John Deere 440 crawler

I've been told about a John Deere 440 crawler loader. Do these have 2-53 Detroit for power? The fellow is asking $3,000 for the machine. I haven't seen the machine yet, but I think that may be a tad high. A few questions: are these machines prone to breaking the final drive housings? What is the difference between the JD 2010, 1010 and the 440? What are some things to look for when I do get down to look at this machine. Are these machines worth the time to try and make a nice antique crawler out of. I really haven't seen any of these machines at any truck or construction shows I've visited in the last few years. Even though I'm an AC man, Maybe I'll give the Deere a try. Thanks, Phil

The 440 were made in gas and diesel, the diesel used a 2-53. If used with common sense the final drives held up. Problems were from abuse and not checking oil levels. The 440 were made before the 1010,and 2010[the 2010 was a larger machine].

Bill is right, if run correctly, and maintained properly, they were reasonably trouble free. Most finals get broken because the bearings go out from lack of maintenance and abuse, then the rollers drop into the pan and eventually wedge between the gears breaking gears, final case or both.
Loaders usually lived a hard life, check undercarriage, final drives, look for breaks and welds in general.
Lavoy
JDCRAWLERS.COM

As far as comparing to a 1010 or 2010?

1010 has a simliar driveline and an engine almost exactly the same size as the 440. 440 gas is 113 cubic inches, 440 diesel is 106 cubic inches, and a 1010 gas is 115 cubic inches. Just four little cylinders instead of two big ones. 1010 in gas or diesel is short stroke and low torque. A 440 diesel gets full torque at 1000 RPM which makes if feel different.

2010 is much bigger, heavier, and more powerful than any of the others. More in the Deere 450 class, Allis Chalmers HD4, etc.

The 440 diesel has more lower-end torque than the gas 440 version and is more powerful. It pushes more dirt at lower RPMs but - since it makes more noise, it sort of balances out. We had many customers who swithed from two cylinder gassers to diesels and all joked about the little diesel almost being too much power for the small crawler.
That being said, I didn't see any fly apart.

440 gas when being pushed can make 28 horse and 85 lbs. of torque at the same time at 1800 RPM.

440 diesel when being pushed can make 35 horse and 95 lbs. of torque at the same time at 1800 RPM. You can also lug it down to 1000 RPM and it still makes 100 lbs. of torque, which is pretty amazing.

1010 gas can make 40 horse and 64 lbs. of torque at the same time at 2500 RPM.

1010 gas and diesel can make 40 horse and 64 lbs. of torque at the same time at 2500 RPM.


As far as comparing to a 1010 or 2010?

1010 has a simliar driveline and an engine almost exactly the same size. 440 gas is 113 cubic inches, 440 diesel is 106 cubic inches, and a 1010 gas is 115 cubic inches. Just four little cylinders instead of two big ones. 1010 in gas or diesel is short stroke and low torque.

2010 is much bigger, heavier, and more powerful. More in the Deere 450 class, Allis Chalmers HD4, etc.