I know this is the first post Ive made on this tractor even though Ive been in the process of disassembly for a little while now. I need to sit down and master the art of posting some pictures so you can all see what Im up to but Ill just put it in words for now.
Ive come across several suprises in the taking apart process; for instance I found my rockshaft worn in the typical fashion for these little things BUT someone had been in the housing awhile back and had it machined with bushings installed (lucky me!). Unfortunately the same fellow took the rockshaft and ground out a spline to make a "new" masterspline so the worn portion would not be in same postion. . . Im having a friend weld and machine the shaft back to normal for me.
Ive got the tractor down to a clutch housing, transmission, and final drive assembly. . . the head and block are out to be cleaned and redone. Most of my time lately has been spent with the wire wheel taking the old paint off. Ive found Deere's spray on paint remover a real help in that I spray it on and then take the wire wheel to it and paint comes off a lot easier. In my near future sits a sandblaster so I can clean up the wheels, dash housing, three point pcs, and any other parts where sand will not come back to haunt me later.
The most interesting part of this tractor has been the 4110 cultivator with 41A side dresser on it. Interesting in that it makes the tractor unique but also in that Ive had a bit of an adventure finding parts for it. Most of the parts for the tractor can be found through Deere or the major advertisers in the magazines. . . but Ive yet to see an add for anyone carrying the old implements or parts for them. Ive made a few good friends along the way and its a great day when I can cross some of those hard to find parts off the list. Ive acquired some plant shields, a set of disc hillers, fertilizer drive sprockets, the rear rig bar, and fertilizer drop tubes that should make a complete setup.
Ill keep trying to post a pic. . . I dont know how many folks are interested but its kinda nice to tell some others about what Ive been up to. Family, friends, and girls just dont seem to understand my enthusiasm. Thanks for reading, Dave

Well, Here is an attempt at a picture. I spent most of the last few nites "restoring" the s/n plate; Hand painting that small takes some patience! Engine Block is still not back from the shop; Still taking paint off the hind end. Thanks, Dave

Sad to say that Ive had a few setbacks just recently but I think Ive made up for them. Turned out the fertilizer drop tubes that were "guaranteed" to be what I needed ended up being the metal tubes from a planter. . . probably long enough but about half the diameter I needed. Several part numbers later and thru the help of one of the great people at RN Johnson in Vermont (highly recommend) I was able to come up with another set. . . for a "V" or special tractor. They will be a bit longer and Im a little embarrased that I paid as much as I did for them (the price for historical authenticity) but they should work.
My rockshaft came back from having it welded up and resurfaced and Im hoping my extra trouble will bless me with a dry hydraulic system. The serial number plate looks great and the rusted green surface of my tractor is giving way to the silver glow of metal patiently exposed with a wire wheel. By the way, a dremel tool works great with the small wire wheel attachment for getting in all those hard to reach corners.
I had the opportunity to purchase a complete setup (cultivators and side dresser) for my tractor (as a backup or for my next tractor) but I couldnt leave work and another individual swooped in and drove off with it. . . that one hurt most of all. All part of the hobby I guess, if it was all easy then none of us would have anything special. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and Happy New Year.

I think Ive taken as much apart as I care to. . . All I need to do is take off the rear wheels and finish cleaning up the trans/final drive cases for primer. Hope I can remember how to put her back together!!



I think Im also starting to run out of space in my garage. What do you all think?

Dave,

Looks like a great project. I am impressed with the fact your redoing the culivator as well. It will be a nice combo. I'm looking forward to following your progrss.

Rick

I appreciate your interest and kind response Rick.

The weather in Ohio was kind to me yesterday and I was able to sneak home over lunch and spray some primer over the hind end. (Does one have a problem when they return from their lunch break with primer speckled all over them?) It is a nice feeling to finally be putting something back on the tractor. My crank is back after being turned and the block should be following soon. I was a bit disappointed with the aftermarket shifter knobs so I dug out my old one, filled in the pits and gouges from days past with spot putty, and put a nice paint job on it. Shoulda just done that to begin with as it looks a lot better. I also received my guages back from Jerry at Evergreen Restoration and I highly recommend his services to anyone. He just gave the guages a good cleaning but they look like new. I just sent him my tachometer for the same procedure. I may try to spray some green this weekend, weather permitting.
"Restoration" of the cultivator should not be a big deal short of sandblasting and painting it. . . It was fairly complete when I bought the tractor (minus what I had listed in a previous post). Since then Ive found a few sweeps on e-bay and did end up finding another complete cultivator setup. Dont know what Im gonna do with it just yet but Ill have it should I need parts or should I come across another tractor that does not have one!!! Thanks. Dave

Nice looking tractor the 330. I am enjoying reading about your progress. Look forward to seeing the finished machine.

Dave

Wanted to add a picture of the S/N plate after I had cleaned it up and repainted it for Melvin. You can tell its not a new reproduction as it still has the well used look but the appearence is much better than the nearly all silver tag from when I started (Sorry I dont have any before photos. . . hindsight). Oh yeah, Ive airbrushed out the last two digits from my s/n as I dont know what potential things can be done by someone with evil intentions.



