[eBoyDog]

eBay auction - http://cgi.ebay.com/Case-444-High-Wheel ... 0743113288

This is mid 70's Case 444 that had a loader on it, it has been removed but the loader brackets are still there

It has a 14 hp Kohler engine that runs fine, has hydraulic drive, the steering on this tractor binds and kicks the drive lever out of gear

The frame on this tractor has been welded on this would be a good donor tractor, has good rear end, good engine and good hydraulics

 

[Hydriv]

I peg this as an early 73 that is in fair to good condition. I see no reason why the angle iron for the old loader couldn't be easily removed and if you decided to restore it, any issues with the frame could be corrected.

I don't think that it's worth much more than the opening bid price and it might just go for that amount because I think his wording will scare off potential buyers. The lack of a deck will hurt the auction too but decks are not hard to find.

 

[tanandorange]

I peg this as an early 73 that is in fair to good condition. I see no reason why the angle iron for the old loader couldn't be easily removed and if you decided to restore it, any issues with the frame could be corrected.

Tom, I enlarged the pics in the ad, and if you look at the side or rear of the tractor, angle iron has been used on the top of the frame, either because someone was smart enough to reinforce the weakest part of the frame for use with the loader, or more likely, because they broke it there.

 

[Hydriv]

John.

Well, we both know that there were some issues with frame cracking back then but it wasn't anything that could not be taken care of during a restoration. Even if I had to do that work, I still think the tractor's worth $400.00 but no more.

The thought of someone parting that one out over a minor frame issue makes me ill.

 

[tanandorange]

John.

Well, we both know that there were some issues with frame cracking back then but it wasn't anything that could not be taken care of during a restoration. Even if I had to do that work, I still think the tractor's worth $400.00 but no more.

The thought of someone parting that one out over a minor frame issue makes me ill.

Agreed. Just wanted to point out a possible frame issue in case someone here is interested in the tractor.

 

[boomers_influence]

club.
shakey528 is a very honest person to deal with.
i made my first ever e/bay purchase from him. (dec. 06)
i would rate him a TEN, anytime.
thank you. boomer

 

[eBoyDog]

Would a '77 222 frame be good swap for this 444 frame?

 

[Hydriv]

Would a '77 222 frame be good swap for this 444 frame?

No... sorry. The hood on a 77 makes use of the holes in the sides of the dash tower to latch into.

The 73 hood uses a cross-brace and it latches in the middle of the dash tower.

Now...let me say this.

If the rear section of the 73 frame is a mess, then you could cut it off, graft on the rear part from the 77 frame and fish-plate the join inside the rails to strengthen it. I suppose that another option would be to cut both dash towers off and swap them.

 

[cp7]

Would a '77 222 frame be good swap for this 444 frame?

Cool eboy your getting ambitious now.
It also looks like you've got that 220 souped up to where your son is just a blur. :thumbsup:

 

[eBoyDog]

Besides the hood and the front axels which are taller on the 444 but that reminds me that the snap fast connector is lowered on the 400's to make up for the higher height.

In putting more thought to it, the hood would be the smallest problem.

Using the back of the '77 444 and the front of this 444 would be the only way this might work for me.

I pretty sure I will have to pass, it would be different if the price was less than $400

 

[tanandorange]

eboy, sounds like you've got the right idea, make one good tractor out of two. If someone had parts tractors sitting around, this one might be worth buying.

 

[Hydriv]

Would a '77 222 frame be good swap for this 444 frame?

I just revisited this thread and if no one minds.... I'd like to change my answer. :sidelaugh:

First off, the tractor is a 1972; not an early 73. This one has a "depth control" for the Hy lift. Sorry guys... I missed seeing the rod sticking out of the dash the first time around because I was looking for the big, fat knob that should be there to spin the rod.

So.....this tractor has the hard-mounted Kohler and the so-called proposed 77 donor frame has the knobs on the frame sides for the rubber isolation pucks to bolt to. I took a harder look at the rear frame and John is quite right. There is angle iron welded to the top of the frame in this area. I own a 442 that has the same repair and it's a 1971.

