Ford 40403 HD Industrial tractor

skipstein · Oct 23, 2016

Hello;
I have heard of a Ford Industrial 40403 tractor for sale. The owner says the engine is down with this explanation: "This tractor has broken front & rear cam shaft gears. These parts when priced were approximately 475.00." I am not familiar enough with gas engines to know how serious this issue is. Can anyone give me an idea of what it takes to correct his issue on the Ford 172 engine? Or, is it time to look for a replacement?
Thanks,
Skip

Larry NCKS · Oct 23, 2016

Camshaft gears don't just break. I'd want to know what caused this and what other peripheral damage it generated.

michford · Oct 23, 2016

The rear cam gear drives the hydraulic pump, the front cam gear is an engine timing gear that keeps the cam timed to the crank. With both of these gears broken, I would be looking at the rest of the engine for damage as well.

Sean in PA · Oct 23, 2016

40403 is a 1961-1962 Heavy Industrial 4000 with 4 speed transmission, non-live PTO and 3 point lift, and without the cast grill. The engine is basically the same as all of the 1955-1964 800/900/801/901/4000 series engines. As the others have said, something strange had to have happened to break both of those gears. Perhaps the rear gear broke first and jammed up the cam shaft so it couldn't turn, which caused the front gear to break. But if that is what happened then it is likely that there is more damage than just the gears.

With the engine not running you have no way of knowing if the transmission, hydraulics and PTO are in working condition either. I wouldn't pay more than scrap price for it as is, unless it has some parts that you know that you need for another tractor and they would cost you more than the scrap price of that tractor.

skipstein · Oct 23, 2016

Hello;
Even though I am not a mechanic, I think you all are correct that this problem listed, is the tip of the ice burg. As the 172 engine is prevalent, maybe another running example would be the best way to approach this project. The seller wants $2,000 for it as it sits, maybe a bit much for this project, even though it is an HD Industrial classic...
Thanks,
Skip

michford · Oct 23, 2016

$2000 for a non runner with a definite engine issue makes it even easier to pass on it and keep looking.

IndFord · Oct 26, 2016

The 4040's have the large cast iron grill and full frame, where the 4030's light industrial do not. both where made between 1960-1962 and were red/maze color combo.
The 1801's, 4040's and 4140's are all similar as they have the same large cast iron grill and full frames. The 4030's(red/maze) and 4130's(blue/maze) are light
industrial. The repair manuals are incorrect in the series/model breakdown and started all the confusion. The 4030 looks like the 801 series tractor, same grill, in
my opinion one the best looking tractor ever built. I learned all this the hard way, ordering many wrong parts at the local ford tractor dealer. lucky I now have
801's, 1801's,4030,4040 and 4140's so not many parts go unused. Expect the ones that I ordered for the 1970's 4140 3 cylinder ford. I agree with the $2000. being too
high for a non working tractor, unless it had something exceptional(4wd or a pto winch) $500.00 is the most I would go for it.

skipstein · Nov 10, 2016

Hello All;
Thanks for your input and knowledgeable opinions. To throw another candidate into this mix of Ford HD Industrials, I have also found a Ford 4000 HD Industrial tractor, apparently in good working order, with the original Ford loader and 12' Ford backhoe. He wants $4500 for the complete tractor, or will separate the backhoe and sell the tractor loader (or) backhoe for $2500.
Any comments on the value of this HD Industrial classic?
Thanks,
Skip

skipstein · Nov 14, 2016

Hello All;
I have mentioned in an earlier post the Ford 4000 HD Industrial tractor that I am still looking at from afar. This tractor is located in Tracy, Ca. As this tractor is about 400 miles from my location in Big Bear Lake, Ca. I have not had the opportunity to go look at it. Also, you all have mentioned buying something like this unit from afar and sight unseen, is not a good idea. Therefor, I am asking for some assistance in determining the quality of this 4000 tractor. If there is anyone out there in Central California near Tracy that would be interested in taking a look at this tractor and giving me your best knowledgeable opinion, I am potentially interested in hiring you to make a house call on this tractor and give me your best opinion, yea or neigh. I will need to coordinate your house call with the owner, which I am sure can be done. Please let me know if you are out there...
Thanks,
Skip

Sean in PA · Nov 14, 2016

A non-running tractor is usually only worth scrap metal price regardless what it looks like since without the engine running you don't know what other systems aren't working properly. So having someone go look at it in person for you isn't going to provide much more information than you already have.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but judging by your continued interest in the tractor after all of the discouraging replies you have received from folks here so far, it seems like you really want to buy it and probably aren't going to listen to much in the way of reason from others, so my advice would be for you to hook up your trailer and drive the 400 miles with the cash in your pocket and decide for yourself. Make sure your trailer has a good winch on it to pull that tractor up the ramp, as it weighs a good bit with the backhoe and loader mounted to it and it probably has either loaded tires or wheel weights or both as well.

skipstein · Nov 14, 2016

Hello;
Thank you all for your thoughts, opinions and recommendations concerning the Ford 4000HD Industrial tractor. The tractor does run and the loader and backhoe does operate. From my resources, I understand hiring a qualified mechanic to evaluate and check out a piece of machinery, is quite common. In this case, as I am not a great mechanic, having this mechanical and operational report, whether I was there or not... to me it is worth the money to know before I might buy anything, including a tractor.
Happy trails,
Skip
PS: Sean, I do not own a heavy duty truck or trailer.

showcrop · Nov 14, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:42:42 11/14/16) A non-running tractor is usually only worth scrap metal price regardless what it looks like since without the engine running you don't know what other systems aren't working properly. So having someone go look at it in person for you isn't going to provide much more information than you already have.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but judging by your continued interest in the tractor after all of the discouraging replies you have received from folks here so far, it seems like you really want to buy it and probably aren't going to listen to much in the way of reason from others, so my advice would be for you to hook up your trailer and drive the 400 miles with the cash in your pocket and decide for yourself. Make sure your trailer has a good winch on it to pull that tractor up the ramp, as it weighs a good bit with the backhoe and loader mounted to it and it probably has either loaded tires or wheel weights or both as well.

OP is posting about a second tractor.

skipstein · Nov 15, 2016

Hello;
I have talked to the owner of this 40403 tractor and he stated that the rear cam gear broke a tooth, jammed and caused the front cam gear to also break. There seems to be some other issues with this tractor and the current owner got it broken, I guess to repair, and lost interest or (?). Too many unknowns for me, I am going to pass on this one. As many of you suggested, without it running who knows... Just for reference, I consider these vintage Ford HD Industrial tractors to be somewhat of a classic and worth bringing back to life, if the price is right.
Skip

skipstein · Nov 15, 2016

Gentlemen;
I appear to have mixed up two tractor post threads recently. I have posted on the Ford HD 40403, as well as, a Ford HD 4000 tractor, these are both Industrial units and two different machine.
Any comments made regarding the 'cam gear' issue, relate to the HD 40403. It is not running and there may be other mechanical issues.
Any comment made regarding the hiring of a mechanic to inspect and report on the tractor, or relating to being 400+ miles away, relate to the HD 4000 tractor loader backhoe an "old working tractor'.
I apogees for the mixup and, as always, appreciate your comments, etc.
Skip

Ford 40403 HD Industrial tractor

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