4055 Dilemma…

Slackjawedyokel

Slackjawedyokel

Well-known member
Not sure whether this should be in Classic or Prime Mover 🤣
IMG_6268.jpeg

I could do with having two tractors capable of road work, particularly for harvest time; shifting straw bales around etc). In recent years the 4055 hasn’t been so good- main issue is the gearbox which lacks power in the upper gears; a not uncommon fault with these vehicles.

I’ve taken it to a local trusted ag engineer (who worked as a JD mechanic back in the day. My general thinking was to get the gears sorted, maybe renew the aircon if possible (hasn’t worked for many years-R12), get a few minor gripes sorted at the same time then put new shoes on it (v expensive!) and it’ll be sorted for years to come.
In my farmereconomics brain, my thinking was that it would be better to spend maybe 10K on this tractor rather than 40 to 50K on something like a lowish hours pre-adblue 6630 (which wouldn’t get a lot of work).

After a couple of days, the engineer has come back to me with the news that sorting out the gears is going to be a 10K job. It’s a big job so it only really makes sense to do a full transmission overhaul at the same time while you’re in there.

This means that my ~10K budget becomes probably 15 to 20K, which starts to look a little daft compared to a newer, more comfortable, much lower hours vehicle(it’s approaching 9000hrs now). Also I guess it wouldn’t add what I’d be spending on it to the value of the vehicle.

Thoughts?
 
I'm in a similar position with my 4455.
With all the little things that I know need doing, I'm wondering what else will need doing and what the cost might be.
They never were the greatest at road work, mine doesn't even have a pick up hitch, and I think I'm definitely at the stage that if a collector or exporter waved a big enough cheque at me then I'd part with it and go for something a bit newer.
The sentimental value only stretches so far (I've spent a lot of it's 14,000 hours in that seat over the last 25 years), and hopping in a 6155R for a day last year made me think that there's a lot of bits missing in an old dinosaur, however sturdy they are.
 
When you say lacks power in the upper gears, do you mean it's slipping the clutch packs? I assume it's the 15sp powershift. I've heard that a 40 is slightly under powered anyway and a 42 is better. Are you selling?
 
deere66 said:
When you say lacks power in the upper gears, do you mean it's slipping the clutch packs? I assume it's the 15sp powershift. I've heard that a 40 is slightly under powered anyway and a 42 is better. Are you selling?
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Yes - I think it’s the upper range clutch pack slipping on the 15 speed box. I wouldn’t say it’s underpowered- at low range anyway it has plenty of grunt but even if it was fully sorted it wouldn’t have the speed of a modern machine.

Considering all my options. Might be for sale but it’s not something I do every day so not sure how or where, or realistically how much it’s worth (very large spread of prices from pristine workshop queens to ones that have stood outside for years. I like it but I’m finding it hard to justify spending about what it’s worth mainly to make it a bit better on the road…
 
Bovrill said:
I'm in a similar position with my 4455.
With all the little things that I know need doing, I'm wondering what else will need doing and what the cost might be.
They never were the greatest at road work, mine doesn't even have a pick up hitch, and I think I'm definitely at the stage that if a collector or exporter waved a big enough cheque at me then I'd part with it and go for something a bit newer.
The sentimental value only stretches so far (I've spent a lot of it's 14,000 hours in that seat over the last 25 years), and hopping in a 6155R for a day last year made me think that there's a lot of bits missing in an old dinosaur, however sturdy they are.
Click to expand...
I don’t know about yours but this one is pretty loud compared to a modern tractor too. Especially climbing in and out with the engine running. I suppose it’s partly ‘cos they made them louder back then, partly ‘cos things get louder and more rattly with age and partly ‘cos the interior sound deadening foam isn’t so good anymore…
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
Especially climbing in and out with the engine running
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You're closer to engine than other cabs :ROFLMAO: Door and windows shut, they must be the quietest ever built, milling corn with our 3140 you couldn't hear the engine sat in the cab. I think JD had a point when they said there's no parallel glass for the sound to reverb off, side windows are wider at the front, rear window slopes down and obvs the curved windscreens
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
Not sure whether this should be in Classic or Prime Mover 🤣
View attachment 22020

I could do with having two tractors capable of road work, particularly for harvest time; shifting straw bales around etc). In recent years the 4055 hasn’t been so good- main issue is the gearbox which lacks power in the upper gears; a not uncommon fault with these vehicles.

I’ve taken it to a local trusted ag engineer (who worked as a JD mechanic back in the day. My general thinking was to get the gears sorted, maybe renew the aircon if possible (hasn’t worked for many years-R12), get a few minor gripes sorted at the same time then put new shoes on it (v expensive!) and it’ll be sorted for years to come.
In my farmereconomics brain, my thinking was that it would be better to spend maybe 10K on this tractor rather than 40 to 50K on something like a lowish hours pre-adblue 6630 (which wouldn’t get a lot of work).

After a couple of days, the engineer has come back to me with the news that sorting out the gears is going to be a 10K job. It’s a big job so it only really makes sense to do a full transmission overhaul at the same time while you’re in there.

