New Member

[Greenwannabe]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the crawler scene.. I was thinking about buying one to do work around my farm - I was thinking about a 340 or 440.. Which model if not these do you feel is the most reliable? I'm sure certain models had more issues than other models.. Do I go with gas or diesel?

Thanks.. Mike

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

I think the starting point would be a 420c 5-roller with a 62 blade. The 430 is pretty much the exact same thing - only the dashboard and tin changed from the series-III 420's.

The 440 is a different beast. Deere kept upgrading that one until 1962, and this is where the diesel option began.

If it were me, I'd want one of the very latest 440's with a 64 power blade on it. That gives one the most rugged of the series with the best usability. I do grow tired of having to manually angle and tilt my blade, that's for sure!

As far as diesel vs. gas goes, that's more of a personal choice, I think. Myself, I could go either way. Both engines are good.

The reality is you need to find whatever model is in the best shape for the money asked. So many of these machines are worn out to the point where you really have to totally rebuild the poor things - and many, many parts are rapidly becoming ones you have to make up as opposed to buy off the shelf......

So, I think in the end, you need to look at all the models and take what happens to be in the best shape.....

Stan