bowtiebutler956 166 #1 Posted February 10, 2014 Hello all. Just thought I'd post a few pics of my latest project. I picked up a 1974 Case 444 Garden Tractor. This is a large garden tractor. It has a hydraulic 3 point hitch, with a hydraulic PTO. I got it with a hydraulic tiller, snow/dirt blade, mower deck, and a very rusty Brinly plow. The starter generator isn't working, so I dropped it off at my local rebuild place to be fixed. The Kohler K321 will need rebuilding, as the previous owner said it smoked, and leaks alot. First, I'm going to get it running so I can check how everything works. I will replace those rotted rear hydraulic hoses before using the hydraulics! I've been wanting a GT with a full 3 point for awhile, so I'm really going to enjoy this project. Here are a few pics from the 9 hour drive yesterday, to pick it up. There is a couple pics of it next to my 222 as well. Matt 3 Ian, KATO and neil reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #2 Posted February 10, 2014 That's a great machine Matt, the size of the rear tires give it a GT-14 sort of feel I like the full hydraulics and 3 point. It has all you could need on a small tractor 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #3 Posted February 10, 2014 Looks like a great project and compliments your other Case, good find !! 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #4 Posted February 10, 2014 That's a great machine Matt, the size of the rear tires give it a GT-14 sort of feel I like the full hydraulics and 3 point. It has all you could need on a small tractor Thanks Ian, and yes it is like the GT-14, and even has the same K321 Kohler, although yours grew a couple extra ponies. There is just something that makes it feel more like a big tractor when you sit between the rear fenders, rather than above. Looks like a great project and compliments your other Case, good find !! Thanks you! I think the 222 likes having a bigger, older brother. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #5 Posted February 11, 2014 Loving your new addition to the family Matt , what are your plans for her? would look awesome with a nice set of Ags on the rear Well worth the 9 hour drive 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #6 Posted February 11, 2014 There is just something that makes it feel more like a big tractor when you sit between the rear fenders, rather than above. Yes.. That's it.. You hit the nail right on the head there Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hangman 25 #7 Posted February 11, 2014 what a fabulous tractor i shall and it to the wish list so thats d200, gt 14, holder, case 444 ....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #8 Posted February 11, 2014 Loving your new addition to the family Matt , what are your plans for her? would look awesome with a nice set of Ags on the rear Well worth the 9 hour drive I think for the time being, I'm going to rebuild the engine, and fix anything that needs fixing. Then see how it looks with a really good cleaning, and some touch up. You read my mind on the tires neil, as I'll be ordering some 9.5-16 AG tires for it today, which are bigger than the OE 8-16 tires. Will also be putting tri-ribs on the front. Thanks Yes.. That's it.. You hit the nail right on the head there Matt It just feels right, doesn't it. what a fabulous tractor i shall and it to the wish list so thats d200, gt 14, holder, case 444 ....... Thanks, and thats a mighty fine wish list you have there. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,875 #9 Posted February 11, 2014 that looks like a nice project there matt i have not seen one of them over here, it looks a very strong and well built machine i will look forward to see what you do with it over the next few months 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 215 #10 Posted February 11, 2014 Hi, That's a real nice GT, I'd love a tractor that size with 3 point linkage, it just looks great! The tall tires look amazing. Tom 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #11 Posted February 11, 2014 that looks like a nice project there matt i have not seen one of them over here, it looks a very strong and well built machine i will look forward to see what you do with it over the next few months Thank you Nigel, and I look forward to seeing how it turns out as well. I really look forward to putting this beast to work plowing, just to see how capable it is, and it will be nice to just hit the hydraulics, rather than manually lift the plow, tiller, etc.. Hi, That's a real nice GT, I'd love a tractor that size with 3 point linkage, it just looks great! The tall tires look amazing. Tom Thanks, I appreciate it. Actually, I just finished ordering a set of 9.5-16 AG tires, which are a couple inches taller than these. I haven't done much yet, as I took the starter/generator in to be rebuilt, and it was damaged bad internally, so they had to order some parts. They said it would probably be ready tomorrow. I did get a couple hydraulic hoses made to replace the rusted out ones, as I don't even want to try the hydraulics with those on there, so I got new ones made. