Looking for opinions on CaseIH 395 4wd

[adavis007]

Hello, I'm a brand new member that joined to find information on small tractors. I recently purchased 20 acres and have been looking for a 4wd diesel tractor with loader. After spending hours researching I've finally found one that SEEMS to be a good deal but I haven't been able to find much information on the model of tractor. The machine I'm looking at is an early-mid 90's CaseIH 395 4wd with a 2250 loader and 5' brush mower for $11000. The tractor is in excellent shape with 1056 hours. It is 7.5 hours away from me so I haven't had the luxury of touching it, but the seller has sent me numerous pictures and even a walk-around video. It starts up immediately, doesn't leak, no damage, and everything works as it should. He even replaced the seat with a factory IH model and it has a spare set of front wheels and tires.
The reason I'm posting this thread is because I can't really find much of anything regarding the 4wd model 395 and I'd like to know if it is a model I should steer clear of? My local IH salesman tells me that it is underpowered and then tries to sell me a brand new Mahindra for 3x as much $. The local JD salesman tells me he's heard that model has transmission and fuel issues and then tries to sell me a new JD for almost 4x as much $.
I don't need a new tractor and honestly can't justify the cost of one for the amount of work I'll do. I have always been told to buy a little bigger tractor than I'll think I need because I'll regret it if I don't. I originally was looking for a 30-35 hp machine and then bumped up to a 40hp. I'm hoping someone here can give me the straight answer on the 395 4wd model. I understand its 25+ years old and I'm completely able to do maintenance and even repairs, but I don't want to buy a lemon and spend all my time trying to polish a turd.
Thanks in advance for any info and for having such a great forum

 

[Roadworthy]

The package doesn't sound like a bad deal. The tractor may be overkill for your property but I don't think you can go too big - better too much than too little. A new tractor half that size would cost almost twice the price. A little info on the tractor: TractorData.com CaseIH 395 tractor information

 

[adavis007]

Thanks for the info Roadworthy. I agree that its probably bigger than I really need, but I think you're right about too much is better than too little. Hopefully someone with a 395 4wd will chime in and tell me they're great tractors so I'll feel better about making the 15 hour trip to get it. I really does look almost like a new tractor, but if its a bad model/year I don't want to waste the money.....

 

[Birdhunter1]

I haven't been around that tractor but it does have a Case IH engine which isn't a bad thing. The transmission is pretty basic, at worst the clutch may have issues but at 1000 hours it probably doesn't. It doesn't look like it has been repainted so to me it looks as if it is well kept and maintained. Tires look good, the exhaust has been in contact with a tree limb it looks like, probably not a hard fix. The 5' bushhog doesn't sound to me like a big deal maker, I doubt 5' would cover the wheel tracks, a 6' would be a better match or even an 8' twin spindle towed or 3 pt mount (I don't like 7' bushhogs). At 46 horsepower it isn't over powered for its weight but isn't under powered ether. It will be a heavy enough machine to put its power to the ground well, the loader should lift and be able to transport anything in the 2000-2500 lbs range, maybe more, which will be nice for moving logs and whatever else.

Do you have your own means to transport it? At minimum I would want a trailer rated for 10,000 lbs with working electric brake and a half ton truck with a bigger engine and a working brake controller.

If you go look at it and it starts and shifts well I don't think it would be a bad purchase. I would do alot of forward and reverse and make sure it shifts smooth between forward/reverse after its all warm. It looks to me like its done a little bit of loader work and more mowing work.

 

[Farmer495]

Late response so don't know what you ended up doing...but in a nutshell....the 395 solid bullet proof tractor built far better than anything new that size.....but it is underpowered with fwa and the heavy 2250 loader.

I wouldn't worry so much on power to weight ratio if you are going to use it as a yard tractor and not a road haulage or field tractor.

I'd buy it if it's in good shape and you only need 35 PTO HP.

EDIT: the 2250 loader comes off in a minute so drop it for mowing and any non loader work. Be a totally different tractor minus the loader.