IT Manuals

[RBnSC]

I bought a bunch of manuals from a Guy that needed the money, all IT Ford and JD. I offered to sell one to a forum member and it was posted that they were not good and without value. That only Ford publications had any value. Is that true? What is your opinion?
Ron

 

[Ed Hotaling]

If you have priced any of these books new, you will find that someone thinks they are of value. Everyone is entitled to his opinion on such things. IT books are written for experienced mechanics who are not familiar with a specific machine and therefore don't always have step-by-step instructions.
Deere is very proud of its manuals and charges plenty for them. If they are in usable condition, they should be of some value to owners of the models they apply to.
It's all a matter of who you're selling to.

 

[Welding man]

I have over 200 IT Manuals. I use them every day. If you are a true mechanic and know the proper use of tools you don't need much more than the torque specs and the proper clearences,etc. The only time I pay the big price for a factory manual is when I can't get an IT. They have worked for me for over 30 years.I have rebuilt dozens and dozens of engines,transmissions,etc. using IT manuals and have never had a comeback due to info in the manual.

 

[Sean in PA]

I only have the I&T FO-31 manual for my 3 cylinder 4000, and it has had all of the information that I have needed to do the work that I have needed to do on it. I have not had to do an engine or transmission rebuild, and those are the areas that I have heard are lacking in the I&T manuals in general.

But then, in other areas, like aligning the control linkage in the 3 point system, I have heard that the Ford manuals only tell you how to do it with the special Nuday alignment tools that are no longer available, but the I&T manual gives you an "alternative' method that might not be perfect, but gives you a way of getting things working that does not require a tool that you can no longer get.

So it really depends on who is looking to buy a manual, and what they need it for as to how much it would be worth to them.

You can buy new I&T manuals new for around $30.00 to $34.00 a piece, and used for around $15.00 to $25.00 a piece on ebay, depending on the exact model and the condition of the manual, so if you paid much more than $12.00 a piece on the ones you bought, then you might have trouble getting your money back.

Ford manuals, on the other hand, sell for $100.00 to $1000.00, or even more, depending on the tractor models and materials covered.

To get the best possible return, you should try to sell them individually on ebay or craigslist, not on a tractor forum.

 

[Bern]

As already stated, it depends on what info you are looking for. If all you need are bolt torques and valve clearance specs, an IT is good enough. If, on the other hand, you need to troubleshoot an electronic instrument cluster on a TW, and you don't want to simply throw parts and hundreds of dollars at the problem until you find it, then an IT manual is nearly totally worthless.

 

[old]

I collect manuals be they what ever. I have yet to find any one manual that covers it all and they all seem the leave out info not matter where they come from. So who ever says they are no good does not know what they are talking about and any manual sure is a heck of a lot better then NO manual

 

[Kirk Grau]

They are not worthless, but just kind of meant for different audiences. I have both the IT and Ford Service manuals for my 3600. IT manual is ~3/8" thick while the Ford version is ~3". Ford version covers more and more detailed, but the IT version would probably get most people by for standard repairs.

Kirk

 

[flyingace]

I have an IT and a downloaded shop manual. The IT manual stays in the shop and gets me by 90% of the time. If I need backup, I go to the computer and print the additional info from the shop manual.

Downloaded shop manuals can be had for $15, and they are searchable. I find this combination works pretty well.

 

[souNdguy]

so far I&T manuals have gotten me thru 99.9% of the reapirs I've done. that and the usualy tech support here ont he forums.

true.. there are some things that the big ford manual would cover better .. or cover where the I&T doesn't.

if you are trying to sell them.. I bet you have no problems doing so.

i know many of us would buy them depending upon what manual # they are and if we have them or not.

like old, I tend to pickup manuals for machines i do not own (yet). make sit helpfull to help someone else.. or if I ever get that model.. I'm ready..

 

[Grandpots]

I have collected all types of manuals throughout the years and have a fairly large collection of both tractor and autos. I went to a ford dealer auction (going out of business) and cleaned house at a real bargain! I got a mixture of all sorts mostly tractors and implements. Also have many manuals (Haynes etc.) I know I will never use most of them but for the price of $2-4 each I can't resist. Garage sales, goodwill and Salvation Army and auctions have been a good source for me.

 

[36 Coupe]

No such as thing as the best the best book.Titewads think they can buy one book for 3 bucks and know everything,wont work.ITT manuals cost 30 bucks each now.Keep that in mind when moochers try to get them for free.