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #12 Posted February 12, 2014 Ah, this is gonna be an awesome project to follow You guys in the USA have some wicked garden tractors 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hangman 25 #13 Posted February 12, 2014 they certainly do neil 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #14 Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks Neil, and hangman. I was thinking you guys have some awesome GT's in that part of the world. I really like some of the Gutbrod tractors! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 19 #15 Posted February 13, 2014 Late to the party here - sorry. Looks like that 'bad boy' is capable of some serious work Matt - love the hydraulics. Makes my D-200s look like toys - but I luv 'em to bits none the less. Great find, gonna be a great project. Andy 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #16 Posted February 13, 2014 Late to the party here - sorry. Looks like that 'bad boy' is capable of some serious work Matt - love the hydraulics. Makes my D-200s look like toys - but I luv 'em to bits none the less. Great find, gonna be a great project. Andy Your not late to this party Andy! This ones going to be an ongoing party, until its finished. Thanks for the kind words, and did you say D-200's, as in plural? You have more than one?! The D-200 is the biggest, baddest Wheel Horse ever made, or at least actually made by Wheel Horse, as the D250 was a Gutbrod. Very Nice!! I would love to see some pics. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #17 Posted February 13, 2014 I like it, well proportioned up yo the job engineering! Nice collection of attachments too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hangman 25 #18 Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) its the implements that make it. im sure we all would love a range of original spec implements to hang of our tractors Edited February 13, 2014 by hangman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #19 Posted February 14, 2014 Thank you guys for the very encouraging words. I got the starter back on the 444 today, and brought it to life. This thing smokes BAD! The previous owner told me it smoked, so I knew in advance. The hydraulics, and drive work perfectly, and I love the way this Beast looks with the blade, and tiller on it. After taking this video, I removed the cylinder head to find a badly blown head gasket, and the crown of the piston closest to the exhaust valve is burned away enough that I can see the top piston ring! No wonder it smoked so bad. However, I'm happy to report the piston is STD, and the cylinder doesn't have any noticeable wear ridge, although there are some light scratches. I might be able to get away with just a hone, and new piston, rings, etc.... I'll know more once I get it all disassembled. Thanks, and here is the video, and pics. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 1,016 #20 Posted February 14, 2014 Late on parade ...me ...Very nice acquisition and Project Matt. A well proportioned Machine and great attachments. That Piston/Bore condition is identical to the one I had to sort out (stalled piston caused by Carbon). You'll soon have sorted, with all 14 horses singing and pulling together !. Look forward to seeing your progress. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #21 Posted February 14, 2014 Late on parade ...me ...Very nice acquisition and Project Matt. A well proportioned Machine and great attachments. That Piston/Bore condition is identical to the one I had to sort out (stalled piston caused by Carbon). You'll soon have sorted, with all 14 horses singing and pulling together !. Look forward to seeing your progress. Your not late Richard, your right on time. I've decided, that if all possible, I'm going to try and leave the bore standard. With the engine not having a wear ridge, and only very mild scratches, it would be nice to leave the cylinder nice, and thick. It would also be nice to have a 40 rear old engine that runs great, and is still STD bore, STD crank. I don't have much of an update today, but I did have something show up in the mail. My new seat! I believe this is the same design use on the later Wheel Horses, and I really liked it. I'm not going to mount it yet, but I set it on top of the old seat for a reference. Thanks Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #22 Posted February 15, 2014 Matt. I think you Ole Buddy Gary is gonna be delighted that you have found his tractor a litlle friend . He would be sooo proud . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #23 Posted February 15, 2014 Gary would have loved this tractor Neil. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #24 Posted February 15, 2014 I watched your video this morning Matt, yes the engine does smoke a bit I edited your YouTube link and turned it into the embedded video 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #25 Posted February 15, 2014 I watched your video this morning Matt, yes the engine does smoke a bit I edited your YouTube link and turned it into the embedded video Thanks Ian. What do I have to do to make it like that myself. Its always much nicer when the video is up on the screen. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
