445 - better than a Farmall M for loader work?

michaelr · Feb 12, 2015

I only have experience with Farmall letter series. Wanting another tractor to pull a shredder, do loader work, grade the road, etc. I notice an MM 445 with a loader and blade. Could fit my needs, but I know zero about these tractors. Do they have Power Steering? What can you guys tell me about them?

445 on craigslist

Alan K · Feb 12, 2015

Most of the universal 445s had power steering as far as I know. If you plan on doing light loader work with that style loader it might be ok. I don't think some of the early loaders were braced properly to be strong enough. Also some of the first 445s (early 1956 models)had some hydraulic issues because they didn't have the tel-o-flo hydraulic system. Those systems were better.

Curt Cooke · Feb 13, 2015

I love the Minnie's for sure, BUT a 445 isn't my favorite. That 445 may or may not have power steering. I would think PS to be a must with the weight of a loader to contend with. I also suspect that a wide front would be better. Perhaps insignificant, but my biggest complaint on the 445 was the seating arrangement. It could be that a 445 is still easier to handle with a loader than the the old trusty M.

MMDEL · Feb 13, 2015

A 445 has about 45 HP. I don't know how big your shredder is?
It should have Power Steering. Some steered better than others, if thay weren't worked on. Check it out before you buy. A handy easy starting tractor.
MMDEL

michaelr · Feb 13, 2015

What in particular about the seating arrangement do you find not to your liking?

michaelr · Feb 13, 2015

6 ft shredder

Curt Cooke · Feb 13, 2015

The 445 seat was set too low for my liking. The seat structure was poor and didn't hold up. So much so, that I doubt that the original seat is even on the machine, it's likely been replaced by something. The position of the seat was low, set you down inside the fenders. The 445's successor, the 4Star and 4Star Super had seats that were high. The steering wheel was also elevated to match the seat on the 4Stars. I just don't like sitting in a hole. It's like an old Ford Taurus, like sitting in a bath tub.

Alan K · Feb 13, 2015

Ive got a Ford Taurus! lol...I agree about the 445s low down seat though. I had seen one of the Jensen photos from the factory where a 5 Star had the same style seat and low platform set up. I am sure glad they changed that to the higher one before production.

bp4455 · Feb 13, 2015

if it has amplitorq make sure its good. people hate fiixing them.

fastfarmall · Feb 13, 2015

Well i hate to throw cold water in your face, but my dad bought a brand new one in the summer of 1957, wide front with no power steering, because the MM dealer was a good friend of his, Big Mistake, he bought it because it had live PTO, Well it was live all right, it would never stop, the dealer tried to fix it Needless to say the M, is still working on my dads farm, and that 445 is long gone

MMDEL · Feb 14, 2015

It will handle a 6ft rotary cutter very well.
MMDEL

JOCCO · Feb 14, 2015

WOW!!! They are one nice tractor so is the M. A 5 foot rotary would be a bit better if that's what you meant by shredder. Others covered the torque amp and power steering. If it was me I would buy it and keep both tractors!!!!

JOCCO · Feb 14, 2015

That was a small issue on them. But the way you make it sound I would have to wonder if your medicine is working correctly????

Roger H MI · Feb 16, 2015

Depends what kind of loader you have on the M. But an M is a very good loader tractor. Especially with a Charylin power steering and wide front. But my favorite was our 4020 John Deere. I also used a 302 Moline that was good.

fastfarmall · Feb 20, 2015

I was about 16 when that tractor left the farm, I took the same amount of medicine then, as i do now, which is none!

445 - better than a Farmall M for loader work?

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