IH 444 hi/low problem

[paridgerunner]

I have an IH 444 w/2050 loader. Recently I've been using this tractor a fair amount for preparing a new lawn and backfilling around my house. I've never had much problem with this tractor, it's always had good power, has a front mounted pump for loader. I just changed oil, put new air filter and plugs in a few weeks ago in anticipation of good weather. The tractor does need new hy/tran oil, it's a little low and has some moisture in it. I'm having a lot of loss of power when operating in HI gear, the tractor wants to die whenever it's in hi, especially if it has any load on it at all. The tractor works fine in low gear, plenty of power, won't stall even with a heavy load...any ideas? I don't know a whole lot about tractors, kinda new to all this really. Could the fact of it having low/old hydraulic fliud cause it to not run well in hi gear or something else you guys can suggest I look at? Thanks in advance for any help...henning

 

[CNKS]

Does it run ok in high range with no load? High range is not supposed to pull much. Just added gears for light loads such as spraying or hay rakes, etc. I believe 1st high is only slightly slower than 4th low. 4th low and 1st high are the highest "tillage gears" that will handle much of a load. Trans fluid shouldn't have much to do with it, except the old stuff is going to result in exceess wear.

 

[paridgerunner]

No, it's not just under load, even with no load at all it seems to want to stall when I first let the clutch out, especially in reverse, but does it in all hi gears. I didn't figure the hydraulic fluid would make much of a difference with that, I'm going to change the hydraulic fluid this weekend anyway so I don't cause damage.

 

[IH2444]

I suspect tune up items. Points etc.

My 2444 with 2050 loader has been fairly rough on points.

 

[paridgerunner]

IH2444, what hy/tran do you use in your tractor? I was looking at some at TSC, didn't know if that was good enough, 17 gallons will be a nice chunk of change, do you use anything in particular, thanks, I think you've help me before with this tractor.

 

[IH2444]

I use the premuim UTF from TSC, seems to work well.

I had the same problem with water when I got mine, seems the previous owner did not believe in putting his tractor in a shed.

Took 2 changes to get it clean.

does yours have the little high pressure filter in front of the shifter ? it was an option. There is also a suction screen on for the engine mounted pump where the line comes out of the front right liftbox housing.

the front aux pump was much quieter after the changes though. And a bit stronger as well.

I need to get a new aux pump though, found a barnes that fits nicely for under $300, just have to adapt the wierd driveshaft for it.

Not even sure if lovejoy makes a coupler half for that thing, if not I will cut the existing shaft and weld it onto a keyed round end. then use a stock lovejoy coupler to hook to the pump.

 

[Owen Aaland]

A little curious, are you sure you have a 444 and not a 2444? From what I have been told when getting parts, the front crankshaft driven pump was only available for the industrial version.

 

[paridgerunner]

I've been asked that before, as far as I know it's just a 444. In my operators manual it gives options for a front mounted pump, gives specs, fluid amounts, ect. for the front mounted pump, so I guess it was that uncommon. I was told only the 2444 had that front pump. The serial number plate just says 444, it's red (which I know doesn't matter) and decals all say 444, don't know how to tell otherwise....any other differences you know of?

 

[paridgerunner]

Yeah, I have the filter in front of the shifter, fluid will get changed this weekend, yeah, this tractor was defintely outside before i got it, I've had it for about 2 years now, it's perfect for doing jobs around the property, the 2050 loader is a nice size for the jobs i do.

 

[IH2444]

My 2050 has a reinforced rock bucket on it. About too heavy for most things. I run a 3/4 ton 3 point counterweight on mine. And have loaded rears.
Need to make a lighter bucket for it.

I think you can get the little filter at Napa. Case-IH for sure.

And you have 3 drains in the bottom to the best of my memory. And one in the bottom rear of the lift box. Fill the lift box and then the tranny/rearend fill.
If yours is like mine the lift box will only fill up to a point and then has an overflow pipe into the rearend sump.

 

[IH2444]

2444 and 444 share the same SN range. A 2444 is just a 444 pulled off the 444 line and given the 2444 options. HD front axle, foot throttle, maybe reverser, front aux pump, etc.
If yours has been redone paintwise it will have a 444 sticker as no 2444 stickers are available.
My friend has one like that, was actually a 2444 lowboy, but was redone and now says 444 on the hood.

 

[IH2444]

anyway on the stalling issue. I think it is a tune up or governor response issue, mine was that way and I redid the points and cleaned the dist cap points and it got much better.