Gafner Iron Mule automatic???

Firewoodjoe · February 26, 2018, 08:33:01 PM

Anyone been around one or know about them? Thanks.

Cub · February 26, 2018, 11:41:26 PM

I've been around them a little bit. What model and what kind of information you looking for?

Firewoodjoe · February 27, 2018, 05:17:00 AM

5500. Are they any good? Are they the ford syncromatic?

Firewoodjoe · February 27, 2018, 08:49:13 PM

Hmmm

ilog4u2 · February 27, 2018, 09:13:52 PM

I have a 5500 and I love it. It is not fancy or fast but the old girl just works. It is a standard trans. I know a guy that had the automatic trans in his and it gave him lots of problems. Parts and support are still available in the UP.

Cub · February 27, 2018, 10:05:31 PM

I have a 5510 and my partner has a 4510. Both standard transmissions. I ran a 5000 with the automatic trans for a guy for a while on and off. Not sure what ford called them exactly. I liked it and it worked really good. But when it quit working it was expensive to fix. I'd steer clear of them unless you know the exact history of the machine. How well it was taken care of and what have you. Find a standard trans if you can. Of course you can always put 1 in if the auto dies. Simple machines and easy to work on. And parts are very available. As mentioned in escanaba mi there's a few places.

Firewoodjoe · February 28, 2018, 04:58:48 AM

Ok thanks guys. Yeah everyone I've talk to says steer clear but it's supposed to be a clean none broke up machine with heat. I will be tempted to buy it if this is true. I'll be looking at it Saturday morning. I know where there is a decent 4501 but the boom has been welded and center has been with open cab no heat.

mad murdock · February 28, 2018, 12:24:55 PM

Back in the day we bought a new 4501 (1982) from Ison Equipment( Gafner dealer in Northern Wisc). It was a great machine, it had an enclosed cab with reversible radiator fan blades on the 3 cyl perkins diesel. That thing was a miser on fuel, burned 5 maybe 8 gallons a day on a real long day, most days, 5-6 gallons. It was a great machine for what it was, manual trans, it was full time 3 wheel drive with a front axle manual locker that was a foot pedal that when pushed to the floor with your left heel, locked the front axle so you had true 4 wd. The loader was I think a 16' gafner loader, it was a good 1.5-2 cord machine, typical day was between 2-3 truckloads a day. Never been around any "mules" with an automatic trans.

Cub · February 28, 2018, 04:25:40 PM

Worse case senario if the auto trans dies on you you can always put a standard trans in it. They can be had at most tractor bone yards.Most "mule" parts can be had there. Built on ford tractor parts. And there was millions of those around. Good luck. For what its worth i love my "mule"

Corley5 · February 28, 2018, 04:59:30 PM

The 5000 I had was MF based with Massey's two pedal hydro tranny. It was nice but I was warned that transmission parts for it may have been hard to come by. I miss my Mule.

Firewoodjoe · February 28, 2018, 07:11:00 PM

Yeah this is ford based. I figure if it's lasted 30+ years even if rebuilt once it would be worth rebuilding again. If it's as nice as he says then it's worth what he's asking and I feel even worth the cost of a rebuild. I'm looking at it sat morning. Otherwise I'm going for a 4501 I already looked at. But no heat and been welded in the normal places.

Cub · February 28, 2018, 10:38:26 PM

XI stand corrected. After I thought about it your correct Corley. The 5000 the guy had at the farm was Massey based also with the 2 pedal hydro trans. Worked great. I liked it. But was expensive to fix when it died. Was no problem to get parts for. Although this was 9 years ago. If I may ask firewoodjoe what's the asking price? Don't be afraid of welds. After 30+ years they've all been welded on!!

Firewoodjoe · March 01, 2018, 03:29:02 AM

I know they've all been welded and that doesn't concern me but if I can get a bigger one that's not welded (so he says) with a full cab and heat for the same price then I'd be willing to try the auto. Both are 15000.

teakwood · March 01, 2018, 06:47:17 AM

Do you have pics of them?

Firewoodjoe · March 01, 2018, 01:08:14 PM

No I don't. Haven't seen the 5500 yet and the 4501 I just knocked on the door and ask him.

chevytaHOE5674 · March 01, 2018, 09:14:29 PM

Did they use the ford select-o-speed transmission? If so at the first sign of trouble scrap it and swap an 8 speed in it.

Firewoodjoe · March 02, 2018, 08:21:17 PM

I just talk to him and got directions. It's a three speed. Clark maybe? He's got two manuals for it.

Cub · March 02, 2018, 09:52:35 PM

If it's a 5500 it will have a ford tractor transmission in it I believe. Even the 4501 that you looked at should be all ford if it's a 4501f. 15000 for either is a good price. Even if it needs work. You won't lose money. I paid 7000 for mine with trans issues. Pulled the trans and engine gutted the trans to replace a shift fork and the reverse gear. Costed 200 bucks. Did it in less than a week. 3 days of that was waiting for parts.

Firewoodjoe · March 03, 2018, 06:09:39 AM

It is a 3 speed. Never seen a 3 speed tractor

Cub · March 03, 2018, 06:40:55 AM

Yes the auto trans is a 3 speed. Not sure where it was from. What engine is in it?

Firewoodjoe · March 03, 2018, 03:05:54 PM

Well I told him I would take it 14,000 the boom has been welded not terrible though seems to run and work really well. I brought the parts manual home with me and the 5500 only shows the eight speed automatic this is a three speed automatic so according to the book it's either a 5050 or a 5550. I can't go get it for a few weeks but I will get the serial number off it then and find out.

Firewoodjoe · March 03, 2018, 03:09:51 PM

I tried downloading a picture I don't know what I did but now it's my cover photo if you can forgot to look at that

Cub · March 03, 2018, 04:31:27 PM

I figured with the 3 speed auto it would be the 50 series just by looking at my parts manual. I probably have the same manual as you. If it has a 4 cyl turbo engine it's definitely a 50 series. Sounds like a good deal. I would've definitely bought it for that!! Good job!! You won't be sorry!! What size rubber does it have?