If you click on the link in my pevious post, you'll see what it looks like. Except the one I'm looking at has a backhoe too.

 

I may have mis-worded that. The I is industrial. All 440 were an industrial of some sort, the I tells us it is not a dozer with tracks. Sorry for the confusion.
And I do stand corrected. PTO, belt pulley and 3 pt was optional. as far as the price goes, the way I understand your post it does have the backhoe on it. If all the pins are tight and it runs/operates fine it is more then likely worth it. What you will need to make sure of is: Do you need a backhoe?? Are you willing to give up 3 pt hitch for the backhoe?? There are lots and lots of tractors for sale at low prices they may suit your needs better, IDK. I have a few and the one I use the most is a little Case, 140 ci with three pt and narrow front. its small but has enough power to do most anything i need, weighs 2900 lbs so if I drive through the yard it doesn't tear up the grass.


The 440 was made in a few versions:
440I (Wheel Tractor-Gas) 2341 made.
440ID (Wheel-Diesel) 971 made.
440IC (Crawler-Gas) 9845 made
440IC (Crawler-All Fuel) 10 made
440ICD (Crawler-Diesel) 6679 made

 

My grandpa had a JD50. Used to ride on it with him when I little. It went to the ruin over the years. I think it was an early 50's model.

We always called them Poppin' Johnnies.

Great tractors.

 

If the 440 you're looking at is a diesel then it has a 2-53 Detroit, nice powerful engines.

http://www.johnnypopper.com/weirddee...440and435.html

The ag version's were 420 or 430 (depending on years). The wheeled diesel ag version is the 435.

See this link for the ag versions.
http://www.johnnypopper.com/


This one for industrials.
http://www.johnnypopper.com/weirddeere/


The L, M, 40, 320, 330, 420, 430, 440 series all had upright 2 cyl engines and used a foot clutch.


The rest up till 1960 had horizontal engines with both pistons pointing forward using a hand clutch.

The R, 80, 820, 830, 840 line are my favorites. They're all big standard diesels. Most had a small gas pony motor used to start the big diesel. The pony motor shared the cooling jacket with the diesel and the pony exhaust went through a heat exchanger in the intake of the diesel to help preheat the diesel. There were also diesel 70, 720 and 730's.

 

The tractor was sold today, so that particular one is out of the question. I'm looking for a tractor I can move dirt with and do some land-scaping. I liked the idea of the backhoe on this tractor because they're expensive to add and look fun to use. But I guess I'm open to getting a tractor without.

From what I've seen, the "industrial" tractors aren't too expensive. That's probably what I'll be leaning towards.

 

Just to clarify: A front end loader is a must for you?? Is the backhoe a must?? There are lots of tractors that have or can handle a FEL. My little case 311 has a Kelly FEL and 3 pt (actually an eagle hitch). I got it from an older man with a 5 ft brush cutter that is all but perfect for 800.00. Lots of tractors are being "givin away" right now, not sure if the economy has people getting rid of them because they do not really need them or what?? A 790 John Deere is an awesome homeowner tractor. Not big, can accommodate a FEL and a backhoe attachment. Watch Craigslist and if you see one that looks like a deal let us know. What one of us doesn't know I'm sure another will!!

 

LOL, sorry, can't help you, my experiences with Deere starts in 1961 with my 3010.

Kinda wish Dad would have bought a year earlier.....I love the sound of them old Deeres.

 

Yup, FEL is a must, but a backhoe is a want. Parts available is also a must. There are lots of "off-brand" tractors for sale out here for cheap, but I don't want to gamble on something that I can't get parts for, or something that always breaks down. I wish I could find a decent FEL tractor for a few thousand dollars. They're usually close to the $4k range. The tractors with FEL in the $2k range are usually in poor shape and have major mechanical issues.

I'll keep looking and adv what I find. I know someone here will have some experience with whatever tractor I find.

 

You may also have good luck with an old 3-cylinder Ford industrial tractor. Lots cheaper, maybe even heavier built, and often with loaders & backhoes on them already. New Holland will be your source for parts.

That said - you just can't beat an old 2-cyl Deere.

 

The 1st time I heard a 2-cylinder JD was on you tube. And I think they sound really good. They seem to barely idle but still pull hard!

I'm still looking and will keep Ford Industrails in mind for sure. Again, I'm not too picky. As long as it runs good and parts are easy to come by.

 

Thanks for all the info about tractors. I wish that JD didn't sell so quickly. But I found another one and started a new thread...