[johndeere112]

im going to finish my collection and im stuck on what to weather to get a 400 or a 420 or a 430 then i will have a 112 a 214 a 317 and the 400 series im not sure what 400 series to get some help please

 

[bob_wallner]

Sounds like you have a nice start Cody. You will likely get a lot of different opinions on the 400-420-430 question. Depending on what you are going to be doing with it can make a difference too. Personally I am a 430 fan. We've had good success with them...power to do pretty much what ever we want to do, along with the long term reliability of the liquid cooled diesel. Some have concerns over the overall length of the 430 vs. the 420. The front overhang on the 430 can be a factor, and some additional weight will be needed at the rear if running a 2 stage blower over the 420 series. Basic accessories are the same for the 420-430, but not for the 400. It stands by itself so attachments can be more of a challenge. If you mostly going to look at the machine, or take it to shows then some of this will not matter as much. For me sitting on the seat of the 430 with the elongated hood in front just plain feels good. As far as looks the 430 does have a more unbalanced look from the side with the long overhang compared to the 420. Lot's of options...lot's will depend on what you would like to do with it once you have it.

This is one of two 430's we run up at the farm...this one we use for mowing mostly.

 

[johndeere112]

bob thanks for info its hard to find a 400 where im from im having better luck with either 420 or 430

 

[drew]

I'm with Bob, love my 430. I love having a diesel in my collection. It's my only one and I thought having a separate fuel can would be a hassle. The 430 uses so little fuel it just isn't a big deal.

 

[trapperjohn]

I have a 420 and a 430 and like them equally. They both have 60" decks and hydraulic MCS's on them, but I mostly plow snow with the 420 and mow with the 430. That thing is a beast. If I could only have one, it would be the 430. If you are thinking about a 400, do a little research as I think they are breed all their own. I'm not sure why that happened, but they share very few other parts with the other series.

 

[denniscary]

One thing to consider, and please don't take offense but the tractors you have are some of deere ' s shall we say problem children. The best of the 100 series was the 140 as for the 200 I don't know, but the 317 was a major problem child. So going along that line my suggestion would be the 400. People call it the black sheep. Now please understand I am not criticizing your choices, I have a 317 and a 400. I think they are both good tractors. I would love to have a 430, but they are the best. It pretty much comes down to what you want, but I say 400, I love mine now.

 

[justusrogers]

I have a 318 and a 420. I lIke them both. Looking at what you have, the 400 styling will match your other three tractors better than the newer looking 420/430. My friend has a 400 and he loves the thing.

 

[johndeere112]

is it hard to find attachments for the 400 and what im hearing is i have they problem tractors and eventually i will have a 140 in my collection and its the trick of finding the tractor it is just the final piece to the collection for know till i find the final tractors so im hearing the 400 is a black sheep why is it that

 

[denniscary]

Simply because no attachments for it work with any other tractor and visa versa. However with a little creativity you can make them work.

 

[coalminer16]

The PTO rpm is different, etc, etc on the 400. Good tractor but equipment only works on the 400 without moding something. But-what is the reason for the collection? With our collections (fathers/families). We have the first year of every lettered series two cylinder JD tractor, First year of the 1010, 3010, 4010, 4020, 3020, Last year of the 330, 830. First years of the A, G and 3020 high crop tractors. All of the pedel tractors and bikes. All first year patio tractors (16) and related equipmetnt. Have a reason or method to the collection-stick with it.

 

[johndeere112]

i just want one of every series im only a fan of 92 or older john deeres and im not suprised on the attechment part for the 400

 

[jd4001]

Cody, Just keep searching and when you find a 400, 420, or 430 that is in good condition and in your price range go for it. Any of those machines are excellent. If you are only getting it for collection purposes and not to use around your property there really is not much to consider. If you plan to use it on your land and want to use various attachments the 420/430 may offer better or at least more readily available attachments. Also the turning radius on my 400 reminds me of my F-350 Duallie, so if you've got tight corners the 420/430 may also have a slight advantage.

 

[knottyrope]

I own both the 420 and 430. they both turn the same so don't let the long nose fool you.

430 runs nice and quiet when it has a muffler on it. I ran with out one for years until this past fall.

430 is better on fuel so I use it for mowing.

for front attachments you need a frame extender bracket and a PTO extender if implement needs it.

420 is better for a Blower/thrower than a 430 since it needs less ballast.

430 is better for plowing dirt and tilling as it has more engine weight up front.

 

[KB]

I found I used the exact same amount of ballast on a 420 and 430. remember the 430 is 2-300 lbs heavier off the line.

I ran fluid filled tires, 2 sets of 50 lb wheel weights, and 2 suitcase weights, with the 47 chest freezer blower. I liked my 430 much more then my 420, not that either had any weaknesses, the grunt of the diesel gets the Tim Taylor in me going as soon as I'd hit the key

 

[ryan214]

I would ask myself which I would feel more comfortable working on: gas or diesel. If you are fine with either, then think what you will use it for. The 400 would match your 214 and 317 better, but I like the 420 or 430. So, depending on which engine you feel more comfortable working on, I would go with that.

 

[johndeere112]

finding a 400 around here is hard and my whole collection will be worked my 317 is plowing snow the 112 came with tiller and the 214 will come with plow and the 317 has sleeve hitch for my one bottom plow and disk and has a deck i love working with older john deeres and right know looks like the 400 is out unless i go out of state and ive only found a 420 with a blower and the one 400 in state only has blower and a 430 i did find a 400 that had blower but im not sure i know the 400 goes with what i have but i need reiable machines that i can work im starting a business with these deeres and im building the 214 from frame up its a junk yard build and the idk i got to look at them drive them st see if i like them i like all the help im getting keep it coming please

 

[knottyrope]

For a worker a 430 will last over 7000 hours if maintained well

 

[johndeere112]

thats good to know

 

[428_pi]

Cody, nice collection. We've had a lot of 400 Series but if you're set on one get a 455 and be done with it. They're newer but so nice to run. 430 is more collectable but clumsier. My 2 Cents.

 

[hankvc]

Cody, if you're going to use a tractor for work, you need good availability and reliability. To that end, I'd suggest either a 445 or 455 as the earliest. 420 and 430 are nice tractors, but the newest is 23 years old. Go to at least the next generation.

Hank