This means that my ~10K budget becomes probably 15 to 20K, which starts to look a little daft compared to a newer, more comfortable, much lower hours vehicle(it’s approaching 9000hrs now). Also I guess it wouldn’t add what I’d be spending on it to the value of the vehicle.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Two options
Spend 10/15/20k on it
OR
Trade it in and spend the £25k on someone else's unreliable clapped out trade in

As my old boss in NZ said to me when I suggested culling a few 3 titters and buy some cheapish cows , his reply
"I might as well milk my own culls as someone else's"
 
deere66 said:
You're closer to engine than other cabs :ROFLMAO: Door and windows shut, they must be the quietest ever built, milling corn with our 3140 you couldn't hear the engine sat in the cab. I think JD had a point when they said there's no parallel glass for the sound to reverb off, side windows are wider at the front, rear window slopes down and obvs the curved windscreens
Click to expand...
I don't care what anyone says but the sound guard is the original and best cab available for many many years
In fact it's the cab nearly every other manufacturer aspired to create
 
Multi-power said:
Two options
Spend 10/15/20k on it
OR
Trade it in and spend the £25k on someone else's unreliable clapped out trade in

As my old boss in NZ said to me when I suggested culling a few 3 titters and buy some cheapish cows , his reply
"I might as well milk my own culls as someone else's"
Click to expand...
Swinnerton machinery have a good rep for transmission repairs, might be worth asking
 
Multi-power said:
Two options
Spend 10/15/20k on it
OR
Trade it in and spend the £25k on someone else's unreliable clapped out trade in

As my old boss in NZ said to me when I suggested culling a few 3 titters and buy some cheapish cows , his reply
"I might as well milk my own culls as someone else's"
Click to expand...
I’d probably snap someone’s hand off for 25K🤑

Yeah- it’s true enough- pigs and pokes and all that.

There’s this:

3years older and 10K more than mine cost but only 3K hours. Does that make it a good one or one that’s stood idle for years at a time and will always be breaking down? How do you only put 3000 hours on a 15 yr old machine?
 
A 6830 was the last tractor I bought.
The worse tractor I ever had.
Still have my 2850, L reg, clocked over 22000 hours, and my X reg 6410, heading towards 20000 hours.
Both, semi retired, but both been great tractors.
One spring, while destoning, the 6410 went from engine oil change to engine oil change (200hrs) without turning the engine off, apart from refueling,
Nostalgia eh?, It ain't what it used to be.
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
I’d probably snap someone’s hand off for 25K🤑

Yeah- it’s true enough- pigs and pokes and all that.

There’s this:

3years older and 10K more than mine cost but only 3K hours. Does that make it a good one or one that’s stood idle for years at a time and will always be breaking down? How do you only put 3000 hours on a 15 yr old machine?
Click to expand...
I hope 30 series are better than 20s, I wouldn't touch another of those with a very long stick. Having said that, anything less than 15-20 yo is too clever for my liking. Plenty of Masseys needing £10-15k on a gearbox at 10-15 years, same would apply to Claas.

This is far too much £££ imo

Robson Tractors

Robson Tractors for high quality used and ex-demonstration tractors, combines, handlers and farm equipment.
www.robsontractors.co.uk

The rest of the world must think so too, it's been there 9 months or more
 
deere66 said:
The rest of the world must think so too, it's been there 9 months or more
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Sensibly, if the Old Girl’s worth in the higher teens, and if I spend in the higher teens on her, there’s just no way it’s going to be worth mid thirties!

I like my 6630- probably the most comfortable tractor I’ve had, although it’s a bit different to the one in the advert (no sunroof etc). Also the advantage of one that age is no ad-blu, so you cut out a lot of complexity for a start.
 
opininionated said:
A 6830 was the last tractor I bought.
The worse tractor I ever had.
Still have my 2850, L reg, clocked over 22000 hours, and my X reg 6410, heading towards 20000 hours.
Both, semi retired, but both been great tractors.
One spring, while destoning, the 6410 went from engine oil change to engine oil change (200hrs) without turning the engine off, apart from refueling,
Nostalgia eh?, It ain't what it used to be.
Click to expand...
If I sell the 4055 I’ll still keep my little tractors (2140 and 2850). So frugal compared to anything newer-I love rattling about topping with the 2850, and it’s still fresh, having sub 6000hrs.
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
Sensibly, if the Old Girl’s worth in the higher teens, and if I spend in the higher teens on her, there’s just no way it’s going to be worth mid thirties!

I like my 6630- probably the most comfortable tractor I’ve had, although it’s a bit different to the one in the advert (no sunroof etc). Also the advantage of one that age is no ad-blu, so you cut out a lot of complexity for a start.
Click to expand...
What your tractor is worth once you have spent X amount of money on it is of no realavence whatsoever
What matters is can it be made reliable and suitable for your needs in a cost effective manner
 
Slackjawedyokel said:
I’d probably snap someone’s hand off for 25K🤑

Yeah- it’s true enough- pigs and pokes and all that.

There’s this:

3years older and 10K more than mine cost but only 3K hours. Does that make it a good one or one that’s stood idle for years at a time and will always be breaking down? How do you only put 3000 hours on a 15 yr old machine?
Click to expand...
Go and look at it, decide if the hours are genuine but I'd imagine they are as I understand he is very straight to deal with
 
Multi-power said:
Go and look at it, decide if the hours are genuine but I'd imagine they are as I understand he is very straight to deal with
Click to expand...
Very straight, you could almost buy unseen if it's the exact spec you want.
Did you take your heifers to Brid yourself? Only spitting distance away
 
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