74 Case 444 Refurbish

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 I know its no  , but I thought I'd post my latest project. Its a 1974 Case 444. I've always liked the size of theses garden tractors, as they just feel more like a big tractor. I think it has something to do with sitting between the fenders, rather than on top of them. Kinda like a GT14. This project is almost finished now, so it will take several post to go thru the build. Here are the first pics of me bringing it home, along with its tiller, snow blade, Brinly plow, and mower deck. This is not a restoration, just a good worker refurbish, as I plan on using this beast.

 

Matt

[rexman72 210]

I like the attachments that came with it.those are powerful tractors

[Digger 66 3,478]

Nice haul ! 

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 The previous owner told me the engine smoked, but I wasn't prepaired for how BAD!   This thing was a regular mosquito fogger, as can be seen in the video below. I pulled the head on the K321 to find the section of the piston closest to the exhaust valve seriously burned away, but the cylinder had no wear ridge, and really looked quite good. After completely tearing the engine down, I found both the cylinder, and the crankshaft to still be STD., and usable. I ordered a $100 master rebuild kit with valves off  , and got the engine whipped into shape in short order. Here are a few pics, and the video.  

 

 

 

Matt

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

I love it!! I am kinda partial to these machines too. The fact that yours has the 3 point set up is great. They are built like a tank and will push anything you need to. 

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 My next order of business was the steering which had alot of play in it. The small gear on the steering shaft was shot, so I replaced the shaft, which is still available new. I also put a good used steering wheel on it to replace the chrome automotive wheel that had been put on it. All 4 of the tie rod ends were wore out as well, and while they are still available, the cost is almost $50 a piece!  There was no way I could pay that, so I found some aftermarket heim joints for $10 a piece. The last part of the steering puzzle was the front axle pivot pin which was replaced as well. Now the steering is good, and tight.

 I decided this beast was going to need some AG tires, and tri-ribs as well. The original rear tire size on this was 8-16, but I decided to go up a size to 9.5-16 AG tires that stand 34" tall. While these did clear the fender, it wasn't by much, so I raised the fenders 1" inch for added clearance. The front got 16x6.50-8 tri-ribs, and although that is the original size for the front, they are actually a couple inches taller than the originals, which goes quite well with the larger rears.

 

Matt  

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 The next order of business was the paint, and body work. This is the part I dislike the most, but it can be very rewarding when done. The hood, and fenders were the only parts that I stripped down to the bare metal, as I really wanted them to turn out nice, and smooth. The chassis, and wheels got a couple coats of Case Power Red, which I mixed myself using IH Orange, and IH Red, the color I use on my Horses. The Desert Sunset color for the hood, and fenders I had mixed at my local paint supply, as I didn't have the necessary colors for mixing that. I used hardener in the paint for added durability, and shine. I then picked up a set of decals to finish it off. Thanks

 

Matt   

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 Here are a few more pics of assembly. Since I was going for that Big Tractor look, I had to put an exhaust stack on it as well.   Just for a size comparison, I took a couple pics of the 444 next to my C-160. 

 

Matt 

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I like the attachments that came with it.those are powerful tractors

 Yes, I was very happy with all the goodies that came with this Case, and it is a very powerful feeling tractor. Thanks

 

 

Nice haul ! 

 Thank you Sir.

 

 

I love it!! I am kinda partial to these machines too. The fact that yours has the 3 point set up is great. They are built like a tank and will push anything you need to. 

 The hydraulic 3 point is a very nice feature, as is the hydraulic PTO. While I don't mind strong arming my attachments, I find the older I get, the more I enjoy things like hydraulic lifts, and the ease of hookup that the 3 point offer.   These are very sturdy built tractors, and I am looking forward to finding out, just how capable this beast is. Thanks Steve!

 

Matt

[dclarke 4,032]

Fantastic job Matt..... I had a 220 and a 446 several years ago, they're a well built tractor. I've always been sorta partial to Case, that's the garden tractor my Dad had. Thanks for the pics.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Wow, you have done a fantastic job on the Case!

Thanks for the photos..Great paint job.

 

I always liked the hydro operated tillers on the Case GT's.

[Martin 2,132]

looks like somebody is creating tractor porn all by themselves?

 

Matt, that 444 refurbish turned out real nice. definitely a real capable tractor. the colors of the case tractors and their design has always gotten my interest. maybe down the road i will find one in my shop, who knows........

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Fantastic job Matt..... I had a 220 and a 446 several years ago, they're a well built tractor. I've always been sorta partial to Case, that's the garden tractor my Dad had. Thanks for the pics.

 Thanks Denny! I didn't have any experience with Case until recently when I was given a 222 by a good friend. 

