2030 John Deere Engine

[Rick Rauen]

I purchased 2030 John Deere diesel with 2200 hours. Engine start right off, has lots of power, uses no oil and runs real smooth except for high RPM. Tractor in neutral, and RPM between 2000 and 2500 tractor seems to vibrate. I was wondering if this is normal or is there someting I can look into repairing? Thanks Rick
 

[Tx Jim]

I would suggest to pull engine pan and check these balancer shafts & bushings.

 

[LJD]

Four cylinder was prone to vibration problems at certain RPMs. That's why most of them have balancing shafts. Deere made a few of those engines with the balancers left out and they vibrated something awful at low RPMs. The first 210C backhoes came that way.

I do not believe there is anything to go wrong with your shafts to cause an added vibration issue. When they go bad the engine will not have good oil pressure when hot. If the shafts were put in out-of-time it would cause and issue. Also if you have a replacement engine with no shafts. 3, 5, and 6 cylinder engines don't have the vibration issue. Just the four-bangers.
 

[Rick Rauen]

After reading your suggestion, I mentioned your solution to a friend and he knew of a person that changed the bushings and it made a big differance. Thanks for your help. I will investigate this problem when I have time this winter. Rick
 

[Rick Rauen]

I was told by another person the same thing you suggested but just thought maybe I could eliminate some of the vibration. Vibration is not bad but would like to have less. One gentleman suggested looking at the balancer shaft and bushings. I know of a person that replaced the bushings and made a big differance. I will look into this when I get time, Thanks for your help. Rick
 

[buickanddeere]

Have a look at the drawbar, foot pedal, platform, steering wheel, tires etc. That tractor may have more than 2200 hours.
There is a chance somebody did an inframe rebuild and "forgot" to service the balancer shaft bushings.
1-800-522-7448 for the operator's manual. There is well hidden grease fitting or two that needs service.
 

[Rick Rauen]

Hello Jim, I'm planning on replacing the balancer shaft bushings. Do I need two bushings per shaft and is the part # the same for both ends? Is there a step by step procedure for replacing the bushings? This is the second engine with 2200 hrs(remanufactured JD engine)in this tractor so maybe the balancer shafts and bushings weren't checked. Appreciate your help. Rick
 

[buickanddeere]

Balancer shafts and their bushings are not the only factor. Lets consider everything that rotates and maybe out of balance.
Clutch/flywheel, cooling fan, hydraulic pump,alternator,water pump,crank, rods and even the transmission input shaft.
Try reving the engine with the fan belt slacked off. And then with the clutch pedal depressed.
Then again, what is some vibration? Is it a farm tractor or a Rolls Royce limo ?
 

[Tx Jim]

[Rick Rauen]

Hello Jim,
I talked to JD serviceman today and he said the serial number will tell whether the balancer shaft can be worked on by just taking the oil pan off or if the front cover on the engine has to be taken off which would require engine removal. I"m having trouble with engine serial # because engine was made in France and engine code is not same as American engine code. I think I have unusual tractor:2030 row crop made in Germany with engine made in France. Rick
 

[Tx Jim]

What's the engine & tractor serial number? Tractor SN will be under the seat on Rh side of housing.The same bushing(R57160) fits the 2020 & 2030 plus a long list of other JD engines.

I'm not stating that the bushings can't be R&R without removing the engine but I'll bet it's a bugger to line up the oil galley holes in the bushings with the engine still in the tractor.
 

[Rick Rauen]

Hello Jim,
I had a John Deere mechanic of 27 years look at my 2030. He said vibration was normal for 2030 4 cylinder but he has never seen a engine like this: engine made in France. I appreciate your help. I am the third owner and I think the first owner did not take very good care of this tractor. I restored 2030 to new condition and will be polished regularly and kept in the work shop. Rick
 

[Tx Jim]

I personally never saw any balancer shafts or bushings replaced for a vibration problem. LJD a very knowledgeable YT member and former JD dealer tech stated earlier in this thread that he thought the shafts/bush's wouldn't be the vibration problem either.

I can't remember but I would think those shafts would require timing and I wonder if the shaft timing is wrong on your tractor???

Later JD utility tractor engines were built in Saran,France rather than Dubuque,Ia but I was thinking that this began with the 40 series(tractors built for N.American sales) not the 30 series but I could be wrong. Did you look for and find the tractor sn plate under the seat? If so that should explain what tractor you actually have and where it was built.
 

[buickanddeere]

The model and engine are as common as dirt.