A Few More 30 Series Case Questions

Bill VA

Well-known Member
Below is kind of a re-post from my "School Me on Case Tractors" post. I think that post got buried so re-posting to bring it back to the top.

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 - but easily serviced?

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

Early vs late 30 series tractors. 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 - sound like when compared to IH or JD, cheap hp, especially the 930.

Thanks again for everyone's replies.

Bill
 
I have never heard of a 930 jumping out of gear being pushed, but with a million hours I would suppose it could be possible.
Chain drive tractors are fairly bullet proof. They have a wet clutch that causes very little problem. The chain drives are the old Standard tractors and although some of the last were made in early 1967, they did not have have 3 points. They could be ordered with a foot clutch, but most had a hand clutch. As to which would be more preferable, it would depend on what you were using it for, but the 8 speed would probably be more handy to use.

The Comfort King actually started out in 1962. As far as brakes, the brakes are fine when they are in good working order. The trouble is they can get moisture and dirt in them and be sluggish and troublesome fairly quickly, depending on their use.

An 830 or 930 is a great tractor to have to use and there are many of them still out there today. I have spent many hours in the seat of both. Now, in my opinion, the power steering is what was iffy at best, but it did the job.
 
In the 4cyl range, I feel the comfort king is superior to an 800 for example, modern 3pt vs Eagle Hitch, hi/lo range selection vs stirring a well worn 8 spd, seats or sits a bit better w/the flat platform. Lot's of putzy things that can be elaborated on. Us that enjoy and farm with older eqpt learn to put up with some things newer stuff handles differently, to me it's almost a Ford or Chevy conversation. It's what we grew up with and as was alluded to above, the all important "what are you going to be doing with it" Every thing has its + and - side. Simple is usually a reason for working with older eqpt, how simple depends on the individual. I think what you're asking is more philosophical than anything else. I thoroughly enjoy using my Marmon Herrington Ford 4wd single axle dump truck on the farm. Drives my neighbors nuts, as in why would you waste your time? I like old, I like flathead Fords, we had one in the 40s as a kid. Makes no sense and there is no right or wrong, My better idea of eqpt could very easily be your worse nightmare...........But it doesn't hurt to pick brains
 
Do you have a 930 in mind or somethindglike a 430 in mind?????? The two exterams are very different. 6 speed 930 CKs were chain drives, NO 3pt hitch, a live PTO which was a bit high on the rear of the tractor, and were equiped mostly with hand clutch, but later ones had foot clutch option. The 930s were in a class of their own!!!! so it is hard to compare them to other Case 30 series tractors. Later 9-1030 tractors were 6spds and a much different operator platform design.
You need to realize that even the bellhousing bolt pattern will not bolt up to a later 8spd 7-1030
430s-630s were in a class of their own, as were 730s-1030s with 8 speeds and Com trannys in 7-830s
You have a lot to learn about Case 30 sreies models.
Bare with us;; we will try to explain the differences to you.
Loren
 
If you want to actually use the tractor for all kinds of work, then the 8-speed is the way to go.
More gear selection, modern 3 point hitch, correctly placed pto height for modern equipment, could be switched over to 1000 pto if needed, better gauges than the early models, better placed controls, nice flat roomy platform, you sit up a lot higher out of the dust and good visibility, and with 8-speed tractors you could also get a factory cab with a heater which is nice for feeding cattle or moving snow in the winter time.

To expand on what others mentioned, there are basically 4 versions of the 930.
1st. Basically a 900 with a black stripe decal on the looong hood.

2nd. The first Comfort King 930. Still a 6-speed chain drive wheatland tractor with no 3 point. Still had big round red fenders but had the higher platform moved forward and the fuel tank moved to a position behind the seat.

3rd. The second version of Comfort King, still a chain drive but had the big square sand colored fenders, still has a non-adjustable solid front axle, could be ordered with a foot clutch.

