JI Case 401

Built: 1955–1957 · Series: Hunderter-Baureihe

More machines from model year 1955

Source: https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/4/6/466-ji-cas

The Hunderter series from JI Case includes the 401. Production: 1955–1957. The engine delivers 50 hp (36.8 kW), has 4 cylinders, with a displacement of 4,119 cm³. Rated speed is 1,500 rpm. The machine is 3,622 mm long, 2,164 mm wide and 1,890 mm high. The unladen weight is 2,986 kg. The wheelbase measures 2,324 mm. Ground clearance is 615 mm. Top speed is 20 km/h. Transmission: 8 V/2 R. The engine is water-cooled. Tyres: front 6.00 - 16 ASF, rear 13 - 38 AS. The fuel is diesel. The bore measures 101.6 mm. The stroke is 127 mm. The compression ratio is 15:1. Construction: frame construction. The Hunderter-Baureihe series covers 8 models. Rated output within it ranges from 27 to 70 hp; the 401 sits in the middle of that range with 50 hp. Its immediate neighbours are the 300 below it with 30 hp and the 500 above it with 55 hp. Unladen weight within it ranges from 1,542 to 3,687 kg; here the 401 sits in the upper part of that range with 2,986 kg. 121 JI Case models across 13 series are on record.

J.I. Case hundred series (1953–1958) – the tractors from Racine between the letters and the 30s: 300 to 600, the hundreds number as size class, the 500 as first Case diesel, petrol, LPG and diesel

The hundred series replaced at J.I. Case of Racine, Wisconsin, the letter tractors of the pre-war period – the models S, D and LA that had run since 1939. The start was made in 1953 by the Case 500, the company's first diesel tractor, with a six-cylinder of 6.2 litres (377 cubic inches) and PTO; in 1955 the 400 followed as the medium and in 1956 the 300 as the small model, in 1957 the 600 as successor to the 500. The type logic: the hundreds number orders the size class in ascending order, the sub-variants 301, 311, 401 and 411 mark versions with a different layout or fuel type – petrol, LPG or diesel – Case in this period assigning the extra digits by equipment and drive. The engines are Case's own four- and six-cylinders with low rated speeds of 1,350 to 1,750 rpm, as characterise the American standard tractors of the 1950s.

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The register lists 8 versions with 19.9 to 51.5 kW from engines of 2,420 to 6,178 cm³, unladen weights from 1,542 to 3,687 kg, lengths from 3,175 to 3,700 mm, widths from 1,692 to 2,170 mm and heights from 1,422 to 2,325 mm.

In 1958 the 30 series (430 to 930) followed with the Case-o-matic torque-converter transmission – the hundreds are thus the short transitional generation in which Case introduced the diesel, and today sought-after collectors' pieces in the Desert Sunset livery.

On used tractors, originality, engine condition and carburettor or injection, clutch, gearbox and hydraulics (Eagle Hitch), sheet metal and tyres count; parts run through collector dealers in North America.

Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: J.I. Case Hunderter-Baureihe, J. I. Case Company (Wikipedia)

Technical data

Engine

Fuel	dieselcorrect
Power	50 hp (36.8 kW)correct
Rated speed	1,500 rpmcorrect
Cylinders	4correct
Displacement	4,119 cm³correct
Bore	101.6 mmcorrect
Stroke	127 mmcorrect
Compression ratio	15correct
Cooling	water-cooledcorrect

Dimensions and weights

Length	3,622 mmcorrect
Width	2,164 mmcorrect
Height	1,890 mmcorrect
Wheelbase	2,324 mmcorrect
Ground clearance	615 mmcorrect
Unladen weight	2,986 kgcorrect

Drivetrain and chassis

Drive	rear-wheel drivecorrect
Gearbox	8 V/2 Rcorrect
Front tyres	6.00 - 16 ASFcorrect
Rear tyres	13 - 38 AScorrect
Top speed	20 km/hcorrect

Origin and approval

Construction	frame constructioncorrect

Where this model stands

Power-to-weight ratio: 12.3 kW/t (37 kW / 3 t)

Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)

Stronger than 34% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.

Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.

Frequently asked questions

How much power does the JI Case 401 have?

The JI Case 401 delivers 50 hp.

How much does the JI Case 401 weigh?

The unladen weight is 2,986 kg.

What engine does the JI Case 401 have?

4 cylinders, 4,119 cm³ displacement, Diesel.

How fast does the JI Case 401 go?

Top speed is 20 km/h.

What are the dimensions of the JI Case 401?

3,622 mm × 2,164 mm × 1,890 mm.

When was the JI Case 401 built?

Production years: 1955–1957.

What to check before buying

Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.

A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.

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This page carries 22 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.

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