Brad, that is a tall order. Just focusing on the GT's, there are 3 basic generations, 1965 and prior, 1966-1968 (the transition years) and 1969 thru today. From just a practicality point of view, 1969 and newer 3 digit tractors before the battery/oil tank stack (2XX-4XX) due to initial cost, minimal expense to repair and modify. They were basic, simple, plenty of room to modify, easy to maintain, tons of optional uses could be had....
My personal favorites right now however are my 3018 and my 4016PS 4 digit tractors (ONAN powered) My 4120AH is a work in progress (8 years of occasional working on it) so I am not going to include it.
My 130 with it's large deck could cover more acreage per hour than our 1st year 446 but I am biased with the 130 since it holds a special place in my heart.
But to narrow it down to 1 specific year/model of the 1969/newer , nope I cannot do it.

 

Well, I think you should put the 3 digit and 4 digit tractors in a separate thread as there are so many differences. My pick for the 400 series front runner would be the 1986 448. First year for the integrated holding valve, last year before the plastic dash panel. The 1986 446 would be my second choice.

Bob

 

Bob, it is Friday night and I am sipping whiskey after a perfect meal (which means my filter has been turned off - hehehehe) I preface the next statement with "I personally own 3, four digit tractors"

I look at the 4 digit tractors as more for the "sandal and shorts" crowd..... They turned the engine around because of the heat in the summer time.... Added power steering and made the "accessories "switch operated" (adjusting a clutch is so....barbaric) And moved some of the controls from beside and behind to between their legs.... I am not going there (yet) lol

Other than that and some cosmetics, the basic tractor has not changed since 1969......

 

You're right that is a tall order...lol. I knew I was opening a can of worms. I thought it would be fun discussion. I do like the metal dashboards. I wish they had kept them. I do like the 3 digit tractors but they have made some good improvements with the 4 digit tractors mentioned above. I could pass on the plastic dash though. I guess I may have to buy me a 4 digit tract and find out. Maybe...a 4016. I like those massive tires...looks like a real tractor..just smaller..lol. I do wish they made one in 4WD. Now that would be cool.

 

Bob...what would be your favorite 4 digit GT?

 

Brad,

My short answer would be a 4020PS. I have a 4020, but wish it had power steering. Regarding the Onan engine, yes expensive parts these days, but long life and much greater torque than the Vanguard in my opinion.

Bob

 

Some of those 4016s came with Vanguard engines in them instead of Onan. What's your take on that? My understanding if the Onan needs rebuilt they are fairly expensive.

 

Chiming in here!
I have been involved with Case and Ingersoll machines since 1974 when I was a mech at a boat/power equipment dealer. Along with boats, they sold Bolens, Gravely, Homelite saws and outboard engines, Pioneer saws. They bought out a power equipment dealer which had a new old stock 1974 Case 446. They were launching/hauling out boats using trailers in a salt water boat launching area with a Bolens tractor. The big rear wheels on the Case were interesting to them and I was tasked with making the Case more utilitarian for the mission. I fabricated a better rear hitch and a front hitch and the Case was put to work. Exposure to salt water to the Case in time took a tole on it. The company bought a dockside lift and a forklift with long forks and they gave up the power equipment part of the business. They gave me the Case 446 in 1979. I took it home, cleaned it up and installed the still new mower deck, the rest is history!
More to come!

 

At that time I had a dual transmission Economy 1614 tractor with plow and mower deck and a Farmall Cub with a broken front housing which I eventually was able to weld repair.
I started mowing with the 446 in season and eventually bought a 54” plow for it. The Case was so much easier to mow and plow with that I sold the Economy and the Farmall Cub.
Fast forward to 1996 when I bought a 1985 Ingersoll 448 which I repowered with an Onan P 218 and installed a new B98B Hydrabagger and retired the 1974 Case 446. Having been repairing mostly Case/ Ingersoll machines for years and bought a 1989 4018 with a Hydrabagger later on, I will state that the 1985 repowered 448 with Hydrabagger is my first choice in the 3 digit machines.
In the 4 digit machines, I agree with Bob about a 4020PS!

 

Ok, I need to get back to practicing my bag pipes so I can have a duet with dundee222 soon!
dundee222 doesn’t like bagpipes so I assume he will sing as I pipe!

 

I’ll go with a 3 digit case in the 80’s any day I like to mow with my 226 though. Onans are only as expensive as you make them to be. In the onan world it seems if it needs one thing addressed it needs a major overhaul automatically.

