Advice on purchase '59 Minn. Moline 445

somerled

New User
I am currently looking at a '59 Minn. Moline 445 that is for sale in my area. I am looking for some advice to make sure I make a smart purchase. It's a '59 it has the 40 hp gas 206 engine. Old tractor used to be a backhoe but the hoe was removed. The seller said, "it does start and run but smokes and knocks. I think it only needs rings and rod bearings. The tractor is old and used probably missing a bolt or two here and there but starts really easy and runs good except for the smoke and knocking. If you are handy probably take an hour to fix it." I am wondering from those of you who know these tractors, what do you think of the "smoking and knocking" is this something that can be fixed easily or I am looking at an engine rebuild if I buy this tractor. What would you consider to be a fair price?
 
I have redone similar 206 185 165 engines To do it right is probably not just rings or new barrings. If it had a BACKHOE IT IS PROBABLY AN INDISTRIAL VERSION not a great farm version. Sounds like a better parts tractor.
 
Smoking and knocking is never fixed in an hour, sounds like it is
pretty tired. Parts are available but like everything else they are
getting pretty expensive.
 
The other fellows recommendation of being a parts tractor is the wise choice.
I purchased a 445 years back, it was a fairly straight tractor. so I decided
to rebuild it. Nothing less than new pistons, new reground crankshaft, some new valves
still working on the torque. But in for a penny in for a pound.
I did have a-lot of fun it has great oil pressure.
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If it can be bought cheap enough you can always take it apart and see how bad it is. If
it is too bad then you have the parts off to sell, if not that bad it is apart to
rebuild.
 
I saw the same tractor on Craigslist. If I remember right he wants $1800...which is too much with the
issues it has and the way it looks in the pics. I just rebuilt a 206 in a Jetstar 3 that was original bore
and needed to go .20 over. When I bought it I was told it had a new top end....not so. I had close to $800
in it after buying pistons, valves, and machine work done. Try to buy it for around $1000 because if it's
worse than rings and bearings you can get your money back in parts, and if you decide to rebuild it you
should also be able to break even if you decide to sell it later.
 
Thank you for the advice and information. The seller wants $1500 for this tractor. Based on your advice, I am going to pass and look for another tractor. I don't mind putting some work into a used tractor, but I don't have the knowledge or time to do a major rebuild. Thanks for the responses!
 
$1500 would be an ok price IF it didnt smoke or knock. I think you are making a smart move to pass on it.
 
It always amazes me what people want for equipment with major problems like he is describing to you. That is a $500 tractor in my opinion. If he wants closer to his asking price he will have to part it out. If its knocking then its beyond rings and bearings for sure!! Some people don't have a clue!!
 
When I told him that I wasn't interested in the tractor and said it needed too much work, he again said it was an easy fix and that he will just have to do it himself and then sell it for $4,000. I told him I wish him luck.
 

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