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| JDseller
08-16-2012 20:50:33
208.126.196.144
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I am not going to take on any out side repair work this fall. I will do some emergency stuff but just the run of the mill stuff I am going to pass on. I turned 62 and I am going to start to do the things I want to do not the stuff customers "want" me to do. Still have the livestock chores to do and run the semi a day or two each week also. Plus the normal farm work. So I am not really quiting that much.The project is a JD 4320. I have always wanted one but just could not justify the price years ago when they where newer. I don't want to pay today's prices for one worn out. It is going to be a complete tear down and rebuild back up project. I will have 500-600 hours of labor in it. It will be as good as new though. I will make sure every single thing is back to factory spec or tighter. Every single nut and bolt will be removed and re-installed. It is going to be parts of 4-5 tractors. I have done this to two JD 4020s and a Ford 981. So I have been-there/ done-that before. I know I could buy a much newer tractor with the time and money I am going to put into it. I think the most fun is the "project" getting done. I started hoarding parts for this 20 years ago. 1) The transmission/rear end is a tractor that had been in a shed fire. The engine burnt so hard it was junk. The transmission still had the hydraulic oil in it. The final drives/axles are junk though. Tires got them hot enough to bend the axles. 2) The engine and front half are the remains of one that a couple of red necks used as a pulling tractor for a few years. They completely ruined the rear end and transmission. I am using the frame rails, radiator, and engine block and head. 3) I have a complete fuel system off of a tractor that had been run out of oil on a manure pump. It ruined the block and the owners had me install a complete used engine out of a salvage yard tractor. I have this already completely re-manufactured. Every thing was taken apart and put back to factory spec. 4) I just found a wrecked tractor this summer that had the transmission housing broken. So I am using the final drives and axles off of this one. 5) The hydraulic system is going to be parts of all of these tractors. I will just pick the best parts and rebuild them. 6) The sheet metal was the biggest hold up. I had a heck of a time finding a good hood. I finally found a NOS hood this last week. I about had heart failure over the price but I have been looking for ten years for a good hood. The fenders and the rest I have several to chose from. So I will just take the best and make them perfect as possible. Here is a question for you fellows. I have four serial number plates for the various parts tractors I bought over the years. I am thinking about making a plate and mounting all of them on the axle housing just for the fun of it. Kind of like Johnny Cash's One Piece at a Time song. What do you think????
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| SweetFeet
08-18-2012 04:40:06
70.35.110.213
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| | JDSeller, Sounds like a neat project. I'd go for it and mount all the serial numbers...unique idea.
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| GordoSD
08-17-2012 16:05:00
64.33.250.162
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| I think there is a good hood at Salem Tractor Parts, Salem, SD
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| don beggs
08-17-2012 14:08:31
69.19.14.37
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| if you really want something special make it a powershift using the rear half of a side console 4020--it's a perfect fit as long as you put the shim piece used on the 4320 under the steering console.there is one about 60 miles from us that a family did as a winter project--what a sweetheart to work with and a great conversation piece.have fun. don
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| dave2
08-17-2012 11:33:54
139.139.35.69
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Guess it's kind of a JD.... When I bought my first little tractor, the guy was restoring one of these in the pic. Completely disassembled and laid out on/poked in to big sheets of cardboard and numbered... Said it was the 4th one for his 4 grandkids and he would do one more for himself.... He was mid 70's, wish I'da followed up to see if he finished all 5 and if he's still around...
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| Sid
08-17-2012 15:31:51
67.210.55.133
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to dave2, 08-17-2012 11:33:54
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| Dave2 is that the tractor that takes a cartridge,kinda like a shotgun shell, to start?
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| dave2
08-17-2012 17:27:44
139.139.35.69
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to Sid, 08-17-2012 15:31:51
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| Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see
I don't know... Never heard of that but will look and ask at the next show I go to...
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| Sid
08-17-2012 07:13:48
67.210.55.133
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Did you get the grandaughters mower running yet?
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| dave2
08-17-2012 11:18:59
139.139.35.69
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to Sid, 08-17-2012 07:13:48
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awful quiet about that ain't he?????? :shock:
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| olliekid
08-17-2012 06:51:24
199.18.205.230
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| go for it! Love to see people out there with ambition to go do things in life. I say do whatever you want. It is your tractor, I am sure it will look great and people love seeing the story behind a tractor. Heck, thats one of the best things about old tractors. The stories behind them is what makes us all love them.
