Case IH Farmall 140A: Problems, Durability, Repairs

The tractor is a farmer's best friend when it comes to heavy machinery. They provide the muscle on the land, helping you get through a day's worth of work in a short time. This is the reason why those who want to buy a tractor for the first time turn to brands that have a proven track record of creating well-built and powerful machines.

One such brand is the CASE IH as a lot of people have this among the top ten tractor manufacturers in the country. Their recent model, the CASE IH Farmall 140A, comes from their Farmall series and puts out a lot of work. Sadly, this machine generates mixed reviews from its users.

If you're buying a CASE IH Farmall 140A, just know that you're getting a good machine that's worth every penny that you spent. However, you need to understand that it also comes with a skeleton full of closets that you need to take care of and clean up from time to time. The most common issues that you'll likely face are the following:

• Engine Issues
• Gear Shift Troubles
• Failing Clutch
• Faulty Fuel Tank
• Deteriorating Axle
• Leaking Oil

In this article, you will get an in-depth explanation of each problem and how likely it is to happen. Also, you will learn what the best ways are to repair each one and just how durable the CASE IH Farmall 140A machine truly is. So don't waste any more time and continue reading until the end to find out more.

Common Problems Of A CASE IH Farmall 140A And Ways To Repair Each One

Before you start thinking to yourself that the CASE IH Farmall 140A tractor is too much of a problem without even trying it first, reserve judgment until the end of the article. That's because it shares many of these common problems with other tractors from different brands. While the degree to which each problem shows up varies, it's still something that you need to keep in mind.

Now that you're going into this with a clear mind, remember that all the problems listed below are just the common ones reported by those who own said machine. Each problem will come with its much-needed solution, so you need not worry about what to do when facing any one of these.

1) Engine Issues

The engine is the heart and soul of any tractor. As such, when a problem occurs with the engine, things can get quite troublesome.

Overheating is a common issue that a lot of tractors face, especially older models or those that come without any antifreeze coolant filters. When it comes to the CASE IH Farmall 140A tractor, dirty filters, faulty cooling fans, and a blockage in the air cleaner can cause the engine to overheat. Low coolant levels are also another reason why the tractor's engine is overheating. 

To reduce the risk of the engine overheating and breaking down out of the blue, regular maintenance is a must. That means cleaning out the air filters and cooling fans to ensure that cool air is circulating properly throughout the engine. Additionally, take your tractor to a professional to service the air cleaner if needed.

Ignoring this issue will directly impact the engine's performance. From there, it's a race to see how quickly you can ruin the engine.

2) Gear Shift Troubles

The issue with the gears stems mainly from the machine's design. It requires you to shift the gears slowly, and that causes a lot of problems for most owners who previously used tractors that could handle rough gear transmissions.

Many tried to solve this issue by replacing the gears with parts that could handle rough and sudden movements. However, this usually ends up with the tractor malfunctioning due to the new parts putting more stress on the machine's original parts, whose designs are not compatible with such rough handling.

Another issue that often comes up is that the gear teeth on the tractor wear out quickly. This is the result of regularly shifting gears at a speed that the tractor can't handle.

Unfortunately, the only way to resolve this issue is by changing the way you handle the tractor's gear shift. Treat it with more care and be patient when doing work in the field.

For worn-out gear teeth, though, you will need to replace them. You can tell when your tractor is due for one if it becomes difficult to shift gears despite your doing so slowly and carefully.

3) Failing Clutch

The clutch failing will happen to every tractor at any time. The question is when. Unfortunately, the CASE IH Farmall 140A tractor has the distinct reputation of its clutch wearing out faster than average.

Some issues that a lot of owners complain about with the tractor's clutch are that it often fails to disengage the engine properly from the other parts and that it tends to grind against other parts of the machine. This in turn will cause friction that can cause severe wear and tear down the line.

To fix these issues, you likely need to readjust the clutch to a better position. If the problem continues to persist, then it's time for you to get a replacement part to avoid further problems in the future.

4) Faulty Fuel Tank

One thing that a lot of owners notice when using this tractor for the first time is that the fuel tank is not bolted properly to the fenders. Ignoring this can create holes and gaps within the fuel tank while using the tractor out on the field. When that happens, it's a certainty that the fuel tank will start to clog as foreign materials begin contaminating the fuel.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that the bolts are fastened to the fenders securely. Additionally, replace them if they start losing their grip and show signs of corrosion.

If you learn that your tractor has loose bolts, it's best to check the interior of the fuel tank as well. Clean out any foreign materials that you find and make sure to seal any gaps or holes that appear.

5) Deteriorating Axle

This is another poor design choice that leads to a recurring issue when using the tractor. The three bolts responsible for holding and keeping the axle upfront secure tend to wear out and deteriorate too quickly. As a result, the wheel up front becomes wobbly and, if left alone, can tear off and lead to an accident.

Simply replacing the bolts is not enough to fix this issue. Instead, you need to provide additional support to the bolts on the front axle. You can do this by installing a steel plate to help the bolts grip the axle better and slow down the rate at which they deteriorate.

In the end, it still depends on how often you use the tractor and the environment it works in. Depending on those two factors, the speed at which the front axle deteriorates will vary.

6) Leaking Oil

Last but not least are oil leaks and hydraulic fluid losses. It's common to drive over rough patches and bumpy roads when using a tractor on the field. However, the vibrations that come from driving through such rough terrain can cause the steel hydraulic lines to grind against one another.

If this continues, a hole or gap will likely form. When that happens, different fluids will start leaking out and mixing. That in itself poses another problem for the tractor's engine.

When you spot signs like the hydraulic fluid leaking out from underneath the tractor or the smell of something chemically sweet starts wafting around the tractor, act fast and check the hydraulic lines for any leaks. From there, it's a matter of sealing up the holes and gaps that formed or replacing them with new parts.

Is The CASE IH Farmall 140A Worth It?

After learning what the common problems are that often come up when talking about this machine, the highly anticipated question on everyone's mind right now is if buying one is worth it. And not surprisingly, yes.

There is no perfect machine. And the same is true with tractors. They all come with their own unique and distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the Farmall 140A tractor certainly has its redeeming qualities.

First, despite a couple of problems here and there, this tractor is quite durable and robust, able to withstand long hours of work in the field. Additionally, repairing and replacing broken parts is quite simple since those parts are abundant in the market.

Unlike some specialized tractors, you don't need to wait a long time to have the part that you need to arrive. Another thing worth noting is that replacing these parts is quite simple and cheap.

Speaking of the price, owning one of these tractors is not that heavy on the wallet either. There are plenty of options available to you to obtain this tractor without needing to break the bank.

And lastly, this tractor can exceed your expectations. Due to its unique specs and high horsepower, this machine is a workhorse on the field.

To Wrap Up

While the CASE IH Farmall 140A tractor comes with a couple of problems unique to itself, they're not a dealbreaker when it comes to buying one. As mentioned earlier, the brand behind this tractor produces high-quality machines, and while there are a couple of hiccups in the design department, this tractor proves it's up to any task on the field.