We have 78 acres in southeast Arizona. It is pretty flat and rectangular in shape. The soil must be pretty good as there are farms on both sides. They ran cattle on it. They raise alfalfa nearby. We are told that apples are a good crop along with peaches, cherries, pecans, etc. I have a chance to buy a Case 440LL or 480? Not sure which. It looks just like a 580. Does anybody know what the difference is? I believe that a backhoe cannot be attached. Don't know what year it is; haven't gotten that far into it. It sounds and runs good. It has a leaky hydraulic cylinder that operates the gannon. Are they expensive to replace or repair? Would this tractor be suitable for farming operation? I realize it is actually a tractor designed for construction. I am wondering if it has enough gear changes to do general farm work? It has a front loader also. I need a response before making the purchase.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), April 15, 2002

Answers

You can get tractor data on case at http://www.tractordata.com/td/case.html The 440L is listed but not the 480 or 580. The 440L is listed as a 33hp gas tractor yesterday tractor has a case sections you might want to look at and ask questions about. http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/ntracz.pl?m=case

Usually construction tractors are similar to farm tractors but often dont have a 3pt hitch and/or PTO take off without either they are pretty worthless for a farm tractor.

As for support you might want to check and see if you have a case dealer near you. Case has been bought and sold a couple of times.

http://www.casetractorparts.com/ has parts

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), April 15, 2002.

I'm not familiar with any of the models you asked about, however I have a 1998 "Quick Reference Guide" from Hot Line Farm Equipment that lists them--maybe.

The only 440 listed is a 440 Low Center King. The book shows that it was made from 1960-'69. It used a Case diesel 4 cyl. engine of 148 c.i.d. The engine horsepower was 34.38 with p.t.o. hp at 33. It had 4 speed dual range gearing. Average auction price listed in the 1998 book was $1621.

The 480B Industrial was made from 1966-'75. It used a Case diesel of 188 c.i.d. P.T.O. horsepower was 34. The 4/2 gearing was again used. Average auction price was $1795. Serial numbers were from 8279001 in 1966 to 8770001 in 1975.

The 480C Industrial was made from 1976-'81. It used a Case diesel of 188 c.i.d. P.T.O. horsepower was 43. Gearing was boosted to 8/2 according to the guide. Average auction price was $3,560. Serial numbers were from 8956701 in 1976 to 9015090 in 1981.

The 480D Industrial was made from 1980-'87. It used a Case diesel of of 188 c.i.d. P.T.O. horsepower was 47. Gearing was again 8/2. The average auction price was $2737 in the 1998 book. Serial numbers were from 9050001 in 1980 to 17002027 in 1987.

I don't know that I can help you further. Just post again if you want a specific serial number checked for the year of manufacture. Probably can't get back to you with it until tomorrow however.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 15, 2002.

Hank, a leaky hydraulic cylinder is not a big problem unless the inside of the cylinder is scored. Just take the unit off the machine, unscrew the end cap and pull out the plunger and its packings, hone the cylinder, repack the "piston" with a kit from any hydraulic supply house, their pretty standard in size. If the inside of the cylinder is too damaged to hone then it must be replaced.

You mentioned the word gannon, this is something I have never heard of, its not in my dictionary, google lists it as a brand name for attachments. Is it a regional name for the base swivel plate the back hoe arm rides on?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), April 15, 2002.

I've got a 580 ck backhoe. Tranny isn't really set up for ag work, mine has no ranges in it. Weak engines in all these units 188 diesels and 143 (?) Gas were not Case's best efforts. To run a hoe part time no problem, as a farm tractor I'd think you can find better. Ford, Deere, IH, even David Brown or DB Case are better. Massey is OK too, I had a 165 and kinda wish I still did. Nah was just thinking the other day, I'd trade my DB 990 for a Ford 4610 MFWD laoder tractor.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), April 15, 2002.

Thanks for all your comments. I found out the model is a 480LL. It has a PTO which is rare for the Case. It has a diesel engine. I'll check out the websites mentioned. Will write Case for printed info also.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), April 15, 2002.