I brought home was a early 446 which has great original paint and straight metal but does puff some smoke. This one could "Morf" into a 4x4 creation at some point as I didn't buy it to use.
The Desert Sunset tractors are moving rapidly into the realm of "collector status". Therefore, you might want to rethink breaking this one up as it could well be worth more as a complete tractor than what you would benefit from by using the parts from it. Most of your creations have used wheels and axles from 200 series tractors. Finding trans-axles all by themselves is usually not too difficult as there is not a huge demand for them. If you have to dismantle a tractor, then choosing one from the Power Red/White years would be more appropriate as those are still in abundance.
2cndly what I wanted when I seen it is a Ingersoll 448 , its a 1987 anniversery tractor. This machine has about 480 original hrs, this stuff was all from the original owner. The 448 is in beautiful condition. The rest of the package included a rear 3pt tiller, mower deck, 48 in snowcaster, and brinly moldboard plow.I decided since my wife does all the garden duty this would be her new machine. She absolutely loves the tractor. I have pics, but need to look at the section on how to post . So after being overwhelmed with a awesome purchase on Friday night, I turned around Sunday and bought a Case/Ingersoll 446 off Craigslist. This tractor has 1,000 hrs and is also in pretty nice shape other than needing decals. The PO had an issue where the motion linkeage rubbed on the main oil feed from pump and cut it, he just ran it till it smoked the pump. Luckily I had a pump in the 4x4 build stockroom.
I swapped it in and off we go- what a nice machine! So I guess we went from No Case machines to his and hers machines now. Even though I have been using the components for some time building the 4x4 articulated machines, using them where they were meant to be is a whole different feeling. I do have a tech question though and it pertains to the 448- It likes to jump out from under me when first put into motion. The shift detent dash unit has decent spring pressure, I took it out to be sure it was ok. Its almost as if there is no slow speed in the control and its all full forward. Is there something I'm missing here-
It only takes small amounts of wear5 and tear in the travel linkage between your hand and the actual spool in the travel valve to cause this condition. Focus on removing every bit of that play including purchasing a new ball joint. That's the only way that you can regain PRECISE control over the movement of the spool. When someone purchased a tiller, the dealer was supposed to recommend the front counterweight, wheel weights, tire chains and a Flow Control Valve. There were very good reasons for each and every one of these items. You can add an aftermarket holding from places such as Surplus Center. The rest of the parts needed are hoses and fittings. If you need help with this, then just ask. The FCV makes a huge difference during tilling
I know its a new style holding valve, are there any other adjustments in the system? When running the tiller- I can't move slow and when it lurches forward, I can't recover and slow it down - it goes back to center and stops. Kinda has me puzzled.Once I can figure this out she'll be a peach I'm sure- but wifey can't operate her tiller like it is!
