[tractor joe]

well i want to sell my 444, i bought it to sell it and than used it and thought about keeping it, but id rather finish the 454 for my 70 chevy truck so its for sale.

1975 case 444 w/ kohler engine, new oil, plug and fuel lines and bettery, new hydro oil, everything works, good 3 point and pto, tiller works in both directions, good tires, volt gauge is busted and seat needs to be redone.

43inch tiller

has the wheel weights and front weight, missing headlights, deck pto works too. has hyd ram for underbelly deck but not hooked up. No hyd leaks.. yet

other wise ready to go, located in ventura ca 93003 will deliver for gas and a lil extra cash within a reasonable distance.

1500 obo, share your views if you think its to much.

 

[kungdrew]

This is why I am not offering any more opinions on value.

OP yes, your price is a bit high for my tastes. But your location may prove to be helpful if you can find the right person.

As a package, around this region you are looking at around half of what you are asking. Give or take....

We all know what happens next.


RIP desert sunset (strip) Case 444.


BTW: 500 posts!!!

 

[HiPocket]

1200 - 1300. Tiller and Pto worth 500 - 600. tractor 500 - 600 but depends on local market and demand and how good the tractor sounds running.

I'd ask 1200 and hope you find someone that knows what a great tilling machine it is.

Is that a 3pnt hitch on there? That would be worth more. 1500 might be good to 'right' person.

 

[tractor joe]

yes its a 3 point, asking 1300 now.

 

[ClassicMotion]

Drew, I'd have to disagree. Two sets of cast wheel weights, rear PTO, tiller, 3 point, and a good running 444 in need of some TLC I'd say is worth a $1300 asking price. Although I'm cheap and would try to snag it for $1k.

 

[kdursus]

tractor joe - The following is written with the best of intentions within the spirit with which it is given. In other words, try not to get too bent out of shape about what I've posted.

Have you given much thought to using a pressure washer or taking your 444 to a car wash or using some degreaser to clean that tractor up a bit? Sure, I know if someone really wants it [your 444] they'll look beyond any accumulated grease and/or dirt. I always, at a minimum, clean items as best I can before I sell them, makes interested individuals understand I care about what I'm selling. I can't tell you how many times I've seen tractors on eBay and craigslist in terrible condition with a huge asking price. All it would have taken for those individuals on eBay and craigslist was a few minutes to clean it up some which would've made a better first impression as far as I'm concerned. When I see those tractors on eBay and craigslist in those conditions makes me wonder what sort of care was taken with that machine. Actions speak louder than words.

 

[kungdrew]

Drew, I'd have to disagree. Two sets of cast wheel weights, rear PTO, tiller, 3 point, and a good running 444 in need of some TLC I'd say is worth a $1300 asking price. Although I'm cheap and would try to snag it for $1k.

Not picking on your tractor Joe, but since you are selling it, I doubt I will offend you or hurt any feelings.

About that "good running 444"

I don't know if you guys realize or not but this tractor sat somewhere for 9 years, and was not charging when Joe got it.

He says he got it running easily, but none of us know what kind of condition the inside of that engine or hydraulic system is.

The reason I point this out is because this afternoon found me pulling the head on my 224 to find some pretty massive carbon build up and a leaking head gasket. Mind you, my 321 was running like a scalded dog and strong as an ox, my ignorant self did not notice anything.

That is my experience, learning my machine and performing a needed task. but none of this has been looked at on Joes tractor.

kdursus raises a good point about cleaning the tractor. If you look at how someone maintains (or fails to) the outside of the machine, you can imagine what kind of maintanence schedule they followed. ( the PO not you joe)

I always lean towards undershooting the value on a tractor (or anything) that has no record of hours or of routine maintenance. Some tractors have had rougher lives than others.

That helps offset the hollow feeling in your gut that you may be dealing with a lemon.

Not that your tractor is a lemon, it's sweet.

 

[tractor joe]

thanks for the opions, they wont hurt my feelings or such.

About the engine and hydr system, i pulled the head on the kohler, checked the valve gap and valve guides and cleaned the head pretty good,new head gasket and all new hydro fluid, ive put about 45 min of tilling since at a buddies house, and i got a nice mclane edger for it too.

What it comes down to is what someone is going to pay for it, or if i can find more jobs like that soon ill enjoy useing it.

And that is what it looks like after a light pressure wash with No chemicals, as the paint started to come off i figured id save the real crusty stuff for later or the new owner, i myself when buying a barn fresh machine like to see its original condition so i know a little about how it was treated and such.

one more thing i said is was putting out 16 volts, the battery had a bad cell.

