6400

[Kerry50]

Thinking about going to look at a 6400 with a synchro transmission. Wondering what your thoughts are on the 6400. Tractor has 5,000 hours on it. Thoughts from tim s and tx jim would be greatly appreciated.
At some point would probably look at putting a 640 loader on it.
Thanks again, Kerry in mid-MO

 

[Tx Jim]

My knowledge of JD tractors built after the 55 series is very limited. I've read stories of good service from the later JD models. I think JD Seller stated he had a 6400 with something like 15,000 hrs on it. I personally don't like all the electronically controlled hyd functions,transmissions & reversers on the later models. A relay goes out and your "dead in the water".

 

[tim s]

The 6400 is a much better unit over the 5400 series,the electronics can be an issue once and a while but when all is working it's a great utility tractor.

 

[Tech 7]

Is this an open station or cab? Either way there are a lot in use around here and 95% have loaders on them.
The front ends are quite reliable but it not having a loader on it yet gives it some more life.
Have a good look at the tran/hyd oil...these one hated water even more than the previous series.
Fuel filter on right (older) or left side. Not a big deal to change but eliminates the issue of brackets breaking, lines leaking and starting issue.
All around they are pretty tough and reliable and as said before a lot more tractor than the 5xxx series

 

[Kerry50]

Went and looked at the tractor today. Yes it does have a cab. It has had a loader on it, or at least I'm pretty sure it has had. Side rails scuffed indicating a loader was mounted plus it has a joystick. Owner claims the tractor has around 5000 hours on it. He said when he bought it a year ago it had 4500 hours and since he has owned it the hour meter crapped out. He does have documentation showing it had 4500 on it when he bought it. Will need new rear tires. One thing that concerned me was that when I first started it, it cranked, then hesitated for 2 seconds then started and ran fine. Drove it down the road, shut it off a couple of times, the third time I didn't think it was going to start. Like it had a dead battery. Waited a few minutes and it started right up. Got back and told him about it and he said that he had just put in a new battery. Raised the hood and it sure looks like a new one. He's asking $19,500 for it.

 

[DanTheJDMan]

So it has a SyncroPlus transmission.

They have a great wet clutch.

It has a joystick so it has 4 SCVs on the back?

Is it an early model.

The first ones had some problems but if the fuel filter is mounted on the side of the engine it is a later model.
The syncros for 1st and reverse should have been replaced in a pip if it is early model. You should be able to start the tractor and put the transmission into gear and the machine will not move. You have to push the clutch in one time to make the tractor move. After you push the clutch in the one time let it out and on level ground slowly put it in 1st. The syncros should be good enough to make the tractor move forward and not grind. Try reverse too. Those are the two thing you will use the most. Make sure the park works good. Put it on an incline and hold the brake put the shifter in park. If the shifter goes all the way in to the lock easy,take it out of park and let it roll a little until you can feel the spring on the park pawl. Then put the shifter in park and let it roll to the next tooth. It should not jump any teeth. Make sure the brakes do not drag. The only thing that can really mess things up in one of those tractors is if the brake linings come off. They can also swell and make the rear wheels turn hard were you can't rotate the back wheel with it jacked up.
As far as starting they have an electric fuel pump in the tank and sometimes the fuel will drain back. We used to put one way valves in the line. They are self priming and a couple of minutes with the key on will prime the fuel system.