Buying Advice Case 885 Tractor

[edkemper]

Can anyone tell me anything about this model?

Case 885 Tractor
With PTO
$1500.00

 

[RickB]

It's a rebadged David Brown 885; probably about a 1976. I own one. Decent little tractor if everything works. Quirky little bugger to work on, especially the hydraulics. About 42 PTO HP.

 

[ZR900MAN]

You can keep the Case....I will take the Rottie

 

[DT86]

I too have one and agree with what RickB said except that the ONLY quirky part is the hydraulics, IMHO. My 3pt has been worked on twice and it works but still not right. All the way up or all the way down is all I've got.

If you end up with it I'll be glad to help answer any questions, I've even got a wsm tucked away somewhere.

Dad bought ours in the early 80's, and used it to mow yards on the side (had a Woods belly mount mower) as well as on the farm. I grew up on and around it and was the first tractor I ever drove.

 

[edkemper]

You can keep the Case....I will take the Rottie

Nice call. Good taste. :thumbsup:

 

[edkemper]

I too have one and agree with what RickB said except that the ONLY quirky part is the hydraulics, IMHO. My 3pt has been worked on twice and it works but still not right. All the way up or all the way down is all I've got.

If you end up with it I'll be glad to help answer any questions, I've even got a wsm tucked away somewhere.

Dad bought ours in the early 80's, and used it to mow yards on the side (had a Woods belly mount mower) as well as on the farm. I grew up on and around it and was the first tractor I ever drove.

I think I'm going to wait for a better choice. It hasn't run in 3 years.

 

[DT86]

I think I'm going to wait for a better choice. It hasn't run in 3 years.

For the money I'd take my chances, but understand completely.

 

[edkemper]

I have land to clear and am starting a house build on the property I need to clear and prep. I really need a less expensive running tractor with a 3 pt hitch.

The one thing I don't need is another project before I start my project.

 

[RickB]

I think I'm going to wait for a better choice. It hasn't run in 3 years.

For the money I'd take my chances, but understand completely.

It's overpriced by at least double if it's a non-runner. I paid $800 for mine, I have about $2200 in it, and I'd be hard pressed to sell it for that. They are an orphan.

 

[Grapeman]

David Brown tractors are common in the Finger Lakes grape areas of NY. They were sold by a dealer in Yates county and are still snapped up by farmers in the area. Weekenders don't usually bid on them at auctions making them very affordable. I have had 2 885 DB's and still have a 1968 DB 780, an older version of 885. All were good tractors and my wife, who does a lot of the tractor work, thinks the 780 is the best running tractor on the place. They are not a true orphan tractor since parts can still be had thru a Case dealer. Many parts can be sourced through a good mechanic for far less cost than a dealer.
DB tractors have many grease fittings and actually are fairly easy to work on. They are very economical on fuel. The picture looks pretty rough and I would worry if water got in the tranny and froze. The shifter boots go bad and if it hasn't run in a while I would be careful. Buy it cheap enough and it could be a great little tractor. It hopefully is a diesel. 42 HP, a two stage clutch, 540/1000 rpm pto, 3pt hitch, 12speed tranny, and hopefully power steering. Lot of tractor for the price of a not too fancy lawnmower. I'd give a good look before I wrote it off.