Don: Given that old tall dead grass, I'd be tempted to get someone in with bush hog for that first mowing. Even rent a bush hog to use on 200. I have a 60" Woods on my SA, I never run out of power. If I hit tall grass or the mower gets dull. I will warm the belt and pullies up substancially. 200 should handle 72" quite easily in normal mowing. Nothing very unusual or startling about a 200. look it over well, make sure all is working. You find any of the little Farmalls with C-113 or C-123 engine, just the greatest little tractor for yard work of all descriptions. You get one in good condition, they will run forever doing yard work, and will not harm your wallet or bank balance very much when you step up to a parts counter. My recomendation is always go for hydraulics, thus it's SA, C, SC, 100, 200, 130, 230, 140 and 240. Watch for welded castings and rough sheet metal, along with power train and hydraulic performance. To me first looks are lasting, you find good sheet metal and original castings, it tells you a lot on the history of care of the tractor. I farmed a good bit of my life, and can tell you, one doesn't have to bust up sheet metal and casting to do a lot of work. If he busted up those items, he probably rarely checked fluids, greased or changed filters, plugs or points. Having said all this, don't ignor performance, they are 50 years old now, and even the good looking ones can be worn internally. Heard a good one this morning, if one of the afore mentioned tractors will start away on level in high gear, power train is working properly. That one makes sence to me, my 3 will do that at 1/2 throttle.
|