[Ingersoll444]

Well, after working the wheels of of my first ever tractor for the last 3 years, it is time to give her a new lease on life. With all the stuff I have had going on, with the baby, and building a new house, a lot of my stuff has been pretty neglected. Been just kinda holding on by ducktape and bailing wire.

Well, I pulled the 444 in the garage today, and am going to start a rebuild. I was just going to fix all the little things that need work, but I think I am just going to do it right, and go through the whole tractor.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Some of the big things it needs are some hoses replaced, and a full tune up.

 

[Ingersoll444]

It also needs some wiring work. The lights don;t work, and it does not start with the key. I think one of the safty switches are bad. Also going to add a filter to the hydro system, and at least pull the head on the motor. Don;t know if I will go any ferther on the motor or not, depends how it looks.

 

[bontai Joe]

Well, it's plain to me that your machine has not been abused, but it is a veteran of the lawn wars. Well worth fixing up. What is the primer grey fender I see in the background? Another project?

 

[Ingersoll444]

Nope not abused, just worked hard. And a little neglected at time thanks to my busy life.




As for the fender. That would be a 1970 Mustang. A long term project I hope to one day finish.

 

[Ingersoll444]

ripping apart

Well, had some time to get some work done last night. Started tearing her down. Got the hood off, and some of heat shelds removed. It is amazing how much stuff they packed in under this hood. It is FULL.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Well, tonight I hope to get the hydro system all drained. [all 11 qts] Also hoping to get to remove some of the small stuff to get to the motor. The mufler, cooler, battery, hydro resavore etc.

 

[Argee]

Originally posted by Ingersoll444

Well, tonight I hope to get the hydro system all drained. [all 11 qts] Also hoping to get to remove some of the small stuff to get to the motor. The mufler, cooler, battery, hydro resavore etc.

Hey Paul,
They're a pretty straight forward machine to work on. Definitely have some jack stands handy if you decide to drop the final drive unit, they have an unusual way of attaching it. Let me know if you run into some stumpers. I had mine apart so many times, I can still probably disassemble them in my sleep. :smiles:

 

[Ingersoll444]

Thanks Argee. BTW working on a parts list for you if you still got that parts tractor.


Got a lot done last night. Did a compression check on the motor, and it seems kinda low. [see engine fourm] Also got the fluid drained, and got most of the under hood shelds off. It is amazing how tight everything is packed in there.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Always amazes me how BIG those old Kohlors K's are. Can realy start to see the bones of the tractor now. LOTS of steel in this bad boy.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Oh, and Argee. I do plan to drop the rearend. I want to check those diff bolts. I KNOW you know the ones I am talking about.
They say they were fixed on the later tractors, and mine is a late 444, but can't hurt to check.

 

[Ingersoll444]

WHOOO this don't look right

OK, this looks pretty bad. The attached picture is of the PTO stub shaft. This is the bart that bolts to the motor, and the PTO cluch rides on it. It is just ALITTLE wiped. Strange thing? it worked fine. Guesss I need to take a good look at the clutch bearings huh? They SEEM good, but something did this.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Well, I got a lot of work done last night. Mostly still just small tare down stuff, but I have the motor ALMOST ready to come out. Just have to pull the pump off of it. [Any tips for me Argee??] Other than that, and finding the bad PTO shaft, things went good. Biggest problem I have had, is trying to keep the floor clean. [new house and all]

 

[bontai Joe]

Ingersoll444,
Boy that is a familiar sight. I just tore down and replaced the engine in one of my 316s. And I can totally relate to keeping the floor clean. Amazing how much crud collects in the nooks and cranies. Good luck with the rebuild!

 

[Ingersoll444]

Thanks. Things are going prety smooth. Only a few parts found so far that have to be replaced.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Motors out!!

Got the motor out tonight. Once I found out the the oil drain tube goes through the frame, it came right out. Also the pump adapter was a bit stuck, but as soon as I found out that nothing else was houlding the two together, I could break out the big tools, and "tap" it off.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Looks like I have a TON of cleaning to do on this tractor. Oil, grass, and dirt EVERYWERE!!! But at least I have not found anymore bad parts yet.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Well, now that the motor's out. Time to start the rebuild. I was not going to rebuild it, but I am going this far, might as well just do it. If I wait till it blows, it will just cost more to rebuild.

I will be starting a thred in the engine fourm about the motor rebuild, check it out.

 

[amicks]

Paul, I'll be glad to quote you some prices for engine parts, just PM me. Tony

 

[Ingersoll444]

Thanks Tony. I hop to start tairing it down tomarrow. REALY hope I don't need much.