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| Nancy Howell
08-17-2012 06:18:02
144.162.48.67
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| | The value others put on something is only valid if you intend to sell the item. You are doing something you have wanted to do for over a decade. As long as the cost is in your budget, it doesn"t matter. This one"s for you! GO FOR IT!!! Just be sure to post pics of your progress.
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| rufus80
08-17-2012 05:35:10
174.253.0.108
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Sounds like a lot a work but it will be worth it. I grew up driving a 4320 baling every summer. In my opinion it was/is the best tractor JD ever made after the two cylinders . Good luck and keep us posted with some pics.
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| cumminspuller
08-17-2012 05:24:09
65.83.65.34
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Good luck with it! Sounds like a good project. You'll have to post some pictures of the process.
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| Spook
08-17-2012 04:51:37
108.70.62.9
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Sounds like a cool project. Not something most guys can do.
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| Spook
08-17-2012 04:51:37
108.70.62.9
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Sounds like a cool project. Not something most guys can do.
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| dave2
08-17-2012 04:00:06
79.240.142.109
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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Sounds like a good plan.Sure you're up to it????? Prolly a liiiiiiittle more complicated than that lawnmower..... :shock:
Have fun and post plenty of pics....
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| wisbaker
08-16-2012 21:21:56
207.118.144.43
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| I'd keep all the serial numbers and even go to the point of writing down what came from each tractor in case there were changes made across the production run. Where I worked in Tennessee we had a Mack with a Bartlett lift on it to dump trailers, I knew the truck in it's previous life as it used to be our grease hauler in Tampa I could only use it on the Tampa/East Tampa routes because it was geared so low about 42 MPH was tops so we didn't use it on any routes that had significant travel. In Tennessee it was used to dump trailers It didn't leave the premises and I don't even think it was tagged or DOT'd. It was also a PITA to get parts for because Mack built this VIN as a glider (frame, Cab & sheet metal and front axle) It had a Mack diesel engine, a Mack triplex transmission and camel back tandems but we didn't have any records on what exactly they were or where they came from. The truck was purchased as part of a business we purchased and we don't know if the previous business bought it, built it or had it built. We do know they favored Macks but the paperwork that came with the business purchase didn't ID it more than a title and a VIN. I would document the build up. I figure you're not worried because I doubt you will every sell this tractor but it might be nice to leave some clues for the next person as to what it is and where it came from because if you build it right and take care of it (and reading your posts I assume both are givens) it'll probably be around after you're not and information about it might be the difference between it's next owner caring for it or the next owner getting a deal because it's an assembled tractor and running it into the ground.
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| JDseller
08-16-2012 21:32:17
208.126.196.144
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to wisbaker, 08-16-2012 21:21:56
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| wisbaker: This project will be easier than the others because the JD 4320 was only built two years. The ones I have all are 1972s as well. There should not be very many part differences. The tractor really will not be any different than a factor built one.
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| ShadetreeRet
08-16-2012 21:20:41
184.4.18.44
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| I think that would be kinda cool, using all the number plates. It would be a good conversation starter, 'cause you know people are gonna ask about them. Another thing, If you don't go ahead and start doing some of those things you have been wanting to do, they will never get done. I know a man who has been a front end specialist all his life. In one end of his shop he has two John Deeres and a '59 Chevrolet convertible. "I'm gonna fix them up one of these days." Trouble is, the man is seventy years old now and still working full time! Those things will likely still be sitting there when he is pushing up dasies.
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| Retired Farmer
08-16-2012 21:13:55
207.200.116.74
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| If the rear end was hot enough to bend the axles, I don't think I would want to trust the cases.
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| DeltaRed
08-16-2012 21:04:57
67.6.225.104
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| Yes JD,that would be cool to put all 4 sn plates on it.Please post some pics of the project as you go.BTW,I have always liked and wanted a 4320.They are the best....
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| Royse
08-16-2012 20:58:01
69.36.49.151
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Re: Started my next big tractor project today!!! JD 4320 in reply to JDseller, 08-16-2012 20:50:33
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| A mutt is a mutt. We all have them.
When you put that much time and effort into making one perfect I say brag about it!
Of course, if you were to ever want to sell it you may want to change that thinking! :lol:
Good luck on your project, and let us know how it goes!
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