John Deere 430 I just bought

[arto98607]

Please tell us what you really think about JD 430

 

[5030]

Update

My plan all along was to service & dismantle my "new" 87 JD 430 enough to be able to inspect hydraulics, drive train, belts, drive shafts etc. in order to repair or replace whatever is needed, in order to make this into a long term use reliable garden tractor.

I have ran into a little difficulty when trying to remove the drive shaft rear yoke from the hydrostatic pump shaft!

It looks like it has never been removed previously, and has gotten stuck in the shaft (IE. rusted in place over 37 years). The front end is already loose and has cleared the engine V-belt pulley so that's not holding it.

I've been spraying WD40 over two or three days and trying to removed it gently, without hammering chisels in too hard in order to loosen the yoke.
Hammering chisels in too hard could easily damage the hydro pump outboard bearing & shaft surface.



Anyone else here who has had to deal with the same issue?


Panels removed for better access:
View attachment 883292


Two chisels, one on each side of the yoke split:
View attachment 883293


Lots of WD40, but so far it has not budged:
View attachment 883294

Switch to PBlaster Arto. PBlaster and a bit of heat from a propane torch and it will come loose. Needs a bath underneath and some JD yellow paint on the wheels but I know you are a resourceful operator. You are like me, we hate grime and dirt. Actually, I use PBlaster every time I attach or detach any PTO coupling. It's an excellent rust release agent and provides lubrication to sli8ding surfaces. I use it all the time. I have a gallon of WD in the shop I never opened.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I mean, it is just a garden tractor, a 1025R will outwork it all day. It's still a piece of history, and a machine some folks have a soft spot for.

 

[arto98607]

I mean, it is just a garden tractor, a 1025R will outwork it all day. It's still a piece of history, and a machine some folks have a soft spot for.

Sure JD 1025R will outwork 430 and they are not really competing anyway.

Two of my neighbors have 1025R's, one has 2038R

I have no need for 1025R and would never spend money buying one of those since it would be too small when I need a tractor and not really practical lawnmower compared to a professional mowers in my opinion - I know we all have one...

Like mentioned in post #1 my intention was to find a suitable Diesel replacement for JD 300 since I do not like parking gasoline powered anything in my barn, when the engine is hot after some hard work.

 

[beenthere]

The JD 430 is between 32 and 40 years old. Can't expect Deere to re-stock parts in their warehouses forever. And what is left in stock, should indeed bring a higher price due to value.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Sure JD 1025R will outwork 430 and they are not really competing anyway.

Two of my neighbors have 1025R's, one has 2038R

I have no need for 1025R and would never spend money buying one of those since it would be too small when I need a tractor and not really practical lawnmower compared to a professional mowers in my opinion - I know we all have one...

Like mentioned in post #1 my intention was to find a suitable Diesel replacement for JD 300 since I do not like parking gasoline powered anything in my barn, when the engine is hot after some hard work.

Please don't think I was talking down the 430, I was just trying to emphasize their value as a historical piece.

 

[bg71361]

Great news: John Deere discontinued the rockshaft cylinder (rear hydraulic cylinder). Before they did that, they jacked the price up to about $450. A reasonable price would be more like $100.

No rockshaft cylinder, no tractor.

LOL your clueless

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

That was a stupid comment, so I'll give it all the consideration it deserves.

LOL your clueless

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

The JD 430 is between 32 and 40 years old. Can't expect Deere to re-stock parts in their warehouses forever. And what is left in stock, should indeed bring a higher price due to value.

I'm talking about the 430 as a useful tool that has a future. I'm not talking about buying one as a hobby so you can enjoy searching for parts and looking for workarounds when the machine breaks down and your grass grows for weeks.

It WILL break down. Every machine does. Then comes the realization that proprietary parts are being discontinued.

A lot of people love working on old machines that aren't practical any more. I get that. But there are guys who listen to old JD fanbois who think the gates of heaven are green, and they don't all know about the problems they are buying, because the fanbois don't talk about them.

Brand loyalty is a state of delusion.

"They run forever!" No, they don't. Not without parts. My tractor needed a rockshaft (discontinued), a grille (discontinued), an exhaust pipe ($160 for a $50 part), a fuel line, an alternator (an incredible $600), and a muffler (over $400). Thank God I was not stupid enough to buy a rebadged JD alternator.

I'm looking forward to dumping this thing (just as John Deere has) and having a mower that works for me instead of having it the other way around. I really want to unload it before I have to pull the deck out again. It will be so nice, working on a modern machine that makes things easier and cuts much better to boot.

 

[bigtiller]

The Deere 430 garden tractor is somewhere between 32 & 40 years old, depending on the year it was made.
It's no longer a work horse, it's a parade queen.