John Deere 435

OhioTractorGuy · Mar 29, 2009

Looking for some opinions out there on the JD 435 Diesel Tractor. Was able to pick one up that has a broken torque tube/bell housing. I have an extra laying around so I thought it would be a bit of a different project to work on. Ive been in, around, and thru the gas 420/430 tractors and dont think the 435 will be too much different, but dont know for sure so that is why Im putting some feelers out there. I may keep it around the place once Im done with it because it is something different, but Ive heard they scream/are loud and it may not hold to much favor with the Mrs if she can hear me mowing from across the farm. I think its worth my time (could part it out but its too complete to do so) just for the experience. Is there anything I should look out for and do you folks out there like them well enough that youd replace one of your 430 tractors with one?
Thanks for any insight!

M.Shelby · Mar 29, 2009

I've had two 435's, mainly because I'm an old Detroit Diesel guy. I think the exhaust would be somewhat quieter with the oval muffler instead of the round one. Also, 435's don't start well in cold weather. Replace a 430 gas with a 435? Do what you want, to enjoy the hobby!

bighornJD · Mar 29, 2009

My grandfather has one and its a pretty neat little tractor. Definitely has a very distinctive sound and yes, they are pretty loud, although his had a straight pipe. Not sure what it would be like with a muffler - i would imagine probably still pretty loud. Sounds like its running twice the RPM at the same throttle position as a gas 430 due to being 2cycle. They aren't too common so I'd say hold on to her and fix it up. Definitely fun to drive. One of the tougher older diesels to start in cold weather also but seemed to run forever on a small amount of fuel.

buickanddeere · Mar 29, 2009

Mostly the 435's are abused, neglected and mis-understood.
As previously stated, I wouldn't consider anything other than a real JD oval muffler.
They start on about 3 turns at 20F if built to N's series specs and have a group 31 battery.
There is a couple of dozen past posts here on the factory updates to the injectors,pistons, springs and seals.
Any options in particular? There are some rare ones out there.

Bob in Oakboro · Mar 29, 2009

I have had one for about 6 years and it has been a good tractor. I did put an oval muffler on it and that helped the noise situation, but my wife still knows where I am at!

Anonymous-0 · Mar 29, 2009

I heard one running at the Cedar Falls show last year and it wasn't loud at all. Sure didn't sound like a two cylinder JD either.

Gerald J.

RobMD · Mar 29, 2009

I saw one that had two oval mufflers adapted to it. sounded a lot quieter.

bruster · Mar 30, 2009

Dad and I bought one 14 years ago, and had to replace most of the rear end gearing (abused from pulling)from a 420. The oval muffler helps, but you can tell it's a Detroit 2 cycle under the hood. Swept back front axle was not common, but are you looking for options that will increase it's value? Other options were
5 speed trans
High speed drive
belt pully
Hour meter
Rear wheel weights
Float ride seat
Lighting package

buickanddeere · Mar 30, 2009

Three rib rear fenders, 34" rims, power steering, live pto, dual rockshaft and 1000rpm pto are good finds too.

bruster · Mar 30, 2009

Yeah, those were som of the items that are on our 435. I Should have thought about those since we don't have fenders on it. Makes for wet pant legs if you're running it through wet areas!

buickanddeere · Mar 30, 2009

The three rib HD fenders are a tough find. There are some respectable two rib reproductions that are better than nothing.
I have seen Waterloo fenders on a Dubuque and they don't look too bad if mounted properly. And if the Dubuque has some large dia rear tires.

OhioTractorGuy · Mar 30, 2009

The tractor does have a five speed/Live PTO and does have an hour meter. I have a float ride seat I can put on it as well as the standard fenders. . . it has a set of the HD fenders but they have seen their better days. I may take my time trying to repair them and use them on my industrial yellow 430W. It is a 1959 tractor just before the change over to the 1960 year so power steering was not an option. Dont remember seeing any lights and Ill probably look into the silencer muffler for sure. We have a motor grader we use occasionally around the farm with a 3-53 in it and Im trying to think back to how it sounds. . . of course that motor is behind you while you are in a cab so the sound may be less severe. Ill try to post a few pics if anyone is interested.
Thanks for the replies. I enjoy hearing other folks" opinions and stories about them. Have a tractor buddy that pulls them (You know who you are!) and is an all around expert Id say, I may be bugging him with questions as I go along.

HeyPigFarmer · Mar 30, 2009

Not much of a detroit diesel fan, but I do think they are a neat little tractor that you don't see a whole lot of. At least not around here. I've only seen two in my life. Given the option, and if I didn't want to spend my money on other things, I would look into one. I know with the right work done to the Oliver/Detroit's they can be made to scream, pull and smoke like nobody's buisness.

OhioTractorGuy · Mar 30, 2009

Well, was able to get the tractor home and looked it over real good today. I have some thinking to do; seems the dash casting and the timing cover on the motor that bolts up to the torque tube is/are broken as well. Ive been offered the rear cover for a price, and I could kick myself cause I had a dash casting from a 440 awhile back that left on a pile of parts for cheap awhile back. Ill put some feelers out there for those parts.
Has decent sheetmetal and looks complete most everywhere else; three point is well used but everything else looks ok. I just dont want it to become one of those projects that gets started and ends up sitting for a number of months. I already have a few of those going now!
I will probably take a look in on the transmission and ring/pinion and that will make my decision for me. If all looks good then Ill probably put it back together; if the gears look abused might as well take it apart. Is there much demand out there for a good 2-53 motor? I know the sheetmetal parts would go quite easily, but would like most everything gone if Im going that route.
Thanks again for all the input.

buickddeere · Mar 31, 2009

HD Ring & pinion from a 1010 prior to serial # 31,000 bolts right in. There is a low and high speed set.
The belhousing and back of a W 420 from serial # 125,000+ or a W 430 is easy enough to come by. Did somebody do something crazy with this tractor.
Check the bolts and castings where the front axle assembly bolts to the front of the engine block. Is anything sprung, broken or loose there?

OhioTractorGuy · Mar 31, 2009

Front End is ok,
Just broke in the middle at the torque tube and the timing/flywheel cover. Amazing it didnt drop down to the ground. I have two ratchet straps from the rear axle housings up to the front axle to hold it together. Have located a timing cover to go with my bell housing and I have a good late 420W trans if I need it. Just need to find a dash casting close so the shipping does not kill me!

John Deere 435

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