[oefveteran]

Hi there,

Bill.H directed me here from MTF so I could swim in your vast pool of downloadable pdfs!

Anyhow I am in the market for a durable used garden tractor, something capable of supporting my 6'5" 300+ lb bulk for(ever) [s:20q844hm]a few years, until I can afford a diesel subcompact[/s:20q844hm]. I obviously plan to mow with it, but also I would like something capable of snow removal, and minor landscaping. I have been looking at Deere, (IH era only) Cub Cadets, and to a lesser extent Bolens and Deutz-Allis, then an Ingersoll came to me in a dream, and I have begun looking into these CCI machines. I have never actually seen a Case/Ingersoll garden tractor, let alone operatd one, but if they're half as good as they seem I'm impressed. As such I have been keeping an eye open, and reading up on them, and hell- maybe I'll join your ranks.

On an off-topic note, I'm only looking at Cub Cadet out of nostaligia for the International 786 my family had when I was growing up (we also had a SAME, losing it was no love lost). I had the chance to get a good running 484 for $5k, but what would I use it for with 1.5 acres?

Glad to be here!

 

[mjodrey]

oefvereran,welcome to the forum.
Glad to have you with us.



Maynard :canada:

 

[Hydriv]

Welcome to the forum.


I saw your post on MTF and noted your initial budget of 3K. In my mind, that is very realistic. I would suggest that you look for any of the following models, all bearing the Ingersoll name.


- 4016

-4018

- 4020

- 4020PS


Essentially, all of them are identical except for engine HP - as designated by the last 2 digits of the model number. The PS stands for Power Steering.

Mower decks would come in either a 48" cut width or a 60" cut width. Obstructions on your property may factor into your choice.

The snowblower will be a SB48 and it cuts a 48" wide swath. Both the blower and the decks are belt driven off the front of the engine via an electric clutch.

In addition to those two attachments, you will definitely want to have a set of rear wheel weights and tire chains. Depending on the circumstances of your property and your locale, you may want to have the rear tires loaded with beet juice or windshield washer antifreeze to add more weight for traction. These are very well-made machines that use structural steel throughout instead of stamped sheet metal. Plastic parts are at a minimum. Once you own one and begin to perform routine service, you will discover how easy they are to work on. The design is pure simplicity. A gas engine drives a hydraulic pump that keeps 10 gallons per minute in constant rotation. A lever on the left side of the steering wheel controls how much of that fluid gets directed to a hydraulic motor bolted directly to a very tough 2-speed trans-axle as well as the direction that fluid flows in. In other words, direction of the tractor and ground speed are handled by that single lever. Braking is also handled by that same lever. As you return the lever to the neutral position, the tractor is dynamically braked by the hydraulic fluid. A relief valve controls the maximum amount of pressure that can be delivered to the trans-axle, thereby acting as a "fuse" to protect the gears from too much torque.

In case you did not know this, Ingersoll moved to Maine in 2006 and is owned by Eastman Industries. Parts are not a problem. We have three dealers we approve of as members of this forum that can mail parts to you the following day. I suggest that you do two things to further your education of these tractors. Spend some time in The Classifieds forum reading old threads about tractors that have been for sale on e-Bay, Craigslist and elsewhere. Those ads should begin to give you a sense of what you are looking for and what the costs are. The other place to spend some time is the Technical Library where we have a FAQ's section plus a large selection of Parts, Operator and Service Manuals available.

Any further questions should be placed in a new thread in the main forum for Case, Colt and Ingersoll tractors where it will get maximum exposure to the membership. This forum is just to introduce yourself. At the top of each forum, you will find a STICKY titled "READ ME FIRST". Those Stickies will explain the purpose behind each of the forums.

Monitoring the Classifieds section every single day may assist in helping you find what you need. We have a thread there called Tractor Cupid that lists all of the tractors that our members have purchased as a result of seeing the ad for it in that forum. I hope that we can add your name to that list. :thumbsup:

 

[InTroubleAlltheTime]

OEF Veteran: Welcome to the site, we're glad you joined! :usa: :usa: :usa: Bill directed you to the right place, this is the best CCI Forum on planet earth! IMHO you are headed in the right direction. These tractors are dependable, well constructed, durable and versatile, perfect for a 1.5 acre parcel of land. And with a $3000 budget I think you will be able to find a nice 4000, perhaps with a couple attachments. In addition to the other valuable recommendations, follow the classifieds as Hydriv said, it will give you great information and value opinions. The members are very helpful here and if they know you are looking for something particular, they will try to help. Again, welcome to the site and look forward to following the progress of your acquisition. There seems to good opportunity in Maine and the adjoining NE states to find a nice CCI GT.
:222: :446: Best Regards, Rich

 

[Bill.H]

Welcome, OEF! Fancy meeting you here :lol:
Whereabouts are you? If you want to get a good look and maybe a few tips, I'm sure there's someone close (by Maine standards at least) to you who'd be glad to show you their tractor so at least you know what to look for as you search.