Having said all that, I still see no reason why the original frame could not be repaired IF the trans-axle was removed along with everything else above it. Pieces from the 77 frame could be used to make this repair in a way that would be invisible from the outside.

One would have to be careful as to what they did on the right side of the frame where the emergency brake mounts because I believe there is a difference between 72 and 77 with the brake. It just comes down to selecting the best spot on the old frame to cut it off.

To me, this is a tractor worthy of being saved. There are far too many of these early models being parted out for no good reason other than greed. This one will have the Speaker 777's in it too. The good thing is that the opening bid price is already at a point where making money by parting it out is borderline.

 

[Stewart]

Somebody might want to change there answer again. :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh:

The 200 rear section where it mounts to the Rear End is 1" thicker and is not a suitable frame to use.

There's a reason that the Low Pro's have a tougher Frame. :thumbsup:

Stewart :trink:

 

[Hydriv]

Let's explore that issue Stewart because I haven't gone to my shop to measure up some frames to verify your claim.

Are you saying that the frame for the 200's stands a full inch taller off the trans-axle than the 400 frame?

So...let's say this is true.

In your opinion, what would prevent the OP from stitching those frame sections from the 77 200 frame onto the 72 400 frame? And if he did so, what would be negatively altered?

 

[Stewart]

Tom

As I understand it. :headscratcher:

Yes the frame is 1" thicker at the Rear end. That makes the tractor 1" higher in the rear. I don't know what the negative effect this would have. The height of the 200 Brake attachment is also 1" higher on the frame than the 400. I would be more inclined to Reinforce the 400 Frame. :thumbsup: With the 200 frame being stronger, maybe being 1" higher at the back is the way to go.

Since these are both SWB I would split them at the tower.

But, I've read on other forums that Case had Engineers Designing these machines. :thumbsup:
Stewart

 

[eBoyDog]

I made a mistake on the subject title, it's located more in SE Iowa which is about 120 miles from me.

 

[boomers_influence]

he is located in NE/central Iowa,only a few miles from the mn. border
i have been there.
boomer

 

[eBoyDog]

he is located in NE/central Iowa,only a few miles from the mn. border
i have been there.
boomer

I believe you but the eBay listing stated Argyle, Iowa which Google maps puts that in that little SE hook of Iowa which is below the majority of the Missouri north line.

Well, good thing I did pass on that, the I would had felt really stupid thinking is was only a couple hours drive rather than 6 just to get there!!

BTW - I contacted him though eBay and asked if the PTO clutch and the OEM lift equipment was still there (I was concerned if the FEL modder may have removed the OEM lift cylinder/plumbing) and he stated it was all intact.

 

[cudakid67]

he is located in NE/central Iowa,only a few miles from the mn. border
i have been there.
boomer

I believe you but the eBay listing stated Argyle, Iowa which Google maps puts that in that little SE hook of Iowa which is below the majority of the Missouri north line.

Well, good thing I did pass on that, the I would had felt really stupid thinking is was only a couple hours drive rather than 6 just to get there!!

BTW - I contacted him though eBay and asked if the PTO clutch and the OEM lift equipment was still there (I was concerned if the FEL modder may have removed the OEM lift cylinder/plumbing) and he stated it was all intact.

He is indeed located in Southeast Iowa, just outside of Keokuk in the very bottom corner of the state.He is located just over an hour away form me and I have been to see him numerous times. He is a great person to deal with as I have bought of number of items from him over the years, including my demonstrator, a cab for a 446, Case wheel weights and some brinly attachments. He spends a lot of time scouring the countryside for these old tractors and has a fondness for Case stuff, though he doesn't collect or keep any of them for himself. I spent a day with him driving around a few counties in Western Illinois and we were stopping quite often to check out a number of tractors that he has known about for years.

 

[boomers_influence]

WOW
he sure moved a long way from where he was.
i know that he used to travel a route,to different dealers looking for tractors and implements to sell.
he had about 15/20 cub cadets.
he had just lost his wife, so he had a tough row to hoe.
SO it looks that he moved from the very TOP of the state to the very BOTTOM.
thank you. boomer