[Vrobert]

Gents, I have been fighting with my cheap Troy Bilt mower for almost 20 years and I'm sick of it. I decided I need a real tractor. A friend of mine has an 1811 model that was parked 11 years ago in a dry barn. I saw it, and other than a lot of dust it looks fine (no rust). His grandmother bought it new in 1986. It was parked when they couldn't get it to start and they figured it was time for a replacement. My friend says it was well maintained.

What do ya'll say I bring this thing home, get it running and shine it up? I can have it for free, but how much is an old 1811 worth? I don't want to spend more time and money than is reasonable. I can do everything but machine work myself. I have the PDF user and service manuals.

Any advice for a cadet rookie?