8440 pre buying advice

Hi, Found what we think is a pretty good buy on an old 8440, but just wanted some advice before we jumped in. Tractor runs great, but doesn't move at all. No steering, nothing. Guy said he was just driving along and then, nothing. says he has had tractor for 3 years. He is retiring, selling the farm. Said he already checked the main screen, but the way it is bent he couldn't get in to check the secondary screen? tractor has 7500 hours on it. Would a loss of hydraulics cause it not to move/steer? or could this be something major?
were not at all familiar with this large of a tractor.
 
Live PTO gear drivetrain driven from the engine clutch cover runs a pump in the front section of the tractor "hinge" that provides pressure for the traction clutch, hi/lo "two speed", PTO clutch and brake and "charge" oil to the main (front) hydraulic pump.

Either that pump is not being driven, or it is not able to pump oil, for some reason, or there's a massive leak to sump so it can't build pressure.

The pump is in front of the oil filter located on the back of the front "hinge" on the LH side.

You need a factory manual, if you are going to attempt to troubleshoot and repair this issue, IMHO.

NOT sure what he meant by "checked the main screen, but the way it is bent he couldn't get in to check the secondary screen?), BTW.

Oh, yeah, I ASSUME someone has checked the dipstick at the rear of the tractor to be sure it's got enough hydraulic oil???
 
There's a total of THREE screens. The one we are most concerned with here is Key #17. Is that the one you are trying to access?

<img src = "http://jdpc.deere.com/pimages/RWP1/RWP1726________UN01JAN94.gif">
 
A rub hole or cut in # 10 hose in the parts pick can also cause this to happen, it can be hard to see and won't actually leak oil, but let the pump draw air and not oil... a shorn key in the clutch oil pump is also a possibility..
 
thanks for the comments guys, and thanks for that parts break down bob. That really puts it in perspective. So in you alls experience its probably nothing major wrong with the tractor and it would be a fairly good buy at $7000
 
"So in you alls experience its probably nothing major wrong with the tractor and it would be a fairly good buy at $7000"

It all depends upon what's actually wrong and if you are able to deal repairing with a machine this large on your own.

If it is as simple as a sheared pump key, or leak in the suction hose to the clutch pump, yeah, but if there's an issue that requires a split at the engine-to-clutch housing or at the clutch housing-to-front hinge (the area where the clutch pump and it's drive "live") to repair, it becomes not such a small deal, ESPECIALLY if it goes to a shop for that work.

Add a little "exploratory surgery" and some $$$ unneeded parts if they can't accurately diagnose it the first time and you are looking at a money pit.

I personally would like to have an 8440 with 3pt hitch, and I wouldn't be too scared of one like it if it was sitting at my shop, but if I had to pay a shop (much less a dealership shop) to get it back in shape I's RUN from the deal.
 
I've seen a couple of basket case 8440's sell for several thousand dollars each. Both had poor tires duals included and could not imagine laying that kind of money out on a major gamble. Not when through the shop 8440's with 60 plus percent tire tread auction at 14,000 dollars.
 
To the O.P., If you DO decide to go with this or dig into it farther, post back and let us know what you find!
 
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