Ford 445A

[weathda]

Local auction yard has a 445A backhoe on the consignment lot. The yard man says an 80 year old man is selling it to get rid of some of his equipment.

Some research shows it to be a 1987 model. Doesn't look beat up, but has probably sat outside most of it's life. Paint is a little faded and has some rust. Has a few expected leaks on the cylinders. Haven't gotten serious enough to ask for keys yet, but what are some things to look for when checking it out? What's the good, bad and ugly of these tractors?

 

[TractorTech]

Not much bad or ugly. If 4wd, look for leak in back axle pivot on front axle. Raise up axle with loader and rotate wheels by hand to make sure not much slop.
2WD version, raise the front axle and look for worn kingpin bushings. If through the bushing(s) may have to replace spindle.
Listen to engine. Caracteristic knock normal. Rapping hammer sound not good.
Otherwise, nice tractor to own. Backhoes tend to drag if equipped with 24" wheels, but 28" wheels are good.
When you say backhoe, is it the Ford 764, painted black?

 

[weathda]

Thanks for the response. It's 2WD. I checked all the lever linkages and foot pedals and they all seemed surprisingly tight and smooth. Will check the things you mentioned. I noticed it has what looks like a shuttle shifter on it with no clutch. It has a little round pedal (switch?) where the clutch is on standard tractors. What's with the little round switch?

I have pictures, let me see if I can get this to work.

 

[weathda]

Looks like it has a weightblock on the front probably close to 500 lbs?

The right side loader and boom cylinder are leaking. All the other cylinders looked dry.

It's a two stick. The valve bank and swing cylinders were dry, but I'm sure they degreased it good and haven't used it since.

I think it's showing ~1600 hours. Who knows if hour meter is working or not.

 

[TractorTech]

Nice looking unit. Front weight is for counterbalance of backhoe. Leaking cylinder is easy enough to fix.
The transmission is a torque converter power shuttle 4 forward, 4 reverse speed. The pedal is a clutch switch. The transmission is synchronized in 3 and 4th gear.
Hourmeters didn't last very long, but very well could reflect actual hours.
When you purchase, you'll need the 'true' model number of the loader and backhoe. It is on a metal tag on the LH loader arm and the tower of the backhoe. It is the number that starts 19-... necessary to know for parts.
Not to scare you, but look at oil and coolant for any cross-contamination. Electrolysis or cylinder cavitation, common to diesels in general, is something to look for if no or hidden history. Once purchased, flush cooling system and use an SCA additive type coolant or in short, a coolant made for diesels.

 

[aircommuter]

Would check for water in the transmission, cracked shifter boot is often the cause, it could ruin the shuttle pump.

 

[joecdeere]

Very nice tractor! That's the 14' hoe that's also on the 545a,555a, &555b. A very nice, very heavy duty unit! As for the front weights, the side ones are 210 lbs each, if there's one under the front between these it's another 500lbs. DO NOT REMOVE THEM! they counter balance the heavy hoe against the lighter straddle mount tractors (345,445,545's)

As for your foot button, this is out of my 345C manual, but same idea -

 

[topbuilder]

If you are wondering "why do I need this", because the brakes will not stop the machine and, you have no clutch pedal.

 

[weathda]

Great information. Thank you all. The "dump switch" makes sense now and it's nice to know how not to use it. I have a few other pictures and it does show the center weight on the front. Few more questions:

1) Do any of you know how much this unit would weigh?
2) Where is the transmission dip stick? Would it be under the loader platform?
3) Does the trans share the same fluid as the hydraulic system with one big reservoir?
4) What would something like this be worth in working order? The buy it now price is $7500. Auction is at the end of the month with 10% premium.

Might go look at closer on Friday and see if we can find a pile of dirt to drive into.

 

[aircommuter]

The transmission dipstick should be next to the shift stick, attached to the big plug. The hydraulic tank is separate and is in front of the radiator. I would guess the weight about 13k. The price is not that bad in my opinion, if it runs good and works. Look for loose pins or bushings on the bachoe and the loader. I am in CA so my price veiw may be different.

 

[86Ford]

weathda,

The buy it now price doesn't seem bad to me. I have been looking all over the web recently because I just purchased a 445a as well. I do not have a bunch of experience on mine, but it seems to be peaty heavy duty. I do not have the backhoe, and it still weighs over 10,000 pounds with the filled rear tires.

Here is a link to a good site for the specs of this tractor. TractorData.com Ford 445A industrial tractor information

The front loader/backhoe share a common reservoir that is up front near the radiator. The pump for the loader is direct drive from the front of the crank. The shuttle trans has its own pump.

Let us know of your decision!

 

[weathda]

Thanks aircommuter and 86Ford. The spec list shows it to be around 13k lbs. I'll keep you posted on what happens.

 

[weathda]

Was a week delayed in getting by to see the backhoe. Went by Friday morning and obtained keys from the auction office. The machine started right up and ran really smooth. All in all seemed to be a good machine. The hour meter was showing 1933 and it worked. The front bucket linkage looked like it has been repaired at one time. The backhoe had average wear for 1900 hours, pretty tight. Engine oil level was black as tar over full. Transmission case oil was over full and needed changing. Engine oil sending unit on the side of the engine had a steady drip at idle and was not hooked up to the idiot light. At least 3 of the cylinders would need repacking. Could probably get by for a while without. The king pins on the front wheels had little to no movement. The machine was overall pretty tight, had no weird noises and drove fine. Brakes worked good. The dump switch didn't seem to work. One of the wire leads was dangling with no connection. It didn't do anything when pressed. I could stop the machine with the brakes in first gear at idle. It would need some TLC and $$ to do up right. Auction is at the first of August. Will wait till the auction and see if a good deal might happen. If it doesn't then no biggie.

 

[86Ford]

Weathda,

Thanks for the update...Sounds like that is a good machine with all the normal problems for a tractor that is ~30 years old.

Good luck in the auction!