Small John Deere Crawler/loader

I would bet it's a 40 or 420. The serial number plate, which would also have the model number on it is on the left side of the motor back by the bellhousing. No serial number plate? Does it have a water pump? 40's did not, 420's did. Externally, that's one way to tell them apart. It could be a 430. One identifer for the 430 would be slanted dash but I believe some early ones had the vertical dash. The block number (on the right below the generator on a 40) might help identify it.

Post back if you need more info.

DL

Likely the oil pump could not pick up oil and the bearings were starved. If it isn't too bad, meaning it didn't have a lot of wear to begin with, you may could just put new bearings in it, buff the crank and be OK. To the worse case side, it may need the crank turned and over size bearings. New bearings are no problem. It should not be too bad to get the thing back right in either case and if you are goin to go into one, fix what needs to be fixed so you don't have to go into it again (just my opinion). You can find used parts or even good used whole engines. Let us know what you find.

DL

Generally, sheet metal will swap except... the nose cone/grill assembly, if it is a loader, and it is, and they installed it correctly. The 90 loader had a pump that mounted on the front of the engine and requires a different grill to get clearance for it. Other wise the nose off a standard or utility 40 or 420 or 430 would fit (single piece grill screen). The T or W models will fit (I think) but are not correct as they have the two piece grill screen. I'm no expert but know a little bit. 40, 420, 430 metal will swap and some M metal will swap, as will other parts and if you can't find original metal, reproduction metal is available for a lot of the pieces.

One tip I will offer, buy if you want it but, in crawlers, buy the undercarriage. That's the expensive part to fix. Metal and engines are nothing compared to UC repair. Just a tip from someone who's been there and wishes he hadn't done that. Loaders are hard on the UC especially the front idlers and rollers (nose heavy) and because you usually do more turning.

DL

Yup - It's a 420. Water pump & all. Actually, the reasin I was so interested was the undercarriage is all brand new - only a few hours on. The JD yellow paint isn't even worn off yet. The pads are quite worn, but the Pins etc are perfect, the idler wheel, drive sprocket and rollers are all new. Is this machine worth $2500? The seller won't budge on price and I'm about to move on to look at another machine.

What's it worth is a tough question. From what you said, it probabily is, if the only thing wrong is some needing new seals, bearing and rings for the motor. The UC is worth that if it's been rebuilt. You can get new pads and that is something you could replace yourself.

DL