Crashcup
Member
Well, my new-to-me '71 Int'l 444 is out of commission, with a broken front spindle. This leads to a few questions. If anyone has suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
I've found a replacement available at several places online.
Bates Corp, $301 new
Worthington Ag Parts, $233 new
Abilene Machine, $253 new
All States Ag Parts, $234 new
Tractorhouse lists several places that have salvage 444s for parts (plan to call some tomorrow)
One eBay listing that claims new, but looks used, $165
Are there any other places that would be good to check for a replacement?
Would it be a bad idea to get a used part? (Are these prone to cracking?)
Are there any other reasonable options? Any way it could be welded and machined and have normal strength?
Are there other parts that would make sense to replace at the same time as the spindle?
If the right spindle just snapped, is the left probably also on it's way out?
The other thing I wonder is if I've been overloading it with the front end loader. I've been moving a lot of dirt, but I thought these are heavy duty machines. This has a IH 2020 loader. The bucket is a manure bucket with dirt plate. Not sure what it's rated for, but after measuring the bucket, I'd say a full bucket is around 11 - 14 cu. ft.
Thanks, Keith
I've found a replacement available at several places online.
Bates Corp, $301 new
Worthington Ag Parts, $233 new
Abilene Machine, $253 new
All States Ag Parts, $234 new
Tractorhouse lists several places that have salvage 444s for parts (plan to call some tomorrow)
One eBay listing that claims new, but looks used, $165
Are there any other places that would be good to check for a replacement?
Would it be a bad idea to get a used part? (Are these prone to cracking?)
Are there any other reasonable options? Any way it could be welded and machined and have normal strength?
Are there other parts that would make sense to replace at the same time as the spindle?
If the right spindle just snapped, is the left probably also on it's way out?
The other thing I wonder is if I've been overloading it with the front end loader. I've been moving a lot of dirt, but I thought these are heavy duty machines. This has a IH 2020 loader. The bucket is a manure bucket with dirt plate. Not sure what it's rated for, but after measuring the bucket, I'd say a full bucket is around 11 - 14 cu. ft.
Thanks, Keith