My JD 401 industrial hours

37chief · May 14, 2017

I bought my JD industrial tractor about 8 years ago for 500.00 It had water in the motor, and it sat for a long time like that. I had to replace a lot of rusted stuff. Even had to replace one of the timing gears due to rust. It had a spun main bearing. I had the block line bored, and had the rusted cam reground. I installed a piston kit. It has been a real good tractor, and pulls my 7 1/2 ft. flail mower with no problem. My question is: It has 5,500 hours. Is this a lot of hours on a industrial tractor. I have probably put around 500 hours since I owned it. I maintain it very well. I have no idea what the previous owner did, or what it was used for. I know it did not have a bucket on it. Stan

JD Seller · May 14, 2017

Gas or diesel??? I know of similar diesel tractors with double those hours that are good tractors still.

JDEM · May 14, 2017

The industrial engine is the same as the ag engine. Main thing that determines life is use and care. Industrial machines tend to get a lot of stop and go work and lugging and we had to rebuild many at 5000 hours. Ag tractors with the same engines often got to 8-10,000 hours (gas and diesel). Bull dozers and any diesel started a lot in sub-zero temps often had the shortest engine lives. Cold weather starting and too much ether really does them in. Especially the Deere Dubuque engines.

Determined · May 14, 2017

I bought a 401 21 years ago.
It had close to 7000 hrs on it when I got it.
It spent its early life with a cement mixer on the back of it and had been worked hard.
5 years after I got it I had to split it to change a cracked J ring.

In the next 10 years it needed 2 front hydraulic pump couplers a radiator repair, steering seals and a couple of starters.

As the hour meter finally quit I am guessing it was well over 10 000 hours when the engine was finally too tired to be of use.

Bought another one that had a rebuilt engine but bad transmission in it from a town works department, swapped all the good parts to make one and I expect it to still be going strong for another 10-15 years, should be well into 15000+ hours by then.

Mine sees 200-300 hrs a year and is used summer and winter.
It fits nicely in the shop so it is always warm and ready to go.
Great machine but light on the back end.
Wheel weights, chains and filled tires help greatly otherwise bale forks and a 1500 lb round bale on back gives it all the traction it needs.

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37chief · May 14, 2017

My tractor is a diesel. Stsn

My JD 401 industrial hours

37chief

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JD Seller

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JDEM

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Determined

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37chief

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