970 case...what to do..

muduc

Member
Ok boys...I lurk on here a lot and love the wealth of case knowledge...I have gleaned lots of case knowledge from your discussions. Agri Kink Eric has even helped me out a time or two on my 970 pto clutch problem. Here is my question...I am a hay farmer running about 70-80 acres...and growing bit by bit... 2 tractor operation: MF 180 with loader; it rakes, moves bales and square baling tractor and my 970 is tillage, planting, discbine and round baler tractor. The 970 is in decent shape sheet metal wise its a white and flambeau red one, almost 4900 original hours, I have put about 500 of them on it..in the last 4 years. I have already rebuilt pto clutch pack, new remote hydro lines, alternator, and batteries. It burns a fair amount of oil, runs great, starts easy, I think its going to need a clutch here in the next few years, needs rear tires, a/c does not work, and would love a newer suspension seat that swivels and lighting upgrades so I can see better for working at night...and I know the old adage...I know what I have in this tractor..so put the work into it...and keep it...and I am considering that but I would love to have this exact tractor with a reverser so round baling would be easier...and a quieter more comfy cab...for the long days and nights spent in it after hours from my real job...does such a magical case/ caseih unicorn exist...I know what my estimates are for the above things I mentioned, I am interested to here how much you all think I would have invested in this tractor for the above mentioned upgrades I know what you are all thinking..this kid wants champagne on a beer budget..maybe...the burning oil thing its about 1 quart every 2 hours of use...lots of blow by out the breather tube...lets hear what everybody thinks...
 
I would fix up the 970 i borrowed a 1070 to finish baling last year my 930 started knocking liked it so much i picked up a 1070 with a spun rod bearing antifreeze in the oil for $2200 working on overhauling it now
 
With that much oil consumption and blowby, a major engine overhaul is needed. Add the other items you mentioned, I think you will still have less in it that a newer tractor with a power reverser and better cab.

Ben
 
I have no idea what your budget is , but if you are looking newer. I had a CaseIH 5140, great tractor, power reverser ,4 speed power shift , AC , CDI engine, just a real nice tractor. They are about 23-25 years old now , and sell for about $25,ooo.oo with 4wd. Decent quiet cab and air seat. 98 hp puts it right there with a 970. Might be more than you are willing to spend, but a vry good tractor, if you can find one that has not been beat to death. I would say the two wheel driver tractors would be your best bet for not being beat, as the 4wd units where a very popular loader tractor on Dairy farms , and will be worn out. All the best ,Bruce
 
I'm going to agree with bruce the 5000 series is a great tractor but does cost a lot of coin,that said the 2090 series might be a good choice the power shift reverse works great on a baler,one piece cab is quieter,and easier to cool,flip up hood makes maintance simple,a 2094 is very reliable,and the 96 w/the 5.9 cummins is very popular.
 
Keep in mind, it's easy for me to spend your money.

I can relate to your situation. When I started out it was with a red 966 and 1466, both with no a/c but cabs that kept the cold out and the heat in. It got to the point that 38 hours on the tach in 3 days was so rough, I could barely walk or climb in and out of the cab. Over time, I was able to replace both with a 7140 and the long days became so much easier due to less fatigue. Air ride seat, decent a/c system and a quiet cab isolated from the engine and tranny heat and noise, aftermarket HID lights and no more gear grinding made those long days so much easier.

After running the magnum as a single tractor for several years, I saw how much I missed a second horse around. So two years ago I added a 2590 to act as backup and save time switching equipment. The 2590 is so much nicer than those '66 series I suffered in.

By your description, your 970 sounds like an 8 speed and not a powershift. Is this correct?

Having said all this, you could fix up your 970 and still be stuck with a hard tractor on the baler (8 speed tranny) and some engine heat and noise coming into the cab. I haven't pulled a round baler in years but I think the RPS in a 90 or 94 series would be ok, still have to clutch to reverse but it's a single lever movement. Downside is reverse might be too fast of ground speed....I dunno???

There are decent slightly newer machines out there you can stick an air ride seat and HID or LED lights for $1k-$1500 and still be stuck with an unknown 25=35 year old machine. This spring I stumbled across a decent 2290, two owner machine used as a planter tractor for the last 25 years. I couldn't get the purchase approved by the CFO, but my point is there are decent machines out there if you are patient and a little bit lucky.

I also know in my case, if I want a newer machine or toy, I won't be satisfied until I get it. Good luck with whatever you decide, as this is truly your own decision and we are on the sidelines.

Mistakes are learning opportunities, just gotta be able to afford the cost of the tuition.....
 
It is not for sale....yet.. I am located in central Illinois. I would not switch tractors during hay season unless the right deal fell in my lap...budget I am thinking in the $20,000 range plus or minus. mine is a powershift tractor...I should clarify...I said reverser..I mean shuttle shift on the column...that is also called a reverser right...when I am round baling...I do not want to have to clutch to get to neutral...now I have to clutch to neutral while bale is wrapping. Dump the bale...throttle down.. clutch back into gear...and rev up & take off...

This is the part I am struggling with dumping money into this tractor...on the very cheap end...I would be putting $10,000 into this tractor for the upgrades and overhauls I mentioned...and still only have a $8,000 tractor...at best...in my area if it's not green or red...it's nothing...and that's why my niche is J.I. case and Massey ferguson...cheap horsepower...
 
You know the tractor, so after you rebuild it and add a few other things you will know what you have. I picked up a nice 2090 for $5000.00 last year. Documented 500 hrs on major engine rebuild. Had to drive 500 miles to get it but well worth it. Look around and pick up a replacement tractor to use while you rebuild yours.
 
The final call is up to you but if your $20,000 budget is not dependent on the sell of the 970. I personally would go and try to find a 94 series that fits your needs.

If the new tractor works out I would let the old 970 go.

Now that said you mentioned a need to spend $10,000 to get the old 970 up to speed?

What if you found another 970 or 1070 that was already to go with a good cab, Air and tires.

Agri-King and Rod 1370 seem to be able to find tractor deals maybe they can find you a good tractor.
 
It's funny you say that...if money was no object...I have had daydreams of dropping it off to Agri king or Rod...and giving them my laundry list of to do's and saying call me when it's done...doesn't work that way on this farm...it gets fixed or rebuilt by the sweat of my own brow and my own busted knuckles...at the end of the day I appreciate what I have more...and take better care of my equipment...
 
Hi muduc,
I have a 1977 Case 1070 with 5697 hours on it in good condition for sale if you are interested. I am in Southern Minnesota. Contact me at [email protected]. Thank you.
Kow Farmer Kurt
 

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