[TempletonJDguy]

Jim one thing is doing an oil change add the recommended amount from the manual and then check the dipstick. Sounds obvious right? Those onans for some crazy reason always have oil very high on the stick till you wipe it and recheck, then it gives a correct reading. The Kohlers also can have the oil pressure turned up. Idk about rods breaking though. My idol says they just break, no rhyme or reason. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[DEERE317]

Jim one thing is doing an oil change add the recommended amount from the manual and then check the dipstick. Sounds obvious right? Those onans for some crazy reason always have oil very high on the stick till you wipe it and recheck, then it gives a correct reading. The Kohlers also can have the oil pressure turned up. Idk about rods breaking though. My idol says they just break, no rhyme or reason. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

400’s have Kohler K582’s, not Onan

Unless I totally misread what you were trying to say, then just ignore me

 

[R&R Outdoors]

She's been in "hiding" for just a few years 😬

 

[Mike_U]

Jim one thing is doing an oil change add the recommended amount from the manual and then check the dipstick. Sounds obvious right? Those onans for some crazy reason always have oil very high on the stick till you wipe it and recheck, then it gives a correct reading. The Kohlers also can have the oil pressure turned up. Idk about rods breaking though. My idol says they just break, no rhyme or reason. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Temp, getting the oil capacity spec is a great advice to verify proper oil level. You never know when a previous owner replaces an original dip stick with any dipstick that might fit. In 30+ years, anything and everything can happen with these machines.

Also, I agree on the Onan reading high when you first pull out the dipstick even if the engine hasn’t been run in a week. Always have to wipe it and drop it in again to get the proper reading.

 

[motiv8]

I'm gonna hafta get Templeton Guy down here to take a video lesson on operating a 400. Could save a lot of money, grief and downtime for the Black Sheep. Typing is difficult.
Happy and safe Holidays to all. David

 

[motiv8]

The reason oil stick readings on any engine often read high after sitting is the hot air in dipstick tube cools and contracts drawing oil up tube if the seal at tube top is good. David

 

[TempletonJDguy]

My idol ☝☝☝☝

 

[army]

I see a 3 point hitch which is a bonus. Especially if you need one.

She's been in "hiding" for just a few years 😬 View attachment 286704

 

[dhager4692]

Those onans for some crazy reason always have oil very high on the stick till you wipe it and recheck

The reason oil stick readings on any engine often read high after sitting is the hot air in dipstick tube cools and contracts drawing oil up tube if the seal at tube top is good. David

You can also add that onan on the stroke create a vacuum and air is sucked out of dipstick tube. Since the tube is below the oil level, oil gets sucked up the tube. When I remember I loosen the oil stick for a minute and then tighten it back after I have parked it and shut it down.Then there isn't the oil inside the tube to interfere with the reading.

 

[thomasfouraker]

The reason oil stick readings on any engine often read high after sitting is the hot air in dipstick tube cools and contracts drawing oil up tube if the seal at tube top is good. David

A pull and wipe of the dipstick and recheck should give an accurate reading. This should be normal practice.

 

[R&R Outdoors]

I see a 3 point hitch which is a bonus. Especially if you need one.

Yeah. If I remember right at one time grandpa had all the stuff for it. I don't remember every seeing once it was passed to my dad, but I fell like at one time all the accessories were with it 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[army]

I have a 3 point on three 400's and also on my 420. I rarely use three of them. One is on my dedicated 400 blower tractor and two have 60" decks. They're not very manoeuvrable with decks on them and the blower is a PITA in close quarters too so I mostly use the 3 point on my scruffy old beater 400. I sometimes have a 4 way 54" front blade on it at the same time but not a deck. If room is an issue the blade comes off in about 30 seconds. Goes back on pretty easy too. I made a small 3 pt boom up, I have an Al Z forklift that's pretty handy and a rear blade too. I don't use them frequently but it's great to have them when I need them. 3 points are obviously useful for hanging ballast back there too.

The 3 point on my scruffy 400 has a custom rockshaft that's kinda odd looking but has standard arms and hangers. I'm not the best photographer you'll ever see, sorry.

This 3 pt is genuine John Deere and came from one of our resident 400 experts. Harold Goff (aka Mr Wizard).

This is the one on my 420. Not many pics of the backside so not the best viewing angle.

And this is my blower 400 3 point. It was on the tractor when I bought it. I recall being a bit surprised years ago when somebody told me 400's often don't have a 3 point. I'm a farm boy so my reaction was something like 'What? Seriously? Why not?'

Haven't looked lately but last time I did 3 points were selling for around 600 bucks or so new from Ruegg. And used 3 points for both models are sometimes auctioned off on eBay for 400 or 500 bucks. Haven't checked that for a while either but they are definitely valuable. Fyi.. the rockshaft for a 3 point is different than the stock version. Don't see the 3 pt type sold separately very often. I haven't personally anyway.

 

[DEERE317]

CAD or USD for that pricing Army? Currently 400 hitches are $410 or $450 depending on Cat 0 vs 1. Holy heck are X700 series cat 1 hitches expensive!

Hitch Kits

Ruegg MFG

rueggmfg.com

 

[toms580mini]

Do a repower. All of the opposed twins had issues. My 400 has an 18 Command, my 420 an 18 Vanguard. Makes a tractor a TRACTOR! Plus the Vtwins burn way less fuel.

 

[army]

Yah CDN. Forgot to convert to US. I've done that enough that I can estimate it pretty accurately in my head.

CAD or USD for that pricing Army? Currently 400 hitches are $410 or $450 depending on Cat 0 vs 1. Holy heck are X700 series cat 1 hitches expensive!

Hitch Kits

Ruegg MFG

rueggmfg.com

 

[army]

100% agree.

If the stick is bowed a bit and very close to or touching the side of the dipstick tube oil will get on it that way and read too high for a while after changing the oil and dumping new oil down the tube. I ran across that issue myself. I straightened the stick but I didn't get it as straight as it otta be.

A pull and wipe of the dipstick and recheck should give an accurate reading. This should be normal practice.

 

[army]

They actually have K532's with the occasional K582 if the original engine was replaced on warranty. IIRC they stopped making them in 2000. I'm almost positive sure I have one of those engines. Not gonna pull the heads just to check the bore though. Never saw one myself (that I recall) but some 400's apparently came with an Onan towards the end of the model run. Or maybe they were actually a warranty install when they ran out of K582's. I dunno.

400’s have Kohler K582’s, not Onan
Unless I totally misread what you were trying to say, then just ignore me

 

[DEERE317]

They actually have K532's with the occasional K582 if the original engine was replaced on warranty. IIRC they stopped making them in 2000. I'm almost positive sure I have one of those engines. Not gonna pull the heads just to check the bore though. Never saw one myself (that I recall) but some 400's apparently came with an Onan towards the end of the model run. Or maybe they were actually a warranty install when they ran out of K582's. I dunno.

I plead that 5th if this is a US court. :LOL;

 

[army]

We don't have a 5th to plead here so we just say we're not gonna answer.

 

[army]

dammit

Not a bad dammit btw. I just say that a lot.