 

[kungdrew]

okay then, I stand corrected, nice to hear you took those steps with the engine and hydriv.

I would feel much better looking at your machine knowing that.

 

[kungdrew]

We all know what happens next.


RIP desert sunset (strip) Case 444.

At the time, I was afraid that this tractor was about to suffer the same fate that all too many of these classic tractors do.....that it would be parted out for a quick profit and reduced to nothing more than a pile of leftover bits and pieces before it was all over with.

I am glad to say that I was COMPLETELY WRONG to assume that and it's not the first or last time I will be be completely wrong.

Cannot tell you guys how happy it makes me to learn that this tractor was lovingly saved and restored by someone and then re-homed with another enthusiast where it will be used, protected, and respected for another generation or two.

Tractors get parted out all the time, and while it is a neccessary process to keep many more machines running and safe from the scrapyard, it still makes me sad to see when it happens. This is one happy ending and kinda makes up for the loss of a few others.

And from what we have read from it's new owner so far, it could not have found it's way into better hands. Hats off to Debbie....Hats off to Joe for selling it whole to a skilled restorer, and hats off to the man who brought this thing back to it's former glory. :trink39::trink39:

 

[Magnum RT]

Not to argue with any one, but I have bought and sold a few of these old tractors and have a pretty good idea what they will bring through out the mid west to NY & NJ, and south to Tenn, and Ark. I suspect that in California, you could find a buyer at even higher prices.

A decent running tractor is worth $500 most any time. A good 3 pt is worth $400 to $500, a good tiller will bring $500, a pto will bring $200. Add it up. If I couldn't get $1500 for that package, I would start selling individual pieces of equipment. I forgot the sleeve hitch adapter, another $100 plus. Then add the weights!

 

[kungdrew]

No argument here Rol, the only problem he might have faced would have been shipping. If he had put them up on an auction site, the shipping might have affected the hammer price overall.

Don't know how many folks out west would have been looking for those pieces, given the fact that we haven't seen many of these west of the Rockies. Something I am not sure of is whether the scarcity out there would drive prices up, or the lack of interest and competition would make prices bottom out....

It wasn't the package getting broke up that worried me, it was the tractor ending up dismantled if he could not have found a buyer for it after everything else had been sold off of the package.

I am just glad to see it turn out the way it did, it sounds like Debbie knows what a great machine she has and will take good care of it.

Your pricing estimates are VERY accurate for the pieces you listed.

 

[Adrenalin540]

Lots O Good stuff here...this tractor could be my Torq's big brother...and that is a good thing!

That said, I'd still wash it...because my pop taught me long ago, people buy what they see. So make it look good, and it'll sell...don't do a quick 'wipe down' or even worse' rattle can' job on it and expect it to go un noticed. If one gets 'caught' the sale is 'over' or your gonna get much less than you ask...

GLWS

 

[kungdrew]

RIP desert sunset (strip) Case 444

Drew, Why do you RIP desert sunset?

JacksonsArm,

RIP....Rest In Peace....

I was afraid that the seller might decide to dismantle and sell the tractor for parts, ending the life of another classic tractor. It was sort of a mini-eulogy.

That obviously did not happen.

Adrenalin540,

Jim, this tractor already sold, this thread is back in Oct of '10. I just revived it to wrap the story and give respect to the group that saved it. See this thread for what happened to it and where it is now...
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=178743

 

[Magnum RT]

Drew,
I think you under estimate your self with your "tag line~!"

No argument here Rol, the only problem he might have faced would have been shipping. If he had put them up on an auction site, the shipping might have affected the hammer price overall.

Don't know how many folks out west would have been looking for those pieces, given the fact that we haven't seen many of these west of the Rockies. Something I am not sure of is whether the scarcity out there would drive prices up, or the lack of interest and competition would make prices bottom out....

It wasn't the package getting broke up that worried me, it was the tractor ending up dismantled if he could not have found a buyer for it after everything else had been sold off of the package.

I am just glad to see it turn out the way it did, it sounds like Debbie knows what a great machine she has and will take good care of it.

Your pricing estimates are VERY accurate for the pieces you listed.

 

[kungdrew]

Drew,
I think you under estimate your self with your "tag line~!"

Just trying to keep it lighthearted man...

I have a flair for writing in circles and talking in B.S.

(or is that a B.S. in talking?....)

Cheers Rol!!!!:trink39:

 

[case13]

I'd buy it but cal. is a little far good luck(looks good!):thThumbsU