[johnnyb]

I inherited a John Deere 400 from my grandfather and it has been sitting outside for the last few years. I wish I had known about this but anyway here we are. I want to get the tractor rolling again but I can't get it to start.

The tractor has always had various electrical issues and of course after sitting for a few years they're even worse. As I recall from working with the tractor a few years ago the handle on the right side as you are sitting on the tractor has to be pulled just so in order for the tractor to start. I'm not completely sure what that handle is for as the tractor was used exclusively for pulling and never had a deck. I can't find the owners manual or service manual and the tractor does absolutely nothing when you try to start it.

Where can I start to get the tractor going again? I hate to see it go to waste as I did a lot of work with this tractor when I was younger. Thanks in advance!

 

[rick]

John, that handle you referred to is for the front PTO. Push forward to to engage/back to disengage. If you had to chiggle to enable to start before, could be bad safety switch. Dead battery? If good, take test light and check wiring with key on to see if everything is hot that is supposed to be.

 

[johnnyb]

I'll have to pick up a safety switch for it since it's done that forever. Is there anyplace I can see a repair manual online?

 

[woodpecker41]

John there might be a manual on line. Be aware that JD copyrights their manuals and the JD lawyers are aggressive about people who give them away for free online or print them online. Roger

 

[grandpajay]

John,
I think there are 3 safety switches but probably only 2 that could be an issue. The PTO as mentioned. The neutral switch on the hydrostatic control on the dash may need wiggling/or adjustment. The third safety switch under the seat is only in play when the PTO is engaged. Jay

 

[johnnyb]

Really, for a 30 year old tractor they're still keeping track? I know for older vehicles there are manuals all over the place since the companies don't really support them or make parts anymore. Do they even sell them?

Anyway back to the tractor. I was looking at the handle in question and it looks like there's a spot for a wire or something to be attached to it and a spot for it to run towards the front of the tractor with a pulley right over the engine. I do not, however, see the wire/cord/whatever. Does that need to be attached in order for the tractor to start and could that be causing the no-start situation or would it exclusively be the switch?

 

[rustyknuckles]

John -
The PTO on the 400 is manually activated. The cable goes from the handle over the pulley you mention, and then down to the front of the engine to engage/disengage the PTO. But attached to the handle somewhere should be a switch, such that the PTO has to be disengaged for the starter to crank. I don't own a 400, so can't tell you exactly where that switch should be.

 

[jameszmcnelley]

John, The complete 396pg service manual can be found at a site called ''scribd.com''. You can view it for free. Cost a few bucks to down load.
The problem is finding it. The volume of this site is so HUGE! It is listed as ''John Deere 400 Hydrostatic Tractor Service Manual''. It is in their [document section]. It is available in pdf format.
Use the sites filters to narrow down the search. If your lucky you can get it down to 400 or so items. They also have the 140, 317, 425-455 tractor manuals.
Once you find it, don't forget to put it in your favorites bar.
As far as I know, this is the only place on the web that has it. I am computer illiterate, for I guess there must be a way to get a direct link out of my favorites bar to post here. Sorry.
Its in there, you just gotta dig it out. These other tractor manuals I listed, are easier to find. Wouldn't you know it.
Welcome to WFM, and welcome to the ''Black Sheep Squadron''. That's the moniker around here for us 400 folks. Later, JZM

 

[johnnyb]

I thought that was the case Jay. I guess I'll have to take the body work off to find where that cord went to since it's not connected right now since if the pto is engaged then that would explain it.

James, I wasn't able to locate the manual on that site at all. The only book seems to be the 317 service manual. Is there an author listed? Could you check your link to see if maybe they deleted it or whatever? Thanks for the welcome!

 

[jameszmcnelley]

John, My link worked. I checked it before I posted. It is a big data drain, for me to go there right now; in order to get the author. I get free data from 12am-5am est. I will get it for you tonight. I saw the author listed, but didn't write it down.
So check back tomorrow. The manual also includes the rear pto, mower deck, rear tiller, and snow blower.

 

[jameszmcnelley]

John, It is listed as published by ''ncysys'', on Jan 18 2011. Categories: Types, Instruction manuals.
That's all it shows. JZM

 

[jameszmcnelley]

www.scribd.com/doc/47048636/John-Deere-400-Hydrostatic-Tractor

John, Everyone, Above is the link to the 400 service manual.
We can all thank my daughter Emma, who came by for a visit.
I will put this in a new post so every one can find it in the future.
Cause this is about the 6th time this 400 manual issue has came up in the last year JZM

 

[johnnyb]

Thank you very much for the direct link! I tried a dozen different searches but kept coming up with completely irrelevant books. You'd think the very basic "AND" operator or simple quotation marks would work on their search but I guess not. This will come in very useful!