Dad's old tractor-need assistance

[Bigfoot62]

. . . The current plan is to get an engine oil analysis kit for the motor oil, transmission, and hydraulic system. That will give me some idea of its condition before I move it and start changing fluids and filters. $12 each is a deal.

I can visually inspect the oil and radiator fluid as well.

Shop manual is on the way.

If I am understanding what I am reading correctly, cavitation is a potential issue. Is there a special additive for the coolant or just use Deere brand recommended and it is already added? . . .

Buy a new filter from JD, and change the engine oil. Use any good quality 15w-40 diesel service oil. I use Mobil Fleet or Exxon XD-3. (but Rotella, Delo, Delvac, etc. is fine)
Transmission/hydraulic system is one in the same. Buy a new filter from JD, and go to a local fuel supplier and get 3 buckets of MobilFluid 424. (meets JD specs)
Shop manual is a good idea. Good info there.
Drain the old coolant and replace with Fleetcharge. It comes with everything your diesel engine's cooling system needs. Drain and refill every 5 years. (or you can test it annually and probably get a little more life out of it)

BTW, nice old tractor. You bet I would change the filters/fluids and take it home.
I had a 1969 model 4020. They built 'em really good back then.

 

[Creamer]

I read through this thread and I am a little perplexed at your attitude. This looks to be a great older tractor but one that probably has a lot of life left in it and is worth some money. Getting the oil analysis is a good idea and then change all the fluids and filters as has been suggested is also good. Pump up the tire and if it doesn't hold have a service fix it. Otherwise you should be great to go with a nice tractor that can do a lot of things along with having good hydraulics, live PTO, a solid 3 pt, etc. There is no reason to expect that it could not go another 4500 hours unless you find an issue with the oil analysis. Many of that vintage JDs have gone that long. In good running condition it would be worth more than a few thousand. You should be excited about this tractor - it is nice!

 

[Tom Best]

Thanks for the detail. Just what I needed. It is going to be great if everything works out. Just don't want to start spending for things like a pole barn to house it, complete fluid and filter change, transport, etc until I have a better handle on it. This arrived a little earlier in life than I had hoped.

I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Tx Jim]

JD has Cool-Gard ll coolant that has a service life of 6 yrs or 6000 hrs.

 

[Tom Best]

If this tractor needs to sit outside for a couple of months while I build a pole barn (using the tractor), what parts need to be covered. It looks like the shifter assemblies (boots are shot), exhaust pipe, and the steering/gauge cluster. Loosely covered with a breathable tarp. Maybe staked out for ventilation. Does sound right? Thanks

 

[Bigfoot62]

Put a coffee can over the exhaust, or put a flapper on it. The rest will be fine. My old 4020 never got to stay inside.

 

[DLTTrekkers]

???????????????

 

[DLTTrekkers]

I see those mudguards is mounted the wrong way !

 

[Soundguy]

napa also makes a sca/dca addative if you are not running a precharged coolant.

 

[Tom Best]

napa also makes a sca/dca addative if you are not running a precharged coolant.

Great. Thanks.