John Deere 6400

[john55]

I am looking for a good winter chore tractor to feed the 40 cattle that I have and to do a little odd work like brush cutting during the summer. I have a 4020 now that is great but with no cab and being just 2 wheel drive I dont get around to well in it during heavy snows and such. I have found a 94 6400 with front wheel assist for 29500 with only 4900 hours on it. I have heard that the 6400s are good tractors and tend to start rather easy in cold. Would this be a wise decision to buy or should I just stick with the 4020 and save the money? Any suggestions would help.

 

[Freddy]

I would go with the 6400 if the money was not a problem. I have a 720 diesel and love that tractor, but if money was not a problem I would have a air conditioned 6200.

 

[Bob]

ANY tractor will start easily with a little help from an engine heater, for a LOT less than $30,000!.

My neighbor has a 6400 and a 4020. The 6400 has been pretty good, by sure has a lot of chintzy plastic or "pot metal" parts, compared to the 4020.

Also, the 6400 has LOTS of exposed wiring and "plumbing" underneath. He's snagged and damaged some of that a few times mucking in the feedlot, or driving through brush while maintaining fences.

 

[bj2]

i have a 1993 6400 two wheel drive i feed about 75 to 90 cattle year around do not have any problem but would like to have 4 wheel drive some day no problem with it for now

 

[Anonymous-0]

"chintzy plastic or "pot metal" parts" You have described all new tractors!

 

[Bob]

My point is "they don't build them like they used to".

They are built more like a sportscar than a machine to take to the field.

When the tractors of today get to the age of the 4020's, what will be left of them?

 

[rexhellwig]

I gotta agree with Bob.
Sure, the 6000 series has some good ideas. But it could have been a much better tractor with a little more common sense engineering. Work on them a little and you'll see why. Parts are outrageously high, so make sure you are buying a good one to start with.

 

[buickanddeere]

I remember old timers moaning, groaning and complaining that the complicated new fangled 3020/4020 could never equal or replace the 720 or 820.

 

[dwrk]

Go for it if it looks decent. Ours is a 95, open station with a loader and MFWD, should pass 18,000 hours in the next couple of months with nothing done to the engine or transmission.

See if you can lift the front end up and turn the tires, see if they feel like they're turning smooth, check for leaks in the front end. Front end jobs are pricy.

Check the short driveshaft between the engine and the transmission, earlier models had a thin walled shaft that would fail, particularly if you were using high PTO loads. We were grinding grain almost every day with ours, replaced that shaft three times until we found out there was an upgrade to a heavier wall. Not a huge problem though.

Also the earlier ones in particular had a two-speed fan on the rad that didn't work worth a darn, they replaced ours with one that stayed on high all the time.

 

[dwrk]

Should add, we have the dual block/tranny heater on ours. Whoever told you they start easy in the cold was drunk or lying, if they aren't plugged in below about 40 F you're wasting your time.

 

[Mike M]

You are so correct ! Then you also have to add 2x the add on weight because it isn't built in like it used to be.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Another anonymous poster................

I'm not sure I'd have dignified your question with a civil response.............

Please try using your name or handle next time, it'll be greatly appreciated........

Thanks for your time,

Glen