Ford 3930 shuttle trans

[geneP]

I'm thinking about a '93 model 3930, but it is 4 hours from me. It has the 8x8 trans and am wondering if the forward/reverse shift is synchronized. Is the 8x8 relatively trouble-free?

I see that there is an optional high flow hydraulic system. Can that be verified externally?

Looking on line, I see both ford and New Holland 3930s. I'm looking at TractorData.com and they don't list a New Holland 3930. Is there a discrepancy?

Any cautions about the 3930?

thanks for any advice.

Gene

 

[RickB]

The 8x8 has a synchronized F/R shift. But like all F/R synchronizers, if abused it will have a short life. The 8x8 transmission was designed and supplied by Kubota. What you describe as "high flow" can be verified by the presence of a camshaft driven hydraulic pump at the left rear corner of the engine block.

 

[geneP]

Thanks, Rick, for the information. When the f/R begins to fail, are the symptoms like a car/truck manual trans and grind into gears? Does it progress into jumping out/not staying in gear?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Gene

 

[RickB]

Thanks, Rick, for the information. When the f/R begins to fail, are the symptoms like a car/truck manual trans and grind into gears? Does it progress into jumping out/not staying in gear?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Gene

Yes and yes. You are welcome.

 

[geneP]

Can you tell if this tractor has the optional pump? I see hard lines running from the top rear of the left side of engine

 

[RickB]

Can you tell if this tractor has the optional pump? I see hard lines running from the top rear of the left side of engine

It does not. The second pump would mount in place of the steel plate visible to the rear of the engine oil filter.

 

[geneP]

Thanks so much

Gene

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Our 3930 MFWD has the shuttle up to the left of the steering wheel, the linkage can be a little finicky at times. A friend of mine has the shuttle as pictured on his 4630, he likes it much better. It's more direct.

We also have a 2wd 3930 with 8x2 tranny, it's a great little tractor.

They're both Ford/NH

What does it have for hours?

 

[geneP]

He said he bought it new. The tach stopped working a while ago at 2900 hrs. He had already bought new tractors, but he said he has used it "some" since the meter broke. He's firm at $6500.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

That's actually a pretty good deal, it's looks to be in good shape for the year. If that's the ball park for hours, it should have a lot of life left in it. I'd say it's worth a look if that tractor would fit the bill for what you want to do with it. What are you going to use it for?

Tires are going to need replacing in the foreseeable future, but that depends on what your using it for too.

 

[geneP]

I thought it is reasonable, too. I have a list of questions to ask him. He seems honest about the tractor when I talked to him the first time. He brought up the need for tires. I priced all four locally for a little under $1000, less than I thought.

I'll use it for general property maintenance on 21 acres: brush hogging grass fields and cleaning up cut-over land, box blading dirt and pushing brush, bringing firewood up, etc.

I have a Case-IH 385 now that does 90% of what I want but at 35 PTO hp I have to gear down cutting thick bahia grass in the fields. According to TractorData, the Ford should be 300-400# heavier and 10 more PTO hp. The synchronized F/R is a plus on this tractor, and parts should be more available should I need them. I did read one comment that the Ford engine is noisy.

I average about 50 hrs a year on my tractor. If the tractor is in good shape now It will last until i get the bug to change again.

 

[fishheadbob]

I've had one just like this for 15 years. Love it. As previously said yours doesn't have an optional hydraulic pump, but it doesn't have a loader so no big deal. The 8x8 shuttle is synchronized and has been trouble free for the 15 years I've owned and abused it. Only things put into this tractor were 2 front tires, a battery, a key switch (mice), and a muffler but it is still on the loud side. $1000 for 4 tires is a very good deal .

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Engine isn't all that noisy, sound good. How'd you make out Gene?

 

[geneP]

Just so happens that i was within about 60 miles of the 3930 today, so I called the owner to ask for a look. He pretty well described it, the tires look worse than the pictures show, but he warned me about that. I did immediately notice a whine in the transmission, pretty loud. Doesn't do it in neutral, but does in all forward/reverse gears. The tone seems the same no matter what the gear. It shifts fine, f/r works smooth with no noises. He said his Dad bought the tractor in '96 and it was making the noise then and hasn't changed. Doesn't seem normal to me, what do you all with experience with the shuttle think? This is the shuttle with the stick mounted directly to the top left of the transmission.


Even if the noise is harmless it would probably make the tractor hard to sell should I want to. It might be why he hasn't been able to unload it.

 

[dntfxr]

Sounds like a nice tractor. Mine has the shuttle on the dash. But it has a gear whine to it, and I'd read that is normal. Not sure if yours is excessive or not, sorry?

 

[dntfxr]

Sounds like a nice tractor. Mine has the shuttle on the dash. But it has a gear whine to it, and I'd read that is normal. Not sure if yours is excessive or not, sorry?

Here is a thread that describes it.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-owning-operating/217462-ford-3930-whining-noise.html

 

[geneP]

dntfxr, thanks for sharing your experience and the link to the other thread. Your tractor and two more seem to have it, so I'll assume it is normal.

Any more comments on the tractor or the whine would be appreciated. He wants 6500 and I'll have to drag a trailer 275 miles and back to get it. It will need tires sooner than later. The tractor has been for sale for a couple of months, he has moved it from the street and changed all the fluids and filters planning on keeping and using it.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I'd say it's worth the trip if you can use it.

 

[RickB]

That tractor would sell within a week at that price up here.

 

[geneP]

I'll have close to 8 grand in it by the time I haul it home and put tires on it. Still a good deal?

Oh yea, the tach is broken. Don't know how much it runs. It is in with the rest of the instrument cluster, does the whole dash cluster get replaced?

EDIT: I found the instrument cluster on Yesterdays tractors for $201 and change.