Case 445 Orchard Tractor

[Craig Bilodeau]

Hello Case Fans, I bought a Case 445 Orchard tractor. Its just like my 430 with a few minor differences. It even has 430 decals and they appear to be the original decals and paint. Very unusual tires on rear, low profile duallys, yep duallys. A golf course had the tractor and took pretty good care of it. I've only seen a picture of one other Case 445 and ws wondering how many they made.
 

[ind 38]

the 445 is very rare.they are called a low center gravity tractor and CASE called and decaled them as a 430 LCK . I HAVE A 1967 ONE. IT ORIGINALLY WAS AN INDUSTRIAL YELLOW COLOR AND SPENT ITS WHOLE LIFE AT A GOLF COURSE IN ARKANSAS BEFORE I GOT IT.I HAVE AN ORIGINAL ADVERTISEMENT AND IT LIST THEM THE LITTLE DUAL REAR WHEELS AS AN OPTION AND I HAVE SEEN 1 ALL ORIGINAL THAT WAY AND IT HAS DESERT SUNSET PAINT. ALSO THE 430 LCK DECALS ARE DIFFERENT IN COLOR THAN OTHER 430'S .YOU HAVE A GOOD FIND, AS I HAVE ONLY SEEN ABOUT 6 REAL ONES. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ABOUT 4 REPLICA ONES. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. JOHN
 

[Joe Young]

Craig

Congratulations on your new tractor. I have never seen a break down of the variants within each model. Case tracked the total number of 430s produced (19,211), but we don't have the total number of diesel vs spark ignition, or row crop vs utility vs LCK. It's certainly reasonable to believe there were fewer LCKs than row crop or utility models, but I wouldn't call them rare. I've seen a number of them in captivity in the past 6 months alone.

If it doesn't have "LCK" included next to "430" in the decal along both sides of the hood. It most likely has been repainted, and regular 430 decals used. Was your 445 acquired from a dealer in Northern Illinois? If so, it was repainted, but a very nice little tractor. The factory duals make it a bit more unique.

Enjoy your new machine. - Joe
 

[Craig Bilodeau]

Thanks for the info, my tractor is the industrial yellow and I can't find any evidence of a repaint exccept on the orange part. This tractor was also a golf course tractor. Were the tires solid rubber as there is no valve stems. I did buy the tractor from the dealer in northern ILL.
 

[Craig Bilodeau]

P.S. I sure would like to see the original advertisement, I thought the tractor might be somewhat rare, but most of all it seemed to be in excellent condition. I have the tractor partly taken apart for minor repairs but will have it back together again soon and will post some photos. I'd be happy to pay for a nice copy of your original ad if you would be willing to sell me one. These old tractors remind me of a time when America was still America and not what she has become. Don't get me wrong I still love my country but.....
 

[ind 38]

craig; i read sometime back that they made about 150 430 lck gas models. i do have 2 different pieces of litterature on them and could have my wife make copys of both of them for you.309-635-1587
 

[theljam]

To answer your production number question, Case made 50 445 LCG's in 1965, 75 in 1966 and 100 in 1967. In 1966 Case also made 25 435 LCG's.
 

[ADB60]

We also have a Case 445 and would be interested in the literature.
 

[Craig Bilodeau]

Thanks for the production numbers, no wonder I was having trouble finding photos of 445's. I'll try and get mine registered and post some photos. Joe Young posted some photos of my tractor before I purchased it while it was still at the dealer. They are on one of his replies. Think I'll buy a set of larger tires and wheels for doing some work but keep the little duallys just for their novelty.