400 or Ford 5000

Heifer Raiser · Dec 17, 2008

I have a Farmall 400 with a wide front end, 3 point converstion, rebuilt engine and bad TA. The tractor works well despite the charging system not working (I have spent hours messing with the generator and VR). My friend would like to sell me his late model Ford 5000 diesel since he is getting out of farming. His ford has 30% trend on the tires, may have a charging issue as well, but it is an overall nice tractor. He wants about $4500 for it.

I can probably get $2800 for my Farmall 400, but for the extra $1700, I will have a tractor that needs at least $1200 in tires, and I might be messing around with another faulty charging system. I think I will keep my 400 and concentrate on the charging system. Fixing the TA is not worth it to me.

Anyone"s thoughts are much appreciated.

glennster · Dec 17, 2008

if you are happy with the 400,i'd keep it. buying the other tractor is kind of a gamble, you never know what else is wrong with it until the deal is done, and you put er to work. as far as the charging issues, here is a link to john t's charging system diagnosis. follow it start to finish, and if it still doesnt charge, give john t or janicholson a holler, they will get you up and going.
john ts charging test

MichaelNEIowa · Dec 17, 2008

I don"t know. I think I"d be inclined to go for the Ford. It is a much more modern tractor. Depending on the hours, that diesel should run for a long time.

You can always watch for a good set of used tires. Putting more cash into your 400 probably isn"t a good idea unless you plan to keep it for a long time. If it were me, I"d keep the 400 for raking hay and winter chores and buy the Ford and use it for field work.

dave guest · Dec 17, 2008

That kind of thinking gets you into a whole lot of "theres a better one over there". I did that with cars for 50 years. Had about 65 cars and trucks and tractors and motorcycles. Broke even or lost money on all. Heck of an education and you never get bored. Do what you wanna do. I did. Never asked wife about any of it. After 45 I asked her and she said STOP, dummy. Mostly did. Found out when you keep cars 15 or even 20 years, don't cost much.

karl f · Dec 17, 2008

the ford will have a Lucas system. Lucas electric systems have large following of haters when it comes to ford tractors in particular.
The ford also is wired differently from the IH delco, so any info you read about jumping wires and flashing, make sure they apply to the ford too, or you will destroy everything. after stuggling over the years with a ford 5000 charging system, it's much easier to shell out the $300 or so for the delco alternator kit with the right brackets, wiring, and tachometer drive system. The lucas system can be made to work, but you spend a lot of time keeping it working. clean all grounds for the charging system, file the contacts in the regulator as needed, and you are gonna have about 50% satisfaction. About once a year you need to mess with it.

not a bad tractor otherwise, will run with the big ones when needed, and can cover for a little one just as easily.

karl f

Ksfarmmer · Dec 17, 2008

I can see both sides. Sounds like the 400 is a decent tractor other than the charging problems. The diesel 5000 is probably a little better tractor for field work, but you are spending many thousands of dollars for something with same problem you already have. If the 400 is doing what you need seems like you ought to keep for purely economic reasons.

Dellbertt · Dec 17, 2008

I think you have already made the right decision for you.
Start from square one. Take the gen and vr from your 400 to your local friendly independent auto electric shop and have them tested. When you know for sure you have a good running gen and a good vr that are polarize compatible then you have it made. Now just make sure wiring and connections are right using a simple wiring diagram and it has to work.

GA Dave · Dec 17, 2008

You may consider a 12 volt upgrade. David...........http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint131.htm

Heifer Raiser · Dec 18, 2008

Thank you everyone for all of the useful replies, and Glenster for the charging system info. Based on these economic times, I have decided to keep the 400. It does everything I need it to do, and starts real easy during the winter. Even though tractors are fun to have, they need to make money.

400 or Ford 5000

Heifer Raiser

Member

glennster

Well-known Member

MichaelNEIowa

Member

dave guest

Well-known Member

karl f

Well-known Member

Ksfarmmer

Member

Dellbertt

Member

GA Dave

Well-known Member

Heifer Raiser

Member

Similar threads