TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 5/1/2024

[953 nut 55,188]

Case Ingersoll Tractors

 

 

Having a desire to add garden tractors to their line of farm and industrial equipment J.I. Case had some choices to make. They could design and manufacture their own garden tractor from scratch, they could have them made by an outside company branded with the Case name or they could buy an existing garden tractor company and make it their own brand.

The decision was made in 1964 to buy the fledgling Colt Garden Tractor company because of its revolutionary patented hydraulic drive system. Production began with the 1965 Case 130 and 180. Both were powered with the reliable Kohler engine with 10 and 12 HP respectively. The 130 Lo Profile model came with 12" rear rims and the big wheel 180 model came with 16" rear rims. The Colt tractors remained in production through 1965 and 1966. Other Case models sold between 1965 and 1969 were the 120, 150, 155, 190, and 195. All had the famous chrome Old Abe badge on the grille and Desert Sunset and Flambeau Red paint used by the Agricultural Division of J.I. Case.

As Case agricultural tractor colors changed the Garden tractor division followed suit.

In 1969 Case introduced the all-new 200 and 400 series. The tractors were completely restyled and painted Desert Sunset with Power Red like the newly introduced 70 Series Agricultural tractors. The new 200 and 400 Series tractors used a much stronger trans-axle and cast steel front axle as well as a much stronger main frame.

A lower priced entry level garden tractor was added to the Case line in 1973. The model 210 was powered by a ten horsepower Kohler engine driving a Peerless four speed transaxle.

 

Case sold the garden tractor division to Ingersol Tractor Company in 1983. Badging of the Ingersol tractor remained Case in 1984 and the only change was a black frame for that year. By 1987 the Case name was no longer used on the Ingersol tractor.

In 1989 the Ingersoll 3000 and 4000 tractors literally turned in a new direction, the position of the engine was changed from the flywheel facing forward to the engine PTO facing forward resulting the use of right-hand discharge mowers and the relocation of the oil cooler. The later Model 3100 and 4100 series used all hydraulic drive for mower decks and snow casters rather than “V” belts and power steering could be ordered on AH models.

[Achto 27,565]

I had the "pleasure" of helping a friend restore a 444 Case. Not too difficult of a machine to work on but....If you ever decide to do a resto on one, I have a suggestion. Buy a kiddie pool and put the tractor inside of it before you start pulling it apart, because every bolt that you remove will be followed by oil or hydraulic fluid dripping or pouring out. 

 

[JoeM 7,873]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

Not too difficult of a machine to work on

These look like reverse rubber engine mounts? Dan do you remember?

[Achto 27,565]

1 minute ago, JoeM said:

These look like reverse rubber engine mounts? Dan do you remember?

 

They are rubber mounts, bit of a BITA to line up.

[Achto 27,565]

@JoeM

These would be the replacement mounts.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250628811069?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=250628811069&targetid=2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9019014&poi=&campaignid=21220402061&mkgroupid=160061831726&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=9408390&merchantid=7902294&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxbzQ48bshQMVC0L_AR3clABZEAQYAiABEgICL_D_BwE

[ebinmaine 67,422]

My Dispatcher at work has a similar obsession with Case Ingersoll that we do with Wheelhorse. 

He's been tinkering on several for a year or three. 

 

I've read, and he's mentioned, that the Ingersoll name was bought in the mid 2000s and production moved to Portland Maine. 

Near as I can find online it was a limited venture and has now stopped.  

 

 

[953 nut 55,188]

45 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

find online it was a limited venture and has now stopped

Yes, I hate stories that end with a great product line is dropped for no apparent reason, That is why is excluded that portion of the thread.

[ebinmaine 67,422]

3 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Yes, I hate stories that end with a great product line is dropped for no apparent reason, That is why is excluded that portion of the thread.

 

Near as some suppose this one's a combo of misfortune. 

The economy was "challenging" during that time period. 

Also, as we've discussed here on Redsquare, the Garden Tractor market was changing then too. 

And... it appears the new owner, Eastman, had a skiing incident....