Thanks Robert. However, the plot has thickened because yesterday I bought a 149 and am faced with a dilemma that I'd like to describe and solicit opinions with regard to my plan to resolve it. I started out with the intention of acquiring a 129, or 149 or 169 based on having watched the Isaveoldtractor videos that result in a bucket loader and backhoe mounted on the tractor. (I live about 150 feet from Lake Superior and my place is built on and surrounded by 100% beach sand. Not much to mow or cultivate here but I need to do quite a bit of trenching and moving sand around hence the bucket loader and backhoe.
So after a couple of days searching Facebook Marketplace up popped the 169 and with beginners luck I snagged it. It was only then that I started to realize the 169 model is a rare beast and now I don't think I want to make the changes to it that will basically wipe out its "personality". The right thing to do would be to restore it to original as much as possible and then pass it on to another owner who will appreciate it.
However, I still need to dig and move sand. Lo-and-behold, yesterday I bought another tractor and it's a 149. Doesn't have any accessories but I don't need them and I'm thinking that since the 149s are a lot more numerous I wouldn't be hurting much by using that one for the bucket/backhoe project.
So, in a nutshell, I think the 169 should be restored and the 149 put to work on the sand pile. I can swap some of the better looking parts like the grille and such to the 169 and that will make the resto plan a lot easier and less expensive. Do I have this about right?
