1175 or 1370?

[toolz]

Just sold my 1030, and am going to replace it with an 1175 or a 1370. Just a toy for me, doing some plowing in the fall. I'd rather go with the 1370 for the big power and looks, but I have a bit of power shift phobia. All
things equal, which would you rather own?

 

[casecollectorsc]

I have a 1970 1170. Turned to 150 hp. Great tractor and easy on fuel. It will pull 6-16s easy here...E SD. Put a new manifold and turbo a couple years ago...great tractor.

 

[Don Rudolph]

We farm with an 1175 as our main tractor. Absolutely love it. Straight 8 speed will last forever and still has 540 PTO. That being said, I've always wanted a 1370 for sheer, brute power. But why stop there, a 1570 would be even better. LOL Haven't been much help, have I? Don

 

[1370rod]

Funny how some ideas change over the years. Back in the early 80's the dealership I worked at could not give a 1170-5 away. Every one wanted tractors with regular axles for ease of adjustment and the PS. Now many years later we have realized the pure simple construction of those tractor had value because of reduced maintenance and troubles. 1370's could take huge bites out of your wallet if over loaded and worked to death. We know their power if abused could make short life of a powertrain, but the engines did not want to give up. Back to the original question, both would make a good tractor. But at 40+ years of age you could have a major issue with anything or you might get a great one. I hope you find a good one, Rod.

 

[crwilson]

I farmed 4000 acres in the Mississippi Delta back when these tractors first came out and we replaced all but one of our John Deere tractors with four Case 1570's and one 1370 and one 2470. We kept the one JD to remind us of how sorry the service was with JD. When the 70 series Case tractors came out the RPS bolts in the transmission were too small and had to be upgraded but other than that we had zero trouble out those tractors. The 1570 was the most under rated tractor of it's time. We had them pulling 230 horses and never had a problem with the engine or transmission after the RPS bolts were upgraded. We were pulling a 28' disc, a three shank parrabollic Boy Dog subsoiler, a pair of 10 yard Reynolds dirt pans and a 24' feild cultivator with them and they never knew they were there. The only negative is getting to the batteries. Great tractors!

 

[John Saeli]

Rod raises a great point about any tractor 40 years old. We've had an 1175 here for over 30 years, was the largest horse for a long while. To this day, and after 4 kids, I have still never had to adjust the clutch. Great ol'e horse. Even with no cab, the kids will fight, I mean draw blood, over who gets to run the 1175, even when they can climb into one of the larger, newer tractors with A/C & AM & FM. Two years ago I considered selling it but the kids had a fit.

 

[Brokengun]

I own a 1370 and love it but I also used an oil other than Hytran and got to spend a lot of money repairing my mistake.

personally I would have liked to had found a good 1175. I have heard very little negative about 1175's over the years.

Plus I have known guys with 1175's that were turned up to 140-150Hp and they did just fine

 

[big orange]

Never had a 70 series powershift, but had several 90 series, never had any problems. Had 2 1170's, one had 1270 injectors and 1270 pump specs, set at 185 hp and again no problems. Either the 1370 or 1175 would be a fine choice in my opinion.

 

[Straw Boss]

Rod, that's a beautiful picture you have there.
The 1370 was the first Case tractor we had with air conditioning and it was comfortable and clean and quiet.
The tractor cab was such a nice place to work that it allowed my Grandpa to continue to drive tractor into his mid-eighties even though he had lung problems and should have had hip replacement surgery years before. I think not being able to farm would have killed him sooner than any health issues so I've always been thankful he got to enjoy that 1370 before he passed on.

After running our 1030 with the dirty noise amplifying cab for so many years, that 1370 seemed like jumping ahead 20 years into the future and I'm just talking about the cab. Add more than half again the horsepower tied to a power shift tranny with big dualled up wheels and WOOOEEEE times were good! A day driving tractor was something to look forward to and enjoy instead of another chore to endure before the day was over.

Sorry to get off topic and I don't have any advice for the question of 1370 vs. 1175, but your picture just got me to thinking about our 1370 and the positive influence it had on our farm.

 

[elroysdad]

Don't know where you are located but I have a pretty nice 1370 for sale in western Iowa.

