[kcunningham]

I found a 646 that someone wants to get rid of, but he says the transmission is toast. Im kinda on a short timeline to make a decision on what to do, ie, looking up the part numbers and crossing them to a 446 for instance. I have no idea on what the availability of gears are or what type of price range that i would be looking at. The owner states that the prev owner let it get up to much speed on a hill and tried to slow it down by putting it in low gear. He said that all the gears are toast, which im not real sure how all of them could have been damaged.

Can someone chime in with parts interchangeability, i have a old 446 for parts. I would also like some insight into just how expensive this could turn out to get if i have to buy all new parts. Thanks, Ken

 

[Bart]

Probably the easiest solution is to swap out the entire transaxle with one from a 400 series. Transaxles are normally available for $150 or less.

 

[ING6018]

Did the 646LBH have the gusseted transaxle case and extended axles (floatation kit)?
If so, 44x transaxles would not be a direct swap.

 

[kcunningham]

I did get a chance to dl a parts manual for a 646 and a 446 at work an the gears were the same part numbers, so im crossing my fingers on that.

Now im about to start looking for the weight on the 646 so i will know it i can haul it with my trailer.

 

[gator_rider2]

646 LBH 1979 year 2790 lbs

 

[kcunningham]

Thanks

 

[Bart]

Did the 646LBH have the gusseted transaxle case and extended axles (floatation kit)?
If so, 44x transaxles would not be a direct swap.

I missed the backhoe part in the header so an older 446 transaxle swap may not be a good idea though one from a newer 4000 series with the heavier transaxle would work. In the worst case you could use the gears you need from the 446.

 

[Hydriv]

Ken,
If anything, you need to stop listening to the group that currently populate the Case forum at MTF. Most of them wouldn't know a Case loader/backhoe if it fell on top of them, much less have a clue about it's value. Those guys should stick to posting on the Deere and Craftsman forums instead of coming onto the Case forum and giving advice on something they know zip about. If that guy accepts your offer of $800.00, you flat out stole it. Not so long ago, Joe Hemmi parted out a TLB and he was selling just the backhoe for $1300.00 and would not budge off that price.

If that unit you saw was in good working condition, it would bring at least $4000.00 any day of the week. A new steering wheel is $120.00 from Brian Hildreth. The backhoe bucket and the loader bucket can both be repaired with some welding and fabrication. All buckets are a "wear item" that need to be maintained and then eventually replaced. They do get bent and sometimes torn. Welds do fail and have to be ground out and redone. Those of us in the construction industry that work with heavy equipment understand what can happen with buckets and blades. Problems such as those described by you are quite routine and don't pose all that much of a problem. The engine can be rebuilt for less than $2000.00 and then be good for another 20 years if it's looked after properly. If need be, you could repower the tractor with a low cost engine for now and rebuild the CCKA as time and money become available. The hoses that you think are dry rotted can be replaced as they fail. The damage you see is to the outer covering of the hose and that does not provide strength. However, that covering does supply protection from the elements to keep the braid from rusting. Same with the tires. In the interim, tubes can keep them inflated.

If this tractor did not have all these issues, then it would probably be priced out of your reach. Only you can decide if buying a machine that is in this state of repair is right for you. But if you really, truly need a loader backhoe, then I suggest that you pursue this one.

One of these tractors will hold its value and when you go to sell it, there's a good chance that you will get most if not all of your investment back. :thumbsup:

 

[bhildret]

KC, did you possibly take pics while you were there, that you would be willing to post?

Sounds like it was poorly maintained and is not up your alley right now ...

However, with some info in hand, I can sure imagine a member here having interest in saving it.

Of course ... location, location, location.

I'm with Hydriv on the value here ... if this were in the upper midwest, it would be gone by now. I presume this is located in the Carolinas or nearby ... so a little bit of a drive for most members on these forums ...

Brian