WOW! That is a very nicely set up 400 you have.

 

Jay, I love it! This is really the only remaining complaint I have with my 400. I don't have the machine shop access nor skills to run the machines that you do. If you ever decide to make up another kit, I'd be happy to test fit it on my Illinois version 400...

 

Great job! I know what its like sitting on and looking at a new green machine its tempting but I have had fun searching and building accessories for my older tractors.

 

Looks better than factory, Jay!

I converted my 332 to L hand brakes and foot drive but it's just a single rocker pedal like a kubota or old Massey 1655. It's not as pretty as a dual pedal setup but it sure works great!
I'm curious how you'll do the neutral start. I think a micro roller switch back on the hydro input would be my best bet.

 

Thanks, Kris! I gave serious consideration to doing a Kubota style rocker pedal for version 2. A rocker would be an order of magnitude more straight forward. The deal breaker there was that I had already engineered a spring return to neutral device for the dual pedal.

I'll post a picture of the safety start switch when mounted. Right now I just bump the hand control to engage the stock switch for starting. You may need to grind (or add) a "bump" on the hydro input arm to actuate the roller switch there. I could do that but I've got a pretty good spot identified outside the frame for easy initial adjustment. I may need to offer it a bit of switch covering to fend off the mud and snow. Jay

 

Grandpajay, I think some members want you to take some orders! Very nice and functional build!

 

I call first!
haha - Yeah I'm afraid to say what I'd be willing to pay for some of Jays magic on my 420. If he does start a list - I WANT ON IT!!!

This conversion process has been outstanding. I wish I had the skills to copy this. It would make my 420 the perfect tractor for me. As it is, the hand controls and right sided brakes are the only things I don't like about the ol girl.

Thanks for the inspiration Jay!
:thThumbsU

 

Really well done Jay! That 400 just keeps getting better and better.

 

Great work that you did there, congrats.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Thank you all!

Version 2 is operational including the relocated neutral start switch. It probably deserves a little cover. The pic isn't clear, but there is clearance between the wires and spring.

I also had occasion (admittedly a weak reason) to stop at the JD dealer and did a pedal pressure comparison with a 5xx in the showroom. Surprisingly, I'm about the same. I may want to lighten the neutral return spring a bit. The 400 now stops rather smartly on pedal release. Good thing I have an anatomically attached Christmas cookie enhanced airbag.

Merry Christmas, Everyone! Jay

 

Nice work Jay. Do you still have hand control, or is this 100% foot control now?

"Good thing I have an anatomically attached Christmas cookie enhanced airbag." :sidelaugh :sidelaugh

 

Nice work Jay. Do you still have hand control, or is this 100% foot control now?

Thanks! Hand control is gone. I haven't decided what to do with the empty slot in the panel. That will be a lower priority project unless I tumble to a really neat and easy solution. I'll have to do some research. Jay

 

I'll be interested to see what you come up with for the dash. If you find a solution, I will be very tempted to make my 400 a foot pedal hydro.

 

People are always looking for places to put gauges.

 

The big thing is trying to close up the space where the hydro lever was in the dash, and have it look good.

 

Looks GREAT Jay! :fing32::fing32:

 

The simplest task would be to fill the hole.

The bigger plan is prepping for a cab. I'm dreaming of something like instrument panels in the bigger Deeres with cabs. I won't really be constrained by the hood because it will be cut forward of the windshield line. I hope the front of the cab is about even with the back of the loader uprights. So the current panel and about 6" of the hood are in play. I would like to include the defroster/heater as well as gauges into the tower. It will have to get bigger without being way out of proportion. There will probably be some vacuum forming involved.

Fun stuff to ponder trying to go to sleep at night. Thank you all for the encouragement. Merry Christmas, early. Jay

 

Oh man I can hear them wheels turning from here Jay!
I am really looking forward to that build thread.
You always have a tendency to take things to the next level
(actually several levels to be honest) so I'm really looking forward to your cab build.
:thThumbsU

 

Has this 400 been tractor of the month yet? What a cool piece it really is. You are a real fabricator with crazy skills Jay. Another beautiful fab job to an all ready amazing 400... You are giving my X a run for it's money that is for sure!

 

Great work Jay!!!

Nicest 400 I've seen yet.

 

The long last outstanding piece of this conversion was completed a couple of weeks ago. I finally bought a new hydraulic control damper ($75-ouch) and installed it. I got a little concerned when reading here that there may be only a limited quantity of these dampers around. I was able to easily source it through one of our sponsors and, as it turns out, this damper is used on quite a few of this era GT models.

The foot control feel and operation is now just like the current model two pedal systems. The 35 year old damper had enough wear to cause some jerkiness (I knew this would be the case when fabricating). I had trained my foot to feather the control to smooth out the speed, but now my foot can relax and comfortably operate the speed with finesse. Whew!

 

Every now and then a thread pops up and says that shock is NLA. I even read that there were only 3 left in stock, yet every major online supplier still shows them available, and JDParts still shows them available. I honestly have no idea where people get their info. Also, the new shock is shaped differently than the original, and I cant see them doing that on something that was about to be NLA.

Also, how did you fill in the dash? It looks flawless!

 

I thinking I should put on in my 318 as it can get a little jerky with the hand control as well. But, Man I would love to have your foot control set-up.

 

Looks great Jay! Love the lines on the loader.

I need to add the damper back on my rocker pedal conversion. I just feather the pedal and have got used to it, but I think if someone else tried to drive it they may get bucked off if they mash the drive pedal too fast!

 

Just want to thank grandpajay for both this and the left side brake conversion threads as I am doing both on my 322 right now. I'm using a 420 rear 2-spd locking axle and the locking function would be hard to do with my right foot on the pedals. So I'm thinking about using a linear actuator on a toggle switch to lock the dif.

 

You are welcome! Good luck on the 322 conversion, too! My foot control is still operating just like a new style machine. Jay

 

It's shown as being used on about 20 different models including skid steers and front mowers. And they don't exactly last a long time. And for what jd charges I know their margin has to be hundreds of percents. My gut tells me that they aren't going anywhere.

 

Dang I just found this thread! WOW! Awesome work!

I would love to do this to my 332.

:thThumbsU

 

I might add ,he built the loader also

 

Awesome! Would love to do this on my 140h3

 

Did this ever become a purchasable option?

 

Thanks for asking, but sadly no. I will report it continues to work really well, though. I went back and saw that I had a dream about building the ultimate cab. A cab for a 300 series fell to me and I modified it for the 400. Now out of the weather, a super cab has gone back burner.

 

Thanks for asking, but sadly no. I will report it continues to work really well, though. I went back and saw that I had a dream about building the ultimate cab. A cab for a 300 series fell to me and I modified it for the 400. Now out of the weather, a super cab has gone back burner.

Such a Bad *** Machine!

 

Well, if you were intending to make the cab as thoughtfully shaped as the loader i'd still like to see it someday. But that looks a lot better than shivering!