John Deere 40, good for pulling?

[johndeeregreg40]

I am looking to pull with my John Deere 40 (stock except for 12V and straight pipe) and I was wondering if any of you guys pull with a 40 as well. I would love to hear the good, the bad, and any tips that could improve my tractor?s pulling ability. Thanks!

 

[Ronnie Budd]

The 40s are cool little tractors, and I wish I still had the one that belonged to my Dad. That said, I'm afraid you will be disappointed with it as a puller if the engine is stock. You'll be pulling against tractors in your weight class that have anywhere from 50% to 100% more power than yours does.

I just pulled at a local pull in a class that had 10 tractors entered. Three of them were JD Ms or 40s. They all placed at the bottom. The other tractors were mostly AC or Oliver, with a couple of Minneapolis Molines. The two MMs got 1st and 2nd place, with an AC in 3rd. This was the 3500 pound 3 mph class.

 

[MSD]

Son pulls a 420 with a "little" engine work done to it. Nothing expensive, just tweaks and he is competitive in the 3000, 3500 and once in a while 4000 lb classes. He got 1st last Fri against six tractors in the 4000 class.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

I believe the 420 is only a slightly bigger engine in terms of cubic inches but still that?s pretty good for that size!

 

[MSD]

Correction, the win was in 3500 lb class.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

Ok that?s what I?m gonna be pulling in coming up in August so we?ll see it will be my first pull!

 

[Ronnie Budd]

(quoted from post at 17:57:43 07/22/18) I believe the 420 is only a slightly bigger engine in terms of cubic inches but still that?s pretty good for that size!

They also have a little more compression than your 40. Every little bit helps.

Your 40 can be competitive if you improve the engine with bigger bore and more compression. John Deere also upped the RPM when it became the 430, which increased the power.

That low 1st gear is an advantage.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

Is 1st gear the recommended pulling gear?

 

[6cylpower]

Do you have a T or a W with 9 bolt wheels?

420-430 also had better heads

 

[6cylpower]

1st will be the only choice.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

It?s a standard with spin out rear rims

 

[6cylpower]

The 24"? tires will limit your traction. Get your hitch set to what the rules allow as far as height goes.

Remember its about having fun and letting the old tractors work a little.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

This is a picture of my tractor if that helps you guys to get an
idea!!

 

[johndeeregreg40]

Yes the tires being that little may not be the best for traction unfortunately

 

[grayrider]

My Dad had a JD 40T when I was growing up and that was a pulling thang, I believe it had 38? rear tires. Wish I had kept it, sold it 26 years ago

 

[Ronnie Budd]

(quoted from post at 20:13:48 07/22/18) This is a picture of my tractor if that helps you guys to get an
idea!!

That's one sharp tractor. I would be proud to own that.

Traction will be your problem. Get a copy of the rules for the sled you will be pulling and set your hitch as high as allowed. That might be around 18 inches. Weigh your tractor before you go to the pull, with you on it. Add weight to the rear, if necessary, to bring the weight up to 3500 pounds. Many sled operators or clubs will allow 40 to 50 pounds over. Take advantage of that. Find out what the widest tire width allowed is for that class. Go as wide as allowed, if you are willing to spend the money. Traction and balance are paramount.

It always depends on what the other tractors in the class are to some extent (the competition), but you just might do well. In any event, you'll have fun running your tractor, and that's what it's all about.

 

[D beatty]

It depends if your pulling is a percentage pull or a distance pull. Your tractor will do better in a percentage over a distance pull.

 

[johndeeregreg40]

Thanks Ronnie! I will look into those rules and see what I can do with it!

 

[johndeeregreg40]

I have tire ballast in my tires would this give my tractor some better traction and or weight?

 

[Ronnie Budd]

Yessir, it will. If you and the tractor weigh 3500 pounds with the ballast, that will help. If the ballast puts you over 3500, then you would probably be required to pull in the 4000 pound class, and that would be a disadvantage for you.

 

[buickanddeere]

. A 420T or 430T with 38” tires and the souped up 33HP engine from a 440 industrial is a consideration. On a sticky clay track a 40 almost stalls out in 1st gear