 I was very impressed with that machine, and I really enjoy using it, so when this 444 turned up a couple hours from my house, I jumped on it. My dad owned a small  dealership when I was a kid, which is why I'm so partial to my Horses, but one of my dads close friend ran the local Case Power And Equipment, so I spent some time drooling over these as well, when I was a kid. Thanks

 

 

Wow, you have done a fantastic job on the Case!

Thanks for the photos..Great paint job.

 

I always liked the hydro operated tillers on the Case GT's.

 Thanks for the kind words. This hydraulic tiller works very well, although it makes the tractor very light in the front end, but I'll be dealing with that very soon.  Thanks

 

Matt

[dodgemike 52]

Great job Matt! My grandad had a

lot of Case construction equipment.

Over the years I have operated and

repaired a lot of their construction

machinery. To this day I have not

operated a dozer I liked better than the hydro- static 1450.

Somewhere size wise to an old D7

I love my Horses but sure got a

soft spot for Case. That tractor will

be a great worker. Love to have one

with a FEL.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

That is a sweet case Matt, you did a great job on the resto! I am going to have to find me another one this year. Almost bought a really nice 226 this weekend, but it was gone by the time I called.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

looks like somebody is creating tractor porn all by themselves?

 

Matt, that 444 refurbish turned out real nice. definitely a real capable tractor. the colors of the case tractors and their design has always gotten my interest. maybe down the road i will find one in my shop, who knows........

 Thats what happens when you go several days without posting any new pics Martin! While my stuff isn't nearly as high quality as your stuff is, it gets me threw the hard times.  These do seem to be really well built machines, and about the only thing I would change if I could, would be to build a hydraulically controlled foot pedal so I didn't have to control the forward/reverse with my hands.

 

Matt   

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 I'm currently working on a weight bracket for the front of this beast, as its to light with the tiller on the back. Can you say Wheeeelie?!   So I picked up 5 suite case weights that weigh 22lbs each, and using the old mule drive bracket for the mower deck, I built a bracket to hold them. I used alot of 1/2 steel plate that I have laying around to build this bracket, and the bracket weighs 45lbs all by itself. So, I'll have over 150lbs on the front. I've had to do some grinding on the weights as they were cut out of 2" plate, and they weren't real precise, but all thats left to do now is paint them.

 I'm also working on the Brinly which is very rusty, so I have it soaking in my e-tank. Its going to have alot of rust pits, but thats ok, as I intend to use it. It will look presentable when done. Here are a few more pics, and this brings us up to date. Thanks

 

Matt

Edited March 24, 2014 by bowtiebutler956

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Great job Matt! My grandad had a

lot of Case construction equipment.

Over the years I have operated and

repaired a lot of their construction

machinery. To this day I have not

operated a dozer I liked better than the hydro- static 1450.

Somewhere size wise to an old D7

I love my Horses but sure got a

soft spot for Case. That tractor will

be a great worker. Love to have one

with a FEL.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 Thanks for the encouragement Mike. I would love to have an FEL for this tractor! With their true hydraulic drive, it would be perfect for it. A guy can dream, and maybe someday. 

 

 

That is a sweet case Matt, you did a great job on the resto! I am going to have to find me another one this year. Almost bought a really nice 226 this weekend, but it was gone by the time I called.

 Thanks Jake, its been a fun refurb. While I would love to have a 226, 446, or 448 with their twin cylinder Onan engines, I've always been really partial to the old Kohler Thumpers. 

 

Matt

Edited March 24, 2014 by bowtiebutler956

[bowtiebutler956 650]

 I almost forgot. Here is a more recent video of it. Thanks

 

Matt

 

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Nice looking front weights and bracket.

[JC 1965 1,530]

WOW !!    You did an amazing job on that restoration.       Congrats, you have a beauty there.    

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Nice looking front weights and bracket.

 Thanks, hoping to have them painted in the next day or two. Then, I'll start on the rear, as I'd like to add about 150lbs to each rear wheel, but we'll see. 

 

WOW !!    You did an amazing job on that restoration.       Congrats, you have a beauty there.    

 Thanks for the kind words.   Although, I don't consider this a restoration, just a good worker refurbish, its easy to make them look good when you love what your working on. Thanks

 

Matt

[Digger 66 3,478]

WOW , WOW & WOW ! 

B E A U T I F U L ! 

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

That is a beautiful tractor. Mind if I asked you how much you paid for it (pre restoration)?

 

I have no idea what the pricing is like in the Case world.

[chazm 413]

Now thats what I call a BIG BOY TOY....

 

Nice job Matt ...