WD45, Are they all worth Saving?

The other day I saw this WD45 sitting way back in a field. I found out who owned the land and I went back and looked at it. I'm telling you, it was love at first sight. It was a complete tractor, sheet metal straight as an arrow, I believe it may have power steering, it even had a blue AC oil filter on it. That's were the good points end. I have been kinda wanting a WD45 as the next addition to my collection, but I'm not sure I should fool with this one. For starters, the tractor was actually sitting inside a shed which had literally collapsed around it. I was stumbling over rotten wood and metal roofing as I was taking the pictures. All four tires totally rotten, one back rim rusted out, the other may be useable. Front rims not useable. The gas tank I think is to rusted to use. The gear shifter I couldn't move, so I assume the transmission is stuck. I tried to turn the motor by hand and I think it's stuck as well. The brake pedals wouldn't move, however I was able to move the foot and hand clutch. I think it may have WD engine in it. It has a curved gear shifter and a WD45 decal on the radiator shell, but it has a plate on the left side of the block. I took a picture of it hoping someone could tell. I'm not really interested in a WD45 with a WD engine. I've been debating whether to contact this man and find out if he's interested in getting rid of the tractor. Hopefully he will be willing to let someone remove it just to get rid of it. Does anyone know what this tractor would weigh? If I have to buy it, there's no way I'd pay more than scrap metal price. I'd like to hear some opinions thanks Ranse.

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Forgive my ignorance, but why would a WD have a WD45 decal? Where is the serial number? I looked by the gear shifter like on my B, but couldn't find it. I will have to contact the owner before I go back. I was trespassing the first time.

I've read that on this forum before Alex. I reckon the reason for it was the WD blocks were more common. My question is what do you have afterwards? Would it have the same horsepower of a WD45 or WD, or somewhere in between? I think it would make it more difficult for someone like me to work on. I wouldn't know what kind of internal parts was in it just by tearing it down and looking.

Get it! They don't make them anymore, so they're only getting less common.

Edited by CrestonM - 21 Jun 2017 at 9:44am

I am going to be on the other side of the fence. If I was interested, it would only be for a parts tractor. WD's and WD45's are some of my favorites, but they are plentiful and not very valuable. By the time you get this tractor useable, you are going to have way more invested than you could ever hope to get out of it.

I just sold a good WD45 with wide front and factory power steering and good tires and rims for $1500. Maybe I should have asked more but doubt I could have gotten much more than maybe $1700-1800. Tom

To answer your question requires a definition of "worth"

If you mean would it make financial sense to put it back into shape then dont walk but RUN! away from it. You will have double in it what you can buy a good running tractor for. You could make some money if you get for the right price and part it out.

However if you get satisfaction from preserving something and maybe have a young son to work beside you then YES it is worth saving. I did a few of those myself when my sons were about 10 years old and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. Just dont keep track of what you put into it.

If you are the kind of person who thinks a day without frustration is boring then it's the tractor for you.

The cap you were looking at is for engine oil.

Get the tractor if you can. It is parts, but when you are putting one together it's nice to find a frame rail with no extra holes, or brake pedals that have better diamonds. or that special wire clip around the fuel line, or fuel line for that matter. The list goes on. Can't buy that stuff new anymore.

No they cant all be saved.
I bought a WD for under $200. it provided a engine and rear rims and tires for another WD, A front end for another WD, Many other small parts as mentioned were used from that parts tractor. And yes $5000 is a good number to bring a tractor back to good working and looking condition.
Regards,
 Chris

I'd see if you can get it. If you buy it for scrap value, other than time, you're not going to lose much. I'm agreeing with most of the people here- that's one nice parts tractor.

My opinion a GOOD parts Tractor if you have the room to store it. That 3K price you mentioned that you think is to high, have you priced new tires lately?? And if it has a decent paint job on it and everything works, I would take another look at that my friend. To me, that's money well spent! First, you don't have to buy tires for it for many, many years. Second, its a running, working Tractor with a new paint job. Third, if it has a good quality paint on it and was done right, there's $800. -1k for T&M.  I'd be chattin' with the owner & checkin' out that 45' for 3K myself and making an offer. If you can pick up that WD sitting in the field for $100-$200 bucks, might be worth it for the parts for the 3K unit. Just me thinkin' out loud .....
Steve@B&B