opinions on 350

riverbend · Dec 1, 2011

I"m going to look at a 350 and don"t know anything about them. Are they good tractors ? Any known weak spots ? Did they all have a TA ? It sounds like an average sort of tractor with bad rear rims. What do you think it is worth ?

Thanks

Greg

Brendon-KS · Dec 2, 2011

I have a 350 and really like it; for me the good points far outweigh the bad. They are reasonably compact but have enough power (~40hp) to do real work. The TA and live PTO were both optional equipment. Most people will tell you the TA by nature is a weak spot. After my dad got the tractor I now have he had to repair it but now it works great. To me having it functional makes the tractor much more useful. They came in 6V and 12V versions; mine's a 6V and the lighting is pretty weak. Starting hasn't been a problem, though, even in winter. Lastly, the governor isn't as precise as the other old tractor I have (a green one) even though it does have a new spring in it. Might just be an adjustment thing, though.

IH fan · Dec 2, 2011

We had a 350D on the SD ranch I worked on in the summer of '64 and it was refered to there as "the gutless wonder". I did not know it at the time, but it had a German built diesel (not a gas start like other IHs of the era), but it always worked and never gave us any problem... just did not seem to have much power. I was used to Dad's JD 60 and the 350D would not have kept up with that.
A gas 350 I have never used, so don't know how it would compare... I have run a gas 450 (same ranch) and it was a real work-horse, and I suspect a gas 350 would have been better than the diesel.

rustyfarmall · Dec 2, 2011

(quoted from post at 18:48:51 12/01/11) I"m going to look at a 350 and don"t know anything about them. Are they good tractors ? Any known weak spots ? Did they all have a TA ? It sounds like an average sort of tractor with bad rear rims. What do you think it is worth ?

Thanks

Greg

The TA was always an option. It was NOT standard equipment, but very few ever left the factory without the TA. There are no weak spots, but keep in mind it is about 58 years old. If it was well maintained and not abused, it should be good to go for another 58 years with only general repair and maintenance. If it was basically ignored, rode hard and put up wet, it will be a very costly undertaking to get it back into useable condition.

Price and value would range between about $600 scrap iron value to maybe as high as $3,500 for an excellent condition, ready to go to work example. If it needs both rear rims, and probably 2 new rear tires, deduct at least $1,000.

TomA in CA · Dec 2, 2011

The steering box is a known weak spot on the 350. Most of the parts are un obtainable. A loader makes it worse, you want properly operating power steering for use with a loader.

rustyfarmall · Dec 2, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:33:40 12/02/11) The steering box is a known weak spot on the 350. Most of the parts are un obtainable. A loader makes it worse, you want properly operating power steering for use with a loader.

That would be only the utility model. Standard tread and rowcrop tractors have no steering issues unless they are flat worn out, and they can be rebuilt.

riverbend · Dec 2, 2011

I have had my H ('40) for about 20 years and have worked the bejesus out of it, rebuilt or repaired most of it, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I do wish the governor wasn't quite so lazy.

There are times where it would be handy to have another tractor. The 350 looks like a later version of the H, but I don't want to go in blind.

I had talked to the sellers wife last night and just talked to him tonight. He quit farming about 10 years ago and decided it is time to sell his tractors ( he also has an H and an M ). The rear rims are rusty from having fluid in the tires. It sounds like it is mostly around the valve stem. The TA is out. He says that it starts and runs good, has a Schwartz wide front, and was converted to 12V about 10-12 years ago. He is asking $2000.

Is it hard to rebuild the TA ?

Greg

Greg

mike paulson · Dec 3, 2011

if you say the TA is out, he must have removed it and either installed some kind of conversion kit or something to fill the place of the TA. a remaned TA would run about 600.00 and you would have to split the tractor to install. might as well look at the clutch whilst in there.

sflem849 · Dec 3, 2011

(quoted from post at 02:53:23 12/03/11) if you say the TA is out, he must have removed it and either installed some kind of conversion kit or something to fill the place of the TA. a remaned TA would run about 600.00 and you would have to split the tractor to install. might as well look at the clutch whilst in there.

That is standard wording for a nonfunctioning TA.

scotc · Dec 3, 2011

That, or he just never pulls the lever back.

opinions on 350

riverbend

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Brendon-KS

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IH fan

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rustyfarmall

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TomA in CA

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rustyfarmall

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riverbend

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mike paulson

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sflem849

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scotc

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