Value of 430?

[Richard]

So I'm in need of a new lawn mower. My lawn is ugly (live in the woods in the country and it's been near impossible growing a "lawn"... it's more weeds.

Wondering if a JD 430 With 986 hours would be worth $2,700?

I DO like the diesel aspect of it (love the idea of having one fuel for my International, JCB/backhoe and ???)

No implements, strictly a mowing machine. Is it worth the asking price?

 

[atsah]

Looks good, I would probably pay $2,400 for it if it runs well and the deck is in good shape.

 

[Richard]

I concur that the picture looks nice. I've not seen it yet in person.

 

[atsah]

I concur that the picture looks nice. I've not seen it yet in person.

I had a 420 gasser and the only bad thing about it was the deck was kind of a pain, seemed I changed the bearings a lot but the tractor was rugged, I always wanted a 430 diesel but It never came along..

 

[Richard]

Part of my indecision is I don't really have a decent yard. Do I want to pay (for example) $2,500 for a lawn mower when I can go by a used Sears/Husky/MTD or other brands for maybe under $1,000???

From that point of view, (for an ugly yard) I'm wincing a bit on buying something like that. However, I've ALWAYS wanted to get a diesel mower so I can finally convert everything over to diesel....

so I'm conflicted

 

[atsah]

Part of my indecision is I don't really have a decent yard. Do I want to pay (for example) $2,500 for a lawn mower when I can go by a used Sears/Husky/MTD or other brands for maybe under $1,000???

From that point of view, (for an ugly yard) I'm wincing a bit on buying something like that. However, I've ALWAYS wanted to get a diesel mower so I can finally convert everything over to diesel....

so I'm conflicted

I guess it's a matter of do you want the 430 for what it is, which is a rugged, diesel, heavy, very capable tractor or just something to mow the lawn? that is what it comes down to really, the thousand dollar mowers will mow your lawn probably as well as the 430 will but if you have to replace them often you may as well have bought the 430 that will last a long time.

That's my thinking anyway.

 

[atsah]

My 420 I could set and forget it, If I recall correctly I had to make an adjustment on it. I found the dash mounted control to be very a convenient cruise control.

 

[Richard]

I guess it's a matter of do you want the 430 for what it is, which is a rugged, diesel, heavy, very capable tractor or just something to mow the lawn? that is what it comes down to really, the thousand dollar mowers will mow your lawn probably as well as the 430 will but if you have to replace them often you may as well have bought the 430 that will last a long time.

That's my thinking anyway.

That's my thinking too....but....I don't know anything (I mean zero) about these JD mowers. Tis why I'm asking.... is it junk, is it a gem...

 

[Richard]

Having been the owner of a John Deere 318 for ten years, dealing with the right hand direction control gets to be a real pain sometimes. You can't set it and forget it. You have to constantly hold it, and going into reverse is not a straight shot back.

View attachment 596435

Does the 430 use hand controls? I asked to see if I could go Thursday & look at it. (I travel for work and won't be around until then). I was thinking it had foot controls.

At that, I thought it had TWO pedals, one forward, one reverse (as contrasted with the one foot treadle thing Kubota uses)

 

[atsah]

The tractor itself is a gem IMO, you have to get the deck just right or you will have belts falling off pulley's.

 

[beenthere]

Hand operated forward/reverse hydrostatic tranny I believe. But the 3-cyl Yanmar is a good, and quiet diesel.
Years '84-'92

TractorData.com John Deere 43 tractor information

After '92, the diesel 455 came out, and had the foot operated pedal for forward and one for reverse. Been pretty much the standard ever since I believe.

 

[Amvcane]

A 430 for sale near me wouldn’t last a week at that price. It’s really not a lawn mower, I would call it a large garden tractor. Shaft driven front implements and shaft driven mid mount mower and optional rear pto. It uses a hand controlled Hst lever that you can set and leave it till you need to change speed. You will get used to the hand control just like anything else. I use the steering brakes when mowing or snow plowing so my right foot is busy.
I would check for any leaks. Ask for a cold start so you can see that the glow plugs are functioning properly. Take the radiator cap off and see how bad the tubes are scaled or bloomed up. The Hst might buck you real good going from forward to reverse to fast.( some linkage and dampener wear ). The steering may wander a bit. See how far you can turn the steering wheel before the wheels move.( again, wear items). I’m sure there is more that I left out.
The tractor looks to be well kept and in great condition, negotiate a price and give it any TLC it deserves.
Good luck.

