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Case 446/448 Ingersoll 3k and 4k series transmissions an

B

Bussard870

New User
My 446 has locked-up two hydraulic pumps now. The tractor freely rolls faster and faster when going downhill while making a noise in the tyranny like a spline that's stripped. Any ideas? I'm a mechanic but for these transmissions. Is there any printed (or cd) repair information available? I have another that works fine but makes a whining sound when moving.?? Please enlighten me. Thank you.
 
That downhill freewheel and noise is normal on that era of Case. Very late in the 446/448 model run they changed to a different control valve that corrects it. That valve used in all later 4 digit model numbers. There is also an add-on valve that can be installed but they are hard to find. And they must be used with the tubes that came with the kit. Really tight bends in 1/2 tube that is almost impossible to duplicate.

But, there is a way to minimize the downhill runaway. It's in the Operators Manual. By the control lever There should be some markings and on the reverse side the word Retard. For it to work correctly you must run a near wide open throttle when going downhill. Sounds wrong but it's right. Carefully move the lever into the retard range and it will slow the downhill coast. Takes practice, but does work.

The transaxle is very simple, the control valve is the brains.

The only common failure is the four bolts that hold the differential carrier together. I'd recommend ordering a set and replacing them. Not expensive and could prevent a cracked case.
 
''But what can you tell me while I wait for
those to arrive?''

I'll get flamed for this, but I'd sell it to a collector and replace it with a tractor with a true hydrostatic drive that doesn't have the quirks and foibles of this oddball system.

And, yes, I've owned one, a ''446''.

That's what a friend did quite a few years ago after costing uncontrolled down a slope and off of a low ''cliff'' and into a lake!

I don't see any good points to that drive system EXCEPT for being able to drive a tiller or other attachment hydraulically.

YAMMV!
Click to expand...
 
That ride to the lake must have been fun! Too bad he didn't read the manual first as the method for controlling that is in there. And, it works right up to the tire traction limit. Which is a problem with any drive type, even gears.

If I had a really steep and long grade, a Case of that era would not be my first choice though.

But, I've owned and used a lot of them, 20+ and never had an accidental runaway.
'
The holding valve or later integrated valve mentioned in my other post are sure fixes for the problem. I have a very short, very steep hill that I mow. The mowers used there have been a Case/Ingersoll 4016, JD 455, and my zero turn Hustler Fastrac. Of those, the 4016 handles it best. I think the big back tires are why. The 8x16s don't slide as bad as the 12x12s!
 
Im ready to sell my 446. Its been restored and i put a $1750 new engine package in it plus i have a unrestored deck and plow blade. I had it for sale last year and never got a single inquiry. Ill make someone a really good deal on it. 1.5 hrs on the engine."](reply to post at 10:38:29 01/12/23) [/quote]
 
The Case blind may argue but I wont flame
you for telling it as it is. We have 2 of
them now and at one time had 5. The speed
control and down hill retard is terrible
on all of them, even on the late Ingersols
that were supposably fixed of that
problem. A person shouldn't have to drive
a tractor with one hand on the speed
control all the time. At any lever
posistion beside full forward the ground
speed varies all over the place with
loading. We adjusted and rebuilt things
and it never changed. We had two tillers
and controlling the tractor while tilling
was a constant battle with the speed
lever, totally miserable to operate. All
that being said the high wheels ride nice
and the mower decks work great. The snow
caster works decently also. And the Onans
speak for themselves. Our current yard is
level and the tractors work OK for cutting
the yard.
All in all it isn't at all hard to see why
nobody else bothered to copy cat the drive
system. The same tractor with a
hydrostatic drive would be a fine machine
to this day
 

''A person shouldn't have to drive
a tractor with one hand on the speed
control all the time. At any lever
posistion beside full forward the ground
speed varies all over the place with
loading. We adjusted and rebuilt things
and it never changed. We had two tillers
and controlling the tractor while tilling
was a constant battle with the speed
lever, totally miserable to operate.''

I have nothing against those machines, but agree with what you wrote. That's why I think they are a better collector's item than a machine for daily use.
 
Unless something is broken or not working right on the machine the late 44x and Ingersolls the downhill hold works great. See my other post comparing to my ZPR and JD hydro.

Tiller and speed control lever do not play well together. An optional tiller speed control valve is needed to control at the low travel flows needed. That's true in my experience with all models.

We agree on one thing for sure. The 400/4000 series chassis, maybe a couple inches more wheelbase, with a hydrostatic motor and pedal control would be superb.

The ground tracking mower decks leave the best cut I've ever had. MTD, JD and everything in between. Only Simplicity comes close. Only down side is the wear on the gauge wheels. However the hydraulic decks were a solution to a problem nobody had. Worked good until a deck motor was needed.

All that said, I'm keeping my little JD455 with loader and mowing with the ZTR. selling off my project Cases and lots of parts. 80 years old shortly and have other things to do.
 
For got to add, on the newer valves with the holding circuit there is a shuttle valve inside that does the work. I've seen a couple of those get stuck due to water/sludge in the hyd oil. That causes them to be very jumpy when starting out and fail to hold speed correctly.
 
Ken, I tried very hard to like the tractors and still don't hate them but they are what they are, a heavy duty tractor with a garbage speed control. I conferred with the expert that used to post here and also conferred with people on the CI web group. We had 2-4018, a 4016, a 4020 and a 4116 all hydraulic that had extremely low hours.. and none of them no matter what we did would hold speed going down hill in spite of tear downs and new parts and pieces. They were a little bit better than our 220 Case in that respect but it still remained that the only speed they would somewhat hold downhill was wide open, low range. I was told that the very last tractors, (after Ingersol was bought out by Eastman) had vastly improved speed control. it by that time it was too late and the prices were sky high they didn't sell and that was the end.
It's just my opinion but I think those who swear by them have gotten used to the quirks and are not bothered by them,, but they are none the less there.
 
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