JD 4230

FarmerCline · Feb 2, 2015

I'm thinking about possibly buying a 4230 and was wondering what changes and improvements were to made to the tractor over its production run. How different would a 73 model be than a 77? I have been told to stay away from the 73 models as they had some problems in the final drives. I know a 4020 had many improvements over its production run and was just wondering if a 4230 did as well.

Tx Jim · Feb 2, 2015

The only major update to a 4230 that I remember was the steering was changed from 4020 style to the better metering pump style at SN 019559. I don't remember 4230 having any final drive problems such as affected 4430's

larryanderson · Feb 2, 2015

They were slow starters but still nice tractors and don't remember any updates.The Sound Guard Cab was the big improvement over the 20 series and the 20 series if 69/72 will bring about the same money.

cornerpost · Feb 2, 2015

In the 1975 models-if memory serves-they dumped
right hand remote direct to case to fix a back
pressure issue 73's and 74's had using a single
action cylinder in some applications. We had this
issue with markers on a 400 Cyclo planter and a 1974
4430. Better seat in 75 models and maybe a 4 roller
injection pump for better starting.

tim s · Feb 2, 2015

There were some major changes in 4230's after serial #34,665, in the clutch transmission and engine,and at serial #60,637 on the 4430's, I would not recommend buying one under that number unless it was in "exceptional" condition. as for the final drives the 4230 and the 4430 were the same from the clutch housing back,, and the main problem with the final drives was the mole board plow and letting the land wheel slip too much, making the spider gears work over time and finally cutting the differential pinion shaft, it was all down hill at that point..

Tx Jim · Feb 2, 2015

Tim
IIRC there was a weakness in the rear axle assemblies as I remember having to swap sides on the rear axles assemblies on 4430's but I never swapped sides with rear axles on 4230

Hayfarmer · Feb 2, 2015

I worked for the local JD dealer in the mid 70s. I remember there was a problem with clutches causing wear on transmission synchros. I worked on a number of 30 series tractors, pulled cab and changed clutch as well as transmission parts. Since time has passed I can't really remember if it was both 42 and 44. this was a John Deere recall thing.

FarmerCline · Feb 2, 2015

Thanks guys that is just the info I was wanting. I don't think this is correct but I have been told that the 4230 used the same 404 engine design that the 71 and 72 4020s had? I have also been told that 4230s were fuel hogs for their size but then others have said it just seemed like they burned a lot of fuel because they had a small fuel tank.....which is correct?

coonie minnie · Feb 2, 2015

The engine is similar, but different. It has
the more modern oil cooler, spin on filter, and
horizontal placement of the injection pump. It
has been said they were poor starters- many,
many were updated with different head gaskets,
etc. to get just a litttle more compression.
That did the trick.

Yes, the fuel tank could have been bigger.
Fuel consumption is best judged via the
Nebraska test, where it compares use to actual
work done. If you compare it to similar
vintage tractors, it would be mid-range.

I have one with 31000 hours on it. Yes, you
read that right. It runs the TMR mixer that
feeds 300 milk cows and 300 hiefers every day.
It has been overhauled twice. It has been a
very dependable horse.

tim s · Feb 2, 2015

There were 2 reasons for that Jim,, The main one was to get repair work into the shop, many dealers ran a program to swap final drives side to side free,, then began a list of repairs that "should" be done while they are in there, a rather "Shady" program,, the second reason would have been that the 4430's running more power through the same final drives "could" actually wear them out in the pull direction..But again the 4230's and the 4430's were the same from the clutch housing back..

tomstractorsandtoys · Feb 2, 2015

I bought a 4230 three years ago because we needed a good cab tractor the size of a 4020. Ours is a quad range and has 5000 hours. Someone before us over used starting fluid so we did a complete overhaul.It now starts great. I do notice that pulling the same loads as our 4020 it will use more fuel. One thing is that the cab is so quiet that you are often running a few more rpm's than you realize.You think it is at idle then open the cab door and realize it is at 1500-1700 rpm. The nice cab to me is worth any extra fuel used and a good 4230 with cab can be bought for less than many late model 4020's. Tom

FarmerCline · Feb 3, 2015

I have a 71 4020 that I'm currently fixing up and wanted another tractor about that size but with a cab and I thought that a 4230 might fit the bill. I really like how nimble my 4020 is for its size and I thought about getting another but I really need a good cab with A/C. I just didn't want something that used too much more fuel.

