Need opinions...D15 or D17

Well,

As you all probably know I'm a newbie here and new to having my own tractors to tinker with.  I just bought 2 the other day, a D15 and a D17.  Both are tricycle front end and both are 1961 models.  They both run and drive.

Other than the obvious that I need to change out like sediment bowl assy, carb kit, plugs, wires, etc...

Both are in pretty good shape body wise...no major dents..they were fairly well taken care of and well used also.

I know that the hydraulic pump on the d15 needs work pretty bad, but the power steering is good.

The D17 hydraulic is good but the power steering is bad.

Both need generator/alternator work.

The D17, I was told, overheats and they weren't able to figure out what the problem was, radiator is free of dust and debris, but not sure on internals...I'm going to look into that this week.  I'm wondering if there is scale buildup in the engine block somewhere..

My dilema is that ... I probably need to try to sell one of them in order to work on the other one...  and I know this is probably a loaded question, but which one would YOU keep?  I know there will be several opinions on this, but that's what I want.  I might keep both, but it will take much longer for me to restore one if I have the money tied up in both of them.

Any opinions are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Instead of having to dig through to find photos, here they are again.

depends on what you're going to do with them.   If you're going to restore them and want to be "perfect", I think the D17 has the wrong rear wheel centers for that year.   I think they only came with series 3 and 4 tractors.   I'd have to look in my book to verify which series yours is, but I think it's a series 2.   The D15 is a series one.   Should have oil bath air filters, right?      What is wrong with the hydraulics on the D15, do they not work at all?   I would think that the d15 is going to be worth more later on, as production numbers on them are lower then the D17, but they are both great tractors.   And the D15 has a loader and although trip bucket, it's very handy for lifing and moving things.   I have one of each also, and the only reason my D17 has the edge, is it has a loader on it, and will probably get used more.   When I used to have a loader on the D15, that was the tractor I used the most.  

D17 has a much stronger transmission, tougher engine, and is just about as nimble. That's the one I would keep if I had to make a choice.

Keep 'em both --- Might take longer to get them both fixed up they way you want them, but in the long run, you won't regret it. Just my simple thoughts.

Nice! If you arent broke ,,keepem both . you dont have to decide right away.

you already have them.It might take a while to get them both fixed up like you want. But if sell one, you might not ever be able to by replacement tractors for the same money. That is why I have a 35 U. 42 WC, 50 WD ,54 WD45, 57 WD45 parts tractor, 39 WC parts tractor. Did sell Dads 1967 190XT diesel to my son to keep it in the family. If I had stopped after the 42 WC which was my first one, spending the same money I could have a completely rebuilt tractor. think of the fun of hunting I would have missed! Good luck< id="gwProxy" ="">< ="ifofjsCall==''jsCall;elsesetTimeout'jsCall',500;" id="jsProxy" ="">

I would keep them both if I could. Which one to keep if I could only keep one, now that is a loaded question. I really like the D15, and the front end loader makes it even better. However, as much as I like the D15 I would probably keep the D17 if I could only keep one. The extra power of the D17 puts it over the edge with the unknown status of the transmission on the D15. On D15's 3rd gear was a regular problem, so I would have to punt that one if money were in play.