John Deere 240 Skid Steer Opinions?

[AlanB]

My close buddy is looking at buying a well worn JD 240 SS.

He uses my equpment at times, and thought instead of buying duplicates of what I have, he would buy complimentary equipment

And yes, we get along real well, please no lectures on sharing of equipment.

Anyway, I have this well worn JD at the house for a test drive, anyone have knowledge of particular points on these machines to look for for wear or problem areas?

It seems strong, and seems to operate well.

The parking brake is odd too me, it kills down the motor at idle, I do not think this is normal, but the used dealer thought it was.

Also any info or experience on the aux hydraulic control lever function would be appreciated.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

What year 240? Is it a Series II machine? Early 200-series Deere loaders had quite a few warranty issues to deal with. Series II machines were supposedly more reliable and built in Dubuque, Iowa, not in Tennessee. Why were the Series-II loaders better? I'm not sure on the details.

I always liked running Deere skid steers but the controls always seemed very stiff to me. Stiff controls are likely no longer a problem on your well-worn loader.

 

[plowrup]

Stay away for '99 and '00 Year Machines (look at the Serial Number Plate-on the right hand front part of the Frame in the Operator's Compartment-the Serial Number will be 13 digits long, you want the digit that is six digits from them end)-if that digit starts with a 1 or a 2, run, don't walk away.

Otherwise, there were some Ignition Switch problems and some minor things, nothing athat would keep me from buying one, overall they were great Machines other than the fact that the 240 was not Turbocharged (which I would highly recommend at any elevation over 1000 ft.-

 

[radman1]

Go with the series II or newer. The early versions had problems. It was the first skid steer made by JD. I know a guy who sells JD skid steers and he won't even recommend the early ones. There was a whole host of problems and lots of warranty issues on those. Also sounds like that one is past its prime. It would have to be very cheap for me to be interested. The series II fixed the problems on the early models and is reliable.

 

[AlanB]

Can anyone add some specifics as to what went wrong with these machines. I will look at the serial # in the morning. I am guessing it is an early machine.

The controls are stiff, I felt that a plus as it kept you from bouncing the controls too much, but thought it would wear on you after a day's operation.

I do not believe it is Turbo, would need to look again, but not sure I want some of the issues that come with turbo's. It seems to have plenty of power.

It seems to rack in the boom assemblies more then the old bobcats I am familar with, but think that is partly from age /hours / wear and partly from lift geometry design to get the high lift.

I guess at some point if they are so terrible, how did this one rack up so many hours?

 

[AlanB]

Went out this morning and the data plate is illegible.

Are there ways to identify them other then serial #?

Or maybe I mean to ask, are there things I can look at parts wise, that will help me to id what serial # I am working with.

 

[plowrup]

Can anyone add some specifics as to what went wrong with these machines. I will look at the serial # in the morning. I am guessing it is an early machine.

The controls are stiff, I felt that a plus as it kept you from bouncing the controls too much, but thought it would wear on you after a day's operation.

I do not believe it is Turbo, would need to look again, but not sure I want some of the issues that come with turbo's. It seems to have plenty of power.

It seems to rack in the boom assemblies more then the old bobcats I am familar with, but think that is partly from age /hours / wear and partly from lift geometry design to get the high lift.

I guess at some point if they are so terrible, how did this one rack up so many hours?

Only the '99's and '00's had any major problems-as far as the stiff controls, that was fixed in the Series II Models (they added grease zerks to the cross shafts)-

There were over 300 improvements alone in the Series II Machines, continual improvments made Year to Year in the Series I-

the 240 was a non-Turbo Machine (you had to buy a 250 to get a Turbo)-

Some of hte early Machines were absolutely terrible (some even came with "Diapers" from the Factory-

 

[AlanB]

It is headed back to the dealers probably as I type.

Not sure that one was the right one.

Time to keep looking and see what comes available.

 

[radman1]

I guess at some point if they are so terrible, how did this one rack up so many hours?

It seemed like the problems on the early models varied all over the place from pumps, electrical, engine etc. It seemed like no one particular repeatable problem. Maybe that one had them repaired under warranty or just ran with no issues.