Need another haying tractor

Determined

Well-known Member
Considering purchase of a JD 4230 1975 7000 hrs on it, front end damage, cosmetic to hood, loader frame bent up otherwise complete and running.
Anything good or bad to say about this model?
Mostly orange things around here so I have humbly come to the green page for comments.
Dave
 
4230's are a good haying tractor nice low end power, and ready to serve up 100-110HP. The later 1976 models had some nice improvements.They are a very re-pairable unit should the need arise..even in average condition you will be pleased.
 
The -30 series were made for about 5 years in the mid 1970’s. The models in your range (4030, 4230, 4430, and 4630) are all generally good except for the 4030. The 4030 was made to replace the 3020 and by most accounts it did not. BTW the one you are looking at, the 4230, was the replacement for the 4020, which many would say was never replaced.
 

I grew up on my parents farm where there was a 4030. I don't remember anything bad about it and I doubt a 3020 could come close to out performing the 4030.
 
I've never heard anyone else say a 4030 was a poor replacement for the 3020. It offered more power, oil bath clutch, quad range transmission and the transmission pump was full time drive. They had a better front axle to go along with the oil bath clutch to make quite a nice loader tractor... What's not to like? The 329 wasnt the best cold starter and wasnt the best "lugger" but was sufficient power for the 4030.
 
Thanks for the info, I will be going down to get a good look at it on Monday.
I have a loader from a 4240 that got a little warm I am hoping will work on it.
Dave
 
We use a 4230 on our dairy farm on the TMR mixer. Ours is a 1976, and it has right around 28,000 hours on it. The hour meter has never been replaced, but is on its 3rd trip around. It HAS been reliable.

That being said, it is our only quad range tractor, and I wish it was either a powershift or syrcro. The quad range has never been my favorite transmission. Maybe when we wear it out I'll get something different....
 
(quoted from post at 21:54:39 02/28/13)
That being said, it is our only quad range tractor, and I wish it was either a powershift or syrcro. The quad range has never been my favorite transmission. Maybe when we wear it out I'll get something different....

I'd rather have a Quad-range than a Syncro-range. Only difference between the 2 trans is shift pattern and the QR is a SR with a hyd 2 speed.
 
4030 were way better than 3020s but people expected 80H.P.to do what the 95H.P. 4020 would do.They should have called them a 3030 and people would not have confused their intended upgrade in the lineup.
 
If you find a good one that has been cared for, like pretty much anything you buy, it should deliver a long time of service. Anytime you have to tear into them, it is going to cost serious $$$$. A family member of mine had to stick some money into one a few years ago into the transmission/rear end. Have a good, dependable tractor now. This size should suit your purpose just fine.
 
Actually, if you check Nebraska test results for the 30 series JD's, the 4030 had the most torque rise of any of them! 32 percent, if I remember correctly. Mine will start in below freezing temps, with no assists. I believe the 4030 is a better tractor than a 4230. The 4230 was pretty much the dog of that series. They were hard starting tractors and were not very good on fuel.
 
Have a 1976 4230 powershift. Planting, haying in the summer. Feed tractor in the winter. Like to put a turbo on it for better fuel mileage though. Put an air seat in it 15 yrs ago and a 40 series cab kit 2 yrs ago with the thicker floor mat. really quiets them dow.
 
A turbo on a 4230/4240 works out nice, we ran a 4230 open station for years with a turbo and running it at about 130/140HP, very nice running tractor, good low end power, we still have a 4240 open station with a turbo, but don't use it much,,bigger planters called for bigger tractors, but for years we pulled a 6X30 planter and a 15' no-till drill with the 42's,,now days a 30' air drill and a 16X30 planter with 4960's....
 
I went to look at the tractor today, first class turd.
Fuel tank caved in to half capacity, rad pushed into fan, coupler for front pump sheared off, casting by lower pulley broken, step and battery box hanging at a 45 degree angle, unable to open door, climbed through missing back window, interior a mess, what was left of the seat was hanging on by one bolt, crossmember on loader frame snapped off on right side, hour meter said 7000 hrs sure it has been around a few times, tractor had been split before, oil, fuel,coolant and hydraulic oil leaking from every imaginable place plus a few, left hand loader arm on the ground, right hand a foot off the ground...
But hey it had good rear tires and the windshield was intact.
Guess I will keep looking.
I have a burnt 4240 that would take less work to put into service.
Dave
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top