Restoration Newbie.

glenseibert · Jul 17, 2017

Hello, All! Thanks for providing this wealth of experience.

I recently purchased an old Case 444 tractor which I can only infer is a 1969-1971 because its serial number, 9635208, is lower than the numbers given to specific dates from 1972 onward.

It came from the estate sale of a gentleman in Washington state who was a machinist and homesteader, so I assumed he took competent care of it.

The tractor has a 14hp Kohler321 AS breakerless engine, serial number E74228, specification number 6053B, a three-pin sleeve hitch and hydraulic PTO (but no flow control valve).

I've cleaned off several decades of grease, oil and dirt, greased the bearings, replaced the starter, solenoid, ignition switch, wiring and spark plug, hydraulic hoses, consumables like air and gas filters and fluids, and reupholstered the seat.

Included were an Ingersol HT-41 rototiller, F-46 rotary mower deck, 54" utility blade (I don't know if it's a J, K or L), spike harrow, mold board plow that has no coulter or vertical disc cutter (and no provision for attaching one), a homemade cultivator/rake and a beautifully machined and powerful homemade log splitter.

Most usefully, the original operator's instruction manuals for tractor, engine, mower and tiller were included, along with maintenance logs, receipts and the machinist's beautiful drawings and specifications for the log splitter (hand drawn with pencil and drafting tools, none of this CAD stuff...)

The belts are worn on the mower deck, the drive chain on the rototiller is broken and the sacrificial edge on the blade is rough, but otherwise the units are in good shape. My problem is getting the mower connected.

There is a structure attached to the underside of the chassis that interferes with the deck's lift rods and the idler assembly connecting to the lift frames and front bracket. Is this structure removable? Is it something that is used to connect the utility blade but has to be removed to use the mower?

Also, there are repeated admonitions to "make certain the 'down pressure' pin is in the outer (float) position." But nothing is clear about which setting is which, if the "pin" is the safety pin-like thingy or something that fits in the hydraulic lifter, very confusing.

Thanks in advance for your insights. Getting to know my new homestead helper is a lot more fun that I thought it would be!

mddorange · Jul 17, 2017

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Glen. We are glad that you joined.

That tractor sounds great for someone like you who likes to restore things. We would sure like to see pictures of all your equipment and as you progress along, please.

Wagtail · Jul 17, 2017

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

So it's a J.I. Case 444 : TractorData.com J.I. Case 444 tractor information

Enjoy the site.

Thomas · Jul 17, 2017

:welcome: to TBN...enjoy

kencunningham · Jul 17, 2017

Im not sure how much they have changed thru the years, but im pretty sure the front blade has to be removed. The mule drive should mount where the blade is attached to the frame now.

glenseibert · Jul 19, 2017

Thanks all for the welcome! I have a number of pictures of the 444 worth a thousand words but can't seem
to get the site to upload them. it just sits and spins for long minutes at a time.

Wagtail · Jul 19, 2017

Use the "Go Advanced" button... there are more options available in the toolbar. Especially for 'attachments' like photos.

glenseibert · Jul 21, 2017

Thanks for the tip. The pics uploaded fine.

Yes I have the hood, I just took the thing off so I could get to all the character building "challenges" that keep happening.

The good news is I've figured out the structure under the frame is indeed the utility blade attachment. The blade slid right on with a large pivot bar as a hinge held on with cotter pins.

The bad news is after a few strokes over some soil i needed to level i saw a large oil leak shooting all over my left shoe. Not a simple hose this time, I think I've blown the pump to the tune of $500.00,
which makes my new Case 444 a $3,000.00 paperweight. No way I can afford to replace the pump.

Oh I'll still take it off...maybe its just a gasket. But my "great deal" on all this neat stuff is becoming a land boat: a hole in the garden into which you dump money.

I think that **** "downward pressure pin" might be the culprit. The manual said you could damage the hydraulics by not having it in the "outer float" position. The 4th image shows how the thing is configured now.
Can anyone explain to me how I'm supposed to use this with different attachments?

Thanks again.