MM 445 tractor

skipstein · Jul 9, 2016

Howdy All;
I have a bit of a rhetorical question for you out there. I am in the market for another tractor. I have had a Ford 8n in the recent past and could find another Ford easily. I have also come across a Minneapolis Moline 445 tractor that has sat for a few years and tries to start, according to the ad. I know nothing about MM tractors, I am sure there are differences between makes. My question is whether I should buy the MM 445, because it is unique and not many around. Are parts and resources going to be harder to come by than a more common brand, such as Ford, JD or even an AC tractor. It might be interesting to have the only one on the block... my 'block' is Southern California (Big Bear).
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Skip

rvirgil_KS · Jul 9, 2016

What is the overall appearance....tires, tin, obvious leaks and defects. If it does not run but engine is loose, that is a plus. But buying any tractor that does not run one must buy it with the assumption there is a major reason why it does not run and that other problems will be revealed once you get it running.

The 445 is a great tractor. My brothers and I have 3 445's, 2 4 Stars, 2 Jet Stars. all are from different years of the same model family and have a lot of common parts.

Unlike the 8N a 445 has independent power take off, live hydraulics, power steering, "Ampli-Torq" (Hi-Lo on the go, and about twice the horse power. Parts should not be a problem but location will affect convenience and expense in finding them.

They are a fun tractor to drive.

T.R.K. · Jul 9, 2016

I have a 445 MM tractor. Row crop version. If anything is a weak point, its the 3-point. That said, I live in NC and you can't just run down the street and get parts. Much more popular out in the Midwest and Lots of parts available from out there and on the internet. If it does give trouble, it will probably be down a few weeks if there is much wrong. That is the price you pay for having the only one like it on the block.

Joseph2001 · Jul 9, 2016

We have a MM R and the engine has never been rebuilt, it has worked like crazy and only has slight ware but not a lot, it is a full time farm tractor. I think if its taken care of they are the best engines

skipstein · Jul 10, 2016

Hello All;
Thanks for your input. Here is the verbiage in the Craigslist ad: Minneapolis-Moline 445 1957 Tractor has been sitting for a few years, not currently running. tries to start needs tlc. The sheet metal is off the tractor sitting in the loader bucket. It also has a scraper. The tires look worn but are still holding air in the pic. They want $1200.00 for it, but I bet I can get in for a thousand,maybe less. My issue is that I don't have a truck or trailer anymore that can haul it 75 miles to our property, so that will be an extra expense.
Skip

MM 445 tractor

skipstein

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rvirgil_KS

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T.R.K.

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Joseph2001

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skipstein

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