1984 Ford 340A Industrial Tractor/Skip Loader - Ol' Reliable - In-Depth Review, Walkaround, & Drive
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2023
- Happy Memorial Day, and a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to all those past and present who have served our great nation. On this day, let us not forget the sacrifices of those who shed their blood and gave their lives to keep our flag flying high. Your sacrifice and love for your country will never be forgotten and we are forever blessed and grateful!
Thanks to the holiday weekend, I had some time to do a review video of my "new-to-me" (almost a year ago) load-lifter, back saver, and chore tractor - a 1984 Ford 340A industrial skip loader.
I purchased this tractor in July 2022 for doing the heavy lifting for some of my shop projects and moving things around the yard - especially my John Deere 60 project carcass. My shop building is an old converted tobacco barn and storage shed. The old concrete floor is not flat but rather broken and jagged, which makes it very difficult to roll an engine hoist/cherry picker or a pallet jack across it if I need to lift or move a heavy part. The stone parking area outside the shop building is very unlevel and a forklift would likely spin out or get stuck trying to move across the stone with any kind of weight hanging from it. The 7-foot bay doors (and lack of interior space) make it difficult to maneuver a skid steer inside the building (with enough weight and hydraulics to handle a 6000-lb tractor carcass), plus a skid steer of that size range would be very costly, so my next best option was an old heavy-duty low-profile loader tractor with enough weight and hydraulics to move the heavy 60 carcass in and out. Having grown up with a team of Ford 445 industrial tractors/skip loaders with 4x4, and having used them for farm work, landscaping work, and everything in between (which we probably should have used a skid steer instead), I was already sold on their durability and reliability - plus they are plentiful in my area and fairly cheap to purchase. I ended up finding this one in the next county over from me, about an hour from home. A small-time horse farmer had bought it from Ritchie Bros. auction 15 years earlier and had used it to move light material and mow around his horse pastures. I looked the machine over, negotiated with him, and hauled it home.
The 340A (newer replacement for the models 335/340) is the industrial/commercial version of the 3600/4600 ag tractors - basically a 3600 engine (175-ci 3-cylinder diesel) and 4600 transmission (6+4 manual-reversing) and rear axle on a much heavier chassis, with a model 745 heavy-duty loader running off of a front engine-driven hydraulic pump. It also has a 3-point hitch with draft control, and a live 540 RPM PTO. These industrial tractors/skip loaders were marketed toward contractors and landscapers back in the 70's and 80's before skid steers and compact tractors had become the norm for commercial use. Many of them were offered with a loader and a backhoe, but the "skip loader" specifically is a tractor-loader with NO backhoe. Skip loaders were often used for commercial land clearing, grading, tilling, and loading trucks - a more modern example would be a New Holland U80C, Case 570N, or John Deere 210L, but in this day and age I think most landscapers or construction fleets are using skid steers to do the same work. These older Ford industrials are still commonly found on farms and ranches and many of them are still being run hard.
Despite the high hours on the tractor (original meter quit at 6000 and who knows how many hours have been put on it since then), I have not had to do much work to it since I picked it up - it has needed a few maintenance items (battery, filters, fluids, grease), and I also removed the ROPS to allow enough clearance to fit under the garage bay doors. I had a local Amish fabrication shop make some 1-1/2" steel spacer plates to reattach the loader frame and fenders to the rear axles after I had removed the ROPS. I believe the original engine may have been replaced with a blue engine from an ag tractor. The machine definitely shows some signs of wear, as the steering components are worn and several hinge pins on the loader need replaced. The hand and foot throttle controls are also sloppy. But the tractor always starts up instantly, no matter how long it's been sitting, or how cold it is outside. I've never had to plug it in or use any kind of starting aid - the old 3-cylinder engine is ALWAYS ready to go to work. I've lifted plenty of heavy loads with it and the loader (despite its cracked and re-welded frame) doesn't break a sweat.
This tractor is definitely rough around the edges, but it works good enough for what I need and has saved me a lot of headaches with the 60 project so far. It should last many years while I get the 60 and 4000 projects done here, and with any luck hopefully I'll be able to bring it along with me when I settle down on a larger piece of property somewhere. I think everyone should own an old Ford tractor for doing their chores - these tractors will outlast us. 
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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
Glad I could answer some of your questions. The 540's are great tractors, a little heavier and more HP than my 340A.
I appreciate someone that still cares about these old tractors
I grew up with them and IMO they're built better than the new ones I sell, so they deserve some recognition.
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!
Great explanation
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
Been waiting for this one Mike! Love your Industrial! I hope to own one someday. Looks good behind your Super Duty 👌
Thanks Johnny, they're a very handy tractor to own. I also think it looks pretty good behind the ole 7.3.
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!
Thanks, definitely not the nicest one out there but at least it looks good on camera! lol
That’s a beautiful tractor Mike.
Thanks, but beautiful is probably the last word I'd use to describe it lol
Folks I’ve had the pleasure of running this exact tractor and it’s an absolute hoss of a machine. They don’t make ‘em like that no mo
Country ain't country no mo' hoss!
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.
Agreed on the styling. I have a video on my channel of a gas 5000 I hauled last summer, and the few times I ran it it always started up instantly.
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.
Because of this video i bought one 😂 great video! We definitely need more. Thanks again
Thanks! Good luck with your new addition!
Tolle Maschine, klingt sehr zuverlässig und keine schwarzen Wolken!
Danke für das informative Video!👍😄
Danke!
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.
Question will your 340 tractor spin out when you go to use the bucket to lift with it and is the wheel weight heavy enough
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 have the same tractor 1983 been trying to get the quick attach for it
I think the 340 can go 23 mph
ATI makes a quick attach for these. It is part number QA-FO11 and retails for around $1700.
@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
How much does it weigh? I want to know if I buy one can I tow it with my half ton.
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!
Any idea what hydraulic fluid it calls for?
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.
Thank you very much for your reply!
Is this a Ford and New Holland tractor, are those the same company?
@@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).
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.
@@MichaelTJD60 thank you for your advice we appreciate it
@@tanayrinavarro7285 Glad to help. Hope it all works out OK for you.
So you gave $5000 for it?
That must be a one very expensive toy 🚜
Not really. Still cheaper than a new garden tractor or compact tractor with loader.