Buying Advice tractor hunting for my first buy - case/ih?

[jomar215]

Sorry to repost ..... but looking around a bit more, this seems like a better spot ..........

So, I'm looking at a couple of tractors - doing a little bit of research - and I thought it was high time I asked a professional .... I've got a few jobs coming that'll require a loader and backhoe. I've been looking around locally and I've found an IH 340 utility which has been sitting, drained. The owner says it was working prior to the park, but knows it'll need some work. He's asking $3000 for the rig, and I have to figure out how to get it out of there not running. There's also an operable Case 440 with just a loader for $2500 and a guy elsewhere has a Case 32 backhoe off of a 530 that could be had for $700. It needs some tie rods and leaks a bit, of course. Oh yeah, and a 350 utility somewhere else for $1500. The 350's backhoe seems pretty small and I've got to dig a few foundations, so I really don't want to limit myself but I really don't know.

I understand that the IH utility's can be kind of hard to find parts for? Are they just not an industrial tractor, made for the abuse like the 440 would be, as well? The advantage of the 340, it seems, is a complete system that could potentially be had for less - I'm thinking - if I start waving $100 bills at his pile of metal that's been sitting there for a year. Remember, it's February in Maine. People are usually pretty eager for a little cash flow around here, this time of year.

For the 440, I'm not sure how easy - if possible - it'll be to fit that 32 backhoe.

I guess my gut says go with a case 580ck, and I would, there are more of these available in the $500-$8000 range, but I can't pull that much weight with my Sierra 1500. Or, can I? I can get a hitch rated for 12000 lbs but my towing capacity in the trucks manual says 7000 lb towing capacity. So it'd be overloaded at around 10000, which I gather is what a tlb 580 would weigh in at. Would it really matter? I'd drive no more than 30 miles as far as I can see .... thoughts? experiences?

I'd love to hear anyone's opinion - and would greatly appreciate it!

 

[Martian]

First of all, all are good machines, but different machines as well. What are some of your uses? Do you want the dedicated TLB, or would you want a 3pt hitch as well.

As for trailer with a 1500, not going to happen. It will pull it, but braking is another issue. I would think any 580 would be north of 12-13k as well.

 

[jomar215]

Most immediately I've got a job to put in some foundation drainage around an existing foundation. Then, I have 2 more foundation holes to dig and a little land sculpting/water management to tackle. Beyond that, I could think of a hundred uses for that loader around here. I'm a carpenter/mason/builder ...

So, 10/12k lbs on the 580 - tractor data lists a 430 at more like 7/9k lbs .... more my range I guess?

 

[jenkinsph]

One of the main reasons I have a small tlb is because of transporting it. For small construction jobs and foundations go with a smaller machine. Consider a mini excavator too, often it can get into places the tlb can't fit.

I wouldn't attempt to pull a 580k with a 1/2ton truck. I did move a 450 Deere dozer with a Ford 100 pu when I was a kid. Lucky no one was killed, that was the longest 9 miles I have ever traveled. Smart people learn by observing others.

 

[jomar215]

Jenkins, that is EXACTLY why I came here in the first place. So, a 580, as good as that would be, is out of the question. Ok, so what about the tractors I mentioned. Would you go with the utility or the 440? The guy selling the 32 backhoe thinks it'd fit the 440, but he's really not 100% sure. The 340 is a complete system, but needs to get back on her feet. The 350 has a small backhoe .... I guess I'm leaning towards the 340 and pray I can get a deal and get her going. What kind of things should I check for.

What's a torque amplifier, by the way, and how do I check it?

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't have experience with the 340 or 350, hopefully others will chime in. I am not a fan of that series of IH as we did have a 460 and it was the worst tractor we ever had.

The torque amplifier is a speed reducer added to the drivetrain basically allows you to have a high and low range in addition to your current gears. Operated with a separate lever, don't recall having any problems with it.

 

[jomar215]

Ok, I've seen a couple of threads talking about the TA going bad, but I don't know. Thanks for the input!

 

[wallace]

Jomar
So your going to buy a tractor to work it? Seems like you have jobs lined up already! Only thing I can tell you is that if your looking to buy that old of a machine to be hired out, you better have deep pockets.
Last thing you want is a machine broke down in the middle of a job. Then your going to end up with down time and a very upset customer. Never the less possibly a rental bill to get a machine there to finish the job so you can collect whats left to help pay for your broken down machine.
Sorry, but you may want to look into something more proficient.
I would say start looking a compact tractors. Yes you will be spending more up front but I can assure you that you will make twice as much back.
And have Less down time!!!

 

[jenkinsph]

Jomar
So your going to buy a tractor to work it? Seems like you have jobs lined up already! Only thing I can tell you is that if your looking to buy that old of a machine to be hired out, you better have deep pockets.
Last thing you want is a machine broke down in the middle of a job. Then your going to end up with down time and a very upset customer. Never the less possibly a rental bill to get a machine there to finish the job so you can collect whats left to help pay for your broken down machine.
Sorry, but you may want to look into something more proficient.
I would say start looking a compact tractors. Yes you will be spending more up front but I can assure you that you will make twice as much back.
And have Less down time!!!

Yes, if this for commercial work then you should go with newer equipment and have a backup lined up to incase it is needed. I have three tractors that are close to the same size, cya.

 

[DJ54]

Speaking on the IH 340, those were decent little tractors, and unless terribly abused, they were almost bullet proof. I'd be more concerned about finding parts for the hoe itself, on the IH models.

Case still handles some parts for the 32 hoe. Case Construction has a parts section, where you can find an exploded view of it, and part numbers. The 440 Case is a standard model of the 430, meaning non adjustable front axle. It carries a 148 ci engine. I had a 310B hoe with the 148, and that is one sweet running little engine.

Can't swear the 32 hoe will fit. You'd have to look close, and see if the mounting points are on the loader frame, to accept the hoe frame. Arms come up underneath, to just about in front of the rear wheels. Brackets around the axle housings too, and heavy bars to carry the top mount.

Also the hydraulic lines, pressure, and return.

The old 310B was just about the same size, and it was right at 8,500 lbs. op. weight.

If you are looking at a 580CK, you may want to look a little further for a 480C. I have one, and it's a pretty decent hoe, for what it is. OP weight on it is right at 11,000 lbs. Still way more than a 1/2 ton pickup needs to try and pull, but I pull it around with my C-3500 pretty decent.