620s and 630s

[RMOMN]

I"m starting to look for either a 620 or a 630 to use for food plots. What should I look out for when buying one of these?
 

[Mike M]

In addition to all the normal stuff for any tractor I'd pay extra attention to the clutch driver to crank splines,flywheel splines and the bottom of the block for leakage as they seem thin there.
 

[BushogPapa]

Carefully Measure the Rt Main Bearing Clearance (with a Dial indicator)... If it has more than Specs, the oil-feed passage under the Rt Main bearing Quill may be blocked..and that also means the Rt Rod will be starving for oil too..
If the Transmission is over-full, it may be engine oil, from that Rt main/Seal, because of excessive bearing clearance..

Put a Load on the PTO and see if it engages or Slips..
Look at the oil in the PTO..it should be 10 Wt oil...
If it is 90 Wt, the seal is out...
Power Steering..??
Does it work easy both ways..??
Signs of Leaking..??

Intake/Exhaust manifold going bad..??
Gaskets out where it meets the Head on each side..?? (Requires pulling the Head and having it Machined)...
Not uncommon for the Intake to be splitting, where the Heat-Crossover meets the intake..
Gauges work..??
Tires..??
Radiator..??

Make sure EVERY Gear is good...and the shifter feels secure and tight.. Would be best to put a Load on it in each gear, actually..

Sheet Metal decent, or beat up..?

All the usual things as well..

Ron..
 

[Gene Hillman]

I love these old 2 cylinders but is there a reason why you are selecting these tractors for that job? The newest of these are 52 years old and in good condition they can sell pretty high.
 

[RMOMN]

I was told these a real simple tractors to work on and it will be 275 miles away. It will also be a 2nd tractor for my hunting property.
 

[RMOMN]

Thanks Ron this is exactly what I'm looking for
 

[Gene Hillman]

Some repair and maintenance on these can be relatively simple and some can be major work. There probably is a lot of discussion on the internet about what makes a good tractor for the hobby farmer or occasional user and the opinions will vary widely and I would suggest doing some research on that subject. If the inner seals on these tractors are leaking, it can require more than basic equipment to fix the problem. In our neighborhood, I see some Massey diesels that are much newer, low hours and clean for the same price range of the more desirable of the old John Deeres. Best of luck to you in your decision and search.
 

[JohnDeereJimOhio]

Do you have any experience with the two cylinders? Or driving with a hand clutch? What are you going to be using the tractor for? Is your hunting property like mine where it is very hilly? I think for a food plot I would want an early new gen like a 2020 or something that is low to the ground. Now if the 630 is a wide front that would help but it's probably a narrow front tractor.. If it is a wide front and nice u could buy a smaller jd or Massey or any other low center of gravity tractor and implements and still be at some cost if the jd... That being said we have a 730 and I love using it on the farm.. If u truley want a two cylinder then go for it but there are probably better options out there for u...
 

[RMOMN]

I have a Farmall H right now and I do want something that can pull a 3/16 plow and will handle my tandem 7' disk and not work the tractor so hard. I have a friend that collects JD 2 cylinders and recommended the JD 620,2520 or Farmall 706. My land is pretty flat.
 

[BushogPapa]

The ONE thing you will notice with the 620/630 Series tractors is the very Large increase in "Felt or apparent Power", over the Letter and 60 Series..and the TRUE 3-Point with Load/Depth Control..(Very Nice to have)...
Put one "in good shape" and you should not need to again in this Lifetime...!!
The Hand clutch on a 620/630 may seem a little grabby, if not in use for a while, but will settle to a very predictable, easy to use control..

Ron..