4th. The third version of Comfort King, eight speed on adjustable bar axles along with adjustable front axles. Could be a wheatland with a set back front axle and large fenders or a rowcrop with a forward positioned front axle and small fenders, but....they could also be ordered as a rowcrop without a 3 point, or a wheatland with a 3 point. Confused yet?
 
Just learning about these Case tractors. I'm good in hp up to 50 and get along fine, but if I ever added a discbine, I'd need more hp.

Interesting story ( to me ), years ago, I had a neighbor on the down and out. I mowed his grass - didn't dare let him borrow my "good" push mower as he could destroy an anvil with a rubber hammer. One day I saw a Lawnboy 2 cycle staggard wheeled deck green mower at a yard sale - for cheap. I thought, this is the mower for my neighbor! Brought home, cleaned it up, gave it a spin and wound up giving my neighbor my "good" mower. Prior to that, you couldn't have paid me to consider a Lawnboy. They were quirky looking, different and I just didn't know anything about them. Now all of my push mowers we use are Lawnboys.

The goal here is to learn/understand the 30 series. They are different, probably a little quirky, those head lights/grill definitely are different and have a paint color scheme different from anyone else. I'm finding these 30 series might be a diamond in the rough - not unlike my Lawnboy experience. Who wants a Case 30 series when you can find a Deere or IH? I get the impression most would take an Oliver any day over a Case 30 series. I keep an open mind on stuff like this and consider where the rubber meets the road. My guess is most uninformed buyers think of a Case 30 series like I did a Lawnboy.

Primarily, if I ever bought a 30 series, it would be the 930. Everything I read is surprisingly good about these tractors. Heavy, durable, reliable, 80ish hp, good/thrifty diesel engine and 80ish PTO hp. Sounds like a good discbine tractor, looks nothing like any other tractor out there (kind of like a Lawnboy) and half the price of a 4020. So I'm not in the market, just wanting to learn these Case 30 series, mostly the 930 and then the 830/730 tractors. Who knows, if a deal showed up, if I felt fully informed, I might pounce on it.

This 30 series Case tractor line-up, especially the 930 is a very interesting read.

I appreciate everyone's info.
Bill
 
Well larry we're still on the same wave-length - Should we appoligize for eing stuck in the generation gap? Hauling wood in a 37 Ford woody cut into a PU. Or a 38 Chevy 1 1/2 ton, The 37 Federal with a Hercules J series used to haul logs to the mill. How about the leather strap steering on Dolly & Molly - just a way of life. Oh and no finance charges. :)
 
Bill,

After spending thousands of hours on a 930CK and now a 1030CK I think I can give you some insight into them. A 930 CK 8 speed is a heavily built, rugged, dependable machine. It does require keeping a few details in mind. Do not let them overheat or they tend to crack heads. Keep the radiator clean and let them cool down before shutting them off when working them hard. Do not run the tranny/hydraulic fluid very low or the reversing gear can lock up for lack of lubrication. Do not overuse ether to cold start (some people say never use ether). If it has not been changed to 2 twelve volt batteries, get the two biggest and baddest batteries you can find to help turn over the big motor (1000+ CCA's). Do not lock up the brakes and expect them to perform like new again. The disks will be glazed and not work as they should. In summary, you are looking at a tractor that is over 50 years old. It will not start as well as a new one, it will not steer as well, or brake as well. It will not be as comfortable as a new one either. I just came in from round baling hay with the 1030 and can't wipe the smile off my face. It cost me next to nothing, uses very little fuel for the HP and works its heart out for us. Meanwhile the neighbors are wondering how on earth they are going to pay for their newer machines with 3 dollar corn. I hope you can see fit to own an old Case someday. Don
 
Bill one thing that I really like about my 930 and 1030 is the placement of the seat.Both are the later model comfort kings with the 8 speed . You actually sit "in"the tractor , meaning ahead of the rear wheels . Unlike my IH 966 were you sit over ,or just a bit behind the rears. Sitting ahead of the rear wheels gives you a much better ride, and thee tractors are easy to mount and dismount,not too much in the way and good grab handles. I always like to use my 30's on jobs like spreading manure and pulling forage wagons just for this reason , no darn doors to open and shut , and easy to get on and off which you do a lot of times with these jobs. As others have already told you , you are looking at a 50 year old tractor and a lot can happen to a tractor in 50 years. So it won't be the tractors fault if it has been poorly maintained , they all started out as real strong dependable tractors , that were ahead of their time in many ways , 50 years ago, but they still will fit in well with more modern equipment that was not even on the market when they were sold new. Your discbine is a perfect example of this.
 
