Is Case DC-3 Way to go for me?

Additionally, does this model have live PTO?

• J.I.Case 400

I'd question the tires, looks like they may be weather checked-I'd ask if they were new when he put them on. I'd also ask if the tractor was used on hard surface roads a lot-it looks to me like the center of the tires may be wore off from hard surface work, or they have been over-inflated. If you have to ship it, I'd guess that it weighs more than 5,600, figure 6,000 at least when you're pricing the shipping. I'd drive it home if its not too far-about 12 MPH is top speed on a DC.

From the pictures, it looks like a pretty "straight" old DC to me. If its a '52, it DOES NOT HAVE LPTO & IF ALL the work that he claims was done to it WHEN he says it was done, you'll never live long enough to have to put major repairs into it just bush hogging with it. Remember, when this tractor was new, it was desighed to be a MAJOR workhorse. It was one of the most powerful row crop tractors made in 1952, bar none. It was designed to go out and pull a 3 bottom plow all day, every day for many seasons & they would do it without a "wimper".

BTW, if you buy it, do not remove the front wheel when you need to change a tire. Change them right on the tractor. It looks like it has cast iron front wheels, real common-never seen anything else, but have been told they exist. They weigh about 100 lbs each or more, I'd guess. Ya usually don't need to worry about DC's comming up on the front end when pulling from the FACTORY drawbar. Might be different for a 3-point, but I sure wouldn't worry too much about it, either. A 4RW rear mount 3-point tool bar culitvator hanging on an eagle hitch does make 'em a little light, though. (Another $0.02 worth. jal-SD)

Thanks again for your wisdom.

Chris

Anyway, she does really well mowing I borrow my neighbors four foot brush hog for rough areas and I bought a 6ft New Holland Finish mower. No power problems whatsoever. She soldiers on for several hours in 88 degree weather without a sweat and she keeps about about 30lbs oil pressure even after hours at work. I have the eagle hitch and that is a small issue. She can't lift the rear wheel of the brush hog clear of the ground. (I think the top link mounting point is too low) that would not seem to be an issue with the one you are looking at. One other thing is that the PTO shaft is high compared to most new units. That puts the drive shaft at or just over the max allowable angle (25 degrees) for the New Holland mower. But I imagine that regularly greasing the u joints should alleviate the problem and in the grand scheme U joints aren't that expensive.

Mine is a 53 and has the live PTO that does make mowing and trimming easier. My tires are in much worse shape (cord showing in side walls) but she goes through the marshy spots just fine. She does steer very easily but it takes a lot of fast wheel cranking in tight turns (the suicide knob is almost a must) This is my first tractor but I have used my brothers 8N with his brush hog and the DC3 is a way better set up and cheaper. The 8N doesn't have a live PTO and heavy grass/marshy soil cause it to labor. The Case rides a whole lot better with the 38" rims. If you get here you will no doubt love her.

Paul f

Here's what I am looking at - give me your $0.02 more if you don't mind

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1744426759