 

If this one was closer I might check it out but sounds like the Onan might be toast

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

Lets assume the hour meter is correct (and from the looks of things it certainly is) If I was in Champaign Illinois right now and didn't have to be back in my shop in Arkansas, I would be messaging and arranging to pick it up at that price. You are a hundred miles closer to it than I am

 

I live in Southern Ohio....Not a lot of Case GTs in my area.
Well one thing about the Kohler K321. They are very reasoanble to rebuild and they last a long time. Of course they have more vibration and don't run a smooth as an Onan.

 

Well, I have had several Case and Case Ingersolls, and Ingersolls. It all started when I moved to Southern Ohio and was looking for a mower for my yard. I stopped by the "Case Power" dealer and they showed me a "444 Demonstrator" that had been out as a Demo item a few times, equiped with a 48" deck, a 3 point hitch, and a center drive tiller. I loved that tractor! My father-in-law in NW Indiana came to visit soon after the 444 arrived at my place. When he got there I had just finished mowing my yard, and changed over to the tiller while he watched. At that time he had recently bought a new 400 JD with 60" deck and a heavy tiller (PTO driveshaft).

He watched me drop my deck and backed over to the tiller, dropped two pins in the 3 point hitch, plugged the hoses in and was ready to head for the garden. He commented something to the effect "I couldn't do that with my JD", and I asked him what he was talking about> He said "it would have taken me a half hour to take the driveshaft off the deck and get the mower deck out from under it". I had accomplished my task in about 15 minutes and hadn't hurried to accomplish that task. He did question my backing over the deck, rather than pulling it out from underneath. The JD deck was a pressed 60" deck.

My garden had been plowed by my neighbor with his 6 bottom plow and it wasn't totally even because it was very small to be doing with a 6 bottom plow. I went out to test the tiller out with FIL watching and almost as soon as I started he commented "I can't do that with my JD400 and tiller". What he couldn't do was with the clearance of the Demo 444 He couldn't straddle the plow furrows like I did. His comment was to the effect that the JD 400 didn't have the clearance that the 444 had and he would have been stuck on top of the furrow. To finish this part quickly: He did say since his Heavy JD tiller was better built than my center drive tiller, that his would probably outlast mine. He was right! I sold my tiller after 38 years and got a side drive tiller! His was around till we buried him 3 years ago! The guy who bought my old tiller is still using it today.

After I moved to Southern Michigan in 1989 I bought a 224 prior to bringing the 444 North. I loved that little thing! Man did it scoot across the yard! I had it around for a couple of years and finally sold it because with the tiller with 3 point the 444 was more versatile for what I was wanting to do. A few years later, I bought a 448 with the stylized hood that had been re-engined with a Linamar 770, switched the 3 point hitch over to it, and never looked back. Sold the 444. That Onan engine sure runs smooth compared to the Kohler! I have had a few other 448's, 446's, 3016, and a 4020. I have the original 448, and another one just like it that I currently use regularly. As some of you know I also have a 4118 "All Hydraulic" that is for sale, and my 4020 is torn apart currently redoing it just like I did with the 4118.

I have the 48" decks on most of the time, but have run the 60" decks at times. I really like the 60" decks and they do a real nice job. I run the 48" decks BC I have a "leafvac" for fall weather. When I am done putting the 4020 back together I will have the newer style 3 point, and hydraulics under the seat. That will give me the ability to mow and Mold Board plow, or till with either style 448, or 4020. I have 48", or 60" decks for both styles, I will have 3 points for either style, I have Snowblowers for either style. I am hooked on the high profile tractors!

The 4118 has hooked me on the Idea of a 4020 with power steering!

 

The 4118 has hooked me on the Idea of a 4020 with power steering!

Power steering is very nice; you will like it!
I'll throw my vote in for the 4223-PS. While the Vanguard does not have as much torque as the Onan, it still has plenty for the tasks I have used it for running the hydraulic or belt-driven accessories. The turning radius is tighter than the older models and the foot operated speed control is super precise. Funny that at 18 years old, my tractor is considered young!

 

I thought I would post a fun thread: Should get plenty of discussion and interest.
Here we go......Out of all the Case / Ingersoll garden tractors that we love so dear? Some of you guys have addictions...lol. What year and or model is the best. What makes it the best? I know they make small changes to them over the years. Are they really improvements? Some have different engines. Some have longer frames or even a holding valve. Some may even be a more solid built tractor. If we can let's focus on the big rear wheel tractors if that's alright. Obviously everybody has their own opinion but I bet there will be some good points made.