 

[toolz]

I'm close enough. Please give me a call at 217-418-7051

 

[toolz]

Great picture, Rod. Thanks for posting. I may have found the tractor today. I had planned on heading out in the morning to possibly buy one 200 miles away, but just on a hunch, went by a small dealer only 15 miles from my house, and there sat a 1370. Cleanest original paint tractor I've looked at, straight metal, decent interior, good seat, and showing 4100 hours (may not be accurate). Rear tires aren't great, but real happy with it otherwise. Figured it would be way out of my budget, but it was right on target. Heading there with the trailer in the morning, and if it runs and shifts like it should, I'll own it.

 

[Ron Sa]

If you jump from a 1030 to a 1370, you may notice how undersized your tillage tools are. I had a 730 and traded for a 930. Traded the 930 for an 1170. I got a 4-16 plow with the 730 and that was too big because I like to plow 8 to 10 deep everywhere. The 930 handled the plow better but plows got parked in favor of chisel plows so I got a 10 shank chisel plow.

The 930 could only "scratch" the ground with the chisel plow. The 1170 was an okay match for the 10 shank chisel---doing more than just a scratch job. Anyone familiar with chisel plows knows that tough spots pull much harder and going up hill pulls harder. I left the 1170's power set at rated (122hp) for a year or two and 4th gear could use all the 1170's traction when lugged 300 rpm but I hated to lug the engine and had no power shift to use.

I learned some "no lug" trick from my older brother. For your turbocharged 1170, he said use the "torque screw" for a power shift. In understandable language, that meant increase the hp and torque by turning in the power screw on the fuel injection pump. He told me to use my "engine sense" to know when rated power was being used and use the tractor most of the time at its rated power.

He said if I did not have enough "engine sense" to know when rated power was being used, or if I put hire hands on the tractor, to install a turbo boost pressure gage and make a note of the boost pressure at the rated hp set at the factory. He further said if you want more power ALL the time get a bigger tractor with an engine oil cooler, a tranny, final drive, and radiator designed for more power ALL the time.

So I dynoed and turned the 1170 up to 150hp. Using engine sense, I now do tillage at about 125 hp in 4th gear. In tough spots the rpm now only drops maybe 50 rpm. This help makes the 1170 a dream to do tillage with--never having to shift. I have tilled with my neighbors 2470 with PS. That PS shifts extremely rough.

After 40 years of use, the 1170 gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I walk past it in the barn or use it in the field. Its a keeper!!! No so with all the other tractors in my herd except my dad's old C Case. Had a 4010 for 15 years for lighter work and was happy to see it go.

The 1170 has a few negatives so I ask myself why is it my favorite work tractor? (The old C is retired) The reasons include--comfortable seat, quiet cab, engine runs smooth and idles quietly without the typical diesel clatter, using the extra hp only as needed insures no lug, tends to hum all day at near constant rpm, simple tranny and jerk-free and quiet, looks nice, and I tend to always think the acres are getting covered fast enough for my operation. The acres left often tend to be viewed as "more fun"--especially in the fall when the pressure to get done is not present.

 

[toolz]

Thanks a lot for all the replies, and special thanks to Jeremy McNary for explaining how to check out a power shift. I made my decision this morning, and brought home this 1370. It was just too nice to pass up. Very straight metal, all the panels fit like they should, 4100 hours on a working tach, runs great, shifts like it should. Rear tires not the best, but will be replaced with 20.8-38s as soon as I find a good set. By far the best tractor I looked at in my price range. Seller was asking $4900, ended up at $4400, and got a Case quick hitch thrown in. So far, couldn't be happier. I do need the hood panel that covers the air cleaner, if anyone has an extra for sale. Also, what is the best way to clean out the plastic fuel tank? There's a little "stuff" in the bottom from the tractor sitting for some time.

 

[Nedd]

Good choice should never have trouble finding parts

 

[1370pwr in ne]

Nice looking 1370 and the price is very,very reasonable.

 

[Don Rudolph]

Good for you! You got a great deal on that 1370. I hope you get many hours of enjoyment driving that beast. Don

 

[pete 23]

Your brother gave you some really good advice and it sounds like you have used his advice to your advantage. I have no problem turning up tractors for some, but other's I will just tell them it has too much already. Using the torque screw as a power shift, GREAT. I think I would go for the turbo pressure gauge though for that occasional time I get in a hurry or have another operator on there.