Uncle's JD 4230

[bindian]

I attended a cousin's funeral last week, in the Texas Panhandle. After the service, we drove out to Grandpa, then my Uncle's, now my cousin's farm. It broke my heart what I saw. The farm house my Dad was raised in needs to be tore down. The brick house my Uncle built in the 1980s needs to be gutted and redone, because of vandals. But what really broke my heart was seeing the 1973 JD 4230, bought new, sitting in it's shed, the roof blown off around it and hadn't moved in 12-13 years. I waited a day after getting back home to talk to my cousin. We agreed I could have it for $5,000. Grandpa had a D Model I wanted, but Uncle Woody (yes, that was his name) traded it in on the 4230. Sentimental value, to me, is priceless. Only problem it is 580 miles from me. Question I have, should I put a new battery in, check fluids for ugly colors and smells, hit it with some either, after cleaning or replacing the air filter...............and try to crank it up to drive it onto my trailer? Or, since it hasn't ran in 12 or more years, just get it to roll and winch it onto my trailer?

 

[beenthere]

Looks like a good find. Keep us up to date how the starting or loading process goes. Will you try soon?

 

[groundcover]

She should light right off after you check the vitals and give her a new battery. I get sucked into watching Diesel Creek on YouTube firing up equipment that could be that Deere's grandpa !

 

[oldnslo]

Double check for water in the fuel before trying to start. Injectors and water don’t mix to well.

Maybe give the wiring a good looking over for mice or rodent damage. Them little varmits seem to like some types of wiring and that can would keep them out of the weather and away from predators.

Wish you the best on getting it home.

 

[bindian]

My Caterpillar E70 was rebadged from a Mitsubishi MS70. A 2000 year model. The wiring was a soy based insulation. Mice and rats love it. It started smoking and I got the battery disconnected in time, but lots of burnt wiring. I replaced all the wiring and all the starting circuit hardware. Old school machine with wobble sticks, not joysticks. So old it has glass fuses in the panel.

 

[bindian]

Double check for water in the fuel before trying to start. Injectors and water don’t mix to well.

Maybe give the wiring a good looking over for mice or rodent damage. Them little varmits seem to like some types of wiring and that can would keep them out of the weather and away from predators.

Wish you the best on getting it home.

I will sump the tanks for sure. Was an aircraft mechanic for 42 years. Retired early with help of covid bonuses. We sumped a/c tanks daily. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[bindian]

She should light right off after you check the vitals and give her a new battery. I get sucked into watching Diesel Creek on YouTube firing up equipment that could be that Deere's grandpa !

I've never used ether down here in the Piney Woods of Texas. How much ether is too much?

 

[bindian]

Looks like a good find. Keep us up to date how the starting or loading process goes. Will you try soon?

I have to get a surgery I have been putting off before going to get it. Hopefully August.

 

[LHF2019]

Unless modified it uses 2 - 6volt battery in series. I would avoid either at all cost and if electric available plug in the block heater and get here good and hot. Put a battery charger on her in case it takes several attempts to get it to start. Only boost from the starter on 12 volts. I would also replace the fuel filter and check the air filter

 

[Tx Jim]

I've never used ether down here in the Piney Woods of Texas. How much ether is too much?

IMHO any amount of starting fluid that doesn't pass through the starting fluid port on the dash is TOO MUCH. Starting fluid adapter has a built in orifice that limits amount of starting fluid that can enter engine at one time.

I always attempt to start engine without utilizing starting fluid. Piston rings & piston lands have been damaged by using too much starting fluid.

I suggest to change fuel filter then check for good fuel flow from tank tom inj pump. If installing batteries I suggest to change to either one group 31 or two 12 volt batteries attached in parallel if tractor still has two 6 volt batteries attached in series to yield 12 volts.