Well,
I absolutely love my 1979 444 which I have done some improvements to, including a new travel control valve with the integrated holding valve, and new tires, front and rear. I also did a custom paint job which is a tribute to the Large agriculture CASE 2090 that I drove as a kid on dairy farms.

 

I think "best" is relative of course. I think an argument could be made for the simplicity and relatively high HP of an old 448 for instance.

Buttttttttttt if we're looking at capability I think it's either 4223 or the 4120, I'll talk about each independently.

If a 4020 is a run of the mill Silverado then the 4223 PS/PTO is most certainly a Sierra Denali. The power steering with improved tighter turning radius, the foot control, under the seat PTO, more fuel efficient and more powerful engine... I really can't get over how good the foot control is on the 4200 series tractors. Anyone who hasn't experienced it should when they get the chance. And it's also nice when jumping back and forth between an Ingersoll loader and a GT. It's happened more than once that I've jumped on one of my hand control tractors after getting off a foot control and just thrown it in to full Forward by mistake hahaha. That being said, if you drop the belly pan on a foot control power steering tractor... wow. 10lbs of sh!t in a 5lb sack for sure. Much more crowded than the foot control and power steering combo on the loaders, especially with the normal GT frame instead of the wider loader frame. The Vanguard is a necessary evil. My Onans start much easier and run smoother, but I do like the much much better fuel economy of the Vanguard, as well as the slightly greater HP/TQ (Onan: 20hp/29.2lb-ft, Vanguard: 23hp/33.6lb-ft). If the 24hp Onan was ever offered in the tractors I would take that over the Briggs and deal with the worse fuel consumption for the tradeoff in ease of starting and smooth running. I have to say, it is nice being able to stop by a Lawn and Garden store and pick up engine parts / filters / etc. instead of having a usually longer lead time and shipping with Onan parts.

Using my previous metaphor as a starting point, the 4120 is a gasser 2500 Silverado LT. A little more creature comforts than your average tractor with the addition of power steering, but it suffers from a worse turning radius as a result. The hydraulic PTO standard means it always comes properly equipped for hydraulic implements. The engine doesn't have the power that the later Vanguards had, but it's a good motor and torquey. More importantly, the hydraulic system is substantially more capable than the normal tractors. The higher pressure relief and flow rate allows them to transmit ~18hp hydraulically, as opposed to the normal tractors' ~12hp, a 50% increase! And the tractor's cooling package is revised to handle the extra heat. It gets a dedicated large hydraulic cooler up front with a mechanical fan and ducting, as opposed to the "normal" 4 digit tractors which have a small cooler located in the tower which relies on the engine flywheel fan to pull air through. This relocation of the hydraulic cooler combined with the dual section pump being used for power steering (eliminating the need for the huge 1.5gpm diverter valve that most PS tractors have) means that the underside of the tractor and the inside of the tower are pretty uncomplicated and easy to service. One "downside" to the 4100 series tractors was their lack of a mechanical PTO clutch. This means all attachments had to be driven by the hydraulic PTO, increasing the cost of the attachments and reducing compatibility. It didn't help that the new higher flow rate pump meant some hydraulic attachments designed for the "normal" tractors couldn't be used with the 4100 series (I.E. wood chipper, 3pt mower deck, bagger, brush hog), for risk of overspeeding them and causing "rapid unplanned disassembly" as they say, which further reduced attachment compatibility. For a product line whose owners were used to keeping their attachments as investments and just upgrading the tractor, this wasn't a great look, and ultimately the 4100 series was only sold for two years. That doesn't change the fact that I still think they were one of the best! Ingersoll had thrown itself full into the capability of hydraulic power when choosing not to have a shaft PTO on the early tractors, the 4100 series is the pinnacle of hydraulic capability for Ingersoll. If anything I wish they'd doubled down, increased flow rate and horsepower, and expanded the types of hydraulic attachments they sold. The loaders should have definitely gone to the high flow hydraulic pump that the 4100 series had, especially with the introduction of the LQA down the line... My only complaint about my 4120 is the lack of foot control haha.

 

Boy I feel like the new kid on the block for this discussion.

My newest machine is a 1994 6018, and that's the newest Case Ingersoll I've ever run.

That being said, the favorite for me is my 1979 Case 446, with a Linamar 18HP repower, cab, and snow caster. That machine was a snow removal game changer for me. If I could only keep 1, this is it!

 

Easy question.............. late 444 or 4014...

