John Deere Mower, 2000 Model

[jrsavoie]

I think this is a good example. Fierl… bought an older tractor, but he enjoys working on it and he apparently has the time and skills. The $1k tractor probably has another $5k in parts and labor if he was paying shop rates, which are $125/hr here near the end of the earth.

Most people see the tractor as a tool to mow the lawn with, and are better off buying a new, relatively inexpensive, tractor every ten or so years.
Nice tractor, by the way.

We haven't worked on our 400 near as much as others with cheap made machines have worked/ spent on theirs in the past 36 years. I do not enjoy working on things. I way the value.

Shopping takes time too. If I can repair something in 2 hours, I am definitely not going shopping. It takes me 2 hours just to go and get back.

I haven't had to do any work, that I wouldn't consider normal maintenance for a 40 year old machine. Other repairs were from abuse. Abuse that lesser machines would never have stood up to. Not to mention the snowblower has been awesome. And you can get about any attachment you want. The only thing I have against it is the gas engine.

I stay clear of new machines. I've seen many friends have issues with very expensive machines. Mostly electric controls and emissions.

 

[jrsavoie]

More praises for the John Deere 400. I paid $1000 for the tractor and mower deck about 10 years ago. I initially rebuilt the mower spindles, changed all the fluids and filters. It ran great for a couple of years before it started running rough after it got hot. Replaced the ignition coil, spark plugs / wires as well as rebuilt the original Kohler carburetor. Other than changing the engine oil annually and the belts as necessary, it's been rock solid ever since.

Not everyone wants to work on their mower, I get that. For me, I don't mind at all. Parts are not expensive and the work that is necessary hasn't been excessive. One thing that I really like about my 1981 JD400 is that it's worth at least what I paid for it 10 years ago, with no end in sight.

It may not cut as fast as a zero turn mower, but it's a lot easier to drink a beer while I'm cutting the grass.

If you are not concerned about keeping the 400 stock, there is a light bar that fits where the OEM headlights are. I also got LEDs for the back. There is a couple good pages for the 400 on facebook.

I hope you enjoy as many years with yours as we have with ours.

If you ever have to replace the starter make sure all of the holes that are supposed to be threaded, are. I replaced our starter a couple years ago with a Kohler starter and there was one hole that I could not get the 1/4-20 bolt to even start in. It took me a few minutes to figure out there were no threads in the hole. Lucky I was able to tap it in place.