I'm looking at a 76 4230 with about 4,500 hours and is a powershift. The engine has supposedly never had any thing done to it so since it has the original parts will it be hard to start? Are there any problem areas on these tractors to look at besides the normal stuff?

Tx Jim · Feb 3, 2015

(quoted from post at 17:21:17 02/02/15) The nice cab to me is worth any extra fuel used and a good 4230 with cab can be bought for less than many late model 4020's. Tom

Comparing a 4230 with AC to an open station 4020 isn't comparing apples to apples & oranges to oranges as AC compressors require about 5 HP to pull them which requires FUEL I agree that 4230's used more fuel than a 4020 doing the same task

Nrebraska tests.
4230 QR trans PTO fuel use (engine speed): 7.1 gal/hour [26.9 l/hour]
4020 SR trans. PTO fuel use (PTO speed): 5.6 gal/hour [21.2 l/hour]

coonie minnie · Feb 3, 2015

Something to be noted on the two that may have
effected PTO fuel effiency- PTO speed on the
4020 was 1900 RPM, it's either 2100 or 2200 on
the 4230.

buickanddeere · Feb 3, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:43:35 02/02/15) They were slow starters but still nice tractors and don't remember any updates.The Sound Guard Cab was the big improvement over the 20 series and the 20 series if 69/72 will bring about the same money.

Dad's 4230 was a lousy starter until I found the voltage drop where the right battery" grounded" to a wimpy rusty stud on the side of the block. Cleaning and polishing helped but A longer HD cable over to a starter mounting bolt was the cure.
This would be the place to mention the more effective $15 pump de-stroker instead of going fiddly jiggly on the steering wheel.

ss55 · Feb 3, 2015

Was there a camshaft timing gear recall on the early 4230's? Dad bought a 4230 in November 1973. Before '74 spring field work started a dealer's mechanic came out and changed something on the engine. The engine was barely broken-in on the feed grinder and the spreader. I was at school at the time so I wasn't there. The mechanic told dad it was a no-charge recall because of a computer design error. It must not have taken much time to change. They left the tractor hooked to the manure spreader and dad shoveled out hog manure for a while as the mechanic worked on the tractor.

The 4230 was advertized as a 100 HP tractor while the 4020 was advertized as a 94 HP tractor. Horsepower-Hours per Gallon is a good measure of fuel efficiency.

Nebraska Tractor Test #849 for an early 4020 SR Diesel is:

91 maximum PTO HP @ 2200 engine RPM, 6.42 GPH, 14.2 HP-Hr/Gallon
and
83.5 PTO HP @ 1900 engine RPM for 1000 RPM PTO speed, 5.6 GPH, 14.9 HP-Hr/Gallon

Nebraska Tractor Test #1112 for a 4230 QR Diesel is:
100 maximum PTO HP @ 2200 RPM for 1000 rpm PTO speed, 7.1 GPH, 14.1 HP-Hr/Gallon

I agree with others that you could hear the 4230 engine work harder when the A/C kicked in.

coonie minnie · Feb 3, 2015

Not much difference there, was there... .1 hp/hr/gallon.

Those numbers are always better than the "it used so much per hour" numbers.

tim s · Feb 3, 2015

There was a program to change the cam shaft because of failing oil pump drive gear, I changed a lot of them back then..we were supposed to just change them if they were wearing ,,my boss the store owner said if Deere Thought they were bad we were going to change them all,,and we did...it was a private owner store and he actually "cared" about his customers,,,nothing like the Mega stores of today..

NEIADan · Feb 4, 2015

We had a early 4230 for many years. And yes it
was a hard starter below 40 degrees. At about
4500 hours a rod bolt came loose. Of course in
search of the noise the head was removed first
and then the pan. Crank and rod were not hurt.
Just enough extra clearance that we could hear
an unwanted noise. We updated the sleeves and
pistons and it became a good starter after
that, I kniow when it was purchased the cam
gear was checked for hardness and dial
indicator was used to check the rear axles for
end play and vertical movement in the
planetary. I know the 73 4430s used a two
pinion rearend that was changed in production
to a 4 pinion in 1975. I would guess they may
have done the same to the 4230s. As far as
usable power ours just never quite kept up with
the 4020 console.

JD 4230

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