New Holland 3930 4WD. 1996 model

pharmvet · Jul 13, 2015

This tractor seems to have lots of rust on the wheels, despite none / little on the body. Any idea why this might be?

This tractor came from Eastern Ark. I suspect it may have been used in chicken houses. Other than rust on wheels, is there anything else I should look for or be aware of?

whis · Jul 13, 2015

make sure the tach is working, all them I have been around were broke so it may have more hrs

NC419N · Jul 14, 2015

The price may be a little high but for what you are getting its not bad. That is the last of the "real" ford tractor's built. I would think it would be worth looking at.

sawtooth · Jul 15, 2015

Yes that is the correct value if hours are even remotely correct. It won't last long.

Coldtrailer · Jul 15, 2015

In regards to the paint flaking off the rear wheels...must have been something with the paint or poor preparation prior to painting... from what I've seen (pics etc) unless its a re-paint, most of these series tractors will show paint flaking off the rear rims. If left that way it will start to show as rust.

Another place that will show premature paint loss is the top of the hood.

sawtooth · Jul 15, 2015

Coldtrailer said:
In regards to the paint flaking off the rear wheels...must have been something with the paint or poor preparation prior to painting... from what I've seen (pics etc) unless its a re-paint, most of these series tractors will show paint flaking off the rear rims. If left that way it will start to show as rust.

Another place that will show premature paint loss is the top of the hood.

Ford apparently had issues with paint for tractors in the 1987-90 but i'm not sure about later tractors. I have been buying and selling the 10 series for several years now and I can't tell you how many original paint Ford tractors I've seen with this issue. The England tractors even had a yellow primer coat that almost always is showing through in certain areas of the "body" paint but not the wheels. Wheel paint had a tendency to even flake off and rust in those spots. Keep in mind though this period is when certain ingredients to paints had to be removed. Maybe lead but can't remember for sure but we all have seen cars in the early 90's that appeared to have paint just falling off hoods etc.

jimmysisson · Jul 17, 2015

Lead paint ban was mid-70's

Jim

sawtooth · Jul 17, 2015

jimmysisson said:
Lead paint ban was mid-70's Jim

My apologies then maybe it was a change in the VOC content as I know automotive / tractors etc struggled with a major regulation change in paint chemistries. No one will forget the cars, trucks etc going down the freeway with hardly any paint on the hoods etc in the late 80's and early 90's. I know lead was banned form household paints in 1977 I believe but was thinking that didn't relate to automotive paints until later on.

professor · Jul 22, 2015

I own a NH 3930 just like that one. I bought the 1997 NH with 400 hours on the tach in 2000. I have some really steep ground to cover and I wanted a low heavy tractor and the 3930 fit the bill. I had the tires loaded and put weigths on the rear wheels and on the front according to dealer specs. I also added a shade canopy which is worth the money. The tractor has approx. 1400 hrs. and has been bullet proof. I pull a 7 ft. rotary mower with it. I traded a smaller NH 2WD for it and I think I paid $10000 difference. Just my opinion but the new models can't hold a candle to that tractor.

fishheadbob · Jul 23, 2015

professor said:
I own a NH 3930 just like that one. I bought the 1997 NH with 400 hours on the tach in 2000. I have some really steep ground to cover and I wanted a low heavy tractor and the 3930 fit the bill. I had the tires loaded and put weigths on the rear wheels and on the front according to dealer specs. I also added a shade canopy which is worth the money. The tractor has approx. 1400 hrs. and has been bullet proof. I pull a 7 ft. rotary mower with it. I traded a smaller NH 2WD for it and I think I paid $10000 difference. Just my opinion but the new models can't hold a candle to that tractor.

Most people think whatever tractor (or boat, or pickup) they just purchased is the absolute best on the market.
I bought my 3930 about 1998 with around 160 hours on it and have worked it pretty good since; to date I've put $15 into repairs for a new key switch. I've owned a bunch of other tractors before and during this 3930 period, none of them give me the performance and durability of this one.
About a year ago I was talking with my NH dealer about a trade into a Workmaster 55, the price was workable when he said "Don't dump the 3930, you won't be happy without it."
They really don't build them like this anymore.