JD 40C-- What is a fair price? Can I add a PTO? 3-point?

[CrawlerTrawler]

I have an opportunity to buy a 40C. The asking price is $5100. It has a factory blade that has been modified to allow angling in one direction. It is functional, but not pretty. The generator was just replaced. I can get no information on the condition of the rails and rollers. I will have to travel quite a distance to look at it. Sight unseen, could that be a fair price, or should I save the trip?

My primary goal is to have an easy-to start (gas not Diesel) tractor for blasting through the snow drifts on my 100 yards of driveway. However, I have no tractor at the moment (just bought a place in the country) so it would be nice if I could additionally use the tractor to run a 3-point bush hog, pull a 3-point plow, a 3-point rototiller, (I have, or have easy access to, all of the above) and run a 3-point sickle bar mower for mowing ditches and possibly haying. Eventually, I want to buy a large wheel tractor for most of these purposes, so the 40C would be an interim solution. However, buying it sets buying a wheel tractor further in the future of my savings plan. I know the 40C was based off the model 40 which could be obtained with a 3-point. Is it possible to put a 3-point on the 40C? What would that cost?

The owner says there is a PTO lever, but the place where the PTO splined shaft would mount is covered with a plate. Can I obtain a PTO easily and what might that cost?

I grew up on a farm and have been around a number of wheel tractors at home. I have only driven crawlers for neighbors, and am sort of a crawler novice. What are the pitfalls and things to consider that might not be obvious?

Thanks for any help.

-- CT

[cdndozer]

Not sure about the 3 pt. or the pto did a quick search on a 40c here is what came up to give you some comparison.This is in Mb.,Canada
JOHN DEERE 40 CRAWLER, 5 roller, very good undercarriage, valves and seats done, angle blade. $3,800.00. obo.

[JD440ICD2006]

Unless you can get actual receipts where the entire undercarriage has been properly replaced/reworked, I would pass.
It would appear that the seller has added on that lofty "collector" bonus to the price hoping to catch an unsuspecting buyer with "green fever".

The 3 point can be added but it will cost you half as much as the asking price of the 40C. PTO can be added, but hard to find and also pricey.
Does it appear that there is a pattern developing with price?

[jclem40c]

$5100 for a 40c is pricey. Bought a 40c 18 months ago for 3500 (too much I found out). Had to put steering clutches in the right side cost $65. used and tracks. Lucked out and found a used set with about 50% wear left with sprockets from a 420 for $550. Did all the work myself (easy to do) and then found a PTO for another $50 so I've got about $4200 total in it. Good thing is it now runs and works like a top. Sounds to me with what you want to do you would be better off starting with a wheel tractor although crawlers are more fun.

John

[Lavoy]

I would echo what everyone has already said, way overpriced, 40's are not that hard to find. Adding a 3PT will add another big chunk of money. If you have no real affinity for a crawler over a wheel tractor, I would wait and buy the wheel tractor.
Lavoy

[Tractor 850]

A roto tiller needs a pretty high PTO horsepower, depending on the size and soil conditions maybe more than a 40 could handle.
Working a hay field with a crawler would do a pretty good amount of damage.
I would in your circumstance look for a wheel tractor first.
Be sure it can handle the tiller you have access to.

[CrawlerTrawler]

Thank you all for your valuable opinions and sage advice. I am afraid that you have pretty much convinced me that a wheel tractor is the most practical thing. I have really enjoyed browsing this site and message board, and I may continue to prowl around here from time to time. I do have a weakness for crawlers, particularly those with a dozer on the front. I may get one some day, but right now I need to get the most bang for my buck. Thank you all again.

-- CT

[JD440ICD2006]

In my opinion, you would be so much happier dreaming of owning a crawler with a blade on the front, than owning one that you paid way too much for.
If you just have a desire to push some dirt, you can find a used 4 wheeler with a winch on the front, and add one of those blades. Or, pay just a little more and get a brand new mini crawler that has a warranty. You will not be pushing up stumps, but you can do some grading in good soil.
This may appease your dream until you save up the money AND find the right crawler.
If it is specifically a John Deere that you are after, patience will pay you great dividends. Just as the crooks invaded this hobby back in the 1990's, there are still honest folks with a decent crawler that want to sell it for a fair market price.
These things are getting harder to find, find in decent restorable condition, and the greedy bunch that helped ruin our economy are jacking prices out of the roof.
Do not want to sound negative, but reality is what it is.
I lucked out on both of mine, I did not have the benefit of the wealth of knowledge on this board to guide me.

[MikeT]

I bought a used MC last year. I knew it needed a motor and didn't know about anything else. Self Ignorance. Paid 2500 for it and I put in almost another 2500 in NEW parts. I would of maybe been ahead if I would of bought one for 4000 and maybe not if the the clutches and brakes were out and the head. It all depends on how bad you want what you are looking at.