Tractor

[Blobber]

2000 hrs!

Does the tacho still work...?

2233 hours to be precise
If you see it in the flesh ignore the loader the rest is really nice, even the wheels look mint! only plodded about on a horsey yard moving bales and topping the grass so never been up to its axles in muck and mire

 

[Turbo]

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous. Always liked them and having always had DB's on the farm the Case is the closest thing to them.
Some of the case tractors shared parts from DB, not sure about the 885XL.
We now have a MF 690, a powerful tractor but I hate driving it and using it. The cab was designed by a monkey with little thought to ergonomics, especially the handbrake.
The cabs were built from 1980's Italian steel and rust for fun. I had to remove the doors from ours as they are rotted through around the hinges.
They are also nose heavy, a common MF trait. If you are using it in soft ground for trailed work with no weight transfer on the rear wheels the front end will often get stuck. And being 2wd it there's no front axle grip to get you out of trouble.
Now Dad is retired the tractor gets little use but if I ever needed one regularly the MF would get traded up

 

[Blobber]

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous. Always liked them and having always had DB's on the farm the Case is the closest thing to them.
Some of the case tractors shared parts from DB, not sure about the 885XL.
We now have a MF 690, a powerful tractor but I hate driving it and using it. The cab was designed by a monkey with little thought to ergonomics, especially the handbrake.
The cabs were built from 1980's Italian steel and rust for fun. I had to remove the doors from ours as they are rotted through around the hinges.
They are also nose heavy, a common MF trait. If you are using it in soft ground for trailed work with no weight transfer on the rear wheels the front end will often get stuck. And being 2wd it there's no front axle grip to get you out of trouble.
Now Dad is retired the tractor gets little use but if I ever needed one regularly the MF would get traded up

I did look at a few MFs but like you say anything in my price range was hanging
Spares availability for the Case seems ok which is always a good thing and I think with ergonomics not having driven/used anything apart from the little Leyland I will soon get the hang of it!

Another thing it has is 2 pto output shafts, whats that about?

 

[Bravheart]

Looks a good buy there, that tractor should be big enough for the hedger. Was a bit worried about the weight of a hedger on the little Ford but that one should be ok(ish). You might want to put the wheels out a bit though for stability.
Does it have the half gear TA? That's about the most problematic bit on Case tractors.
Assuming they're not hydraulic yet keep the clutch adjusted especially on a loader and you should be ok, enjoy.

 

[Bravheart]

One will be the normal 540 rpm 6 spline shaft the other a 21 spline 1000 rpm shaft both switched on with the one handle. More modern tractors have a gear selector in cab and just the one interchangable shaft at the back.
Wouldn't worry about it you'll probably never need the 1000 speed unless your on an economy drive and have a low powered piece of equipment on the back. Then you can run the tractor at around 1200 revs which will give 540 rpm from the 21 spline shaft. You will of course need an adaptor or different pto shaft. Hardly worth it on 12 acres.

 

[Blobber]

Looks a good buy there, that tractor should be big enough for the hedger. Was a bit worried about the weight of a hedger on the little Ford but that one should be ok(ish). You might want to put the wheels out a bit though for stability.
Does it have the half gear TA? That's about the most problematic bit on Case tractors.
Assuming they're not hydraulic yet keep the clutch adjusted especially on a loader and you should be ok, enjoy.

whats half gear TA??

 

[Bravheart]

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous. Always liked them and having always had DB's on the farm the Case is the closest thing to them.
Some of the case tractors shared parts from DB, not sure about the 885XL.
We now have a MF 690, a powerful tractor but I hate driving it and using it. The cab was designed by a monkey with little thought to ergonomics, especially the handbrake.

This post reminds me you must be careful with the handbrake! Never drive away with it on you will soon get filings gumming up the back end.

 

[Gareth J]

2233 hours to be precise
If you see it in the flesh ignore the loader the rest is really nice, even the wheels look mint! only plodded about on a horsey yard moving bales and topping the grass so never been up to its axles in muck and mire

If it's been pootled all it's life, it could be all bore glazed and soggy. But otherwise, what a find!

 

[Bravheart]

whats half gear TA??

The handle up by the steering wheel that's not the hand throttle. Can be shifted back or forward to give you a half gear without clutching. Was an extra option on a case for a long time but not the greatest design. Your better off with the basic 8 speed.
Edit. Ford had dual power and MF multi power. All doing much the same, Ford fine, Case ok, MF dangerous!

 

[Blobber]

If it's been pootled all it's life, it could be all bore glazed and soggy. But otherwise, what a find!

Glazed and soggy, bit like me then

The handle up by the steering wheel that's not the hand throttle. Can be shifted back or forward to give you a half gear without clutching. Was an extra option on a case for a long time but not the greatest design. Your better off with the basic 8 speed.

Ahh no idea, pretty sure its just the basic 8 speed with one lever that's the hand throttle but will find out when it lands!

 

[addjunkie]

I had a 695 of a similar vintage. Nice and simple, nothing overly complex. Though had issues with the power steering ram, leaking, even with new correct bits. Only other issue I had was getting the loader back on pins didn't quite line up, I only ever removed it once!

 

[Bravheart]

I had a 695 of a similar vintage. Nice and simple, nothing overly complex. Though had issues with the power steering ram, leaking, even with new correct bits. Only other issue I had was getting the loader back on pins didn't quite line up, I only ever removed it once!

Some loader pins have an offset point makes hitching up easier you can enter the pin then turn it round to help lining up the holes.

 

[addjunkie]

Some loader pins have an offset point makes hitching up easier you can enter the pin then turn it round to help lining up the holes.

No they were round, about 1/2 cm out. Just made a new pin, with a big long taper….and a technical tap.