 

To bad you didnt keep that 444 demo very desirable now

Well, I have had several Case and Case Ingersolls, and Ingersolls. It all started when I moved to Southern Ohio and was looking for a mower for my yard. I stopped by the "Case Power" dealer and they showed me a "444 Demonstrator" that had been out as a Demo item a few times, equiped with a 48" deck, a 3 point hitch, and a center drive tiller. I loved that tractor! My father-in-law in NW Indiana came to visit soon after the 444 arrived at my place. When he got there I had just finished mowing my yard, and changed over to the tiller while he watched. At that time he had recently bought a new 400 JD with 60" deck and a heavy tiller (PTO driveshaft).

He watched me drop my deck and backed over to the tiller, dropped two pins in the 3 point hitch, plugged the hoses in and was ready to head for the garden. He commented something to the effect "I couldn't do that with my JD", and I asked him what he was talking about> He said "it would have taken me a half hour to take the driveshaft off the deck and get the mower deck out from under it". I had accomplished my task in about 15 minutes and hadn't hurried to accomplish that task. He did question my backing over the deck, rather than pulling it out from underneath. The JD deck was a pressed 60" deck.

My garden had been plowed by my neighbor with his 6 bottom plow and it wasn't totally even because it was very small to be doing with a 6 bottom plow. I went out to test the tiller out with FIL watching and almost as soon as I started he commented "I can't do that with my JD400 and tiller". What he couldn't do was with the clearance of the Demo 444 He couldn't straddle the plow furrows like I did. His comment was to the effect that the JD 400 didn't have the clearance that the 444 had and he would have been stuck on top of the furrow. To finish this part quickly: He did say since his Heavy JD tiller was better built than my center drive tiller, that his would probably outlast mine. He was right! I sold my tiller after 38 years and got a side drive tiller! His was around till we buried him 3 years ago! The guy who bought my old tiller is still using it today.

After I moved to Southern Michigan in 1989 I bought a 224 prior to bringing the 444 North. I loved that little thing! Man did it scoot across the yard! I had it around for a couple of years and finally sold it because with the tiller with 3 point the 444 was more versatile for what I was wanting to do. A few years later, I bought a 448 with the stylized hood that had been re-engined with a Linamar 770, switched the 3 point hitch over to it, and never looked back. Sold the 444. That Onan engine sure runs smooth compared to the Kohler! I have had a few other 448's, 446's, 3016, and a 4020. I have the original 448, and another one just like it that I currently use regularly. As some of you know I also have a 4118 "All Hydraulic" that is for sale, and my 4020 is torn apart currently redoing it just like I did with the 4118.

I have the 48" decks on most of the time, but have run the 60" decks at times. I really like the 60" decks and they do a real nice job. I run the 48" decks BC I have a "leafvac" for fall weather. When I am done putting the 4020 back together I will have the newer style 3 point, and hydraulics under the seat. That will give me the ability to mow and Mold Board plow, or till with either style 448, or 4020. I have 48", or 60" decks for both styles, I will have 3 points for either style, I have Snowblowers for either style. I am hooked on the high profile tractors!

The 4118 has hooked me on the Idea of a 4020 with power steering!

Seebee, do you know where that 444 Demo went? I recently bought one out to Gallia Co Ohio.. Maybe??

 

Dave, That was probably 80-82, so it was quite awhile ago. I put it up for sale on ebay and within 15 minutes somebody bought it. Turns out his family had a Case dealership at one point in time and he certainly Understood what that demo was. Had the full decals including on top of fenders and the hood. Sunset yellow, Flambo or Power Red (probably Flambo, and the black decals. The original engine had gotten tired, and I bought a new shortblock, but had not installed it. I was honest with him that there was no Serial number plate on the tractor and he said "no problem" Took it home to NW Michigan somewhere.

About six months later a guy from Pennsylvania called me and wanted the serial plate. I told him it had never been on it during the time I had owned it. He was a collector that used to post on the old site prior to this one. He was into buying them while they were still in the original crate when possible. I think he was from the Pittsburgh area. I wonder if they were stamping the numbers on the front axle at that time?

The 444 Demo was obviously original if one just looked at it. It had not been redone. But still looked nice. Patena?

Bill

 

Dave, That was probably 80-82, so it was quite awhile ago. I put it up for sale on ebay and within 15 minutes somebody bought it. Turns out his family had a Case dealership at one point in time and he certainly Understood what that demo was. Had the full decals including on top of fenders and the hood. Sunset yellow, Flambo or Power Red (probably Flambo, and the black decals. The original engine had gotten tired, and I bought a new shortblock, but had not installed it. I was honest with him that there was no Serial number plate on the tractor and he said "no problem" Took it home to NW Michigan somewhere.

