LA Case

[Mike Stockwell]

I have 2 La"s that i am thinking about making one out of if it is feasible. One is a fuel tractor,ser # LA 4408383 which i think is a '40 model and one ser # 5331767 which i think is a '49 model butane conversion. Pretty much all major parts are there between the two of them. Never messed much with this series of case and wondering if it is even worth trying to get one going? Really just want opinions pro's and cons, and not all the smart ^$$ comments that usually come with answers. Thanks.

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

"L/LA" tractors are great ole units and I think enjoyable to run, they are very thirsty if you plan on useing them, I have several of them and from a collectors point I really like them I would vote to go for it cnt

 

[Richard G.]

I used a 49 LA propane that I converted to gasoline to enlarge a fish pond with a pull behind dirt pan on two wheels. It loaded great and pulled great. Only problem was getting it stuck in wet spots and having to unhitch the pan to pull it out. Then chain to the pan to pull it out and rehitch.
I would use about 30 gallons of gas a day in an 8 hour day, but 3/4 of the time was just rolling along loaded, unloading and going back empty. It did a great job.
Hitched it to a large offset harrow and it kept my son busy hauling gas in cans to the field.
Pulling that disk in the dark with a straight pipe exhaust, you did not need headlights with the fire coming out the exhaust.
Richard in NW SC

 

[D G Wells]

Mike, The value is in your personal vision of what you are looking for. Take for instance these Case LAs that were in the salvage yard setting in the dirt and weeds with no rims or tires with parts missing, looking like scrap iron to most people and headed to China. Now, do you think they were worth restoring? To find out more look up in this forum (Derrol in Texas). I have made several entries in the Case forum with several photos concerning the Case LAs. Will be glad to answer any questions. ---Derrol in Texas---

 

[John Saeli]

How much is missing? Any reason not to restore both as D.G. did with his?

 

[Bill talbert]

I say fix them up!!!! Were have several la's and they are brutes!!! But a fun tractor!!!!! Bill !!!

 

[Brian in Ohio]

Fix them both!

 

[Adirondack case guy]

Mike,
I don't think you will get any smart arzed coments from us Case guys. You will however get great info.from die hard Case men and former dealers, like me. There is a vast wealth if wisdome here , plus several Case venders that can hook you up with the correct parts for your La. Like others have posted, "Go for it"
As a kid I spent mannnnnny hrs.behind that big steering wheel on a gas LA, and the orange glow of the muffler and exaust manifold while discing or dragging after dark in the spring is still imbedded in my aging mind.
Once you become a regular here we may start busting on you though, so be prepared. LOL
Loren

 

[Mike Stockwell]

the 40 model is on steel and the rears are bad. the 49 is on rubber and needs tires, which i have spares for. they would be for show only and maybe minor work occasionally on my 40 acres. I have spent many an hour on one on butane discing that had to be fueled up in the morning, noon and again about 4 doing a days work... thanks guys, seems a much better group of guys here than the other color boards... which i have been on too as i have some of the other color also. here is a pic of the 40 model the other looks like Don's.

 

[1031D]

Fix em both! I have a 1944 LA that I also saved from the scrapper, and while not restored at it's a working tractor on my farm. Steel wheels on a LA are getting harder to find!

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

"LA's" on steel are more reare than rubber any more so to me if you can only save one that is the one I would go for, but if both are done what a great pair they would make at a show cnt

 

[oleclint]

If it was me, I would try very hard to restore the one on steel. They are getting to be a 'rare ' rig. The one on rubber can wait! Tires will always be around , but not those steel wheels. clint

 

[Jimmie D. Phelps]

Both pictures are of the same tractor, gas in 1955 and propane in 1966. I put it on propane in 1957. I never found either way to be a big gas hogs. 4 gal per hr on gas and 5 on propane. Of course back than gas was 25 to 28 cents a gal and propane 10 to 12 cents. I liked the way I painted it two tone, all case paint. When I put it on propane in 1957 I paid a total of $404.00 It included. new propane head , reg and carb and tank. new sleeves pistons and rings and paint job with decals. Above this cost I aadded three in.'s in the rims and put on new 15w-30 tires.

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

have to agree with you Jimmy the work a "LA" would do on the fuel they burned made them shine in their day,,,, but I would hate to run 2 tanks of fuel a day thru them today at these crazy fuel costs LOL great pics

cnt

 

[Jimmie D. Phelps]

I agree. I put the LA on propane because of the price of gas. I bought my 1966 930 in 1970 because propane was getting to high and Diesel was 15 cents. Now it doesn't matter its all to high. What you try to do is get enough power to cover more ground on a gal of fuel. My 1470 was the most economical tractor I ever owned.

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

thats why my two 1470's will be here until I am gone, they really make a differance in the fuel cost's cnt

 

[redgems]

So happy to see posts devoted to LA Case!
My L.A. was my F.I.L's work horse He did all his heavy tillage with it.In 1945 He purchased three l.a.'s on gas in early 50's had Case dealer convert them all to butane.
He ran this L.A. into early 80's .Then it sat with spun bearings until 2006 when my M.I.L. gave it to me. I finished restoration in 2008 but keep updating as needed.
It draws lot of attention at shows and it even was well recieved at a car show last fall.
Tony

 

[redgems]

My M.I.L. and I in 2008.
First she saw it after restoration.
Debuted at Calif. Antique Farm Eq show,Tuare ,Calif.
Restored in memory of my Father-In-Law.
Tony