What to look for in used JD 400 series

IaLeo

Well-known Member
I finally gave up patching up my 214 using parts of two 212's, extending the use of these old JD's.
Now need AWS and snow blower as well as deck and the ability to pull a tow mower. Would also need pwr strg. Won't afford new stuff. The 400 series looks like what I could afford.

Question: what repair/maintenance items should I be aware of when shopping for this model?

Appreciate your help on this. Leo
 
check for hydraulic leaks on the oil cooler . used, the coolers are about 200 dollars. also check the u-joints in the drive shaft.
 
There is an add on Columbia Mo CL. He has three or four 400 styles for sale. I do not know him or have any money in that add.
 
You are asking about machines that are approaching 40 years of age.
If its worth your consideration it would have to been well maintained and probably overhauled some where in the past or maybe a old lady yust used it to go to the mailbox.

What i"m trying to say, is its probably lived out its useful life and to be relegated to the collector statis.
There are exceptions to every rule, so look it over carefully.
 
I think folks often fail to look at the big picture...I know, I am often one of them!

We tell ourselves we cannot afford something and wind up spending a small fortune trying to patch junk back together and tell ourselves how we saved ourselves money and try to pretend that using something that was worn out 25 years ago is great bargain, etc., etc. I have been guilty of this false economy many times in the past but as I have grown older, wisdom has managed to come to the front of my thinking....so all I am suggesting is that you think about it for a spell from every angle.

Remember the Mr. Goodwrench commercials....you can pay me now or you can pay me later? You WILL ultimately pay regardless of what you choose to do. Either by being nickeled and dimed to death patching junk together hoping for another season of use, or you can pay up front and at least enjoy using your machine until it too, has become used up.

I hate junk. I hate it because forever it was what I told myself I could 'afford'. I hate it because somebody else got the good out of it and then I got the scrap remaining to work with. If you can just get beyond telling yourself you 'can't afford it' and go make an investment in a decent machine, you'll look back and wonder why you denied yourself for so long.

I've got an ancient JD 111 that I spent a pile of 'new' money on and it's still a 25 year old, worn out mower. Fix one thing and something, goes bad. I get tired of working on something for 3 hours so I can use it.

Pony up for a new machine...or at least a machine of recent manufacture...say 3 years or less and don't look back.

I spent $32k on a tractor 9 years ago and I've replaced the battery and the block heater and one switch....and oil changes. I get to use it...not work on it. You won't have to spend that much, but you'll be glad you did.
 
I agree to an extent, if a person is going to mess vith the old stuff, he should know how to wyrk on it or have deep pockets.
I have been blessed with a limited mechanical knowledge, and I can keep old stuff wyrking due to knowing what to fix and when to fix it.
Also i"m a great believer in preventive maintance, and very particular about it.
In my days I have seen far too many machines meet an early demise because of neglect and abuse.
 
Hmmmm...

I have a 400 and several 318's.

They are the best-built/toughest/simplest LGT's PERIOD, and just keep going with reasonable maintenance.

Have FUN with your EPA-compliant PLASTIC stuff, HAAV... Just keep "drink'in the Koolaide" and keep buying throwaway stuff"!
 
Was that an attempt to jab a stick in my eye Bob with your drivel about plastic something-or-another crap?

I said I have an ancient JD 111, but I didn"t say what I mow with...you can presume whatever you want.

But for the record, I use a JD 5320 tractor and 6 foot Woods finish mower. It"s a bit overkill but one machine does it all around here. I had the injector pump tweaked a bit....dynoing 81 ponies at the pto. Hook all your JD LGT"s to the back and I"ll not even engage the 4 wd and we"ll see who wins.
 
Well I decided to part with many thousands and am buying a new X534 with 54 deck and snowblower. It better work miracles because I miss my money!

Thanks for your comments.
 

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