 

[Deere Dude]

We had a 420 which is the gas sister to the 430. It is a fairly large GT and my wife loved to drive that over out newer X740 we have currently etc. I do like the 2 speed transaxle it uses.

It is a tough machine and I know that in the factory where they made them, they used them in the lift truck mechanics shop to push lift trucks around. They put mucho weight on the rear for traction and they didn't have a problem pushing stalled lift trucks except for the squealing of tires. Used them for many years.

If it is in good shape, it would be a keeper. In 1000 more hours this thing will still be chugging along but that sears or whatever other cheapy tractor will be in the trash bin already.

 

[Richard]

Well... went to look at it.

It's in nice condition. Yeah, it has the various scratches here & there... but it started on "right now", just like someone turning a light switch.

Got a chance to use it. NOt sure how much I love the hand control.....but it is what it is.

He came down to $2,100.

I figure I've lost more than that in a given day on the stock market.... so here I at least have something tangible for the price!!

Going to try to pick it up this weekend.

I asked him how long a tank of fuel lasts. Said he cuts his neighbors field/yard (VERY VERY large "yard") in front of their house.... cuts it every couple weeks and he can cut it four times on a single tank.

I said (given the size of their yard verses mine) a tank might then last me 3 years!!!

So... I have a British JCB... an International....and now, a Deere.

Heck... next, I might buy a car or something!!

 

[atsah]

Well... went to look at it.

It's in nice condition. Yeah, it has the various scratches here & there... but it started on "right now", just like someone turning a light switch.

Got a chance to use it. NOt sure how much I love the hand control.....but it is what it is.

He came down to $2,100.

I figure I've lost more than that in a given day on the stock market.... so here I at least have something tangible for the price!!

Going to try to pick it up this weekend.

I asked him how long a tank of fuel lasts. Said he cuts his neighbors field/yard (VERY VERY large "yard") in front of their house.... cuts it every couple weeks and he can cut it four times on a single tank.

I said (given the size of their yard verses mine) a tank might then last me 3 years!!!

So... I have a British JCB... an International....and now, a Deere.

Heck... next, I might buy a car or something!!

Good for you, $2,100 and you have a nice tractor, I think you will come to like the dash control, good luck with it..

 

[Richard]

Many thanks!

Can one find loaders for these at this stage in their life?

I use my JCB to raise a bucket load of mulch up the hill (over our rock retaining wall).

I'm wondering if this would make it easier to scoop & simply drive back there....I'm still not sure it would be. If I can't get a loader it's a moot point but if I can, then I'm left wondering...

So, are they available or is that an Ebay / junk yard kind of thing?

 

[atsah]

They can be had, I have seen several for sale locally. More than likely if you find one it will need to be shipped though..

 

[Amvcane]

Congratulations on the purchase. Excellent price. Let’s see some pics.

 

[Richard]

Was intending on getting it this morning but, the funds (moved from brokerage account) haven't arrived yet... I'm now concluding they will arrive on Monday while they get used by someone for 2-3 days without paying interest.

Oh well... trying to keep my eyes on the ball.

Will get a couple pictures when I can.

Hmmm.... maybe I'll park the backhoe next to the International....and hoist the Deere up in the front loader... kind of a family shot.

 

[Richard]

Congratulations on the purchase. Excellent price. Let痴 see some pics.

Here ya go!!

Given where it's parked, I thought I'd include my backhoe for some scale. I could do that without moving anything. My other tractor (IH 1066 is parked such that it can't be included in the picture. I told my wife's cousin (lives next door) we should line up the various items in the field and have a fleet photo.

(for riding machines, he's got a JD Gator, IH 444 and I have the above items)