Think you for all the information about the 340 tractor. You have answered a lot of questions that I had wondered about. I have a 540 ford 1979. Two wheel drive, tractor and it has the gas motor in it. With the heavy duty loaded
I had to work today. I really like that ford tractor still running. Least your pickups are doing great. I just paid off my pickup. Yes enjoy your Memorial Day.
Glad you got your truck paid off. Both of my trucks need some work but I have parts coming, and the 7.3 is a slow ongoing project anyway. Hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day!
I just bought a Ford 515, slightly larger version of the same tractor. I’m impressed by some things about it, irritated by others. I like how the loader is completely independent from the tractor hydraulics. It has its own 20gpm pump running off the front of the crankshaft, uses the frame as a reservoir, and cycles FAST! Mine is the industrial version of the common Ford 4600, so most of the parts are still easy to find. On the negative side, it’s odd where the loader is under built in some areas. The ears where the cylinders mount should be made from metal twice as thick, as mine have bent in some areas and have weld repairs. The other big issue is the tendency of the loader arms to crack close to the bucket as mine and yours have done. When I bought my tractor, I assumed a previous owner had subjected it to abuse, ramming it into dirt piles or something of that nature. If you look at ford industrial tractors from the 70’s and 80’s, you’ll see that many of them have the same weld repair in the same area and it was a common issue. Apparently the factory welds on the cross brace didn’t have enough penetration and would let go, causing the cracking in the loader arms. How Ford quality control missed this issue for over a decade is a mystery, but the later 345, 445 and 545 tractors don’t seem to suffer from it.
I've wondered the same thing, it's strange that Ford didn't bother to improve the design or issue any recalls on that style of loader over the 15 years they were in production. Without a doubt, many of the landscapers/contractors who owned these tractors used them for ramming piles, pushing or lifting things that were way too heavy - evidently the tractor's hydraulics were stronger than the loader itself. I looked at several 335, 535, and 3500's before I bought this 340A, and all of them had been broken and repaired in the same spot. I recently sold this tractor, but when the time comes to buy another one I will definitely be looking for a 345 or 445 series with the stronger loader. My uncle has never had issues with his 445's cracking the loader arms, and he's used them HARD over the years pushing them far beyond their limits. The steel channel on each arm is a good 1.5-2" taller than the arms on the 340/540/515/535 series loader. Still a great tractor nonetheless - just have to be a little more careful with what you're asking from the loader.
My loader needs some more welding, new bushings and has cracks on the hydraulic pump mounting ears. I was on the fence about fixing it, and converting to a skid steer attachment coupler, but the absence of a shuttle shift has pushed me over to removing the loader and just having a heavy duty rotary mower machine. When I was a kid we had a MF 40 industrial loader with a 6x6 reverser. That setup was much better for loader work than the 8x2 on the Ford. @@MichaelTJD60
That's a nice lookin Ford! I just bought my Grandpas 1975 Ford 3400 industrial with the front loader. Hopefully when I get done fixing it up, it'll look as nice as yours!
Mike, that was a wonderful review of the 340A. My friend is looking at a 231 with a loader, but has the smaller 36 hp Diesel. We'll definitely look out for the steering and loader problems you mentioned. On the 3 pt, it's my understanding that the left lift link isn't adjustable, only the right side is. Could definitely tell you grew up in Jersey, as did I. I'm from Bergen County, not many farms left there. Again, great review. Tom
Thanks for the nice comments, Tom - glad you enjoyed the video and nice to hear from another Jersey native! I've never seen a loader on a 231, but that sounds like it would be a great setup for moving around in a low building like my garage since the 231 is a low-profile model.
I have a 5000 utility and she’s a really nice tractor. The styling on these is some of the best ever IMO. Very, very stout tractors- heck mine is a gasser and it’s the easiest cold start I own. Starts quicker than a new Toyota.
Do you have pictures of the front engine bay? I just got 540b loader arms to convert my grading tractor, but it didn’t come with a pump. I see that the hose runs from the lower left side input into the engine bay. Thanks for the video!
Sorry but I actually sold this tractor (surprisingly) a couple months ago and I don't have any pictures of the front pump setup. Not sure where you're located but Long Lane Tractor in Elizabethtown, PA or Wenger's of Myerstown, PA might have a good pump that will fit your 540B. I'm sure there are tons of good donor tractors out there.
@MichaelTJD60 yes just ordered one they sent it to us and they have the wrong tag on the part so far the return is being covered by them the diagram they sent didn't match the part oops someone at the factory is going to get an earful
@@DYNAMITEDESTINY just typical gear noise. It's the nature of a transmission with straight-cut gears, ans not unusual for a 40 year old tractor with 10,000 hours on it.
Good afternoon, my dad is being offered a ford 340 tractor for 3k I don’t know if he should get it, it looks very old but the owner showed it to us running. We don’t know much about tractors, would you recommend this one? I appreciate your advice
For utility work, I'd say the older Fords are about as tough and reliable as they get. Easy to work on, easy on fuel, and parts are still pretty easy to find for them. Is the tractor you are looking at a 340, 340A or 340B? The original 340's had some issues with the steering linkages wearing out and the tie rod ends are not available new from Ford anymore - you would need to source aftermarket ones. The 340A/340B use a different steering system which fixed that problem. Also, the loader arms had a tendency to crack right at the cross bracing - see if the loader has been welded.
@@MichaelTJD60 it’s a 340. We will be picking up stumps that a tree company left illegally. They are pretty massive stumps so definitely need a tractor for heavy lifting. What about the price, do you think that’s fair?
@@tanayrinavarro7285 The 340 should be more than enough tractor for the job, they have excellent lifting capacity for their size. $3000 is more than reasonable if it has been maintained regularly - just keep an eye out for worn steering linkages and loader frame like I mentioned.
It has high and low range on one stick and 3 speeds/reverse on the other stick. So in a sense, yes I suppose that would be a "compound" low transmission.
New Holland MasterTran, Case IH HyTran, or an equivalent tractor trans/hydraulic fluid. New Holland calls for it in the transmission, differential, and hydraulics on these tractors.
@@tapvos yes, both are now part of CNH Industrial which also owns Case IH. The same transmission/hydraulic oil is recommended in most of these tractors to replace what they were originally designed for (basic gear oil in the transmission and hydraulic oil in the loader).
Lever next to your left foot...back to engage, forward to disengage. With the clutch pedal depressed obviously (unless you have an independent PTO which many of these tractors did not).
Not usually, as the tractor is already pretty heavy at over 8000 lbs. It may spin out if I'm trying to push something uphill (since the yard is sloped). I've debated getting the tires filled with fluid just to add a few hundred extra pounds.
I definitely wouldn't recommend hauling one of these with a half ton unless it was just the bare tractor. This one weighs around 7500 lbs with the loader and wheel weights. A half-ton could pull it, but stopping would be a different story.
@MichaelTJD60 Did you put the tractor on a scale to get that weight? I'm also trying to tow with a half ton truck want to make sure I don't go over 9k will be having trailer breaks and weight distribution hitch. The specs say the tractor with out loader is around 4k and 9k with loader trying to find the real life weight on it!
@@TrappingTheMitten-JohnHowell John Deere 755 compact tractor with loader and 60" deck. I realize that contradicts what I said in the video, but I wanted to consolidate my big loader tractor and my half-dozen garden tractors into one machine that could mow and do the loader work - the 755 is the perfect size.
