School Me on J.I. Case Tractors

Enjoy reading and learning about all of these old iron tractors - and thinking what model would I want (if I were buying) to do haying on the farm today.

Prior to the Tenneco buy of JI Case, I gather the styling of Case tractors in the late 50's and maybe to 1970ish time frame were of the style of the 930?

From the late 50's to the styling change from the 930 series and it's siblings, how were these tractors? Good, bad - ugly? I assume these tractors were vertically integrated in Case manufacturing, i.e. Case made/designed engines, transmissions, etc. Who were their customers and back in the day - why would one drive by an IH or JD dealership and buy a J.I. Case?

Diesel engines I assume dominated - bullet proof, easy to rebuild? Transmissions - all gear drive or did they offer some kind of powershift or T/A? Overall good/great tractors?

I see a few Case tractors around and occasionally one for sale - but not often in my neck of the woods. Ford, MF generally dominate 60's era tractors with a sprinkling of JD and IH (smaller British made utility tractors).

Are parts for these 930 style tractors still available, engine, tranny parts, etc.

One of the down sides of my area is it's hard enough to find someone to split a tractor or rebuild the engine of any make - I think it would be even more difficult to get major overhaul/rebuild on something like a Case or Oliver - just because we don't see many of them. But none the less, the Case tractors have their own distinctive styling, paint colors and outwardly look like serious, heavy duty tractors of the day.

Any history, models that were/are great haying tractors - just info in general is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

case is as good as any other in its era.heard some bad storys about case o matic but then I also heard some that never had a glitch with a case o matic. which could be proper care in its early life or abuse. I drove several case tractors owned some and all I drove were direct drive except my 1370 that was a power shift..i own a 312 I used extensively on my nh 275 baler.it just fit the nh perfectly. big 400 was a stought hoss as well as an 800 and a 900 to a 930. I own 2 wheatland 500 and they were bullet proof.parts are about the same as any other 25 + brand of tractor.somebody else can cover what I didn't post but that's my take a solid workhorse tractor

The big advantage that JD and IH had over their competition was they had good financing and it definitely influenced market share. Ford and White had financing but getting approval was fairly difficult from what I was told. In New York the Case dealer network was in poor shape going into the 1970's and that no doubt affected sales. That opened the doors for a multi-location dealer to come in during the 1970's which was well before what we see today with all brands. Even with IH there were only a few that had more than one location and just a couple that had more than two.

The 930s around here were mostly the western specials meaning 6 speed transmission and chain drive transmission with a hand clutch. Basically a continuation of the 500 that came out in the early 50s. For awhile Case had probably one of the best if not wheatland tractor in the late 50s and early 60s. But they fell behind in the 60s when JD and IH came out bigger tractors like the 1206 and 5010/20. Why would you buy a 930. Every brand has its loyalists and there is dealership loyalty too. My personal opinion is the 930 was kinda like the Versatile tractor of that era. Even though they had few technological short comings they were simple, easy to repair, cheap to buy, reliable. My great grand pa bought a new 4020 diesel with a powershifts back in 1964 and it listed over $8,000. I assume a 930 can be bought cheaper.

Several years ago ,I borrowed a couple of bucks from my wife of 34 years ,with the promise of paying her back. Mabey on our 35th anniversary? I got a copy of [Illustrated Buyers Guide Case Tractors Author- Peter Letourneau ISBN 0-7603-0472-6. I am one who reads between the lines, ask a lot of questions and make my decisions based on previous experience. I found his book informative but slightly biased. It is a good read, but worth reading. my 2 sense. Chuck ------ Case 411 and still looking for more.

I worked in a shop that sold case equipment from 1950 to the early 70s . one of the original owners was still running the shop he said the big 400 was one of the cases best tractors. the 400 diesels were hard to bleed out though.the 530 and 630 werent very popular engine issues i guess when i started there some things like shifting forks and gears were scarce but that began to change after fiat took over . i remember that the intake valves for an 870 gas were hard to find and spendy. the old fella said that case paid the aftermarket companies not to reproduce their parts as for the case o matics there is a pressure valve under the fuel tank that got dirt in it once cleaned they usually worked. the power shift clutch packs originally had metal rings on the pistons and when used in winter the edges would round and not shift. later Teflon was used and that helped. the problems with the engines was that if they pulled to hard the sleeves would crack and if they were over heated and not cooled down the heads would crack. the 30 series were hard starting in the cold weather up here except one farmer had a 930 western special that thing would always pop right off.so i guess thats all i can tell you

Case had really good though engines.

All brands of tractors have their short comings.

Between both my grandparents, my dad,and myself. I have farmed with, John Deere,Allis Chalmers,CASE,Oliver,and IHC tractors.

Dad and grandpa both would tell you Oliver was the best.

I could make a rather long list of pros and cons for all the brands I listed above. In fact earlier this year I did make a list on another forum. My list of cons for the John Deere (there were several) caused quite the up roar.I was called all kinds of names because I listed the IH and Oliver Tractor better than mother Deere.

I have used valves out of an 870 gas as we are putting in bigger ferrara valves for pulling.

Is that the book with the really bad looking case tractors that have over spray on the tires and very poor restoration jobs?

Thanks for the info on these - what I think are 30 series tractors made during the 60's.

Which is most desired - 8 speed or chain drive tranny? It sounds like both are bullet proof. Is one simpler than the other to maintain/service?

How are these 30 series Case tractors for jumping out of gear when going down a hill - with a wagon or baler or both behind? Sounds like the brakes on these tractors aren't all that great?

Deere 4020's - some like the later side console and 12V models, others like the earlier ones.

Early vs late 30 series tractor. Which is more desirable (from a worker standpoint than collector) - 8 speed or chain drive? I gather the 8 speed was the change over to Comfort King models?

One book was mentioned, when I look at Amazon, I see several. Is there a "go-to" book that Case tractor collectors prefer over another - recommendations?

Very interesting tractors.

Thanks again for everyone's replies.

Bill