Ford / NH 545D Industrial Tractor - looking for owner experiences

[TSO]

Ok good to know, thanks. I'll be sticking with the skid-steer style quick attach simply because I have so many front implements that are all skid steer quick attach. I don't know if there is any truth to having issues with that style holding up when back grading, I have run nearly a thousand hours with my tracked skid steer, mostly grading activities. I will say that the quick attach plates on my skid steer are much more robust than on my tractor, or any other compact tractor that I've seen for that matter.

My skid steer has a tipping load of 5500 lb with the loader, and I haven't had any reason to suspect that the quick attach systems I have used, designed for skid steers, are not robust enough to take the abuse.

I'm still not sure whether or not I'll keep this 545D... I probably won't spend the money on the quick attach if i sell it. Although, it might be a good selling point, so maybe i will....?....

 

[XSKIER]

I've been reading this thread with great interest, because it seems like you got a sweet deal on a great tractor. I will add that I had Washburn make me a skid loader adapter for my tractor. The design is terrible, the quality is low, it took a month to get, but it was relatively cheap. I would not buy one from them again, but I don't feel like I need to replace it again either. My little deere 210 doesn't quite spec out as good as the 545 does, but I haven't been able to tear up this adapter or ETA 6K pro duty forks. I had to do the work on the bucket myself.

 

[TSO]

Thanks for posting your experience with that adapter. Your 210 looks like a nice machine.

I haven't been back on this forum much because I've been so busy with work, so I figure I will update on this machine. I really like the 545d. It's tough, the loader is fantastic, the Hydraulics are smooth, and I feel like it would be very difficult to hurt this machine. It's probably the easiest starting engine I have ever turned a key on. Got a really low center of gravity and it feels very stable.

However, I just put it up for sale as I'm not using it as much as I thought I would, thinking about grabbing an additional skid loader instead. In the areas where I would be using this machine, the added strength and weight isn't enough to overcome the maneuverability of the smaller Massey with the HST. So I will likely keep the Massey and sell this 545d instead.

Here are a couple pictures to keep the thread alive. If anyone is interested in the machine, I have it listed at $22,500.

Don't mind the barn, it's getting updated with new siding this summer...

 

[p0opstlnksal0t]

Bumping this up, does anyone know what the differences in Tansmission, converter and power reversing would be between a 545D and a 545C?

 

[Dunno]

More good info on the 545 Fords, and a question. Old thread, yeah. I have a 545D, and it’s my favorite tractor. Love to be in it, absolute brute. Downside is the weight, and tire selection. With 4-in-1 bucket, four factory rear wheel weights (1200lbs), cab, FWD, and 8x8, he weighs about 12k lbs. My field is moist to wet depending on weather. Have sunk tractor to belly, but pulled it out with bucket. Not a good tractor for my field, but it’s a keeper. Tires - came with R4 industrials, bad for field work, load with mud easily and don’t self-clean. Will be buying R1s for rear, R1W most likely. The front is where the tire issue is. Machine runs 12-16.5 skid steer tires, and no R1 ag tires come in that size. Would be willing to change rear rims to match new front ones that fit ag tire to keep gear ratios, but few and far between to find. Any suggestions? The gottcha is that I’ve had a load in the bucket, been on a slight decline, and had rear of tractor off the ground - 17k lbs on front axle! That’s why Ford engineers spec’d a 17,500 lb front able. Hope this is good info for someone. I use it on my farm, won’t get rid of it, just need to use appropriately.

 

[TractorTech]

Ford put the reversing gearbox on the front axle to get that lower profile, otherwise you could run more like a backhoe profile or Ag tractor profile. Not many ways to go, but possibly a 28" rear would work.

 

[Dunno]

TT,
I’ve looked for Ford 555 and others 28” rear rim, but no luck finding one. I would then run fronts that keep the ratio, but need the rear’s first. My ‘64 4000 is strong and light enough to get most things done, but like the cab on the 545. Happy Easter.

 

[Dman1981]

4x4 the seals leak if they have not been greased king pins wear out also if you wait to long is expensive repair last year did two repairs were 6k a piece and I am cheap dealer
Would have been 10k. if tractor is tight they run all day long though
Still easy to repair. Fermec 650b are also very good loaders same tractor is also same as a tx650 terex bought them out very strong tractor s with ipto

 

[TractorTech]

4x4 the seals leak if they have not been greased king pins wear out also if you wait to long is expensive repair last year did two repairs were 6k a piece and I am cheap dealer
Would have been 10k. if tractor is tight they run all day long though
Still easy to repair. Fermec 650b are also very good loaders same tractor is also same as a tx650 terex bought them out very strong tractor s with ipto

?? The expensive repair on a 3,4 or 545A/C/D front end is when the rear axle pivot is not greased. The thin oring gets dirt in it and tears allowing the front axle oil to leak out. The reversing gearbox gears are hard to get and $$$, that is if you haven't lost the ring and pinion too.
Don't know what you're talking about on the king pins. Same Carraro axle on A LOT of tractors.

 

[Dman1981]

Yes and I have rebuilt hundreds of them and a replaced axle housings and had them repaired when bearings explode and no longer have a nice place
To hang out same with housing