Buying Advice JD400 for $1500

scottandtisha · Jun 5, 2010

I'm a total newbie here, but in searching, I haven't found many specifics on the JD400.

I've been lurking on Craigslist for some time waiting for a good John Deere garden tractor to pop up. A JD400 popped up for $1500 firm. It appears to have the 3pt hitch (I assume it does not have the rear PTO -- can't see from pics). Owner indicates it belongs to an elderly relative who is now in a nursing home. Said he bought it last year for $2500 and replaced the steering linkage because it was slipping. It has new tires. I'm hoping to test drive it tomorrow.

I've been looking around on here and other sites trying to get a feel for whether this is worth pursuing. So far, I get the feeling it's a good tractor, but hard to find attachments for (due to it being orphaned). I'm personally not looking for attachments (other than pull-behind ones) and am just looking for the increased power / speed / reliability over my L110.

So, what are your thoughts about purchasing this? I think this is a fair price, but is it a steal? What do I need to look out for? How long do these Kohler's typically last?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

JD755 · Jun 6, 2010

Welcome to TBN.

When you ask how long the Kohler engine lasts, I assume you know that model was last produced in 1981. (It began in 1974.)

scottandtisha · Jun 6, 2010

I did know it was old, but I don't think I fully thought about it being 30 years old. That might not be the best idea for someone who's not so great mechanically. I can change the oil / fuel filter and such, but that's about it.

I think I'm going to pass and hope for something a little more recent.

AKfish · Jun 7, 2010

I don't have any experience with the JD 400. So, I can't speak to the pros and cons of owning that particular machine.

However, I've got a good friend that has a JD 318. It's getting up in years, too. It's a 70's vintage and it's a better machine than my 2-year old X300R!

Everything is steel and it's heavy, heavy steel!! Runs like a watch and it mows really well. 'Course it will plow snow like a small tank and tow a compact car outta the ditch too!

Just because the 400 is an older machine does not mean it's not a quality tractor. At $1,500 - even if you put another $1,500 into it - you'd still have to spring for another $1,000 to buy a new X300R!

I'd go give it a look and maybe a drive around the lawn, too. Couldn't hurt; and you might just find a diamond in the rough!

AKfish

joes_427_vette · Jun 7, 2010

$1500. doesn't buy much in a used quality machine. One cannot make assumptions without getting on the drivers seat. You should be able to tell condition and what will need freshing up... after all its not new out of the box. Repair shop time is expensive and if your mechanically inclined it may be the ticket for you. After owning a four wheel drive lawn tractor it would be hard to look back at an older machine unless you bought it for the price of a new set of tires.
JD has a good reputation and many look for this mark. They also get top dollar for their parts and service. Let us know how your field trip turns out.

JD755 · Jun 7, 2010

Just for fun. Two pages from a 1990 brochure regarding trade-in value of a 400, and one page spec from 1981 brochure for 400 and others.

The 318 was introduced in 1983, which was the same year the 400 was replaced by the 420. The 318 replaced the 317, and both changed from Kohler to Onan that year.

Tritonman · Jun 16, 2010

The biggest drawback on the 400 is the large turning radius other than that if the engine is solid the price is probably pretty decent.

JD755 · Jun 17, 2010

Anybody remember why 20 hp garden tractors back then were advertised as 19.9 hp? See the first picture in my previous post. This kind of stuff usually has something to do with taxes. Maybe imported engines?