970 Case

[Teaspoon]

Hello to all!
I'm going to look at a Case 970 tomorrow. Anything that I need to watch out for would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

TractorData.com J.I. Case 970 tractor information Spec info under different tabs.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?manu=J+I+CASE&mdltxt=970 Looks like prices start just under $4000.

J I CASE 930 For Sale - YouTube If soild they can be cheap workhorse near 100 HP old iron option.

 

[Teaspoon]

I'm really needing to know what to look for on these tractors that may cause me a problem in the near future.

 

[KWentling]

If it's a power shift tractor, do this check: With the engine running, when you push in the clutch (inching pedal) there should be an engine surge and transmission whine. Leave the range shifter (1-4) in neutral and let the clutch out. With the power shift lever in 1st, raise the 3 point hitch (provided it has one) and note the speed it raises. Repeat this in 2nd and 3rd. It should raise at the same speed in each. If it doesn't, there is a leak in one or more power shift clutches. That would mean the tractor would need to be split for repairs. If they have been maintained, they can run for lots of hours. I've heard of them going 8,000 hrs with just regular maintenance. If the transmission fluid (Hi-Tran) and filters have been neglected (especially the relief spring left off of the pressure filter) they can be trouble. Look at the tires. They are expensive to replace!

Kim

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Type: unsynchronized gear
Gears: 8 forward and 2 reverse
Clutch: dry disc

or power shift option:
Transmission: Range Power Shift
Type: partial power shift
Gears: 12 forward and 4 reverse
Clutch: hydraulic wet disc
Four gears each with reverse and a three-speed forward powershift.


Kim that is good info. Sounds like for 40+ year old tractor the manual with the dry clutch would be preferred.

I am sure the front clutch pack in my JD must leak because when hot it does not want to pull forward well but there is no slippage in reverse. It is only any issue if I take it out on to the road to travel several miles like going to the welding shop, etc.

 

[Teaspoon]

Thanks Kim! That's the stuff I'm needing to know. What's your opinion on these tractors overall?

 

[KWentling]

My Dad farmed almost exclusively with the 70 series Cases. The only new one was a 970. Like I said, IF they had regular maintenance (the power shift tractors) they were a good tractor. He never had a manual transmission in a Case since the 930 got traded for the 970, but for reliability that would have been the best. About the only transmission issues he had were the torque limiter bolts shearing. Once they were updated to the bigger bolts, they were good. One thing to avoid in those tractors, is running them for stationary PTO work with the PS left in reverse. In reverse, one of the planetary sets rotates at 4 times the speed and will eventually sling all the oil out, cooking it. Dad did that to his 2290 running an auger, just after he had overhauled the engine. I have his 1070 now with a Westendorf loader. Makes a pretty handy loader tractor, but wish it had MFD.

Kim

 

[Teaspoon]

Ok....thanks much, Kim! You have been a great source of knowledge. I was raised on Allis Chalmers, John Deere, and have ran some Fords. So, I have no Case experience. My wife and I bought a farm 3 years ago and we've been using my grandfathers equipment. Just looking to step out on our own and we've noticed that these old Case tractors are a lot of tractor for the money. But I know nothing about them. Thanks for the help.

 

[KWentling]

Just keep in mind they are nearing 40 years old and how they were taken care of is very important

Kim

 

[Teaspoon]

Yep, you're exactly right!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The nice thing about this size of tractor that have been serviced and stored inside is they often have seen little use for the last twenty years. They are too small to pull today's no-till equipment and too large to use to bush hog around the fields or pull a trailer to the back of the farm to cut a little wood. Some mainly run a round hale baler, etc in season because they have the needed weight and HP. Their low price makes them very tempting.

Let us know what you find when you drive the 970.

 

[KWentling]

The 1070 I have was the swather/baler tractor and was the planter tractor until he got a newer planter and it
required more hydraulics than the 1070 had. That led to buying a used 2290 for planting. He had a 1370 as the big tractor. The 970 became the loader tractor when it became too small for about anything else. When he bought the 970, I was trying to get him to buy a 1070. He couldn't see the need for ever having a 100 HP tractor back then. Times have changed.

Kim

 

[Teaspoon]

Well just got back....kind of let down. Tractor isn't at all what I had been told it was. Bad brakes, cab was awful, one back tire was severely dry rotted, door was warped and wouldn't shut, window was warped and wouldn't shut, dip sick for hydraulic oil was broke off in the tractor (I could not tell how much hydraulic oil it had or needed), and the clutch seemed like it was going out. No luck today! Oh well....not meant to be.

 

[pedalstomper78]

I always try to be as honest as I can when selling something. It's a waste of everyone's time if you're not. Glad you kept moving!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I know a guy who found a mint Case of that era but many will be dogs after that many years.

What was the guy asking for the tractor?

 

[Teaspoon]

He wanted $6000.

 

[KWentling]

There is no dipstick for the hydraulics. There are sight glasses just ahead of the left rear axle. Was this a power shift tractor with a slipping torque limiter, or a manual with a bad clutch? Sadly, there's probably a lot more 40 year old tractors in that shape than not.

Kim

 

[Teaspoon]

Well......I saw what I thought to be a dipstick and when I pull it out there was only part of a dipstick. I didn't know about sight glasses. It was a power shift tractor. But when you pushed the clutch in it was really easy top push in and it would make a high pitched (loud) noise.
Kim, the things I've listed in the previous post that were issues, what do you think it would cost to fix it?

 

[Teaspoon]

Well......I saw what I thought to be a dipstick and when I pull it out there was only part of a dipstick. I didn't know about sight glasses. It was a power shift tractor. But when you pushed the clutch in it was really easy to push in and it would make a high pitched (loud) noise.
Kim, the things I've listed in the previous post that were issues, what do you think it would cost to fix it?

 

[KWentling]

When you push in the "clutch" you are operating a cable that works a valve on top of the transmission. They should have an engine "surge" and you will hear some transmission whine. The easy push of the pedal is probably a broken or incorrect spring on the pedal itself. I can't tell you if what you heard was normal or not. Was this a white or yellow cab tractor? There were a couple of versions of brake systems on those tractors. Could be a sticking valve problem, brakes themselves could be rusted up, leaking seals contaminating the linings, etc. Sometimes they just need a good cleaning. Lubricating the hinges might help with the door and window problems. Did you do the 3-point lift comparisons? That would give you an idea of the health of the PS. Impossible to give you a repair guesstimate from here. They sound to be minor problems that could be expected in a 40 year old tractor, but if the "high pitched (loud) noise" you heard is not the normal sound, it might need to be split for who knows what repairs in the PS. A cab with no insulation left is noisy, and you are sitting right on top of the transmission. If you can find someone who has experience with the 70 series tractors who could take look and listen and offer an opinion, it would be helpful. If not, you might best keep looking.

Kim