John Deere 400 Garden Tractor restoration

DeereHunter78 · Post by **DeereHunter78** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:42 pm

I finally finished a project. (Chuck and Jesse will be so proud) I have pics of it on WeekendFreedommachines.com I'll try to attach a link not sure how to.

Ramon

http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/disc...html?1207103646

River Rat · Post by **River Rat** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:05 pm

Ramon..That turned out very nice.. Going to put the loader back on??.Also looks like that 340s is taking up to much room in your shop..I better come get that out of there for you..

Frankie

ChickenRat · Post by **ChickenRat** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:15 pm

And I'll take the Liquidator myself. Wouldn't want you too crowded in there! Anyway, tractor turned out very nice. Great Job!!

Robb

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:51 pm

Ramon,

I have a 420. My grandfather had a 430. Those 400 series garden tractors are unbeatable. The loader and weights are hard to find. Great job on the restoration. I really enjoyed the snowmobile advertising that you did in the background on the photos. The 340/s, Liquidator, and the ETD decal on the back glass pretty much says it all.

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:15 pm

Ramon, it looks great. I had entertained restoring my 317 that I bought new after the first Cyclone was done but I'm not sure a 317 is worth the time or effort. Currently the steering box is shot. Any thoughts?? Don

River Rat · Post by **River Rat** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:32 pm

Good eye Robb.. I never even seen it first time thru,I had to go back and look again..(Better get my eyes checked)

:blink: Frankie

DeereHunter78 · Post by **DeereHunter78** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:16 pm

Thanks guys, I have been putting off doing it because i use it so much, that loader is really handy, and i would never have guessed it could lift so much. I think that my next project will be my 1968 side tag 140 H3. I consider it to be the Liquidator of the garden tractor world, besides the "63" 110 of course. Then i think it would be fun to get a few sleds done. Don I have a 317 too and I think they are cool in their own way. They are basically a 140 with the "new" tin work. Kind of like looking at a 4020 tractor compared to it's replacement the 4230. A 317 with the original engine is unique too because they had a history of engine problems. It had something to do with the oil pickup not working the greatest, especially when mowing hills and along ditches. As far as the sleds in the pictures go, the fiancee would never let me part with them. I think it's because they get me out of her hair!!!

Ramon

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:09 pm

Ramon, I can't imagine finding a 317 with the Series 1 motor. I thought most of them crapped out pretty quickly. I know mine didn't last long but then most of the mowing I did back then was up/down or hillside. Don

Post by **ICCSF 108** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:15 am

My 317 still has the OEM style Kohler in it, I replaced the original one because it has a lot of hrs on it & it was making a little noise, I got the new/old OEM Kohler from a dear Deere friend who worked at the Mpls. Branch & had it laying around up there in one of the class rooms taking up space, it was used in the 317 classes that were held there. I believe I got it sometime in the 80's when it was no longer being used.. I don't really use the 317 much anymore except for pushing dirt & snow, it sets in the shed out back with chains, blade & weights on all year around as it's easier to mow the yard with the SP JD walk behind mower. I do wish I had the power steering option for it though....
Great restoration job on the 400 Ramon, Look'n good!
Kenny