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

[TractorTech]

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

I have much experience with them as well, but kingpins are the lesser problem with them. That axle without the reversing box is used in a variety of models of Fords and other manufacturers. Rear axle puvot is the Achilles Heal on the skiploaders with that reversing box.

 

[Dman1981]

Must not be any hours on them my customers put 1000 to 1500 hours a year on them grading hauling and moving dirt for tilt ups would do them once year depending on operator of course some grease them most don't $$$

 

[Dunno]

Thanks for the information guys. I bought a Milwaukee cordless grease gun to help with greasing all the joints, especially the axle pivots. Any other maintenance tips would be appreciated. I’m wanting to avoid issues from lack of upkeep. I have the full set of manuals and will look for maint. guides and schedule. I’ve looked at the 545’s sister tractor, the 4630. A little lighter, and has the correct ag tires that would be better for my field. I’ve been spoiled by the cab, would like one with it. For now going to use the 4000 and suck it up. Best regards.
PS Tractor has low hours - 520 - when I bought it. No rust, which is rare, and hour meter works. Came with AC, but PO stupidly removed it. Would love to find a unit to replace it.

 

[Dunno]

FWIW
Collecting firewood yesterday. Made it up embankment first time, but not second. Tractor went up it at idle in low range, 1st gear. That’s why I like it. Didn’t like getting stuck, dumped the wood, used bucket to help back out, then reloaded the wood at top of embankment. Looking at tires/wheels from other Ford tractors. Also started looking at other Ford tractors with better tire and wheels combo for my wet ground type.

 

[TractorTech]

Skiploaders (545A/C/Ds) are made for dirt moving, construction, etc. Extremely good at doing that type of work and built low profile to be able to grade better.
When you move to other Ford tractors, your other options are tractor backhoes or ag tractors. Ag tractors are built very strong, but the loaders for them are very light utility.
I used to say that if you take a blue Ford tractor with a loader and a yellow Ford tractor with a loader, run them into a tree, the blue loader will be ruined. The yellow loader will hurt the tree.

 

[Dunno]

TT,
That’s what I’ve noticed. I like the 545 with its 8k lb lift, but obviously built extra beefy to handle it. I have a John Deere 310SE backhoe that has slightly higher lift than Ford, so maybe a lighter duty ag tractor will fit the bill. Looking at a 4630 right now, but engine runs rough and asking price is too high. Has better tire and wheel combo. I will look at the larger Fords - 56xx-77xx series, but good ones real expensive.

 

[eKretz]

Deeper lug fronts will help, but you probably need more weight on the tail with that big of a load, too. I like these Carlisle Ultra Guard fronts, super deep lug. Ag (R1) tires would probably be even better. Not much will keep moving heavily loaded in super nasty mud, regardless. Don't know about you, but we've had so much rain the last week that it's ridiculous. My neighbors got 8" of water in their basement multiple times, *with* a pump running 24/7. Glad I'm on higher ground...

 

[Dunno]

Hello eKretz,
Thanks for the picture. I took the weight box off for better maneuverability, it’s a little bulky. You’re right, more weight on back and R1 tires should be better. I did make it up hill time before, but not second time.
I’ve nearly exhausted the search for better front ag tires, and found nothing for that rim size. My Titan 2000 IIs are new and still load up easily. I am now looking at real ag tractors with much bigger tires - something in the 90-100hp range. Too much weight for too little footprint with present set up. My plan was to use the JD 310 backhoe to load the stumps from the field, but I know for sure that too will get stuck. I have a big winch to unstick them all, but will be a hassle.
Rain - getting another 1.5” today and tomorrow. Wet field right now, fortunately on higher ground so dry basement. Best of luck staying above it all.