John Deere 440 vs 1010 crawler dozer

[sammygunns1]

Someone school me up on the better machine here.

I know the 440s came with either a 2 cylinder diesel or gas and the 1010s had 4 cylinder gas or diesel, that were less than desirable.

What about the other parts of the machines such as undercarriage, transmissions, clutches etc

Just looking for some opinions.

 

[Jim.ME]

Someone school me up on the better machine here.

I know the 440s came with either a 2 cylinder diesel or gas and the 1010s had 4 cylinder gas or diesel, that were less than desirable.

What about the other parts of the machines such as undercarriage, transmissions, clutches etc

Just looking for some opinions.

It may be older, but you will likely find more aftermarket parts (and better salvage parts) for the 440s than the 1010s. The 440 gas is more common than the diesel. 440 undercarriages get converted to 350 undercarriage components when major overhaul is needed. The 1010 and 2010 crawlers were like the Ag tractors not many parts of them fit other models.

Edited to correct spelling.

 

[Tx Jim]

I agree JD 440 dozer that were diesel powered units had the unique sounding GM 2 cylinder engine while if 1010 was diesel powered had the more problematic JD 4 cylinder engine.

1010 diesel engine cylinder head had pre-combustion chambers known for leaking coolant into combustion chamber & required use of glow plugs to start operation if engine was not at operating temp.

Both 1010 gasoline & diesel powered engines utilized the engine wet sleeves mounted on a plate as a unit that are high $$$$$ & getting scarce.

 

[NY 986]

I agree JD 440 dozer that were diesel powered units had the unique sounding GM 2 cylinder engine while if 1010 was diesel powered had the more problematic JD 4 cylinder engine.

1010 diesel engine cylinder head had pre-combustion chambers known for leaking coolant into combustion chamber & required use of glow plugs to start operation if engine was not at operating temp.

Both 1010 gasoline & diesel powered engines utilized the engine wet sleeves mounted on a plate as a unit that are high $$$$$ & getting scarce.

Jim, what are the realistic repower options for the 1010/2010 besides the GM 2 cycle engine?

 

[Jim.ME]

Tx Jim may know of options, but I don't.

The GM 2cycle was never in the 1010/2010, only the 440ICD. I don't know that there are any realistic repower options for the 1010/2010 machines. I think there are issues with the block to clutch housing interface that would require major work for a repower.

 

[rrlund]

Isn't the gas engine from a 40 combine the same as a 1010 tractor? Is the 1010 crawler different or would one of those work?

 

[Tx Jim]

Tx Jim may know of options, but I don't.

The GM 2cycle was never in the 1010/2010, only the 440ICD. I don't know that there are any realistic repower options for the 1010/2010 machines. I think there are issues with the block to clutch housing interface that would require major work for a repower.

GM 2 cylinder diesel engine was also used in Ag tractor model 435.

 

[Tx Jim]

Isn't the gas engine from a 40 combine the same as a 1010 tractor? Is the 1010 crawler different or would one of those work?

I agree some power unit engines would fit in a 1010/2010 tractor

 

[ss55]

Someone school me up on the better machine here.

I know the 440s came with either a 2 cylinder diesel or gas and the 1010s had 4 cylinder gas or diesel, that were less than desirable.

What about the other parts of the machines such as undercarriage, transmissions, clutches etc

Just looking for some opinions.

IMHO, if you are thinking of buying and working one hard I would steer clear of the JD sleeve deck engines in the 1010 and 2010 tractors, unless it is priced low enough to be disposable if it breaks down. Sleeve decks are hard to find and expensive.

Was the JD 350 crawler a new design based on the totally redesigned 1020 tractor line that replaced the 1010 tractor line?

 

[Jim.ME]

Isn't the gas engine from a 40 combine the same as a 1010 tractor? Is the 1010 crawler different or would one of those work?

If the 40 combines used the same engine as the 1010, it would be the same less than desirable sleeve deck engine. How readily available is a good used one?

GM 2 cylinder diesel engine was also used in Ag tractor model 435.

True but not in the 1010 or 2010, were they? I believe one would need to make an adapter and related parts to use one as a 1010/2010 repower.


At this point in time, I suggest anyone looking at a JD crawler to work any amount look at the 350 and new machines. Engines and other parts available are much easier to find. If you just want a project and do some work, then the 440 or before. I would avoid the 1010/2010 crawlers. I know some have good luck with the 1010 and 2010 tractors (wheeled or crawler), but the records are not great on those.

 

[Russ from MN]

I remember dad buying a new crawler/dozer about that time, he got the 440 with the gas engine. Our neighbor had a 435 tractor, and dad didn't like the sound of it! And, most of it's use was going to be winter logging, and the diesel didn't cold start very well. As I remember our 440 had a mechanical reverser, a long lever on the left side, I think you could reverse without using the clutch, very handy for dozing up a manure pile, that was my job! The next crawler/ dozer was a 350, a much better machine. Then in later years I ran my BIL's 450, wow, felt like a D8 to me!

