Farmtrac 535 Disaster

[redlevel]

My 535 went Tango Uniform yesterday. Water in the oil, slapping/knocking/expensive noises in the block. Made the last payment in August. I guess I took a chance and lost. Not quite 700 hours. Changed oil, filters regularly. I used it pretty hard on the farm, subsoiling, harrowing, bottom plow, etc, but I have used small/medium utility farm tractors hard all my life (Ford, MF) and I have only had one other one (out of at least 25-30) go down like this.

Wishing now I had "bit the bullet" and bought a Kubota or New Holland. A utility ag tractor should go 5000 hours without anything other than regular maintenance and a small issue or two.

Live and learn, die and forget it all.

 

[Baby Grand]

Most unfortunate - I am truly sorry to hear of your experience.

 

[JIGBUILDER]

yeah, 30-35 hp compact utility tractors can't be expected to standup to work better suited for a heavier ag tractor.

I've used my 50 hp '00 FT60 with 1900 hrs to build two small ponds about four foot deep (down to bed rock) with a box blade and rippers and the FEL.
I realize my utlity tractor wasn't made for such work but most of the time its dragging a 7' rotary mower keeping my 40 acres mowed.

 

[redlevel]

yeah, 30-35 hp compact utility tractors can't be expected to standup to work better suited for a heavier ag tractor.

I've used my 50 hp '00 FT60 with 1900 hrs to build two small ponds about four foot deep (down to bed rock) with a box blade and rippers and the FEL.
I realize my utlity tractor wasn't made for such work but most of the time its dragging a 7' rotary mower keeping my 40 acres mowed.

The 535 isn't a compact utility tractor. It is an ag utility tractor. It should have lasted a few thousand more hours before a failure of this sort. I have done the same tasks with a 600 Ford gasoline tractor. In fact, the implements I am using with this tractor were purchased in the 1950s by my fil for use with a 600 Ford. This isn't a case of using a tractor for a job it wasn't intended to do. Single shank subsoiler, two-bottom plow, five foot harrow, five foot mower, two row planters, etc. There is no excuse for this kind of failure at 700 hours.

 

[jonyyuma]

I hate to read of a tractor with so little use, and not abused to go out like that farmtrac.I know my tractor has 730 hours or more and i would be devistated to find out it had died. Maybe you can do a search for an replacement engine, and restore it?

 

[RoyJackson]

That really sucks...but I guess it's what one can expect from a chinese tractor.

 

[redlevel]

Not Chinese, Roy. Made at the Escorts plant in India.

Maybe it isn't as bad as it could have been. Damage appears to be limited to top end, one cylinder. Swallowed a valve. Hopefully, no damage on the bottom of the engine. Also, hopefully, only minor damage to the head.

 

[RoyJackson]

Not Chinese, Roy. Made at the Escorts plant in India.

Maybe it isn't as bad as it could have been. Damage appears to be limited to top end, one cylinder. Swallowed a valve. Hopefully, no damage on the bottom of the engine. Also, hopefully, only minor damage to the head.

Wish you the best of luck, Bro!

 

[jonyyuma]

Hope you have a chance to buy a better replacement valve.. Sounds like they might be of soft metal.. you might invest in a whole set and be ahead of the game.

 

[Qapla]

Our Farmtrac was made in Korea but the engine is a Mitsubishi.

If your failure is confined to the engine, what engine is in yours?