4230 or a 4040?

[rockyridgefarm]

Say you were looking at a 4230 and a 4040 in equivalent condition. Both QR, both SG cabs. The 4040 is a couple grand more, but the 4230 has a couple hundred more hours. Which one would you be inclined to buy? What reasons?

 

[Anonymous-0]

I would defintley go with the 4040. A much better tractor all around. I baled alot of hay with one.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

4040

 

[tomstractorsandtoys1]

I would buy the 4040.It is kind of like a 4010 to 4020,the 10 was a good tractor but the 4020 had alot of small updates that made it better.The 40 series was called the iron horses for a reason.We recently bought a 4230 with engine problems and are working on it now.There is nothing wrong with the 4230 but the 40 series is better.

 

[Mike Aylward]

Basically the same tractor except the 4040 likely has the hydraulic seat. They were a "detuned" 4230 which is easily remedied. I would buy the 4040 if it's only $2000 higher. Mike

 

[cottonplant]

These tractors have a history of hard cold starting. If I were you I would go cold start them both then look at everything else.

 

[larryanderson]

4040 with 200 less hours plus the small improvements,plus gaining at least one year or more plus series change.I havent seen many nice 4230s bring much more than 15K and saw a nice low houred 4040 bring 25K.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Weren"t there two engine versions, one a 359 and the other a 404 of 4040"s?

 

[tim s]

No that was on the 4050"s I think..

 

[4010 puller]

Both tractors should have the same engine. The 40 series may have improvements in tractor line, engines would basically be the same. There may be hydraulic system upgrades as well if an early 4230 vs a 4040. I think if I wanted one of the two it would be a 4040 due to it being a newer tractor.

 

[roger landers]

Di the 4040 have the 404 engine? ,and then the rest of the 40 series the new at the time larger version 466 engine?

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 00:37:00 12/26/12) Di the 4040 have the 404 engine? ,and then the rest of the 40 series the new at the time larger version 466 engine?

Yes 4040 had 404 and 4240/4440 had 466. I agree that I'd pick a 4040 over a 4230. The Hydra-cushioned seat is way better than the spring suspension of the 30 series.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 22:35:13 12/25/12) Weren"t there two engine versions, one a 359 and the other a 404 of 4040"s?

Roger
Tim is correct as it's the 4050 that could have a 359 or 466CID depending on serial number.

 

[DaveH IA]

A few years back I overhauled a 4040 with a 359 in it---- BUT --- it was a European export brought back over.

 

[cannonball]

that was probably a 4040S 359 with turbo

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 09:08:40 12/26/12) A few years back I overhauled a 4040 with a 359 in it---- BUT --- it was a European export brought back over.

I always somehow forget about the the tractors built for European sales

 

[larryanderson]

404 only on American made.The 359T or 466 on 4050s.Around same power 359 was a faster starter but The few I had the buyers seemed to prefer the 466 probably as it has proven to be a good engine.I personally like turbocharged motors as they are more efficent and responsive.

 

[tim s]

I didn't know that they ever did that for export...

 

[ihman73]

Refresh my memory was the 359 built in the engine plant in the US or France where the 329 and some others were built? Didn't they use the 359 in the 4400/4420 diesel combines? For my money if you are willing to spend the money the 40 series is the better choice, not that the 30 series is bad but the refinements on the 40 series put them into the running for the best that Deere ever built. If only they would have offered the 15 speed ps and REAL MFWD in that series they would easily be the best that they built.

 

[Dalet]

(quoted from post at 20:02:32 12/26/12) Refresh my memory was the 359 built in the engine plant in the US or France where the 329 and some others were built? Didn't they use the 359 in the 4400/4420 diesel combines? For my money if you are willing to spend the money the 40 series is the better choice, not that the 30 series is bad but the refinements on the 40 series put them into the running for the best that Deere ever built. If only they would have offered the 15 speed ps and REAL MFWD in that series they would easily be the best that they built.

4400's had the 329, early 6600's had the 359.

To the OP, I would get the 4040 if the price was similar to the 4230.

 

[Tx Jim]

Here's a nice looking 4040 on DFW CL but hauling may be too high.

John Deere 4040 - $22500
Extremely clean
90hp
2wd
6924 hours
254-968-2121

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Hey all,

It was more of a hypothetical question. I have a neighbor with a 4040 he wants to sell, but refuses to come up with a price. Maybe not refuses, but is veeeerrrrrrryyyyy slow (two years and counting, but I'm not pushing him). He has a 4455 with 8000 hours he wants to sell more, but I think he's asking a couple grand more than it's worth, or at least more than I'm willing to pay ($39000)

I recently saw a 4230 for $10K and was wondering if the 4040 had that many upgrades to hold out for my neighbor's.

 

[tim s]

If you go with a 4230 try to get a 1976 or 77, they have a lot of updates build into them, nearly like a 4040 except for the hydraulic seat (which is a nice option)