JD 440 Gas Newbie!

[lizrad999]

Ok everybody, I have just joined the club of JD Crawler Owners! Very Exciting!
Yesterday I drove to LA from TN and picked up a 1958? JD 440. I've never owned a crawler before, and know little about them.
First off, I need to know where the Data Plate and Serial Plate are?
She has the manual blade on the outside of the tracks, and the cylinders were just rebuilt. She runs and actually starts pretty easily. The previous owner said the engine needs to be rebuilt.....
Where can I find the specs for this thing?
Who is the best supplier of parts (engine and otherwise)?
Will post some pictures later today.

[lizrad999]

BTW,
Here is the photo...

[JD440ICD2006]

Welcome to the best crawler board on the Internet. There is a wealth of good information and support available on here.

Many on here have forgotten more than I know about them but I will get you started on a few things.
First, based on the block letter decals on yours (440), it would be a 1959.
The first year 440 (1958) has script letters like a 20 series JD tractor.
Next, the serial number plate is on the left side, kinda behind the area where the carb is located. The plate is riveted to the side of the clutch housing. It may or may not be there.

Please make sure that your battery cables are insulated and not going to spark anywhere. This has caused serious issues including fires that can destroy the crawler, injure the operator, even cause an explosion.

Have fun, ask questions, and give us pictures on "show & tell" if you restore it.

[carolina crawler]

Welcome , Fellow Crawler owner...You are about to find More info then your Brain Can Handle here....I was "green " when I got into buying a old deere Unit,(and still am) but, After reading and listening and learning about them....Lavoy once told Me"Its the most fun you can have with your clothes On "Havent got my crawler there yet, But that was enough get me going....Enjoy your crawler, and once again Welcome.....Mark /Cc

[lizrad999]

Ok,
The tag reads 440 I C (the I&C are stamped through the tag)
The serial number is 452063.

How tough is it to find a used engine to fit this crawler? I'd like to rebuild one to install.

[JD440ICD2006]

1959-444,128 thru 453,872 - this confirms yours to be a 1959.

As for engines, put a request on here and see what is out there for sale.
The 1959 and 1960 440 IC (gas) has more HP than the 1958. JD increased the HP in 1959 to compare to the new 440 ICD (diesel).
So, make sure that you get a "late" engine when you are buying another one.

[Lavoy]

Engines are around, any 430 or 440 block will work, the late crawlers use a different head, that might be tough to find. Unless your block is damaged, I would rebuild the one you have. Not a big deal, but the block serial number will correspond to the crawler serial number in the archives.
Rebuild parts are readily available, I keep some on hand, the rest is a few day delay to get.
Lavoy

[CELSESSER]

Hi,

To give you an idea of what people are asking , I just called on an ad in the local paper for a 440 engine out of a crawler "recently overhauled". He wanted $1,250 for it.
The guy listing it for him has a small track and repair shop and is closing it down and moving out west because there is no work to be had here. It's sad to see another small guy go under.

Chuck

[Tigerhaze]

Here is the pic for those that could not get the link to work:

[lizrad999]

Thank you for the post Tigerhaze, I could not figure out how to put the image up here....

I'd also like to mention, the engine is green, the bell housing is yellow, the torque tube is green and the rear end is yellow. Seems to me I've got a little bit of several. Are there numbers on the engine that identify what year it is?

From what I can tell, there are two items (cover plates?) missing from the left side of the torque tube. Does anybody have any spares they would sell?