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1955 Farmall 400 - Is it worth the effort?

M

Marty from MN

Member
Yesterday I was up at some property the FIL bought. There is a 400 gasser sitting there, has been there for awhile. Tractor looks complete. Didn't have any tools with so I couldn't determine if it was froze up or not.

From looking at it here are the Pros:
All the sheet metal was there and in good shape.
The exhaust manifold was covered.
The tires are 10%, but looked like they were holding air (easy to roll).

Cons:
Not sure if the motor is froze.
No 2 point hitch.
No idea if the TA is good.
Not sure why it was parked.
Narrow front (in my opinion this is a con)

If I lived closer you could bet I'd take a few hours one day to jack up a rear wheel and see if I could get the wheels to turn the engine, check the oil, coolant, rear end fluid, etc. Not sure it is worth the 100 miles drive 1 way.

Opinions? What is the tractor worth sitting where it is? Maybe $250 to $500.
 
Your price is right. But it could be a bargain. If it will turn (check it with a 12v battery direct to starter) it is a find. They are good tractors, Jim
 

Go for it. That tractor needs to be saved, whether you save it or let someone else have it. 100 miles is not too far away.
 
at the very least drag it home, take some pictures and put it on craigslist or ebay. if its loose than she is worth saving
 
There is a good chance,pay 500 for it, take it home and spend 2000 to get it mechanically sound, put 1500 in tires and couple thousand to get painted and end up with a 3000 dollar tractor. Where did you say this tractor is again.
 
Is your FIL going to charge you for the tractor??? If he doesn't and all it costs is fuel how could it not be worth it!?!
Around here the tractor would be worth $5-700 if you sold it to the salvage yard. It would be worth $300 in scrap if you didn't even try to make money at it.
 
"There is a good chance,pay 500 for it, take it home and spend 2000 to get it mechanically sound, put 1500 in tires and couple thousand to get painted and end up with a 3000 dollar tractor. Where did you say this tractor is again."

R4etired: The tractor is in MN, but you stated exactly what I'm talking about. Lets assume I can get it for free. Probably 2 days of work to get it loaded on a trailer, $100 in fuel to get it home. $2000 in parts (more if T/A is out) to get it running and 2 - 3 months of weekends of labor. $1500 in tires. That would probably be the bare minimum of $4000 just to get it somewhat functional.

I saw some nice 400's for sale in MN or WI for less than that. 1 was a diesel.

Maybe I should go pull the power steering and live hydraulic pump and put them on my '51 M.
 
If it's RED and it hasn't been parted yet don't part it or scrap it fix it. I know some have to die to fix others but I hate seeing old tractor's get parted out and cut up for scrap. The scrap yard by my house A guy brought in a complete MD before I Could ask about buying it it got picked up by a escavator and tossed on a pile. I would have payed double what the guy got in scrap for it. I think of the old farmer that spent so many hot long hours working that old tractor.
 
Forget the economics. You're already throwing $$ in the hole for looking at it.

It sounds like a nice find. Buy it cheap and have fun with it. I usually spread the restoration costs out over a few years, which makes it easier to pay for.

Please don' t part it out. Sell it to some other tractor nut...
 
Is it worth the effort?? Last year I found a sound 1955 400 gas with factory power steering, late style fast hitch,single wheel front, streight tin. I bought it for 2000.00. Brought it home decided to do body off restoration been working on it as time permits since 1-10. I have 15000.00 in it so far probably close to 20000.00 when done .I can tell you I would not sell it for any money win finished. It represents personal pride of accomplishment and Represents first tractor my dad bought when he sold the dairy and started farming.I was in high school and spent many hours on it with # 465 4row cultivator. It was one of my main tractors until 1976 when I traded for jd 4020.It's worth what it means to you. Tony
 
drop about a t spoon of oil into each cly thru the spark plug holes and let it sit for a while, then put a wrench on the crank and see if it will turn.
 

Redgems: While I don't think I'd ever put $15k into a tractor, I understand why you are doing that.


Bottom line is I found out that I have to head back up that way next month, so I'm taking some tools and a camera. I'll get some more information on if the engine is locked up, transmission, etc. If I get some good results I will put a tarp on it until I can get back with a trailer.

I'll post some photos on here as well.

This would easily be my biggest restoration yet. I've brought back a Super C, an M, a Ford 8n, and a Massey 44, but nothing this involved yet.
 
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