[miller17636]

I picked up a non-running 140h3 a couple weeks back with a nice deck and some other parts for 600 bucks. I have been slowly going through it. Carb needs some work, choke lever is broken at the carb and some other minor things, but for 600 bucks I could not resist.
The battery is shot, so I have been jumping it to get it cranking. Checked spark, compression and fuel, all good. Still it would not start. It would crank really nice, just would not start. I narrowed it down to a spark issue. In checking the plug after all this cranking, I found the plug was still ice cold, not at all warm.
On a hunch I swapped that plug into my 120 and found my 120 would not start. Took the good plug from the 120 and put it in the 140. It fired right up!!!!

 

[jdmaninlouky]

I like it when magic happens . I just bought a 140 H3 just a while back with a 33 tiller and lift rod all working . The guy said it ran good a few weeks before , jumping the starter directly to get it crankin '. Wouldn't start for nothing that day So I fixed the point gap and cleaned them with a twenty and she fired right up . Hadn't been messed with for 5 years or so , and the carb was even clear and acting great . It was a few counties' over from Louisville , and apparently they use pure gas . Younger guy said dam , you really do know what you're doing ! DUHHH

He's probably never even seen a set of points in his life , much less , cleaned and set any . He-He . I charged him fifty dollars to get his tractor running , only to sell it to me at the full price . So in the end , I got fifty off the price by proxy bid

We had fun badgerin' each other like that .

So now the tractor and tiller are for sale , or If my Grandson seems interested in it when they back from VaCA , It will be our money maker for him to learn the value of hard (easy) work tilling gardens this spring and summer . He's 9 Y.O. and seems to like things like that , so we'll see if he wants to help me fixer'up . Starts with key now and runs real good after finding a couple non-cranking issues , and carb. adj .

First H3 for me , though I've had , and still do have a H1 at the house just sittin' .

Good luck with the H3 Matt .

Dave

 

[louisville_johnny]

Matt, good find. It will make you a great tractor ! David, aren't grandchildren just the best?? We have three, and our youngest is a boy, who will be 2 this Oct. Can't wait till he gets the "itch" to be with "Papa" on his 318. I told my bride to look out, once that boy tells me he "needs" more John Deere stuff, I will never be able to retire !!

 

[Hammerdown-7]

Hello Matt
Congratulation's on the Purchase of your John Deere Model 140 they were tanks. I had one a few year's ago that I used simply for tilling our Garden with, but sold it to fund the Purchase of my Model 30 Hydraulic tiller that I now use on the back of my Restored 1983 John Deere 318. I am very spoiled with my 318 it Turns much shorter than my 140 did and steer's Much easier with it's power steering. I Paid $600.00 for my 140 when I bought it about 12 Year's ago it came to me with a 47 Mowing deck on it. I used it to mow Two acres of grass each week during our Long Nine month mowing season. I had No mechanical issues with the Tractor the ten year's that I had it I did replace the Mowing deck blade spindle bearing's which is expected due to it's age and use. I located my 1983 John Deere 318 about Seven year's ago and it came to me with an almost brand new 48" replacement mowing deck, so that Tractor took over the mowing chores so I sold the 47 Mowing deck off of the 140 for $250.00 and Bought a Model 31 Tiller for it for $100.00. I used it to till our garden until IO sold it with it's tiller a couple of Year's ago to fund my current Model 30 Hydraulic tiller and got $750.00 for it so I made $350.00 more on it than what I had in it , the 140's Hold their value well if they are taken care of. Regards, Kurt

 

[wyogreen]

Matt,
Good find on your 140. I've had mine for 28 years now, and I paid $650 for it. Of course it came with a deck, tiller, blower, belly blade, 3 point hitch and weights. I've worked it hard for all those years, and it's still going strong with very little needing worked on. Yours should give you many years of fun and work.

Steve

 

[sybesma07]

Always feels good when it's the little things. I bought my first 1968 140 H1 last fall for 75.00 dollars. Also my very first john Deere. Was rough and hadn't run in 3 years. Took it home. Figured out wiring and put new points and neutral safety switch and fired right up. Been running great since. Now I own 4 140 H3, 1 120 and absolutely love them. Once you get them running and take care of them. They will run for ever. Haven't paid over 575 for one. Amazed in all the attachments they can take on.