Burned JohnDeere 4100

[tugboat-2]

Jake,...I think Kernopelli says it very well. I think it is very wise NOT to spend a penny on it,....untill it has been extremely well examined by your JD mechanic and a decision made whether or not it's worth rebuilding or simply parting it out to build your bank account.

In other words don't purchase filters or seals etc for later just because you can get a deal on them now. After reading your description of its condition, I too am very concerned about heat distortion, weakness and other wierd things that happen with excessive heat.

Don't be disappointed if it turns out to be best not to rebuild. Keep in mind there is an absolute wealth of educational information in the unit either way. Parting it out can be extremely advantageous financially, ...as long as you are honest with the buyers.

I'd be interested in seeing the photos when you are better able to get some. What an interesting project to dismantle,...keeping track, making notes, taking photos,...treat it like a plane crash post mortem, ...every part and piece tagged and documented for later expert-examination. Will make an interesting photo-documented album or book.

Would your school accept a project like that for "credits" ? If I had any say at your school, I would most certainly give you the greatest encouragement!

Anyway Jake, as always,...I wish you well in all that you do!! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[mjncad]

Until we see photos, I'm going to err on the side of caution and suggest you use the machine only for teaching yourself how these machines are put together and operate.

In other words, tear into it to see what makes it tick without having to worry about wrecking it, or having to get it back together because you need to mow weeds or something.

To me there is nothing worse than having to work on a machine versus wanting to work on it.

I think this "Free" tractor could easily become a big money pit for you with a very uncertain chance of success.

 

[Johndeere3720]

well, although the computer wasnt cooperating, i still managed to upload a picture. This is the best picture I could get until they pull it out of the pile. The tiller seems to be in good shape since it stuck out of the barn a little bit.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I do plan to tear into it with the mechanic from John Deere to see if it is worth fixing up. I know that I can save the tiller and the loader. I couldn't get a better picture since we cant move anything since the fire is still under investigation. Wost case, I can part it out and earn some $$$$. One thing i am wondering though, if the 4100 is unfixable, will the FEL fit on my Yanmar? I know i will have to tweek it a bit but would it work on my Yanmar? im pretty sure it is a 410 FEL.

 

[aczlan]

My take on this tractor:
Disassemble: Yes
Part out: Yes
Rebuild: Not worth it (based on your pictures).

IMO, if it got hot enough to take the paint off you will have to replace ALL seals AND many parts. The loader MIGHT be salvageable (if the metal isn't discolored) and with new rams it could be usable on your Yanmar (with some adaptions). I did a similar project last winter where I had a engine compartment fire on a '89 Volvo 740. It just lost the engine wiring harness and fuel lines. But it would have been cheaper to part the car out and get another one than it was to repair it. I did repair it and it worked from Upstate NY to Iowa where it lost coolant and cooked the engine... Alas.

If I could get it for free I would get it, tear it down, sell whatever is reusable and scrap the rest.

Just my $0.02

Aaron Z

 

[Johndeere3720]

Im just very curious about whats under the hood.........

 

[DanD78]

Walk Away..

Having been a tool maker and dealing with heat treating metals, the tractors parts could be any where from soft as lead if allowed to air cool to brittle as glass if it was hit with water and quenched vary quickly.

You can tell that was a hot fire. You are not talking minor damage here.

Dan

 

[Kubota 2350]

That looks to have been a very HOT fire, I have to agree with the rest of the guy's that say it's probably not worth fixing.

 

[aczlan]

Im just very curious about whats under the hood.........

There is a bunch of charred or burnt stuff under the hood. Not much more.

Aaron Z

 

[Johndeere3720]

so part it out? Does the FEL look like it could be fixed up and put on my Yanmar? Is the tiller salvagable?