1974 Suburban SS/16

Looking at a Suburban Model No. 917.253260 with a mowing deck.  Owner says it is 100% usable no smoking runs perfectly. The tractor does not come with a 3pt hitch and I mainly want to use this to move small trailers around and stop them (how are the brakes on these little tractors?). He is asking $650.  What do you think?

As for brakes as long as every thing is free an not rusted up and the shoe still has friction material and is adjusted properly it will stop just fine. As for 650 bucks it depends on sears availability in your location and what your willing to spend. For me in my area I can find bone stock suburban mowers all day for around anywhere from 200 to 500. With the fully restored or all original mints going for 1000 to 2000. It all depends on the market and how bad you want it. Look at your local classifieds to get a general idea what there going for you may find a better deal maybe not it's worth looking

I really don't need another tractor...I keep telling myself this over and over but it doesn't help. I just picked up 65 Wheel Horse and it had to be re-powered, but so far is performing much better than expected.

There aren't a ton of vintage garden tractors in operating condition in my area (Fort Worth, TX). The seller of this machine just moved down from Chicago. I think I am going to make him a much lower offer than he is asking and expect to walk away, I really don't want another project and we all know no matter how good they say it is running SOMETHING has to repaired. Thanks again for your response, it really helped to reel me back to reality.

If there's not many in Texas it might be worth the change he's asking but defiantly try and get it cheaper

Thanks again, looking back over the pictures this one does look very clean, but it looks like it has an ss18? dash because the side says 18hp?
I have to ask one more question because my searching doesn't seem to land me any results. How reliable is the 16hp Onan twin? I see there have been some issues with the plastic floats and the owner says he has replaced the floats and points. I really don't want to have to rebuild this engine for some time. Any thing to check for besides the basics? Are there any re-power options if the motor does die on me?

They are great engines when they run. Parts are sometimes hard to find and expensive. Some people love them and some people would rather push there tractor than have a Onan its all what you know and like

Thanks again, but it looks like I am too late. I had plans to meet the seller tonight but I guess he has already sold it as the ad is gone. Oh well, maybe another one will pop up. Time to focus on the Wheel Horse.