Howdy from Canada.  I happen to have inherited a mid-50’s D6 from my dad, which used to be my grandpa’s.  I’ve driven it, like 20 years ago.  As far as I know the clutches and one brake work.  It was probably last started about 10 years ago.   It’s too cold now to work on it but I’m pretty sure the pony motor will turn over, and might even start.  I’m wondering though if I should just skip the hassle and jump right to an electric start conversion.  I’ll use it around my farm to do the odd bit of dirt work and maybe pull my tractor out if it gets stuck, and maybe move snow in the winter.  So while it’s worth a bit to me to get it going, it’s more important that I can rely on it once in a while, so I’d put the money into a conversion if I knew I was getting a reliable unit out of it.   I’m sure this is a common topic around here, so feel free to point me towards the best info.  

Thanks!
 

Hi, OldSammy11.
Welkum too 'yellow feverville'. Those old D6s were among the most bullet-proof tractors of their time - and for some time after that too.

I come from a somewhat warmer climate than you - but still a little short of 'Devilsville' - and so have no experience with direct electric start on these old girls in your climate but I can imagine that some kind of heating might be helpful with direct electric start in the depths of your winters. Others here will be able to give you more detail than I can.

There izza guy up in Lynn Lake, Northern Manitoba - King of Obsolete - who uses those old girls to make a living hauling snow trains in winter:

kingofobsolete.ca/

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lynn-lake

Just my 0.02.

personally i would see if you can get the bits to make the pilot engine electric start at least if the electric starter doesn't work you can rope start it. remember the pilot is the glow pug for the main engine.you want to avoid using ether(aerostart) near a engine as much as possible it not kind on them. the pilot start allow you to build oil and fuel pressure before actually firing the main and also warm it a bit as the pilot coolant is also circulating in the main engine.

thats my opinion anyway.

A mid 50;s D6 will be either a 9U or 8U. The pilot motor will already have a starter motor on it.

You can get per-combustion chambers with provision for pencil heaters to aid in starting (Old Magnet would know the part numbers). You could also add a block heater for the winter months.

Welcome to the forum!

The serial number of your D6 is required when considering direct electric start.
Glow plug chambers only fit late s/n units without machine work. Late model units already have provision for direct electric start. Early units would require boring the flywheel housing.
For the ultimate reliability and convenience you can have both pony and direct electric start.