John Deere 105 corn special

[NEMOfarmkid]

Fella in my area of operation has a 1969 John Deere 105 corn special for sale. I don?t know how many hours it has but I do know it?s kept in a shed and runs perfectly. Downside is it has a gas engine. It comes with a 643 corn head that?s probably half worn out. He wants 1750 for it. Is this a decent deal?

I know the gas engine isn?t good for fuel economy but I?ll be using this machine very little. If I get it bought I?ll probably sell the 643 and run a 443 so I can go faster. I can grow 200 bushel corn and I?m told a 105 can only go 3mph in that kind of corn. What?s everyone?s experience with a machine like this?

 

[GreenEnvy]

The gas engine is a bummer. Price might be high but corn specials were only made for two years. If it?s in nice shape I?d probably go for it.

 

[spacechem]

Diesel engines were kinda rare in that era, so I wouldn't be too bothered by it. Hydraulic drive would make it even more desirable. If it needs tires, you could double your investment pretty quick. You'll probably have some challenges keeping it running on today's gas, but I think that will be the least of your difficulties. Hard part will be finding parts. Not impossible, but difficult. Better if you're able to fabricate things yourself.

As to value, you'll probably get most of your money back when you sell the 643, but you may also find the 443 hard to find and maybe more $$ than the 643. You didn't mention a cutting platform. Is one offered with the combine? Would be either a Quick-tach (pitman drives the sickle) or 200 series (enclosed wobble drive). Either way, that would increase the value of the total package.

If I were you, I'd find the 443 BEFORE I sold the 643. 'Push comes to shove' you don't necessarily have to always take 6 rows every time through the field.

 

[GreenEnvy]

I?d say half of the 105s around here had diesel engines. There are two coming up for sale near me couple weeks from now. Hydros are the ones that are hard to find.

 

[NEMOfarmkid]

There is no grain table with the machine, but there are several 218 flex heads in my area that could be bought on the cheap. As I understand it could run up to a 20 foot platform.

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

My 105 was a gas and we put a diesel engine out of a very early 7700 in it. It is the correct engine and was a fairly easy change over. It will really like it's gas but that might not be to bad on a small acreage.We also have a 95 diesel and had a 55. If it is a good shedded machine you will not need many parts. We replaced most of the belts and a few drive chains and rarely have any problems with either machine. A 443 head is a little hard to find but there are plenty of 444's and the row units can be slide and the auger and frame cut making them 30 inch rows. The amish cut lots of 244 heads down to 30 inch rows for the 300 corn pickers. 643 heads do not sell as high as they did a few years ago but you will get a decent amount for it that should leave you with a reasonable priced 105.A 105 will go through 200 bu corn well with a 4 row head. Look it over good to make sure the bottom is not rusted out of it and the grain tank is not rusted out. There are still a few junkyards that have some for parts but they are getting less. If you change it to a diesel you can sell the gas carb. if it is a zenith. Good luck. Tom