As far as progress goes Ive realized its still winter outside here in Ohio so major painting has been kept to a minimum. I spent most of the past weekend in front of the glass bead machine and solvent tanks. Ive got my dash painted with the guages in it and its looking good; My current indoor project is filling in the cracks on my steering wheel to make it new again.
As a side note, has this hobby always been about the money? Im investing a fair amount into this little tractor not because I want to sell it and make a profit. I find it theraputic and I hope to be proud of the result. Im not trying to compliain about the cost of some parts. . . Im very grateful that John Deere still has many of the things available that I need to do the job right. Im floored by what some of the used parts places are charging for some pieces, and Ive been less than impressed by some of the quality of the items Ive received. Some of the pieces Ive been sent are not even correct or for my series of tractor! I understand that used, old parts for these little tractors may be hard to come by in good shape; what I cannot understand is why someone would even consider selling some of the parts Ive received. I grew up in a used parts/salvage yard for Caterpillar crawlers and Ive built my own little D2 Cat from pieces I gathered up here and there. . . so Ive dealt with sales and machines of a similar nature. Never would I even consider sending someone something that is in near junk condition, and never have I ever gouged someone for something just because they needed it to make their project work.
Just thought Id throw that out there; I know its likely been discussed before and I know some of you are probably telling me to stop my whining. If you cant pay dont play, right? Ill pay to do what is right, but justify what you are charging me for.
Thanks for listening.

QUOTE (630StdDave @ Jan 25 2006, 12:34 PM)

Wanted to add a picture of the S/N plate after I had cleaned it up and repainted it for Melvin. You can tell its not a new reproduction as it still has the well used look but the appearence is much better than the nearly all silver tag from when I started (Sorry I dont have any before photos. . . hindsight). Oh yeah, Ive airbrushed out the last two digits from my s/n as I dont know what potential things can be done by someone with evil intentions. As far as progress goes Ive realized its still winter outside here in Ohio so major painting has been kept to a minimum. I spent most of the past weekend in front of the glass bead machine and solvent tanks. Ive got my dash painted with the guages in it and its looking good; My current indoor project is filling in the cracks on my steering wheel to make it new again. As a side note, has this hobby always been about the money? Im investing a fair amount into this little tractor not because I want to sell it and make a profit. I find it theraputic and I hope to be proud of the result. Im not trying to compliain about the cost of some parts. . . Im very grateful that John Deere still has many of the things available that I need to do the job right. Im floored by what some of the used parts places are charging for some pieces, and Ive been less than impressed by some of the quality of the items Ive received. Some of the pieces Ive been sent are not even correct or for my series of tractor! I understand that used, old parts for these little tractors may be hard to come by in good shape; what I cannot understand is why someone would even consider selling some of the parts Ive received. I grew up in a used parts/salvage yard for Caterpillar crawlers and Ive built my own little D2 Cat from pieces I gathered up here and there. . . so Ive dealt with sales and machines of a similar nature. Never would I even consider sending someone something that is in near junk condition, and never have I ever gouged someone for something just because they needed it to make their project work. Just thought Id throw that out there; I know its likely been discussed before and I know some of you are probably telling me to stop my whining. If you cant pay dont play, right? Ill pay to do what is right, but justify what you are charging me for. Thanks for listening.

Thanks Dave,

It Looks good. I hope I will be as lucky when I do mine.

Regards,

Time for an update!! I hauled some items (about half the tractor) up to our shop and did a little painting this past weekend. Used some quality Montana paint (Epoxy with hardner) that gives a fairly shiny finish. Started some reassembly by putting the brake pedals and bell housing back on. Had the dash ready to go but Ive decided to give it a light sand and repaint. My next task is cleaning up the spin out rear wheels. Have the tires off and the rims apart; some rust as expected but very workable. Ill try and gently blast them here soon and have the new rubber put on. Also in the process of reassembling the touch o matic; Ive ordered my new piston kit and Ill be moving onto the motor. . . I know there is a lot of work to do yet but Im just glad to see a little of what the finished product is going to look like. Hope you agree with and like what you see. Dave

Time for another update. Darn spin out rims have been time consuming. Filling, sanding, priming. . . Ive done this little dance over and over again many a time in the past month or so. Didnt realize until I was sandblasting that I had two different front rims; one is correct, the other was "solid" instead of having the four gaps between the rim and center. Ive heard numerous opinions about the correct order of painting, tire mounting, and installing on the tractor. Ive decided to try priming the rims, painting the inside surfaces with POR15 paint. Ive had the rear tires mounted and will paint them then inflate them, I think Ill just paint the fronts first then mount/inflate the tires. Dont know if this is the right way or not but seems logical enough to me.
Enough tire talk, Ive also started putting the touch o matic back together. Everything seems to fit tight and smooth so far. . . the real test will be when oil is flowing thru it. Im almost to the point where all the parts that where dirty on the tractor when I started are "clean." Sorta feels like when you are on a roller coaster and you are click - click - clicking your way up the big hill; seems like Ill be cresting the top soon and things are really going to come together.
On another note. . . something else found a new home with me. Remember when I was talking about another tractor for that extra cultivator I bought. . .



