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Versitile

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Dave in Tx

Member
I found an 835 series 3 Versitile tractor with duals and 9000 hrs. Appears to be in good shape, air works, runs well.
What are the likely problem areas with these tracors? Seems like cheap hp to me. Thanks.
 
Here's a couple of things besides the usual engine and drivetrain points to check...

Check all pivot joints in center hinge/articulation area, as well as steering cylinder pivot points for looseness (the bearing can wear into the actual frame weldments).

Sounds crude, but if you can bounce it over a bump or two in road gear you'll hear/feel any looseness in those areas.

Also, note the amount of "slop" in the gear shifter by your right knee.

When worn, it's a "classic" for them to jam in two gears, and a bit maddening to figure out how to free up the mechanism when that happens.
 
9000 hours on a heavy tillage tractor is running on borrowed time. If the motor tanks then your out $5-10 k to repair it. The pivots, like Bob posted , are an issue on these tractors. If they have been ran too long than repairing them is time consuming and costly. You did not state a price. These tractors usually sell for not much more than scrap price with high hours. I see them sell regularly for $5-10K with way fewer hours than 9000. There is one on Tractorhouse right now with 4960 hours for $10K advertised. It is in Texas too.

Any of these older 4wd tractors can be "good" buys because there are not too many buyers. In my opinion the Versitile and Stiger are the better of these old 4wd tractors as they are dead simple. Meaning usually Cummins engines, Fuller transmissions, Eaton rearends. So you can find drive line parts from many sources usually. The cab and electrics are the worry some areas.

So buy with caution planning on running it to it dies and scraping it. Bargain HARD when buying.
 
Biggest reason those older big tractors are so cheap is the limited hydraulic capacity. Most of today's big tractor users are running seeding rigs with high volume hydraulic needs. They still have plenty of capacity for basic tillage equipment.
 
Asking 10000. going to drive it today. Just want it for tillage. /Got a 2590 Case that is wore smooth out. Only do about 300 acres. Old and getting close to quitting and don't want to buy anything with power shift to run a couple years. Local tractor. Thanks for your help.

Dave
 
Those older versitiles were pretty popular in Nw. Mn where I have some relatives. They are usually a bit lighter than a comparable Steiger, but have similar drivelines. That 855 Cummins is good for 20,000 hours if it has had good maintenance. If your doing tillage and the tires are good I would think it will serve you well for many years yet.
 
Dave If it drive fine than IF you think it will work for your tillage needs than go for it but just try to bargain some on it. There are not fifty buyers out there for them. Not fancy enough for most these days. I am like you in that I like simple too.

The one on tractor house looked fairly clean too. With half the hours and duals with good tires. So maybe use it as a bargaining tool.
 
I see that the 835 only has 230hp. The 855 Cummins can be turned up for WAY more than that. I ran a ford versatile that had around 350 HP. Pulled a 45' disk like it didn't even know it was back there. They will actually put out 800hp, but I wouldn't go over 400. My Cummins puts out 600hp but I don't know how long it would last at that HP.
 
There are several 835s around here that have been turned up and the owners got along just fine. But I had one neighbor use his like a 300 hp tractor and ended up tearing everything up so they will break if you use all of the hp. I think either the diffs or the axles were smaller then the 895 and on up.
 
I think it is an issue with earlier Versatiles, but some had issues with axle housings breaking, and aftermarket ones were steel, not cast.
 
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