JDcrawlers Messageboard

Lavoy is dead on. It's a novelity. This fellow had a MC with a bad engine and thought he would repower it with a L. He does used the L brake levers for steering, I'll have to get some shots of that when I''m down there again. He calls it a LC and has some believing Deere made this thing. It's all in...

Nice looking crawler, don't you think?

I've been told - JD changed from White to Black face gauges in the 52/53 time frame. Some of the last M's may have had black faces. For a 50, a white faced gauge would be correct.

Like choosing Coke or Pepsi, everyone has there preferences. I use PB Blaster but for the tough jobs, I use Kroil Oil. I just think it works better for me. It is more expensive but in my opinion, worth it.

Another trick is a couple of good whacks on the top of the bolt with a hammer.

I have the same setup, one door. I have an old wagon tounge with another hitch (flat barstock) welded on the wagon end of it. I can hitch two together and SAFELY push or pull the dead one any where. You could make one yourself from a piece of 1 1/2x2 or 2x3 sq. tubing about 4 ft long with some barst...

I have had acceptable results by putting the axle in a lathe, welding in a bead in the worn area and then turning it back down. Ground to the axle, not the lathe.

Lavoy,

What is the source of the loader decals? Do you know if the yellow version (for the green painted loader) would be available?

Very nice work BTW.

Swampy, If there is a fitting in them, you should be OK, I think. I've seen a 40 engine on a 420. A friend has one in South Carolina. Absolutly anything is possible. Other things that might help identify it - The 40 and the 56 420 were very similar. If the engine was swapped, the 57/58 420 would loo...

Should be no need for "vents". If they are tapped, put a plug in them. You want to keep all water out of those finals.

Gus, On a five roller - 1/2 to 3/4 in. of sag on each side of the top roller. 4 roller - 1 1/2 in of sag. 3 roller - 1 inch of sag. To remove them I'll offer a silly answer - As much as needed. You want to get the tension off the idler and that's maybe a 2-3 in sag? It would depend on how many rolle...

There were 3 different size JOHN DEERE decals for the hood, depending on serial number. Be aware that there are many poorly decaled machines out there as there owners are having the same problem you are. They just didn't know the proper location and style of decal, or just didn't care if it wasn't c...

Andrew, Here's some spotting features: The first year, or phase I, 420s used a modified 40 engine. The bore was increased from 4 to 4 1/4 inches but otherwise, it was a 40 block. The increase in compression and the resulting heat was too much for the thermo-siphon cooling system. A water pump was ad...

Chuck,

There are 4 bolts that attach the bumper from the back side of the support casting. Did you get all 4 out?

Larry

Congratulations on your new machine. I would love to have a 430. I do have a 420 with 90 loader. What part of SC are you in? I'm just out of Charlotte.

I think a service and parts manual would help you a great deal. Deere still sells them but at a premium. Lavoy may have some and they are availbable at tractors shows, ebay, etc.

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