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John Deere 544A opinions

turfguy87

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2011
Messages
11
Location
Ohio
I just purchased a '72 JD 544A loader that hasn't been run in years. Did these have glow plugs or an alternate heating system?

What do you guys think of these?
I'm looking for an air filter housing, as mine is badly rusted.
It looks like there was an optional backhoe attachment available. Anyone know about these? I imagine they were fairly rare and pricey.
 

Abscraperguy

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
265
Location
Grande Prairie, Ab
I've never heard of one with glow plugs. I've seen quite a few that had circulating block heaters installed.

You won't have trouble with a 544A if it's seen regular maintenance and isn't beat out even if it is older. The nice things about these loaders is that on most a lot of the parts all you gotta do is take them to your local Deere Ag dealer or tractor wrecker and match them. Deere industrial and ag equipment shared a lot of parts back then.
 

Peter42g

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
8
Location
Rouyn-Noranda
Thank you glenlunberg, I installed JD244J mirrors in July, rear window is hard to open, seem to be the hinge, motor run great. Sometime, after working with transmission lever on "low", it's take a few seconds to the transmission engage when I put the lever on "high", mechanic say it's probably a spool adjustment. :)JD544A-73-SFML-3.jpg
 

norite

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
483
Location
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
It looks like there was an optional backhoe attachment available. Anyone know about these? I imagine they were fairly rare and pricey.

I've only ever seen one 544 with a backhoe, not sure if it was factory or custom fitted. You could get one of the detachable backhoe attachments for a 450 track loader and adapt it. If you do try to get one with the cylinders for swing, I was told the ones with the swing motor are problematic and expensive to repair.

I wouldn't bother mounting a backhoe on a 544 myself, cheaper, easier and better to just get a tractor/loader/backhoe.
 

jjinc814

New Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Bedford PA 15522
544A Blown Engine

Hi Guys, Im new here and I have a JD 544A that we use to move wrecked cars around our tow yard. The motor just started wrapping. Does anybody know of any used engines that are reasonably priced? I'm located in south central PA. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, John
 

Delmer

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
8,863
Location
WI
Have you considered rebuilding the one you have? Unlike cars and trucks where you can pick up an old engine with low miles for nothing, good used diesel engines are harder to find and the rebuild is more competitive cost wise.
 
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