Ford 4000 industrial

Hey folks.

I have an opportunity to buy a Ford 4000 industrial tractor with loader and backhoe for a very low price.

I took a walk around and general condition seems good. The pins on the hoe are pretty tight and I noted no cracking on any of the surfaces.

The owner took the engine apart for no start and has replaced the injector pump. He says the valves are bad however I didn't check the head. He says that the other running gear is in good condition.

At the price I can afford to invest a couple thousand into the engine and still come out with an inexpensive machine.

I have hundreds of hours of backhoe-loader work coming up.

I have the time to spend on it and don't think I will run into anything that I can't do.

Does this sound like a good deal?

4 cyl early model or later 3 cyl model?

early models are light and a bit primitive. later models were improved and started to be good workers. I have a 3cly early model, bit slower and clumsy, but still gets the job done.

I have a 4400 "utility" as Ford calls it. Basically the industrial version.

It has a loader, and a 753 hoe on it. FANTASTIC machine! It is a little light in the front end due to the hoe, but the tractor handles it very well, and it does a very good job digging.

I would really like it if this one that I have had a thumb on it, but I can live without!

It is a very reliable tractor/engine, and it ALWAYS starts! I can get you a picture of mine if you would like to compare... Bryce

He must be quite the diagnostician if he takes the engine apart because it doesn"t start. Only you can judge what he did to the rest of the machine. I"ve had a 1970 Ford 4500 TLB for about a decade- very useful machine. Mine is 3 cyl gas, gear drive. Works fine for my needs.

I guess if the price is right, go for it. I bought my JD 401 industrial, tractor only for 500.00. It also had a bad motor. It had some major engine damage. I probably put close to 2,000 in it. I think I did good. Stan

(quoted from post at 07:52:43 08/14/14) Hey folks.

I have an opportunity to buy a Ford 4000 industrial tractor with loader and backhoe for a very low price.

I took a walk around and general condition seems good. The pins on the hoe are pretty tight and I noted no cracking on any of the surfaces.

The owner took the engine apart for no start and has replaced the injector pump. He says the valves are bad however I didn't check the head. He says that the other running gear is in good condition.

At the price I can afford to invest a couple thousand into the engine and still come out with an inexpensive machine.

I have hundreds of hours of backhoe-loader work coming up.

I have the time to spend on it and don't think I will run into anything that I can't do.

Does this sound like a good deal?

Click to expand...

Depends on the price. The way it sets maybe a little over scrap. The Ford 4000 3 cyl series is considered by most to be about bullet proof. Few years back I was offered a TLB for a good price. When I bought it my wife was not happy. Now she wont let me get rid of it.

Rick

If it has a new or rebuilt pump on it that is a major plus.

The pump was rebuilt in Burlington Vt. abnd he
replaced the 'poppets' also.

Brad

Hey Rick.

I did a detailed inspection on the unit today. It
is the 3 cyl. model and it has some repair work
needed on the hoe and loader but nothing I cant
handle.

Brad

Hey Stan.

I just need this machine for installing irrigation and general work around the place. Nothing too strenuous.

Brad

This guy is a diesel. I believe the machine was purchased as a no start by the PO and was under repair when I saw it.

Brad

Hey Bryce.

I don't think I have ever operated a hoe that wasn't light in the front end:}

This machine has a 4 speed trans with 2 ranges and a 'torque converter' shuttle shift. Is this the setup on yours and if so do you like it?

I would like a photo if it is not too much trouble.

My wife says I have too many thumbs already.

Brad

Hey Bill.

This is a 3 cylinder model.

I talked to my machine shop buddy and he said that
the oddly shaped pistons (I asked) were Mexican hat
due to the shape.

Brad

You mention all this stuff and a very low price but don't mention that price. How can we tell you if it sounds like a good deal without knowing the actual price? Keep in mind repairs on construction equipment can run into the thousands.

Hey Brad, you are in Albany area right? I get over there now and then.

Colin

Brad,
I use my toy terramite all the time taking care of little jobs on all my properties, I have 10 rentals and 2 homes.

Yesterday, I was moving mulch. Doing flower beds. I was thinking I would hate to have a backhoe with standard tranny. Mine is hydrostatic. Loading mulch from a pile to my dump trailer is a lot of back and forths, turning. If it were a stick I would have to slip the clutch when loading the bucket. It would be no fun for me grabbing gears, using a clutch.

It would be no fun if I had to get off the tractor seat and get on a different seat to operate the hoe.

As for a strong front end, my toy can handle all I can put in the bucket. However I have a pile of motar sand, quick sand, in the gravel pit. When I try to load it, the front wheels want to get stuck. That's when you have to use a ballast weight on the back hook to transfer weight to the rear wheels. Using a backhoe is a game of torque, levers, transfering weight to compensate for the weight you put in the bucket.

I use my hoe to push an 8 ft homemade show plow in the winter. Growing up on a dairy farm in N Indiana, taught me diesels are very hard to start in cold weather. So, I like a gas tractor. I have no problems starting mine in sub-zero temps in a cold pole barn. I don't like the smell of diesel eigher. Just my opinion hoes. Get one, they are a lot of fun. I'm like a kid in a sand box.

George

I had a 4500 tractor/backhoe/loader for 17 years. Wish I still had it. It was 3 cylinder diesel with torque converter, power reverser (F-N-R on lever to left of steering wheel) and 4-speed non-synchronized transmission. As said above, using a FEL without some quick reversing setup (power reverser, glideshift, hydrostatic or whatever) soon becomes tedious. Somebody said these tractors are considered bulletproof....I agree. Whether this one has life left in it is for you to determine depending on its condition.

Hey Colin.

Actually I am a bit north of there in Malone.

You are welcome to visit my shop any time!

Brad

3K.

If you get a backhoe and it doesn't have a roll cage, not a roll bar, I'm talking about a cage, make one or buy one.

My roll cage has saved me from serious injury many times. I haven't roll the tractor, yet cage prevented that from happing by hitting a tree as I was tipping over. Other things fall off the front bucket and try to hit the cage hard.

(quoted from post at 07:14:33 08/15/14) Hey Colin.

Actually I am a bit north of there in Malone.

You are welcome to visit my shop any time!

Brad

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Wow! you are way north of Albany. I have been up that way only once when visiting friends in Fowler.