$3. Corn? By mid harvest I'm betting its $2. Here in missouri about 80% of our corn looks great.and in next week some will start picking.we haul corn and picked up at the bin is now about $2.90.if something don't happen we are facing financial problems.some are erecting more bins and lots of last years corn is still on the farms here.at 1 point we offered $4 picked up at the bin, most hung on waitin for that unrealistic price.2 both told me they sure screwed up not selling when we offered
 
Bill,
Taking one for a test drive will answer many of your questions. The 730 & 830 evolved from the 400 introduced in 1955. The 930 evolved from the 500 of the same era. I would look for a Comfort King series for a 3 point hitch and the latest updates. I would avoid a Case-O-Matic transmission, though some people do love them. A 930 would be a great match for the capacity of your JD 348 baler. Look at the Nebraska Tractor tests for specifications of each size and each version and compare them to their contemporaries.

Case tractors tended to leapfrog the market when they were introduced and wait about 15 years before introducing the next new tractor. The 30 series were advanced compared to the competition in the late 1950's. By the late 1960's they were really out of date. The in 1970 70 series leapfrogged the market again with a very good factory cab.

To me, engines, paint colors, styling and simplicity are the best part of the 30 series tractors. Power steering, heavy manual brakes, low pressure low flow hydraulics, heavy clutch, floor shifter and ergonomics are the weak points. Take one for a test drive to see how well it fits into your operation and if your help can drive one.
 
Bruce most of the diehard IH guys claim the ride got lots worse when IH moved the operators seat and platform forward on the 86 series compared to the 66 series. Most love the supierior ride of the 66 series. Not sure why it would be any different on a Case.
 
My 2 cents in the large frame 30 series is I like the 730 Comfort Kings or 830 Comfort Kings with 8 speeds. (These will be 4 cylinder engines).

I have never ran one but I did not like how far forward one sets on a 930 or a 1030 CK on the few I have sat on. I like to see my implement and I did not get the ergonomic warm and fuzzy first impression feeling I like to get when I am pretending like I first do when I buy a new car, truck, tractor, etc.

If I wanted the bigger 6 cylinder power then I would go 970 or 1070 with 8 speed myself but that is me. A good 970 would be a dream to own I do believe and I see em pretty cheap often.
 
I guess the answer to where to place the seat on a tractor is pretty much evident on
new tractors of any color. They all locate the seating now much the same way as the 9-
1030 CK Case tractors did over 40 years ago.
 
Oh I have no doubt that moving the operator forward makes it easier to add a quality cab, add a quality ROPS, and in general an overall safer location for the operator which indirectly benefits the manufacturer with less injury lawsuits. I only doubt that doing it makes it ride better. Spent a lot of time on Dad's IH 1066 back in the day and that thing rode dandy. Oliver 1800 rode dandy too.

By the same token, I do see old vintage tractors where the operator hangs way off the back of the tractor like John Deere D's. No way would I want to run one of those. Even worse if a PTO haft has to run through where the operator would put their feet.

I do like how a 730 or 830 CK feels to me sitting on it. Do not like how the 930 or 1030 CK's feel. Of Course my opinion might change with some seat time actually doing real work in the field but I never had that chance. I do like how a 970 feels to me.
 
The reason JD put the seat way back there on the D was so you could reach the levers on a plow or other implements. A lot of tractors of that era had the seat hanging off the back.
 

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