Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

[TimW]

Just came home from my cousin's funeral in Higgins, Texas.  My heart burst when I saw my Uncle's 1973 John Deere 4230 neglected for about 13 years.  He has been dead since 1998.  He bought it new in 1973 when he bought the farm from my Dad and his brothers and sisters.  I wanted Grandpa's John Deere Model D tractor, but Uncle Woody traded it on the 4230.  The tractor has never left the farm.  So sentimental value is very high to me.
 Anyway, the photos show my new shade tree project and the shed roof around it, as my cousin agreed to sell it to me for $5000.  Just gotta get it on my trailer and haul it 580 miles.

[Magicman]

Good for you !!  

[TimW]

Lynn,
    It's like God kept it waiting for me to get my act back together!

I really don't need another long term project, but I would regret not getting it.

Over the years my, Uncle's youngest daughter's kids moved down here.  Now their Mom moved down here after her husband died last year.  So they will be within an hour's drive of riding in their Grandpa's tractor again!

[GRANITEstateMP]

Family Farm tractors can be the best! (or the worst)

I hope you get it up and running proud again.  I think that was a pretty good series of JD's

[Resonator]

At $5000 you can't go wrong, worth that in parts alone. Good pre-emissions tractors sell strong at auction. All the tins are straight and the cab glass is intact, hopefully the back tire holds air, see it still has plenty of tread.

[TimW]

All 4 tires are flat and I think the right front has a puncture in it.  Rodent droppings inside the cab too.

[doc henderson]

Maybe just an oil change, check the air filter and a shot of ether, some temp air to get it on the trailer and a new battery, and home she goes...If you are lucky.  

[TimW]

I got a 12000# winch that I fit into a receiver hitch mounted high on the gooseneck.  Gonna double up the cable with a snatch block and winch it on.  Hopefully, I will be able to get it into neutral.

[Magicman]

Let me know if you want your money back.  

[TimW]

Let me know if you want your money back. 

Who? What?

[Magicman]

I would even let you deliver it to me.  

[TimW]

At $5000 you can't go wrong, worth that in parts alone. Good pre-emissions tractors sell strong at auction. All the tins are straight and the cab glass is intact, hopefully the back tire holds air, see it still has plenty of treads

All 4 treads look good.

[TimW]

Sorry MM, this is a Texas machine and always will be.

[hedgerow]

When JD came out with that soundguard cab that made a lot of red guys buy JD green tractors. I have spent thousands of hours in a sound guard cab farming. First tractor I had that had AC in it was a JD 4030. It was pretty rough when I bought it and I fixed it up and used it for years. Its still in the area. I farmed for a lot of years with a pair of JD 4840's. I still have one JD 4440 in the shed that is, was my batwing mower tractor. I bought a 7230 FWA to take its place a few years back and just never sold the 4440. Around here that 4230 would bring ten to twelve thousand setting like it is. I always liked the 30,40,50,55 series JD tractors but the planters and grain carts got so big I had to move into the 8000 series and they are older tractors now. I will probably never have a R series JD. Hope it doesn't need a lot to get the 4230 going again. 

[JD Guy]

Congratulations and enjoy the restoration trip! Glad the JD will finally get a little love again 

[Magicman]

Sorry MM, this is a Texas machine and always will be.

Don't mean to be argumentative, (yes I do) but hauling it on a Texas trailer being pulled by a Texas truck is Texas enough for me. 


Benjamins are waiting.   

[TimW]

Put your money away Lynn.  I already got a waiting list for tractor rides on "Pop's" tractor from my cousin's Kids and Grandkids.  Pop was what my cousin's called their Dad.

[Magicman]

OK you won by throwing in sympathy stuff like;  "Pop's" tractor.  cousin's Kids, and Grandkids.  

Seriously, I am loving what you are doing.  I also have a Papaw's tractor at the farm.  It's a 1974 "1530" John Deere.  

[TimW]

So that will make us JD brothers.

[Magicman]

Absolutely!!  

[JD Guy]

So, can I join the club? I've got a JD5420, 630(two lunger), and x730 garden tractor.

[TimW]

I defer to the Gentleman from Mississippi.
But okay by me.

[doc henderson]

JD 850

[Magicman]

Go Green !!  

[hardtailjohn]

That 4230 is a great tractor! We have a 4430 and use it virtually every day. They're super dependable.  Someday I'd like to go all the way through ours, but it's usually hooked to something.