Recenty Aquired a 1956 D2. I haven't had one in a while and this one became available. Looks like I'm going to be doing Steering clutch work and relining the brake bands. Seems parts are harder to get these days. The last ones I was in was around 30 years ago. I could not pass this one by though so it is here on the farm. I have not seen many around here with the direct electric start option. Wondered how many had this option? It took me a few days but I do have it running after a 15 to 20 year sleep. Steers on right side. Brake adjustments are all used up. Here I go again.  

  

Looks like a nice tractor overall. It will be a good playmate for your grader.

Bruce.

Nice find , looks nice and original , I also have one Mine is 5U18856 No blade but has the oil clutch I know of another 5u direct start bare tractor thinking it’s about 1956
But they are few and far between.. seems there were a fair number of tail seat ones in California ..

she was a farm crawler originaly by the looks of it or was ordered with PTO.

Actually someone has done a swap at one time as the engine is not the same serial as the rearend. Looking at the peddles it has a lot of hours on the rear end at least. Both serials are in the 1956 range though. Engine is  5U18318. Rear tag is 5U16176.

yeah id say its had a repower.

Some You tube video of it starting and running I made a few days ago.

A friend here in northern California has one with direct electric start, we had the starter out, the generator off and replaced the regulator. After chedcking them, replaced them and n
ew batteries and she fired right up, nice tractor.

I have a 1956 direct start D2 as well.  I am envious of your starter switch; Mine is missing the contact that activates the glow plugs.
I made a battery box and battery plate for mine and I posted the process here on AMOC if you are interested.
Nice D2!
Kevin

Delta wrote:

I have a 1956 direct start D2 as well.  I am envious of your starter switch; Mine is missing the contact that activates the glow plugs.
I made a battery box and battery plate for mine and I posted the process here on AMOC if you are interested.
Nice D2!
Kevin 
I saw your ad for an old switch for parts. I had to take this one apart to clean it and found out that you need to take the cover off slowly or the contacts will fly out. 

 I use to run a 212 grader that also had the direct electric start option. We use to tow it to start it 30 years ago. About 6 or 7 years ago I helped with engine work and while doing that I cleaned up the connections to the glow plugs and it started and ran like it should. The fellows that owned it kicked and cused that they should have done that years ago.