Price Check 1996 NH 3430

[beernuts]

Hello all, been awhile since I have been on here. I have went through some tractors since I was last on here. I got rid of my 1520 and a 1920 NH and a couple of MF135s that I had. I still have my old AC and a project 2135 that I picked up for near nothing that I am working on and the recently acquired NH 3430. I bought the 3430 not knowing a great deal about it and only researching it for less than a day, some of the research on here (love this place). The previous owner was a nursery that ordered this thing new. I got the manuals and maint. Log for the machine. In the last month it got a new injection pump, new injectors, a new starter and ignition switch, all dealer installed with receipts for over 3k. Upon starting the tractor, it presented with a knock that was a spun front main according to the dealership's diagnosis. I have not torn it down to confirm as of yet. The tractor was in great shape otherwise, sheet metal etc. I don't know but suspect it was caused by an oiling issue. The nursery ordered this thing with dual remotes and the creeper gear set that gives 4 more speeds that are less than 1 mph. According to the maintenance guy at the nursery, it mainly tugged a gang of wagons and the 3 point was not used. I have never owned a tractor with IPTO before so I am curious if I will like it. There was only one review on the tractor out there but it was a good one, what do you guys think? I paid $1500.00 for the thing as it was sitting with 2400hrs on the meter that evidently worked according to the service logs and the dealership. I hope that the block is salvageable with a line bore and a new crankshaft etc. I will likely go through the whole engine with a major kit and have the head work done too. I don't know what to think on the parent bore engine, the Perkins 152 diesels I have dealt with in the past were sleeved and simple/cheap to rebuild. This seems like a lot more/refined tractor than the 135s I have owned in the past. Does the 192 Ford run as well as the 152 Perkins? I got away from the 1920/1520 because parts were stupid expensive and I was afraid that I would reduce one to a paperweight if it were to break. They both proved to be good tractors just smallish. Well give more your thoughts....good tractor and did I get hurt?

 

[beernuts]

Sorry looks like I posted duplicate pics, dang ipad, I know it's not the operator. I was hoping to hear from Rick B or Soundguy (no particular order) on this as they seem to be gurus on Ford/NH.

Thanks

 

[Sportsman762]

The 192 is a good engine, it was used in several of the Ford tractors. The parent bore engine is not a major problem, however if it needs over bored then the cost shoots up. The parts are reasonable with a complete over haul kit with valves running under $700 from tractorpartsasap.com. The major cost will be the machining. The labor for the head will be around $200, to grind the crank it will be another $200. I do not know what the cost to bore out the block would be but a fair bit I would imagine. If you have the dealer do the disassemble and reassembly of the engine then it will cost a considerable bit more.
The parts are much more affordable than the Shibaura compacts, however you still have some major work that needs done to it.