Saw this little JD 420 Standard and couldnt pass it up. It will be a fun tractor to use and play with for now until the 430 is done. . . then maybee turn her into my next project.

No pictures this time but its been awhile. . . This is the busy time of year as far as my real job goes. Usually dont get home before 10-11 at nite. Rims are painted and tires are mounted. Considering I dont do this sort of thing everyday I dont think they look too bad. Next step is trying to figure out how to put them all back together so I dont scratch the nice paint up. My plan is to bolt the hubs to the steel center wheel and paint them as a unit, then install the hub back on the axle shaft (I pulled them so I could replace the axle seals). Ill have to do some touch up work on the big nut; but that might be easier than the smaller bolts. I thought Id lift the rim/tire with a sling and slide it over the hub/wheel already installed on the tractor, then make it all one unit by bolting up the four spin out brackets. Hate the fact that the nuts are on the outside/visible side of the wheel; Ill have to do some touch up on those too after they are tightened.
On the engine side of things Ive about got her all back together and ready for paint. New pistons, bearings, seals. . . she should run like a new one. Biggest problem is that all my painting and heavy shop tools are at our shop which is about an hour away from my home. Just not enough hours in the day. Hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather, its been wonderful here in Ohio.

We are getting closer! Thought Id add a few pics so I could prove my progress.



Here she sits after Ive mounted the first rim/tire to the wheel.



And a close up of the dash before the steering wheel and throttle lever are mounted.

The engine is awaiting paint and Im still needing to rebuild the front axle. Slooowly making my way forward on the ol girl.

Very nice. I like the 'crisp' appearance of that dash board. You're doing an outstanding job.

Johnny

Made some great progress yesterday. Seems like parts come together in giant strides after sitting the same way for weeks. Soon Ill add the fuel tank, hydraulic lines, radiator, and steering and Ill be able to drive over to the girlfriends house. Im sure she will be thrilled.



I need to repaint the steel lines from the hydraulic pump to the dash and also the fuel tank before I can go any farther; I wanted to get the tractor so it could roll out of the garage and I didnt have to keep wrapping it up like a birthday present everytime I wanted to paint. Hope everyone is having a great July 4th!

Rolled the tractor out of the garage this weekend, put a battery in along with some oil and gas and know what happened? She started!! I need to make a few adjustments to the carbeurator and possibly the throttle linkage to smooth things out but otherwise things seemed ok. A tiny leak was present between the water pump and block, but that went away once things warmed up; otherwise everything else was dry. I thought for sure the touch o matic would spurt oil somewere, but no. Ill need to finish several of the three point parts and Im beginning to work on the nose; guess the ol winter project is turning into a year long project. Ill throw in a picture of her just before starting. Yesterday was a long time coming!!

No, I didnt fall off the face of the earth.
I did not lose interest in my tractor project either.
I have been going thru a few life changes though that had me put my non-essential free time occupying hobbies on hold. Ive changed jobs and have moved, so that has taken a large priority. Anyways, I have managed to get the body work done on my sheetmetal, have it primed and the first coat of yellow is on. The pic Im posting shows the pieces just after Ive wet sanded the first coat of yellow. The tractor itself runs great now that I have it timed and that I have the throttle linkage figured out. I am working thru one problem in the touch of matic system (meaning that Im needing to take a few things back apart. . . If I had it to do over again. . . ) but otherwise I couldnt be much more happy with the outcome. My winter project has come full circle and become a winter project again; This winter Ill be working on the cultivator and side dresser pieces -- getting them loose, taken apart and hopefully sand blasted down. Ive also picked up an old 23B one row planter that Ill see if I cant get back together to put on the back toolbar. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and looking forward have a great Christmas/Holiday Season!! Dave.

Had to laugh. . . John Dietz requested I send him a few photographs for his book on Collecting John Deere Tractors and what did I see in the Dubuque section? A giant pic of my 430 in front of my garage. Wish I could have had a pic published of her all done, but I was not about to rush thru the job just for a photograph. Thanks John for using my photos, really enjoyed the book.
Update on the tractor: Cultivator is apart and Im waiting for a day above zero degrees here in Ohio so I can head out and do some sandblasting. Tractor is in the barn with a sheet over the top to keep the dust off. Most of my time has been devoted to collecting firewood for my woodburner. Winter took its time but its here!

Ive finally fixed it!
After a few times off and on the tractor and after taking it apart at least three times the Dual Touch o Matic on my 430 actually works the way it should. A few adjustments with the check valves and some issues with the shuttle valve were all it needed to function properly. Of course, I had to tweak linkage for the depth control to stop the up and down jiggles. Im no expert on these things, but if anyone ever needs help working on theirs Id be happy to offer assistance. I know quite a number of people were able to offer me advice and it sure helped/was appreciated.
The tractor looks good with a three point on it. That was the last big mechanical hurdle, now I can concentrate on details and polishing. I hope to have some more pictures forthcoming.