IT Manuals????

Casey in Ky · May 26, 2009

Are the IT manuals worth a darn?? Or are you just better off to go ahead cough upthe big money for the manufacturers service manuals?? I've got the Ford service manual for my old Ford 3000, and its great, but it was pricey, and I stole it on Ebay. I really need one for my Ford 4830, but even on here, by the time I pay shipping it'd be over $300. I'd hate to think what it would be from New Holland. I can get the IT manual on Ebay for $30 + or -. Never had and IT, but seem to recall some of you guys didn't care for them very much....suggestions???

Thanks,

Casey

Billy Shafer · May 26, 2009

I have one for a Massey Ferguson 35. It is ok but I would not buy another one. I have seen better manuals on Onan gensets. They cover more and are cheaper than IT manuals. The Onan service manual has all the information you need. To me the IT manual does not fully cover what it should.

NCWayne · May 26, 2009

It really depends on how far you ever plan to go into the machine for repairs. In my experience the IT manuals are more generic and simply don"t give as much in depth information on the various systems as the factory manuals. Usually the IT"s are good for something like specs for rebuilding the engine, etc but if your having major problems with a sopecific part/system and need troubleshooting information the IT"s aren"t gonna have what you need to do the job properly.

Bob Bancroft · May 26, 2009

This is one area where after-market doesn't work for me.

Anonymous-0 · May 26, 2009

When the I & T manuals were introduced 60+ years ago they were intended to be used by dealers that worked on stuff every day and they were to be used like when dealer selling brand X traded in a brand Q. The mechanic was versed on how his brand worked and knew fundamental mechanics but not those of brand Q, I have some they have helped, now I am to the age I would like to sell them.

RodinNS · May 26, 2009

I think you should price the NH books. I don't know what that set is worth today, but mine were about 1/3 of that... say close to about 15 years ago. Also keep in mind that the '30 series' books are a SET of about 12 books, weigh probably 50 pounds and cover all 3 and 4 cylinder Ford Ag models from 1976 up to the end of 10 series and 30 series production.
It's in no way a comparison to the IT manual.
On one hand it's a lot of money; on the other a lot better value if you do even a modest amount of work on several models.
Personally I'd opt for the OEM manuals for no reason other than they cover extensive operating theory of every system on all of those models...
Even at 10 times the price, it's 100 times the resource.

Rod

Jeff-oh · May 26, 2009

May want to give a couple of IH dealers a call just to price the manual. I have found prices can swing greatly from one to the next.

ScottyHOMeY · May 26, 2009

From my experience with them working on Farmalls, I'd say it will likely depend on how often and what particular type of work you're going to be doing.

In the case of the letter series Farmalls, a lot of the information in the I&T is lifted right out of the IH manuals. And even though the I&T covers the whole range of models in the letter series and the IH manuals are model-specific, they're both pretty comprehensive -- you just have to be sure in the I&T that you're not reading about the governor on an H while working on an A. For most work, the I&T and the IH manuals duplicate each other. Over time, though I've found that each has just those few little tidbits that the other doesn't . . . so that's where I raise the point of how often and how much and what kind of work.

I know nothing about the Ford OEM manuals so your mileage may vary.

big jt · May 27, 2009

Depends on what you are doing.

Basic overhaul of major components they are good enough.

If you are getting into some of the items that are more specific to the tractor get the genuine OEM shop manual. IT manuals are woefully illequipped if you want to do any electrical work. Like no info at all.

IT's also provide just the R&R procedures, no trouble shooting. I was just looking at the OEM book for my Case 2290 this afternoon to know where to look for a Fuel Guage fault. Didn't even crack the IT book as I knew there would be NO info on this. Case book started at the wrong end in my opinion (Sending Unit) but the procedure and info was there.

IT's do sometimes provide shortcuts that are not in the OEM books.

buickanddeere · May 27, 2009

The IT manuals are rather handy. They work well to hold shop doors open or to protect soft metal from marring when held in a vice.

RayP(MI) · May 27, 2009

Better 'n nothing, but not a lot!

Leroy · May 27, 2009

They complimate each other, one may have a paragraf or picture that the other one does not (either way) and that little piece of missing information can make all the difference. If serious about working on things get both and read both before starting the job.

IT Manuals????

Casey in Ky

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Billy Shafer

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NCWayne

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Bob Bancroft

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Anonymous-0

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RodinNS

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Jeff-oh

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ScottyHOMeY

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big jt

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buickanddeere

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RayP(MI)

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Leroy

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