 

[Tx Jim]

I think GM 2 cylinder would be very difficult to install in a 1010. HA92 4 cylinder engine has parent bore & I think would fit a 1010

 

[Jim.ME]

I remember dad buying a new crawler/dozer about that time, he got the 440 with the gas engine. Our neighbor had a 435 tractor, and dad didn't like the sound of it! And, most of it's use was going to be winter logging, and the diesel didn't cold start very well. As I remember our 440 had a mechanical reverser, a long lever on the left side, I think you could reverse without using the clutch, very handy for dozing up a manure pile, that was my job! The next crawler/ dozer was a 350, a much better machine. Then in later years I ran my BIL's 450, wow, felt like a D8 to me!

They could go between forward and reverse without using the foot clutch, but it was not the correct method. They were a wet clutch setup with no cushioning as a full hydraulic reverser has. They also had no fixed neutral position.

 

[sms]

It may be older, but you will likely find more aftermarket parts (and better salvage parts) for the 440s than the 1010s. The 440 gas is more common than the diesel. 440 undercarriages get converted to 350 undercarriage components when major overhaul is needed. The 1010 and 2010 crawlers were like the Ag tractors not many parts of them fit other models.

Edited to correct spelling.

What you said is/may be correct but isn't the 350 undercarriage heavier then either 440 or 1010 requiring replacement of complete undercarriage? Track frames, rollers, idlers, sprockets, tracks. I'm not sure so correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[sms]

I am one of those that has had pretty good luck with 1010 crawlers but I do repairs myself. Some parts are no longer available or very hard/expensive to find. My brother had a 440 diesel and didn't have good luck, before he bought it someone had broken it in half so to speak, bolts stripped out or castings broken between engine and transmission.
I would stay away from both and look for a 350 or 450 and probably a newer one with wet clutches.
I still have a 1010 loader that works well but I have rebuilt most of it at least once in 40 years. I had a 450B that I redid steering clutch and brakes and an in chassis engine rebuild due to a leaking sleeve. It was a great machine, six way blade and blade extensions to 9'6" wide, great for grading.

 

[Jim.ME]

What you said is/may be correct but isn't the 350 undercarriage heavier then either 440 or 1010 requiring replacement of complete undercarriage? Track frames, rollers, idlers, sprockets, tracks. I'm not sure so correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, the 350 undercarriage is heavier and the chains/sprokets are a different pitch as well.

From the info I have it looks like the centers have to be cut out of the 440 (40, 420, 430) sprockets and then the 350 sprockets have to be cut out to match the 440 centers, then weld the earlier centers into the 350 sprocket rims. Track frames have to be redrilled to fit the 350 rolls. I can't remember if the 440 idler brackets need to be reworked to fit the 350 sprockets, or the 350 brackets made to fit the 440 track frames and adjusters. Then the 350 track chains and pads are used. In any case it is not an inexpensive undertaking, thus I say it is better to look for a 350 or newer if you want to do some real work with it. Unless you find the rare one that stayed in the barn most of its life. JMHO

 

[Keith True]

I have 350 track chains on my 1010.I put them on in the late 80's,and had them pinned and bushed once since.The two cylinder crawler rollers fit the 1010 too.(except for the MC).You can buy sprocket rings in whatever size you want,to weld to your own centers.I believe I got them from Berco.I have a 1010 diesel blade machine,and I have a 1010 gas shovel crawler with a backhoe on it.The owner had let water into the exhaust on that one,and seized it up.We bought new pistons,a new sleeve and deck assembly,and the owner decided not to fix it.The new parts are still under my bench.A dealer on the other side of the state did lots of crawler work,and always had parts for them in stock.When I did my diesel 1010 about 35 years ago I drove over to pick a sleeve deck assembly up.They were starting to wind down their operation at that time,and said they wouldn't be ordering any new ones for stock.He had two in stock,and offered me both for $225.each.I used one and still have the other,sitting next to the gas engine deck.

 

[Jim.ME]

PartsASAP shows the diesel deck plate alone for $2899. They show $5439 for the gas engine plate. Those are prices for just the plates no gaskets, pistons, bearings, etc.

 

[Tx Jim]

1010 gasoline plate with liners is $2135.70 or 2067.91 for diesel from JD

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[Mnethercutt]

PartsASAP shows the diesel deck plate alone for $2899. They show $5439 for the gas engine plate. Those are prices for just the plates no gaskets, pistons, bearings, etc.

Maybe this is the wrong place to rant about this, but I'm flabbergasted by some of the prices PartsASAP is charging for things. Several times in the last six months I've looked at getting parts from them and they have been significantly more expensive than getting it from Deere themselves, which is shocking to me.