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

[Tags]

This is only my opinion.....the older Ford machines that you are looking at are just about bomb proof. They may be a little antiquated compared to todays machines but thats not a bad thing, no electronics pretty much equals simple repairs as long as you can twist a wrench.

The first machine you posted pics of did not look all that bad to me. Some the rust on the cab can be repaired fairly easily, thats not a "high ticket" item. It may be well worth it to discuss with the selling dealer if they are willing to adjust the brakes OR if there is a local independent heavy equipment (and well respected)repair center it may be well worth your money to have them check it out. A couple hundred now could save you a lot of aggravation down the road. Also the fact that it has a bucket AND forks on a quick tach is an added bonus. Happy hunting!

 

[TSO]

Hey fellas, i may be making a deal soon on a 1993 545D 4x4 cab loader. Quick question... Anyone know if you can set the PTO output shaft to neutral so you can spin it by hand freely when hooking up an implement? That's a feature that my Massey has, and something i didn't even think about until i mentioned it in another thread just now.

 

[strum456]

If you turn off the engine, the PTO brake releases and you can turn the shaft by hand. There is no way to turn it with the engine running.

 

[TSO]

Ok thanks for the response.

 

[TSO]

Just thought of another question. Are the gears synchronized? Meaning, if I'm going up a hill and I need to kick it into a lower gear, can I still do that while moving or do I have to come to a complete stop?

 

[ovrszd]

After the A models all are synchro.

 

[TSO]

Okay thanks for the response. Another question regarding the torque converter lock button. When exactly would I use that? Is that basically a cruise control? Please understand I've never used a machine with a torque converter option such as this and I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to be operated

 

[ovrszd]

By lock button do you mean the push button on the FEL joustick?

 

[TSO]

Yessir

 

[ovrszd]

That button controls what is called a "torque converter dump valve". When depressed it causes an electronic valve to open and dump torque converter pressure. Release the button and converter resumes pressure and movement.

So if I have a bucket full of material carrying it low and approach a dump truck I need to raise bucket. Push button releasing converter, depress foot throttle to increase engine rpm and hydraulic speed, raise bucket, idle back down, release button reengaging converter and gently move bucket over truck to dump.

Pretty slick deal once you get the hang of it.