545's C D's specifically, what is there to know

Billy NY

Well-known Member
I am seriously contemplating pulling the trigger on one of these with front wheel drive. I have been looking, one just escaped me in PA, a C series, 4 post rops, '90 vintage. Well I'd have needed a little more time etc. to get it done but, there seems to be a fair amount of these out there that have not been commercially used. They seem rugged, meant for industrial purposes, 4000 lb lift on the loader etc. I saw one on Atlanta CL, hours I question, but he put a quick tatch system on for the bucket and forks, cab would be great, I could re do it , and the price was right. Just a bit far to look at in person and its wise to do just that anyway. Burkholder in PA has often listed some really clean models in this ford industrial line, but some were upward of 35K, wonder what they went for new ?

What is there to check on a 545-C,D 4 wheel drive tractor? I read UD's post about the 260C he was contemplating, interesting to say the least regarding the torque converter and I assume the shuttle shift is connected or related, besides the 8spd trans. Front axle trunnion, bushing wear etc. Are these same issues a concern with a 545-C,D ? Parts support I would think would be good still.

I've got a buyer or standing offer for a car I've had in the garage, owned since new, and I'll likely do the deal to make this happen, so not knowing a thing about these, besides the platform they are built on, best to start asking. One of these would appear to be a great fit, open station or with fold down rops would fit in my garage, though with a cab, maybe not.

Loaders I know what to check for, just the 201 3 cylinder diesel, turbo or non, and drive train I know nothing about and what to look for, hate to pull the trigger and end up with expensive repairs. These are modern enough, but the older platform, prior to '00, so I thought it would be a good choice if I found a low hour one owner or similar.

There was a pair of these for sale locally last fall, one 545Dfwd, more hours than I'd like, condition to, but it sold, somewhere around 9K, the other a 445 2wd, with 3pt, but no pto and I assume there is an issue with installing one on certain models, this is probably one, as the price has dropped to 5K, still for sale, it has a loader, but the PTO is a deal breaker.

I've also contemplated a 4630, MFWD would be a must, so would a loader, I've seen these with shuttle shift.

One question there would be ag work, drawbar work, most I cold ever plow would be 7 acres, but not all at once, would a 545C, or D handle that kind of drawbar work, I mean they often have gannon box blades on them, friend who is now huge in the paving business, had one for years to grade sub-base prior to paving.

What about hay equipment, more so a baler, not that I have one, but if I could pull it off down the road, I would do a limited amount as I have enough ground to fool with it, we have horses at the other place and good hay always sells around here. 4630 would be more suited to ag work, yet much of what I would use a tractor for, would be more industrial, loader work, snow removal, and likely some paying jobs, including mowing with a rotary cutter.
 
I see the specs per the attached link, I see there was the 8 speed trans and the torque converter trans, however the 4630 has the 8 speed with shuttle, I was thinking the 545-C,D was the same just a heavier front end, and loader. The 4630 would seem to cover all my needs, just not as heavy duty as an industrial, the latter of which I would prefer if feasible for me.
545D
 
The 8x8 sychronized torque converter shuttle transmission has an independent PTO and a torque converter lock up mode for ag plowing or continuous hard pulling without overheating the torque convertor oil. Some C's and D's had a 4x4 torque convertor shuttle trans that had no PTO capability available, and no Lock Up mode.

I have a 445C two wheel drive loader tractor with the 8x8 trans described above. It has a 52 HP diesel and weighs 8600 lb. with fluid in rear tires and four 280 lb. iron wheel weights. Its a stout machine, you might want to broaden your search to include 445C's and 445D's with four wheel drive and the 8x8 trans with PTO and Lock Up.
 
That's what I was after,T/C w/lock and I think the 445 for sale locally, a 2wd model, may have that arrangement, definitely need a pto. That would seemingly work well for my needs.
 

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