tree farmer
Silver Member
I need a push to make up my mind.
I have an IH 3414 industrial loader tractor (gas) with a 3 point and PTO. I've been told it's about a 38 HP 1958 model, as it has the flat top rear fenders. I bought it with a model 55 Kelley backhoe on it 14 years ago for $5000, to clean up 40 acres of logged over land I purchased the year before. It has paid for itself many times over with probably only around $2500 in repairs. The only use it's had in recent years is brush hogging trails, etc., and grading the driveways. Last month I bought a new Montana 2740 for those purposes. The 3414 starts, runs and operates very well, and burns no oil. A new set of points, cap and rotor every other year, and it always fires up. The tin is good and so are the brakes, clutch and steering axle. It desperately needs new rear tires and wheels. They are loaded and rusting through around the valve stem. Kinda scary with the backhoe on a sidehill. My question is, is it worthwhile to start fixing the old girl up, and if so, how far would you go? I have all the service and repair manuals ever published for the 3414, but I am not a mechanic. I've heard these old IH industrials are kind of hard to find parts for anymore. I would like to keep it as it still is a far better grading tractor than any I've seen, and works great with the Kelley hoe. My other options are, leave it in the barn as is, and hope it continues to stay together for an occasional use, or sell it and get a smaller backhoe for the new Montana? Any opinions would be appreciated. I also have a 1950 (?) IH TD-14 dozer sitting beside it in the barn, waiting for a decision on its fate also. Thanks.....Dan
I have an IH 3414 industrial loader tractor (gas) with a 3 point and PTO. I've been told it's about a 38 HP 1958 model, as it has the flat top rear fenders. I bought it with a model 55 Kelley backhoe on it 14 years ago for $5000, to clean up 40 acres of logged over land I purchased the year before. It has paid for itself many times over with probably only around $2500 in repairs. The only use it's had in recent years is brush hogging trails, etc., and grading the driveways. Last month I bought a new Montana 2740 for those purposes. The 3414 starts, runs and operates very well, and burns no oil. A new set of points, cap and rotor every other year, and it always fires up. The tin is good and so are the brakes, clutch and steering axle. It desperately needs new rear tires and wheels. They are loaded and rusting through around the valve stem. Kinda scary with the backhoe on a sidehill. My question is, is it worthwhile to start fixing the old girl up, and if so, how far would you go? I have all the service and repair manuals ever published for the 3414, but I am not a mechanic. I've heard these old IH industrials are kind of hard to find parts for anymore. I would like to keep it as it still is a far better grading tractor than any I've seen, and works great with the Kelley hoe. My other options are, leave it in the barn as is, and hope it continues to stay together for an occasional use, or sell it and get a smaller backhoe for the new Montana? Any opinions would be appreciated. I also have a 1950 (?) IH TD-14 dozer sitting beside it in the barn, waiting for a decision on its fate also. Thanks.....Dan
