Model 340

Can anyone tell me the ins-n-outs of a model 340. Any major flaws or downsides to beware of ? One coming up for auction with 900 some odd hrs on it. Rough values ? Thanks

I have one that I really like, mine's a Farmall model, they also made a utility model. Tires seem to be the deciding factor on most tractor purchases lately. I paided 2500.00 for mine 15 years ago. Make sure the steerimg works good. If it has a TA check to see if that works. They're just a handy size tractor for a small outfit.

"jdub; Are those hours on a working tach? That said, paint can hide flaws. That said, an independent live power take off -LPTO- with ~ 34 hp; row-crop was the most common; ~ 7200 manufactured which includes the International -utility- model; if you shorten the exhaust pipe on the muffler, the tractor will slip under a standard seven foot overhead garage door. Not a real easy tractor to climb aboard as you age, an adaptive step makes it easier. The Farmall row-crop should turn easy with or w/o power steering. Other options were a single front wheel; pto, yup, some had municipal jobs; torque-amplifier, that handle to the left of the dash that shifts the transmission into a lower 'range'; lights, fuel gauge - a 13 gallon capacity; wide front; three-point versus the fast-hitch. I see now Putter has mentioned tires...you prices those lately? Add tubes, mounting, any fluid; I like many prefer wheel weights. If she stands on good rubber, there is value. As far as value, maybe it runs, but does everything operate? Lights, gauges, TA, hitch. Six or 12 volt conversion; condition of rims; peek around the valve stems, front and rear...how would I know that?!? Lots of good folks on this board have and use them year around for raking hay, pulling loads of same, plowing, with their loader; mowing, etc. Doesn't take much storage space. Produced from 1958 - 1963. Parts are available from the dealer, but fewer; aftermarket manufactured available more and more. Some southern tobacco growers used 'em as updates to the Farmall A;s which were off-set seating to peek down the rows. Lots of info here in the archives and from helpful folks. Me 'tinks' you would enjoy one...or more. Good luck with your perusing. Post back with your purchase.

340 is basically a 240 (Super C) front end mated to a 460 rear end.

It has a little larger engine than the 240/Super C, a C153 instead of a C123. It (usually) has a TA and live PTO and live hydraulics and fast hitch.

If it's a true 900 hour machine, and looks like it, you won't be able to touch it. Some collector with deep pockets will be there and he'll outbid you no matter how high you go.

That said, I know where there is a "low hour" 560, but I know for a fact that the tach has been broken for at least 30 years.

my grandfather had a diesel on back about 25 years ago then traded it for a ford 5000 wish he would kept it never seen another one since

I'm really glad you guys have such good luck with them.I've been around 2-3 of them over the years.In my humble opinion,they're the biggest POS that IH ever built....underpowered,bad hydralics,the list goes on.In fact,I have been given a gas tricycle 340 with a stuck engine that is 80 miles away.I wouldn't bother to get it even if it was next door.

(quoted from post at 11:07:40 11/07/13) I'm really glad you guys have such good luck with them.I've been around 2-3 of them over the years.In my humble opinion,they're the biggest POS that IH ever built....underpowered,bad hydralics,the list goes on.In fact,I have been given a gas tricycle 340 with a stuck engine that is 80 miles away.I wouldn't bother to get it even if it was next door.

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I take it you don't like them much, huh?

Underpowered?... for what? some would consider a 560 underpowered, or a 1456... depends on what you want to use it for.

Bad hydraulics?... same could be said of my 240, a H, M, all Supers, *00 and *50s, etc. Hydraulics improved with time and newer models as with most things, but for 1958, they weren't any worse than most (I'll catch a ration of crap for this, but JD had good hydraulics back then, but many [most] brands did not).

I'd take a free one within 80 miles, heck maybe even 100, if I could winch it up on a trailer.

I just gave my honest,unadulterated opinion.I'm
sorry if you cant handle it.I've owned 560s(love em)
and have a 1256 and a whole slug of IH tractors(from
F12 up to the '12').Farm with em,no show queens
here.I supposed for a rake; two bottom plow;2 row
cultivator,etc they are ok.But I have absolutety no
interest in owning one...'Back when',IH made some of the best tractors of the day(and industry),the 340 just wasnt one of them.IMHO

It has the same hydraulics as a 460.

Underpowered, I can see because IH was trying to fill the gap between the 240 and 460, by using an engine that was only 30c.i. larger than the 240's, by using high RPMs instead of displacement and torque.

It isn't a lugger. Neither is the C221. For farmers that were used to the low-end torque of their Super C's and H's and 350's, the 340 and 460 were let-downs. Keeping the RPMs up was just a foreign concept. Still is to some.

(quoted from post at 16:54:14 11/07/13)
Underpowered, I can see because IH was trying to fill the gap between the 240 and 460, by using an engine that was only 30c.i. larger than the 240's.

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Actually, it was only 12 cubic inches larger than a 240. 340 used a C-135.

(quoted from post at 15:48:10 11/07/13) I just gave my honest,unadulterated opinion.I'm
sorry if you cant handle it.I've owned 560s(love em)
and have a 1256 and a whole slug of IH tractors(from
F12 up to the '12').Farm with em,no show queens
here.I supposed for a rake; two bottom plow;2 row
cultivator,etc they are ok.But I have absolutety no
interest in owning one...'Back when',IH made some of the best tractors of the day(and industry),the 340 just wasnt one of them.IMHO

Click to expand...

All I was trying to point out is a 340 is a 340, not [u:7aa8e41126]supposed[/u:7aa8e41126] to be a big powerful tractor. If you need more power, get a bigger tractor, but if you need an H size with better hydraulics, PS, Fast Hitch or 3 point, TA and IPTO, it may not be a bad choice. I don't know of any particular problems with them and with the "extras" mentioned, it gives you quite a bit more tractor than a C to 240 size. all that said, I would not buy a 340 without all the extra I mentioned, and they are things I consider a big upgrade and makes it a more versatile tractor than an H or Super H, or some of the other tractors that sell for more money like an 8N or NAA Ford. It was also available as a diesel, if someone prefers that. If it really has serious problems and is a POS, tell us what the problem areas are so we'll know what to expect, but underpowered is relative.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. I'll repost if I get it or let everyone know waht it sold for... JD

I own 2 340 Farmall models one with narrow front and one with wide. And both have fast hitch. I run a 2 bottom plow, 8 foot fast hitch disk and have 3 point conversion arms on both. The best cultivating, small square baler, raking, and chore tractor in my fleet around that horsepower. I also use it a lot on a 6 foot rotary mower and with Ind PTO and fast hitch I like it. I will say the wide front with 38 inch rear tires is a better traction unit so that is the one I grab for plow days. Migraine

Migraine, Are you still out in northern Washington state near Lynden as I recall? Nice to see your post on occasion, Hal.

I bought one a few months back, paid 850.00 for it. Sold those weights on the front of it,(belong on a 300 or 400) for 600.00 so I'm actually in this tractor 250.00. I just ordered one new rear rim for it 225.00 and it runs like a top.
I like it it fits in my collection of C, 2-SC a 200 and 230 and looks nice next to my 460's