 

[Snotrocket]

Lots of Maine members here. :trink:

So like BillH said where are you located? I'm in Warren just south of Rockland.

 

[oefveteran]

Thanks for the information Hydrive, that was a rather lengthy post, but well worth reading.

As for the Maine guys, I am here in Monmouth.

 

[Hydriv]

I should have added this comment.

None of the four tractors you mentioned on MTF are worth looking at. No where in your MTF post did you mention the need for a loader so the 600 Series machine would be a royal PITA for you to try and cut grass with and you cannot put a snowcaster on it. Clearing snow with a loader bucket is slow, tedious and frustrating. The 4000 Series Ingersoll is wildly overpriced at $4000.00 and not worth the gas money to argue with the idiot trying to sell it. The blue machine is nothing but a piece of crap that would make me run in the opposite direction as fast as I can. At best, it's worth $200.00 as a parts tractor. The last one appears to be a late 70's or very early 80's 446 in nice shape cosmetically but the most important issue with any tractor is the condition of the engine.

FYI, rebuilding an Onan can cost you at least 1 grand and can often approach double that figure depending on what needs to be done. For that reason, I'm suggesting that you look for a Vanguard powered 4000 Series Ingersoll. I think that you should be able to find a nice 4000 with a deck, snowcaster, wheel weights and chains for no more than three grand that still has lots of life left in the engine. Good Luck in your search.

 

[oefveteran]

So I finally got a good look at a CCI. My neighbor purchased a 224 to flip, with a cab, mower, and a snowblower. Not sure what he paid for it, what I do know is that it has solidified my want of one. It is so solid. I don't know I would buy this one, I think I would prefer the 4 series, but it seems to be in awfully good shape. Maybe I will snap some picture later.

I am wondering though if it might be a 444, as it seems awfully big.

 

[mjodrey]

I am wondering though if it might be a 444, as it seems awfully big.

What size rear wheels does it have,and how many wheel nuts hold them on. The 400 series had 6 wheel nuts,the 200 series only has 5.

Maynard :canada:

 

[Hydriv]

So I finally got a good look at a CCI. My neighbor purchased a 224 to flip, with a cab, mower, and a snowblower. Not sure what he paid for it, what I do know is that it has solidified my want of one. It is so solid. I don't know I would buy this one, I think I would prefer the 4 series, but it seems to be in awfully good shape. Maybe I will snap some picture later.

I am wondering though if it might be a 444, as it seems awfully big.

FYI, the 200 Series and 400 Series are essentially identical in size. The main difference is the diameter of the rear wheels. Both Series share many of the exact same parts. When it comes to the 442, 444, 446 and 448's, the difference is solely in the engine HP although there was a lengthening of the wheelbase by 2" for the 1980 model year to accommodate the 60" mowing deck. Both Series are very capable garden tractors and both have their Pro's and Con's with owners. The cabs are not easy to come across and once you have one, you won't part with it. However, each Series has its own cab so do not make the mistake of thinking you can switch a 200 cab onto a 400 or vice-versa.

 

[oefveteran]

So I snapped a few pictures...

Also, can anyone identify this machine? It looks like it might be a Ford?

 

[mjodrey]

Not a Ford,at least I don't think so.Do you have a pictures of the grill?



Maynard :canada:

 

[The Thumb Hillbilly]

It looks like a closed side Jacobsen early 80's maybe.

 

[mjodrey]

It looks like a closed side Jacobsen early 80's maybe.

I agree,that's Jacobsen.The grills were a little different than that of the Ford,which was also made by Jacobsen.

Thanks Chuck for resizing,now the grill shows.

Maynard :canada:

 

[InTroubleAlltheTime]

OEF Veteran: That's a real nice Case 224 package! :usa: :usa: :usa: Looks like a real nice snow moving setup. The Case 224 is a fine tractor. If the motor checks out and you can get the package for a decent price I would definitely consider it. Your next one could be a 400 series for mowing and other tasks, then you don't have worry about changing attachments/removing the winter cab! LOL :thumbsup:
:222: :446: Best Regards, Rich

 

[Hydriv]

OK SportsFans,
This thread has now gone way past the Introduction stage. So.................either the OP starts a fresh discussion thread in the main forum or I will have to move this thread there. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[oefveteran]

He wants $800 for the whole package, runs and mows fine, Kholer engine. Should I?

Also, feel free to move this thread Hydrive!

 

[InTroubleAlltheTime]

OEF Veteran: IMHOP I would grab it right away before it's gone! :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:
:222: :446: Best Regards, Rich

 

[oefveteran]

I think I might buy it. I wanted a 446/4016 but I don't know if I can pass it up, however I think I might sell the cab- maybe. If I do what might it be worth?