros "free wheeling latch" doesn't need to be pressed. The hydro fluid lock isn't present and it makes no difference to there pushability. If the machine has been running, the latch must be depressed to push the tractor. I've seen many sunstrand hydro tractors with rusted bypass valves that aren't operable and you have to wait until the fluid lock releases before pushing them. It's also been my experience that sunstrand hydro tractors push much harder than vickers hydros. And since the sunstrands do release the fluid lock, don't park on a hill without setting the parking brake and figure the tractor will stay put. As you can guess, I learned this the hard way. Don't have the problem with my vickers hydro tractor. PS - I always take the deck or other attachments off the tractor and load the attachments separately; I think it's safer. Just yesterday there was an article in the local paper about a man killed when his old tractor fell on him while loading it on a pickup. See separate post.

[Jovee]

Thanks Bill! It hasnt run in a while so that may be the case. I will give the latch a look the next time I get up there. I still haven't heard back and since he said he would be a away for the weekend, the agony will drag out. I don't park anything on any hill anywhere without the parking brake I use good arched aluminum ramps that prevent any deck hangups while loading. Because its in the down position I will bungee it up like Maynard said. Less likelihood of losing something in the weeds.

[Jovee]

I spoke to the gentleman in person today and he says his 82 yr old father wants to hang on to it and put a starter in. He told me to try back in 4 months or so. October 1st, I will be there-

[goatfarmer]

It figures.......I would bet in 4 months,not a thing will be changed,except 4 months worth of junk piled on it!