Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

I looked at this 4020PS again today viewtopic.php?p=26035#p26035
Its had a new owner for the past year who has put some work into it and only put 5hrs on it (341 total). The current owner isn't well and is downsizing. I'm going to go back and look at it again when the seller has more time. The new seller wants more money for it but has added a 2nd late model RM48 deck, 54" plow + lift plate, plastic weights and rubber chains. Decent higher horsepower tractors don't come up forsale around here much anymore.

Things that have been worked on in the past year:
New air filter, fuel filter and plugs
Oil change + installed the oil filter gasket
Starter solenoid replaced and then the entire starter. Includes original as spare with new solenoid.
Power steering cylinder resealed
Mulching kit removed and a new set of standard blades installed

Things that still need attention:
Mowing deck bearings. May also need the idler pulleys?
2nd mowing deck also needs a set of bearings.
Onan runs ok. May need a carb cleaning.
Power steering doesn't steer as far to the left but steers ok to the right. The Hydraulic cylinder is fully retracted when turning left. I'm not sure if the tractor was designed this way or if its an issue. The front axle moves around a little + the hydraulic cylinder ball joint at the frame has a bit of play in it. I also recall seeing there is a mod for the power steering tractors where the spindle hole is redrilled closer to the spindle pivot point.
Lift lever as a lot of play in it.
Hood latches down but is loose. Maybe a simple adjustment?

Things I would change if I were to purchase:
Swap the fenders from my 4016. They look better and are predrilled for my cab.
Front axle pin replacement.

Anything you guys would check out?

Power steering pics

Good looking tractor . I concider what needs doing minor . That 20 hp Onan will like fuel , but will make loads of power . If you have the room and the budget , I would say make the 4020 a dedicated snow blower tractor and the 4016 just for mowing . Asuming the aka bank manager approves .

It looks very clean Matt and I know you know your GT’s as well as anyone. If you can keep your 4016 and buy the 4020 I like Davids suggestion. I have a dedicated winter GT myself and it saves me from changing everything back and forth.

I like your suggestions. Not having to spend hours converting my tractor for winter and then back in the spring sure would be nice.

I'd be selling off some attachments and need to get a shed purchased.

I found the power steering mod:
https://www.casecoltingersoll.com/threa ... um=organic

A note on Sheds and parking off season tractors for periods of time .
Put wood blocks under axles so if a tire goes flat it will not damage sidewall .
Have a window or 2 away from the direct sun path and a led night light, mice like it dark .
Moth balls and drier sheets help keep kritters away
vents to keep humidity and temps down
fuel tank full and treated or empty not somewhere in between
Battery out , or on a tender . And always keep top of battery clean as a dirty top will parasitic draw when condensates .
build it with a tall and wide enough door that deck , blower or cab does not need to be removed to get in and out .
points to ponder so you don't

All very good points David. I hadn't thought about getting the tractor in the shed with the cab on. I'm planning on a 8' wide garage door.

At the time this was built, it was the largest foot print permited without a biildinng permit. The exterior dimensions are 10 x 10 with an 8' opening x 7'6" high door. It's purpose was to shed a Clark forklift. The forklift was backed inside and forks would protruding under the door when closed. The 646 loader just clears for closing the door. Another plan that never reached fruition was cutting an access door above the garage door for loft storage.

It was a good idea that never happened. The shed is 28 years old and needs new shingles.

Looking more into the power steering not turning left as far, I think the current owner didn't screw the rod end on the hydraulic cylinder far enough. The hydraulic cylinder is retracted when turning left and he has left probably an additional 1/4 to 1/2 inch of threads.
Previous seller Current seller

Good catch Matt. Sometimes it is the simplest of things.

Compared to the 4016 you had asked about this seems like a much better machine. 4020PS with an under-the-seat PTO is pretty much the peak of the Onan era tractors. Especially with the gusseted rear axle! I'm not sure if that was standard on the very last years of the Onan tractors before they went black frame or if that was a warranty replacement, either way that's a nice upgrade.

The steering bias L-R is adjustable with the threads on the cylinder as you mentioned. PS machines tend to wear out the front axle pivot more than non-PS machines due to the potential for extra steering load from the cylinder. A new pivot pin might help tighten it up.

Hood not latching can be a couple things, the first thing I'd look at is the bottom of the hood at the hinge, overextending it (past the hold-open stops) will bend this section of the hood and mess up the geometry. Fixable but a bit of a pain. I wouldn't let it push me away from a sale but I'd definitely talk the guy down about it.

Seems like a solid buy, especially with the included attachments. Should be able to get some of your money back out of it if you don't need all of them.