1977 Craftsman 18HP Onan Tractor First Season Start!

The story goes, my grandfather purchased this tractor in the fall of 1977 for $3000. It is an 18 horsepower hydrostatic drive, it came with a 48" mower deck and a single stage snowblower. The tractor was originally silver in color, but an accident in the mid 1980's damaged the hood. My dad painted it red, and later my grandfather painted the rest of the tractor red.
It has an October 1977 Onan twin cylinder engine, cast aluminum block with cast iron sleeves.
Enter today, May 17th 2008, it is the first start of the season for this 30 year old tractor. We did some basic maintenance, but this is primarily an operations video and getting it ready for another season of mowing grass.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Onan
• Craftsman
• Hydrostatic
• 18HP
• Maine
• Tractor

[pivotboy63]

what is one of these worth nowadays?

[Turbo231]

@pivotboy63 Probably 700 in ok shape and running.

[motox458]

beautiful tractor, i'm jealous haha

those onans have a great sound to them, and they're hard to come by anymore, definitely hold on to that one

[Turbo231]

You bet I will. She's home with me now, I'll take good care of her.

[Searsnut11]

It looks like the hood is to far back.

[Turbo231]

Not by much...but the hinges are broken and will soon be repaired.

[dangeroustoys56]

Was probably dry from sitting- id of used a squirt of gasoline then some starting fluid.

Its in really great shape for as old as it is- id probably restore it back to its original color tho- runs really smooth as well, cant beat that, sure as heck couldnt do that with one of todays mowers.

[jp23jd]

way tougher than the new crapsman junk!!! sweet tractor!

[Detroit12v71TT]

Nice classic machine you got! Thats accually a 1978 Sears GT/18 Hydrodrive. The only year they made them. They're pretty rare because they weren't hot sellers, Most people wanted the manual trans version with the Hi and low range. That should have a B48M 48 cubic inch onan on it. Very good engine.

[DBsmallengine]

aint built like they used to be

[mrgoodvibrations]

Nice ol machine.

[dexterro6010]

Man, I love Onans! Great engines. Very nice tractor.

[IHcubcadet]

That sure is a sweet tractor man thanks foe the vid. They sure dont make them like they used to.

[greatwhitenorth112]

lol with that air filter it looks like a good old chevy v8

[1Pullnfool]

Gasoline in a squirt oil can is lots easier on the motor..

[NomaDairy]

I got one now to great tractors. 5 stars