2001 John Deere 4300 HST tractor extensive repairs and refurbishment

[dfkrug]

This is my second one of these 4300 ex-rental repair projects, and as I
wind it up, I will be posting the process here. Unlike the last 4300
I did, I will start new threads for the different major repairs, and link them
here. That way, a particular repair is not buried deeply in such a long thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/146974-john-deere-4300-complete-rebuild.html
I will try to post some links to 4x00 repairs done by other TBN members,
too.

I got this tractor more than a year ago, and it had many of the common
problems these units have, but the engine ran quite well. It came with
2018 hours on it. It needed:

> gear box repairs, including PTO and range shifter
> new body panels, and body panel repairs
> extensive 420 loader repairs
> engine valve lash check and adjustment
> backhoe hydraulic plumbing and subframe
> turn signal/hazard switch and lights

....and other minor things, including front wheel repair, new fuel door
hinge, jumpering some interlock switches, full hyd oil and
filter service, modification of the grille guard, inspection of the
common 4300 weak spots, etc.

The first pix are the 'before' pix, to get an idea about the scope of the
project. After multiple passes with the pressure-washer and removal
of the FEL, the tractor just sat for several months. Moving it around
and removing the FEL was quite easy since the tractor still ran. The
trans was stuck in LOW range, so towing or pushing the tractor with
the engine off can be very hard on the HST, since there will be little
lubrication. If this happens to you, it is prob better to lift the rear of the
tractor off the ground when moving it if you can't start the engine (in
2WD). Also removing loaders is hard without hyd power. BTDT.

 

[rekees4300]

It's sad to see a 4300 in that condition. Look forward to your posts. :thumbsup:

 

[dfkrug]

You can see in the first photo that this tractor has the "rental yard"
kit, which includes the steel hood armor, which adds 100 pounds of steel
to protect the fragile hood. It did not work on this one, apparently. The
hood is totally gone. I am deleting the hood armor for this unit, but
I like the larger grille guard, so I will use that.

It also has protection armor underneath (pix). Notice the pristine
FEL hardlines. My last 4300 has no such under-armor, and the hardlines
were a bent-up mess. Nice setup.

In the same photos, you can see that JD has gone to a totally different
HST control, vs. the older units. The 'go' pedals operate the round
shafts in the top of the 1st photo. It was hard getting the older controls
adjusted properly.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'll be really interested in viewing your progress!

 

[bucktaker]

what does a tractor in that shape go for? did you get it auction?

 

[dfkrug]

what does a tractor in that shape go for? did you get it auction?

It is complicated; I have an "arrangement" with the rental yard. Back in
the 90's when I was looking for a tractor, I bought my first one from
these guys, a tired old Kubota L2550DT. I have since purchased a total
of 8 rental tractors from these guys, for anywhere from about $1K to
nearly $4K each, depending on condition. ALL needed repair; the least
expensive was the last 4300, which was broken in many areas, and missing
many parts.

This particular 4300 was about $4K, but I also got some beat-up
implements with it. Way better deal than I generally see at any auction.

I have helped them now convert the last of their Deeres over to Bobcat
CT335SEs. Maybe in a few years, I will buy one of those....

 

[dfkrug]

Before I went crazy with the pressure-washer, I removed the FEL.

Here is a photo of the QA hyd hose connectors. If you don't take
these apart now and then, you will not find them all that easy to get
apart. Dirt gets into the balls because they are positioned down low.

What I did was to turn the collars and wiggle them while brushing
copious amount of gasoline on them with a stiff brush. If you
don't like gas, use carb cleaner. (I know you struggled with yours,
Roy.)

 

[RoyJackson]

What I did was to turn the collars and wiggle them while brushing
copious amount of gasoline on them with a stiff brush. If you
don't like gas, use carb cleaner. (I know you struggled with yours,
Roy.)

Boy, you got that right!!

 

[kebo]

It's sad to see a 4300 in that condition. Look forward to your posts. :thumbsup:

It is pretty amazing how poorly some people can treat property that belongs to someone else, even if it is rental property.:ashamed: Should be another great thread Dave, look forward to it as well!

 

[dfkrug]

After you take off the some of the body panels, seat, instrument
cluster, etc. you can see some serious dirt buildup. Some of this
dirt can cause corrosion of electrical connections, and even some
of the hydraulics on top of the 3-pt cylinder housing.

The connector for the instrument cluster was completely full
of dirt. Thankfully all the instruments still work, including the hour
meter.

A plastic plug that goes over the 3-pt cylinder check valve is missing,
so that area is full of dirt. I find that water can also accumulate here,
and rust the threads of the check valve cap. I'll make a cap when
its all cleaned up.