Cockshutt discussion

kenbob · Sep 16, 2023

I am too young to have been around in the days when Buda, Hercules and Continental were all making engines. It would seem Cockshutt owners would have the best handle on who made the best gas engines. Just curious.

Mike(NEOhio) · Sep 16, 2023

I think Continental lasted the longest of the three. I have three COOPs and all of them have the tips of the rocker arm clips work off with matching wear on the rocker arms. I have been told that they were prone to camshaft bearing failures but that hasn't been my experience. Possible though, they are not pressure lubed. Each bearing has a well above it in the block casting that catches oil as it runs off the head. Any sludge buildup could starve the bearing back in the days of non-detergent oil.

Welding man · Sep 17, 2023

I have or still do own them all. I just sold a 570 Diesel that had the easiest starting, smoothest running Hercules diesel I have ever heard. I have a 35 Deluxe with a Hercules Gas. It is a good engine also. I have 2 Oliver 70's with the Continental engines. I rebuilt one last week for a friend. I have a welding machine with a Continental also. They are good engines also, but the parts are very pricey now. Lastly, we also have a Cockshutt 30 that my wife pulls in antique pulls. The last 4 pulls we have been to she has managed to pull first place in at least one or two classes against some pretty tough tractors. We have owned this tractor for over 10 years and have done very little to it engine wise. I'll take the Buda hands down.

J.Wondergem · Sep 17, 2023

I bought a 540 in 1964 and of all the tractors that I have it's still my go to tractor. It's handy.

kenbob · Sep 17, 2023

I figured this was the right place to ask the question as Cockshutt used all 3 brands of motors.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 17, 2023

I've owned all 3 engines in various Cockshutt tractors,liked them all but would call Hercules the best

thecoopkid · Sep 17, 2023

Depends on your definition of best In my opinion, Continental is best for parts availability, Hercules is best for making horsepower and Buda is best for durability. Buda also has my vote for the best exhaust sound. There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a 6B Buda at 2000 RPM full throttle under load!

P Heisey Harleysville,PA · Sep 18, 2023

ALL very interesting and thoughtful comments! THANK YOU!!

Brantford, ON CANADA COCKSHUTT, ALSO used PERKINS Diesel engines in the COCKSHUTT 40-D4 and 560 tractors.

We stock parts for ALL four engines brands and models that COCKSHUTT built tractors used.

Phil Heisey
215-256-8651

kenbob · Sep 18, 2023

I thought it would be a good discussion topic. Probably would have more imput if not harvest season. The first time I ever heard of Buda was a film on the carving of Crazy Horse mountain. Korzak (sp?) said when he was first carving he had to set up a hose to the top with 900 steps down to the compressor that rand the jack hammer. He said he would just get started and the old Buda would quit. So he would have to climb all the way down to start it again. No wonder progress was slow at first.

DanielW · Sep 18, 2023

Growing up, I didn't have much patience for Continental engines: The ones Massey used were nothing special. The 201 in the 33's, the 260's in the popular 44's and another Continental in our welder (can't remember displacement) didn't like starting when warm. It was a known problem, due to the valve guides sticking when warm. We fixed it on one 44 by replacing the guides with some of a different alloy, but even then that engine was nowhere near as good as the similar-sized IH engine in the W6. I also have a Continental in a Massey 555: that 382 was also known to be problematic. Not balanced, and thus not good for PTO work. Known for cracking between cylinders and having the crack propagate all the way down to the base of the block. Earlier ones had crank failures, later ones were a little better, but you still couldn't push them overly hard.

For this reason, I was very skeptical when my brother hauled home a 540 with a stuck engine. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it's a great running little unit. I had to change my tune on Continental, and acknowledge that they had at least one good engine.

Cockshutt discussion

kenbob

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Welding man

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J.Wondergem

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kenbob

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Traditional Farmer

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thecoopkid

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P Heisey Harleysville,PA

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kenbob

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DanielW

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