"New" to me JD400

5053 Views 29 Replies 11 Participants Last post by John_U, May 9, 2016

John_U

Discussion Starter · Jul 6, 2015

A couple weeks ago, I saw a posting for a JD400 with some attachments on the local Facebook garage sale site. There were many comments, but no one had bought this yet. I went and looked at it a couple times, and finally had a chance to go back for a final look and some negotiation.

As part of the deal, I got a 1978 400 with newer Honda GX620, 60" deck, 3-point, 35a Tiller with PTO assembly, Model 50 snow blower and chains, and brinly 3-point grader blade. The seller also had a large boom sprayer which they included, but didn't want to dig out of the barn (buried behind snowplow, trailer, etc), but will call and have me come back to pickup this fall.

I think I made out pretty well.

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ubber_gearhead99

· #2 · Jul 6, 2015

SO JEALOUS!!! I bet you made out like a bandit on that bundle. The blower and tiller look great. even the deck looks pretty good.

mopar65pa

· #3 · Jul 6, 2015

COOL! :thThumbsU

John_U

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 7, 2015

ubber_gearhead99 said:
SO JEALOUS!!! I bet you made out like a bandit on that bundle. The blower and tiller look great. even the deck looks pretty good.

The more I look around at the prices for even these old classics, yes I made out like a bandit. Unfortunately I'm going to break up the package, I have no need for the snowblower. I will be posting it in the for sale section along with the 33 tiller from my 317.

The 400 needs to be cleaned up, the Honda repower dialed in, and it will be a nice mowing and tilling tractor.

MaineiacMoose

· #5 · Jul 10, 2015

Hey John_U What are you looking for on the snow blower? I have been looking forever up here but nobody has any that they are looking to get rid of.

John_U

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 11, 2015

I've been working on getting the 400 dialed in and straightened out a bit. I put a set of Gator blades on the deck and have determined that the engine has only been running about 3000-3100 RPM's. A poorly installed throttle cable is to blame, so I have a replacement on order to fix this issue and help increase engine speed (reliably).

I had a week off from work last week, took the family on a small vacation, then out to the in-laws' lake house to help work on the new frontage and seawall they are building. I put the tiller on an did some light tilling to help break up the ground and aid in grading. I had a great time spending a lot of seat time on the 400, and we made good progress on getting it graded before seeding.

My FIL on his new Kubota BX25D, what a nice little tractor!

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Stryker7200

· #7 · Aug 11, 2015

I am jealous on the deal you got. It's gotta be nice having a tractor like that with all those attachements already. I'm still trying to figure out what route to go for a tiller behind my X485. Already have the 540 RPTO, but need a 3PH first.

That wouldn't be Oak Run in the pics would it? Looks like your in-laws have a real nice place.

John_U

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 12, 2015

Stryker7200 said:
I am jealous on the deal you got. It's gotta be nice having a tractor like that with all those attachements already. I'm still trying to figure out what route to go for a tiller behind my X485. Already have the 540 RPTO, but need a 3PH first.

It is nice to have the versatility, even though both of my machines are quite old. If this hadn't had the three point, I wo have bought one from Ruegg.

That wouldn't be Oak Run in the pics would it? Looks like your in-laws have a real nice place.

It is Oak Run. Are you out that way?

nick4030

· #9 · Aug 12, 2015

Sweet deal! Just recently there was an ad on our classifieds for a 400 blower and sweepster for $500. No tractor just the implements. They were gone in minutes, so someone here has a 400 lol. Did those brackets make it there in time?

John_U

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 12, 2015

nick4030 said:
Sweet deal! Just recently there was an ad on our classifieds for a 400 blower and sweepster for $500. No tractor just the implements. They were gone in minutes, so someone here has a 400 lol. Did those brackets make it there in time?

They didn't, but I was able to hack up the bracket I had for my 317 and weld in a longer piece of flat stock to hold the weights for now. I'm working on building an 8 or 9-weight bracket out of the side plates that you sent me though since this one only holds 5.

Stryker7200

· #11 · Aug 12, 2015

John_U said:
It is nice to have the versatility, even though both of my machines are quite old. If this hadn't had the three point, I wo have bought one from Ruegg.

It is Oak Run. Are you out that way?

I'm near Groveland now, grew up in Edelstein though, so very familiar with your area. Looking to get back on the "right" side of the river soon!

John_U

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 9, 2016

I haven't done a very good job of updating this thread, but some of the changes/modifications I've made to the 400 so far include installing V61 tires up front, and loaded True Powers in the rear.

I also modified my old Cozy Cab to fit the 400 and built a new upper console/control panel.

I've started working on the next modification project - added some sound insulation to the underside of the hood, and will do the same with the side covers.

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nick4030

· #13 · Feb 9, 2016

Re: "New" to me JD400

Looks awesome with the v61, they make a 400 series look mean! Does the hood insulation help? Might be my ignorance, but I can't help but think of it as sort of making the engine compartment an oven, possibly making it run hotter?

John_U

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 10, 2016

Re: "New" to me JD400

nick4030 said:
Looks awesome with the v61, they make a 400 series look mean! Does the hood insulation help? Might be my ignorance, but I can't help but think of it as sort of making the engine compartment an oven, possibly making it run hotter?

There isn't meant to be much cooling effect of the side covers and hood radiating or dissipating heat, that's to be accomplished by the airflow from the flywheel over the engine fins. I've been reading about firewall modifications to also help direct air over the hydraulic cooler and into the flywheel, I may need to add a better firewall like from a 420 to help guide air better as well. It seems to run fine in the summer, but I haven't checked it with an IR gun to really say it's hot or cold.

Alberta 7.3

· #15 · Feb 10, 2016

Where did you find the foil covered material?

John_U

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 10, 2016

eBay.

10mm Car Heat Shield Proof Deadener Hood Bonnet Exhaust Muffler Sound Insulation | eBay

Austen

· #17 · Feb 10, 2016

It's looking mighty tough with those new Tru Powers!

QAFarm

· #18 · Feb 10, 2016

Looks good.:fing32: I really like my 400 even with the engine issues. I have tru powers and spare wheels just haven't gotten around to blasting and painting them yet. I had been debating the v61s. Not anymore lol. Will be ordering a set.

John_U

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 10, 2016

Thanks guys, the tires were actually what I had been running on my 317. I went back to 16's and 23's on the 317 to improve the mowing usefulness of that tractor and use the appropriate tires on the appropriate machine.

Loaded rear tru powers are awesome for traction, no complaints here!

scooter49

· #20 · Feb 10, 2016

How did U attach the insulation to the hood? if it was glue , what kind.

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