[Yosemite Sam]

Make sure that the engine doesn't smoke, if it does, $750.00 is TOO much.

Check the steering column for excessive play.

When setting still on the tractor, turn the steering wheel back and forth a little while watching the front axle, see if the axle moves forward and back indicating problems at the axle pivot point.

Check to see if the forward reverse wants to "run away" while driving.

This is a hydrostatic drive tractor, to maintain a constant speed going up you will have to "give it more lever", it does not have "cruse control" so it will slow some (depending on the hill, it could slow a lot). Going down hill however, the tractor ground speed should change very little.

You may want to look at the engine to drive shaft coupler, it should have two slots for the drive shaft pin, these slots should not be worn sideways.

Look to make sure there are two bolts on each side holding the tractor frame to the rear end (at the axle tubes) sometimes these bolts are broken off or missing.

For $750.00 I personally would want to know that the charging system is working. With the engine running, you should be able to remove a battery cable and the engine should continue to run. If the engine dies, it could cost $200.00 or more to get the charging system back in order.

Turn the drive pulley on the snow thrower back and forth and note how much play there is in the gear box. Then make sure the pulley turns easily and the snow thrower rotates smoothly. Check the chain for rust and the small sprocket for wear. Make sure the lift rod and the chute rotater rods for the thrower are there. Make sure the flutes on the auger are not beat up or badly bent.

Nearly everything on this tractor and thrower can be rebuilt or repaired, most of the necessary repairs can be done for only a few dollars and a little work, but if there are several things that need attention, those few dollars can add up pretty quick. For $750.00 any issues should have already been addressed.

Don't be afraid to offer less money (a lot less if there are many issues) or walk away, 149's are great tractors, but there are thousands of them out there that can be had for less than $750.00 and don't be fooled by what could have been a quick paint job, slick paint won't keep an engine from shooting craps next week.