2030 buying advice!

[Southernspeed]

I'm hopefully going to see a '74 (I believe) 2030 tomorrow. I know nothing about these tractors or tractors of that era. I have a modern MF2850M and an old Ford 8N that I did a lot of work on.
What is there to look out for on these in particular? I'll be able to drive it but not hook up a PTO implement. Is there anything to check on the PTO system?
It has a FEL which is plumbed to both rear remotes (I'd be looking to change that as I'll need the remotes (SCVs?))
It's a gas engine and I believe 8 speed.
Engine wise I should be ok for recognizing problems, clutch and trans too but pumps, PTO, brakes and anything uniquely JD I'm out of my wheelhouse. I'm planning to use it for haying.
Any advice greatly appreciated as always.

 

[beenthere]

Here is info from TractorData It's a 50+ yr old tractor, maybe from Germany or Dubuque, IA

TractorData.com John Deere 2030 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[Southernspeed]

Thanks beenthere, more looking for insight from folk who know the oddities of this model and what to look for.

 

[Tx Jim]

I suggest to check color of hyd oil to possibly determine of any moisture is present in trans case. JD utility tractors of that era have a history of water entering clutch housing via cracked trans shift lever boots then traveling to trans case. One could loosen trans oil drain plug 2 revolutions & wait a little while to determine if water exits around plug threads.

Check operation of hyd system after hyd oil has reached operating temp. If tractor has hyd operated pto check operation of pto after hyd oil is at operating temp.

If you purchase tractor & install a 2 spool valve on FEL I highly recommend returning hyd oil from hyd control valve with closed center plug installed to a ported hyd filter cover part # L55982

Wheel brakes utilize hyd oil for application.

 

[Southernspeed]

I suggest to check color of hyd oil to possibly determine of any moisture is present in trans case. JD utility tractors of that era have a history of water entering clutch housing via cracked trans shift lever boots then traveling to trans case. One could loosen trans oil drain plug 2 revolutions & wait a little while to determine if water exits around plug threads.

Check operation of hyd system after hyd oil has reached operating temp. If tractor has hyd operated pto check operation of pto after hyd oil is at operating temp.

If you purchase tractor & install a 2 spool valve on FEL I highly recommend returning hyd oil from hyd control valve with closed center plug installed to a ported hyd filter cover part # L55982

Wheel brakes utilize hyd oil for application.

Thanks. Heading up there shortly to see it. I'd read a post about the PTO shaft spinning with no load on but not actually working with a load attached. Guess I won't know about that until I try, if I buy it. I've no problem with doing work on it, just don't want to buy a money pit!

 

[Southernspeed]

Didn't buy it ...yet. Tires are too rotted for me and he said we could negotiate on that but the clutch was the killer. It worked but was really heavy. I'm 170lbs and I had to hang on to the steering wheel to help me press it down. Smooth but heavy. He said it was replaced years ago but not used a whole lot since so shouldn't be worn out. Zero free play on pedal. Any ideas? He had another one there that his Dad bought new and had original clutch still, you could push that down with ease, as light as my 8N clutch.
Had a look in the inspection cover but nothing I could recognise as bad.

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks. Heading up there shortly to see it. I'd read a post about the PTO shaft spinning with no load on but not actually working with a load attached. Guess I won't know about that until I try, if I buy it. I've no problem with doing work on it, just don't want to buy a money pit!

Safely using a piece of lumber such as a 2X4X 3 or more ft in length one can SAFELY apply pressure to pto shaft putting 2X4 between operating pto shaft & tractor drawbar to determine if pto clutch will hold some pressure.

I agree clutch pedal shouldn't be that difficult to depress.

 

[Southernspeed]

Thanks Jim. I said I'd be interested if he wanted to negotiate a bit as it needed tires and the clutch fixing but he managed to sell it the next day anyway. So good for him. I'm still looking.

 

[beenthere]

That takes if off your mind. What, if I might ask, was the asking price ??

 

[Southernspeed]

That takes if off your mind. What, if I might ask, was the asking price ??

$7500. Fair price, but it definitely needed tires. The clutch issue was kind of the deal breaker. I don't mind the work but if it had a two stage clutch, they are nearly $1k too. Looked at another today, 2440 diesel for $8.5k but it had too many issues, diesel in the engine oil, screeching pump pulley, etc etc so passed on that too.