Case 400 diesel pros cons

chas036 · Aug 9, 2020

I have been in the market for an older diesel tractor in the 50 to 70 hp range mainly to use on a bush hog and snow blower. There is a Case 400 diesel coming up in an auction soon and I was wondering if they
are a good reliable tractor? Can you still get all the parts like rings, sleeves,gaskets, and diesel parts like injectors and injection pump? Is there any inherent problems that would keep you from buying
this model tractor? Will all 3 point implements work with the eagle hitch?

oldproudvet · Aug 9, 2020

Rotary injection pump could be an issue. Most parts are NLA and parts pump would be needed. While I love my 400 (Best looking tractor Case ever made, with the NF) I'd look more at a 730/830 Comfort King for a small utility tractor. Much easier to shift the 8 speed with a separate range lever and they have the later 3 pt arms. The 400 is a good tractor and would sell in MN around the $1800 range, if a good runner. The CKs would be another $k maybe. I paid 3 for my 830CK in central WI a couple of years ago. An excellent tractor. My 2 bits. It's another one of those Ford/chevy, green vs orange etc etc deals. All can be great, it's what you like and are will to tolerate. The 400 is a mid 50s tractor, just a few years old, but then, aren't we all. Larry

chas036 · Aug 9, 2020

One of the reasons I was interested in the 400 was beacuase of the low reverse speed of 1.7 mph I want a reverse speed of 2 or less because Iwould be using it on a snowblower in the winter. Does the 730 or 830 have low reveres speeds?

jon f mn · Aug 9, 2020

The problem with the 400 and 3pt pto equipment like snow blowers and bushogs is you have to adapt the third arm either on the tractor or implement because the third arm bracket goes over the pto on the eagle hitch large frame tractors. This goes all the way til the comfort king and standard 3pt. It is not hard to do and there are plans available. I usually just raise the third arm on the implement and use the upper third arm hookup above the pto housing. Has always worked for me. Also those older cases are not great starters for snow blowing, you will need a good heater and batteries to get it running when cold.

That said, they are a great and reliable tractor and would do what you want.

EliG · Aug 11, 2020

How big of snow blower are you planning on using and how much snow do you get a year?

I put an 8' two stage snow blower on my 400. I made a heavy duty top link bracket that bolts below the existing top link bracket. We made special pins for the lift arms to attach the eagle hitch arms to the blower.

It worked OK for the most part. You would definitely want some front end weight. The first pass was the hardest because I would have to take the entire 8' width of the blower. After that I only take as wide a swath that the tractor would handle.

You will also need to run treated fuel and I would recommend fashioning some forms of a curtain for the right side of the hood to direct heat from the engine across the fuel filters to keep them warm.

I did this for 2 years until I bought my 930.

Case 400 diesel pros cons

chas036

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oldproudvet

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chas036

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jon f mn

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EliG

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