About six months later a guy from Pennsylvania called me and wanted the serial plate. I told him it had never been on it during the time I had owned it. He was a collector that used to post on the old site prior to this one. He was into buying them while they were still in the original crate when possible. I think he was from the Pittsburgh area. I wonder if they were stamping the numbers on the front axle at that time?

The 444 Demo was obviously original if one just looked at it. It had not been redone. But still looked nice. Patena?

Bill

The demo that I bought out of Gallia county was a Black Knight... yours obviously was a Golden demo. so different tractor.

 

Of my 6 3 digit Case tractors, the 69 444 would be my favorite complete with cab and blade, showcases and hydraulic rototiller (ni mower...l am built on rock). I also have a 195 which despite it's weakness in rear axles is fun as well. I am more a fan of Kohler cast iron one lunger motors than Onan. I agree that a 4 wheel drive one would have been ideal so l luckily found a 96 Honda 5013 in five foot tall grass with the rubber pretty well rotted of it ftom sitting for 5 years. It started within 1/2 an hour of carb clean and fresh gas and new battery. Their 13 hp motors are awesome and with the 4 wheel drive drive 8 speed transmission and all wheel steering it does everything the Case can't.

 

Of my 6 3 digit Case tractors, the 69 444 would be my favorite complete with cab and blade, snowcaster and hydraulic rototiller (ni mower...l am built on rock). I also have a 195 which despite it's weakness in rear axles is fun as well. I am more a fan of Kohler cast iron one lunger motors than Onan. I agree that a 4 wheel drive one would have been ideal so l luckily found a 96 Honda 5013 in five foot tall grass with the rubber pretty well rotted of it ftom sitting for 5 years. It started within 1/2 an hour of carb clean and fresh gas and new battery. Their 13 hp motors are awesome and with the 4 wheel drive drive 8 speed transmission and all wheel steering it does everything the Case can't.

 

Goal completed....I enjoyed reading all these comments. 26 replies and 13 participant's. Interesting to read what peoples favorite tractor is and what is important to them. Sometimes it just nostalgia......Thanks guys for making this a fun weekend question!!

 

My 444 has no plastic , and is a perfect specimen of American quality. That's what I think.

 

Mock395 : What type and size of ag tires do you have on your tractor? They look nice

 

9.5 by 16

 

Thanks!!

 

Seabee dave, what battalion where you in? I was in nmcb23

 

Mock395, Dave was the first word of my post. My name is Bil Moyer, and I was Stationed in Rhode Island and was with Nmcb6 (or MCB6) from Feb 1969 until they were decommissioned in Dec 1969, due to reduction in manpower. We were to have deployed to Vietnam in September/October 1969 but that was the beginning of our reduction in Manpower (pull out from Vietnam). I was transferred to Nmcb71 who was currently in Puerto Rico.

They realized in October 1970 that I was not going to reenlist for a further 4 years. I didn't have enough months left on my enlistment for them to deploy me anywhere so, due to the continued reduction in Manpower, I was sent home October 16th, 1970.

I did serve in a Reserve MCB that was Stationed in Glenview Naval Airstation Illinois for a couple years afterward. Most of our weekend drills were at Camp Atterbuery near Columbus, Indiana.

Bill Moyer

 

Mock395, Dave was the first word of my post. My name is Bil Moyer, and I was Stationed in Rhode Island and was with Nmcb6 (or MCB6) from Feb 1969 until they were decommissioned in Dec 1969, due to reduction in manpower. We were to have deployed to Vietnam in September/October 1969 but that was the beginning of our reduction in Manpower (pull out from Vietnam). I was transferred to Nmcb71 who was currently in Puerto Rico.

They realized in October 1970 that I was not going to reenlist for a further 4 years. I didn't have enough months left on my enlistment for them to deploy me anywhere so, due to the continued reduction in Manpower, I was sent home October 16th, 1970.

I did serve in a Reserve MCB that was Stationed in Glenview Naval Airstation Illinois for a couple years afterward. Most of our weekend drills were at Camp Atterbuery near Columbus, Indiana.

Bill Moyer

Very cool. I got deployed to Afghanistan, did every job but my rate! UT 14 years i put in. Couldn't get promoted due to quotas. Of race related junk. So I threw in the towel. Even though I was a master plumber when I joined.. great experience though. Meet alot of great guys and still talk to a few regularly. Can do!