445D Loader Tractor Good & Bad?

[Keith Williams]

All,
I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and saw something I know little about.
It's a 445D Industrial Tractor with a front loader with flip over forks.
Diesel, 4 poster, 4WD, 3PH, 540 PTO, Joystick, loaded tires w/ rear weights. No rear hydraulic remotes.
Only has 378 hours on it and it looks like it just came off the truck from the factory.
Guy who owned it, used it to load paint totes for his painting business.
What is that thing worth?
Any problems with that generation of tractors? Headland pistons?
I don't have a loader on anything I own right now. (1964 4000 Gas, 1974 2000 Gas, 1978 4600 Diesel)
Not sure I need it, but it sure looks like it would do a lot of work!
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thank You!
Keith Williams

 

[Sean in PA]

It's basically a 4xxx series tractor with a downsized 183 ci (4.2" bore x 4.4" stroke) engine. The same engine that was used in the 4100. It should sip fuel compared to the 201 ci engine that the rest of the 4xxx series had. It most likely has the 6x4 manual reversing trans or the 4x4 torque convertor auto reversing trans, but it might have a regular 8 speed. It should be a good strong machine able to do lots of work if it has been properly maintained. I'm not sure about the good or bad traits of that generation of tractor, but it was made at the same time as the xx30 series tractors, so it would share any good or bad traits as the rest of the models in those series.

 

[UPFord]

That's an excellent tractor. If the low hours are verified, pounce on it. I've had a two wheel drive 445C for 11 years and love it. Strong 4000 pound capacity loader, well balanced, my fuel useage is a little over one gallon per hour when doing part throttle loader or scraper work. It has a separate 28 gpm hydraulic system for the loader, and an approximately 6 gpm system for the three point hitch.

There is another transmission option, an 8 speed with finger tip controlled, hydraulic powered, FNR power shift with a torque converter for heavy work, and a converter lock up for continuous work. Also independent PTO.

The normal factory configuration would have four 300 pound iron doughnut weights on the rear axle. With about 600 pounds of fluid in each rear tire, that 445D will weigh about 9900 pounds.

No flaws in these tractors that I am aware of. The 4x4 front axle is strong, rated at 13,000 pounds, parts are available but expensive. I would ask the dealer to open the fill plugs on the center differential and planetary cases to check that the oil level is correct, not water contaminated, no metal flakes, and no burnt smell. The 445D was built from the early 1990s to about 2001. Early models will be naturally aspirated, late emissions models have a turbo, with an external hydraulic oil tank for the loader visible on the right side of the loader frame.

This tractor will do a lot more serious loader work than a farm tractor with an add on loader.

Pricing in Northern Wisconsin/Upper Michigan is about $13,000 to $15,000 for a 4x4 unit in good condition with 3000 to 5000 hours. One like you describe would be more. A similar tractor with 2WD would go for $8000 to $10,000.

 

[Ultradog MN]

All,
I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and saw something I know little about.
It's a 445D Industrial Tractor with a front loader with flip over forks.
Diesel, 4 poster, 4WD, 3PH, 540 PTO, Joystick, loaded tires w/ rear weights. No rear hydraulic remotes.
Only has 378 hours on it and it looks like it just came off the truck from the factory.
Guy who owned it, used it to load paint totes for his painting business.
What is that thing worth?
Any problems with that generation of tractors? Headland pistons?
I don't have a loader on anything I own right now. (1964 4000 Gas, 1974 2000 Gas, 1978 4600 Diesel)
Not sure I need it, but it sure looks like it would do a lot of work!
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thank You!
Keith Williams

With the FWA that would be a dream tractor.
I have a 545 - older than yours and only 2WD but similar. A bit heavier loader than the 445.
Has 3 point, 6x4 manual trans and IPTO. Basically a 4600 with hard nose and extra heavy front axle.
The loaders are great and built so you can actually get at the engine without having to learn Braille. Wish mine was 4WD but I have seen several that the front drive parts are kaput and parts NLA or prohibitively expensive. But with low hours on that one it shouldn't be an issue. Check though!
If that one is as pristine as you say I think $16- 20K would not be out of line.
Mine came with all new tires, new hyd hoses, new engine, inj pump clutch, 2100 lbs of wheel weights hanging on the 3 point, both the bucket and forks and new paint. I paid my best pal Kenny $12K for it a little over a year ago.

 

[TractorTech]

As said, great tractor! Downside, is that the C/D series transmission parts are becoming obsolete, but it is durable. Front axle is the same on C/D series as the A series. Parts forvthe reversing box on the back of the front axle are expensive and pretty much obsolete. Front axle Achilles heal is the pivot of the reversing box to axle has a very thin oring that seals the oil in. If it ever starts to leak, don't ignore and make sure oil level in the axle is up to level or you will lose the reversing box gears. Front axle besides the reversing box is very common to many Ford and other brand tractors.

It has either the 8x8 power shuttle, indicated by F/R lever on the column or the 6x4 with a clutch.

 

[Keith Williams]

All,
I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and saw something I know little about.
It's a 445D Industrial Tractor with a front loader with flip over forks.
Diesel, 4 poster, 4WD, 3PH, 540 PTO, Joystick, loaded tires w/ rear weights. No rear hydraulic remotes.
Only has 378 hours on it and it looks like it just came off the truck from the factory.
Guy who owned it, used it to load paint totes for his painting business.
What is that thing worth?
Any problems with that generation of tractors? Headland pistons?
I don't have a loader on anything I own right now. (1964 4000 Gas, 1974 2000 Gas, 1978 4600 Diesel)
Not sure I need it, but it sure looks like it would do a lot of work!
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thank You!
Keith Williams

I have decided against this purchase.
My money will be better spent on a Mini Excavator.
Dealer is in Calcutta Ohio if anyone is interested.
Thanks for all the info, it made me think hard about it. An informed decision is best!
Keith