Looking at buying a 1640 made in Germany

RusselLee

New User
Hello,

I m completely new to John Deere s and looking for advice/info. I m looking at purchasing a 1640 cab tractor 2 wheel drive. It only has 3300 hrsseems to run and operate well. A/C blows coldwhich is huge due to living in Texas.

I ve tried to do some research on this model. All I ve discovered is they re 62 hp tractors manufactured in Mannheim, Germany from 1980-1982that s about it. I haven t found any additional info or any reviews on this specific model (1640), but did see some negative reviews on other models built in Mannheim, Germany as a whole. Poor quality, poor fit and finishing, weak PTO s. All of which has me nervous; therefore, any info on this tractor would be greatly appreciated especially on the following:

- Any known reliability issues.
- Any specific engine, PTO or transmission/clutch problems
- Only being produced for a couple years (and the fact being built in Germany) does this make it hard to get parts?
- Are parts more expensive due to the above?

Thank you in advance for any and all help! I just don t want to make a big mistake. Have a great day.

Russel
 
(quoted from post at 16:27:50 03/17/23) Hello,

I m completely new to John Deere s and looking for advice/info. I m looking at purchasing a 1640 cab tractor 2 wheel drive. It only has 3300 hrsseems to run and operate well. A/C blows coldwhich is huge due to living in Texas.

I ve tried to do some research on this model. All I ve discovered is they re 62 hp tractors manufactured in Mannheim, Germany from 1980-1982that s about it. I haven t found any additional info or any reviews on this specific model (1640), but did see some negative reviews on other models built in Mannheim, Germany as a whole. Poor quality, poor fit and finishing, weak PTO s. All of which has me nervous; therefore, any info on this tractor would be greatly appreciated especially on the following:

- Any known reliability issues.
- Any specific engine, PTO or transmission/clutch problems
- Only being produced for a couple years (and the fact being built in Germany) does this make it hard to get parts?
- Are parts more expensive due to the above?

Thank you in advance for any and all help! I just don t want to make a big mistake. Have a great day.

Russel

I have a 1640 with a 240 loader and a 10A backhoe .
Does ok for an old 2WD with the small hydraulic pump
Just replaced rockshaft seals and relief valve . Did the O rings and gaskets for the PTO a couple of years ago . My Uncle the previous owner was not too fussy about the oil he dumped into the transmission .
The engine coolant has to kept the additive package up to strength . Or the wet sleeves will cavitate through . Then again that goes for any wet sleeve engine .
 

I know of no major problems with most JD tractor model built in Mannheim. I'll bet majority of parts interchange between utility tractors built in Mannheim & Dubuque factories. According to Tractordata.com JD model 1640 were built between 1979-1987.

I agree with b&d that it's very important to keep track of coolant PH.

Wet sleeve engines aren't alone when it comes poor antifreeze PH. I own a Ford 6700 that had to have a crate engine installed several years prior to my purchasing due to cylinder wall cavitation due to poor coolant.
 
Mannheim built tractors tend to get a bad rap but I don't share that thinking. Yes keeping the coolant changed is a good practice, I
believe Deere's Cool Gard has a 5 year service life. Also the hydraulics/brakes will thank you for using Deere oil. Yes it's more
money initially, but cheap in the long run. I don't believe the 1640 and it's brothers were marketed in the US but they were in
Canada. Parts availability is not an issue.
 
Thank all y all for your response. Hearing this, I think am going to pull the trigger and buy it. I will definitely change all the fluids and filters before using it. I‘m with you Tech 7, I prefer to use manufactures parts/filters/fluids.except engine oil. For engine oil I prefer to use Amsoil.

Thanks againhave a great weekend!

This post was edited by RusselLee on 03/19/2023 at 02:55 pm.
 
I've had a 1640 for 10 years now and it has always been a good tractor. My manual lists it as 57 PTO HP. It had
5,000 hours on it when I bought it.
 
(quoted from post at 17:10:41 03/18/23) I've had a 1640 for 10 years now and it has always been a good tractor. My manual lists it as 57 PTO HP. It had
5,000 hours on it when I bought it.

Thanksdefinitely makes me feel a lot more confident. Appreciate it.
 

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