John Deere 4240

A few weeks ago I posted a thread about John Deere 3020 vs 4020. I got many responses and several of these had to do with possibly looking at the newer 30 and 40 series tractors. I seem to see more John Deere 4240's for sale than others. Most used prices range from $12,000 to $17,000 and slightly higher than what I am seeing on the John Deere 4020's. The show quality 4240's are in the $25,000 range and I can't spend that. I'm looking to be able to run a modern discbine and maybe even a larger 20 ft disk eventually. My question is do the 4240's have a good reputation or should I look at another 40 series tractor or 30 series tractor ($15,000 is as high as I would like to spend and around 100 hp is what I'm also looking for.)

There is nothing wrong with a 4240.They are fine tractors.IMHO,a 4240 is basicly a 'nonturbo' 4430.The only down side would be is that they tend to be 'thirsty'.As are all John Deeres of that era.4020s are becomeing 'collectable',plus they are one of the handiest tractors ever made.That drives the price up.Dont worry that its not "show quality",just get one that is sound.A few scratches wont hurt a thing. I think a 4240 would be a fine tractor for you.More power,newer,heavier,much better cab/AC.........Good luck!

I would think you could find a decent 4240 in your price range. If it were me, I would go for the quad range transmission as it will give you a lot wider range of speeds than the 8 speed PS. I believe you are pushing it to expect to pull a 20' disk. You would need duals and wouldn't be able to pull it very fast, not in this part of the country, anyway. Good luck.

20ft is a bit big for 110 horse. Drop it back to 15/16 ft.Lots better to have more power than you need,that not quite enough.What you loose in width,you will gain in speed.Less wheel slippage,easier on your tractor(you're not pulling the guts out of it). just my humble opinion.....Steve

(reply to post at 13:53:24 05/19/14)

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If it were me I'd look for a 4440. My neighbor has a one owner '81 4440 cab 9600 hr tractor for sale for $16,500.

I have worked on 4240s and 4440s with over 10000 hours. the 4240 needed a clutch and head gasket(it got overheated to cooling system leak. The 4440 had a pin hole in one sleeve do to elcctrolysis I think. Put new injectors in both.
Bought the cheap injectors online. The 4440 bearings measured to new tolerances(changed anyway with clevite brand bearings). Both these engines has been turned up 30 horsepower since new. This was three years ago and the tractors are running everyday on a dairy farm. They have stood the test of time. Owner has no plans on getting rid of them. One thing on the 4440 if one sleeve has a pin hole change them all. The owner used john deere engine oil since new. Also both have quad ranges that have never been touched. Operators of the tractors were mediocre at best. I ran both and like the 4440 the best. They are little heavy on fuel use, but they are worked hard. One last thing when we had the 4440 I miked the clutch and seperator plate there was virtually now wear.
The only bad thing is the cabs have significant rusting. But, this is in Western New York where each town and the state race to see who can put the most salt on the road in the winter. Cab parts can be bought in segments in pieced in as needed for replacement.

The 4430 has the smaller 404 engine and still a rotary fuel pump but good value for the money. My 110 hp MM 1050 has plenty of power to pull my 21 ft IH 490, so don't understand why you would need more power unless perhaps you intend to hitch a heavy implement behind it. I certainly would prefer a 4240 or a 4440; but at least the 4440 around these parts would be over 20K.

I"ve had a 4240 since early 90s as a 2nd or 3rd tractor, over 8000 hrs, first engine. I would stick to an 18 foot disc. Used it on 8 row planter, discbine, field chopper, plowing and other tillage work. Fuel consumption is commensurate to the load, nothing guzzling. Sound Gard cab is certainly nicer than anything on a 4020 (had one as well).

A 4240 is a very good choice.They were usually bought as a second big tractor so they often have had an easier life than a 4440 or 4640.If you are going to do pto work that requires full horsepower do not buy a powershift.There is a bearing in the pto that does not get oil when full hp is used and will cause internal problems.Neighbor found out the hard way when his 3 year old 4240 had problems.He used it on the silo blower.It is even in the operaters manual not to use over 80% horse power thru the pto.

We have an 8 speed powershift 4240 on our farm. I would advise you to look for a quad-range if you are going to be doing much fieldwork. The powershift does not have enough gears to work well in the field for us; 4th is too slow and 5th is too fast- this is our experience with either a 15 foot field cultivator or a 16 foot disk. We also use it on a 16 foot new Holland hydroswing for hay. The soundguard cab is much better than any ride I have had on a 4020 (this one replaced our 4020 with a loud and dirty cab). They will run a long time if the coolant and oils are kept up with. However, they are over 30 years old and do take some wrenching now and then. Good Luck!
Lon

CJF1981, Basically... The 4230 Is in all essence a 4020 in 30 Series Skin, with a better hydraulic system, and a HD Front-end!!. The 4240 is a more refined unit over the 4230!! I disagree with Lon about the Preference of Quad Range over a Power Shift. The PS tranny is Still highly prized over a Quad in Trouble free and ease of use.
The 1.5 mph difference between 4th & 5th was the same Across the board from 4010s to the 4840s. 4th was too slow and 5th was tooo fast. but for an all-around using tractor the PS version was and still is the Cats meow!!!
If all you are going to do is Farm, and NO LOADER WORK then Get the Quad or 8 speed Syncro Range.....For Me the Power Shift still reigns Supreme, Loader work, General farming My money is on the PS model ALL DAY LONG!!
The PS short coming wasn't truly fixed till the 50 Series tractors with the 16 speed PS. More gears to fill the splits in the old 8 speed units.
Those tractors are usually Bullet proof if given reasonable care, no real problems to run backward from. Hope this Helps.
Later,
John A.

John A.
50 & 55 series have a 15(not 16) speed PS. For me I take a QR for loader operation over a PS.

Tx Jim, Typo on #! I guess I fall on the opposite side of the coin, Uncle and Cousin bought 2 really Early 4640s, Both, Double Lever Quads,Cab,AC,Duals, both carrying about 1300 to 1400 of cast on each rear corner, + a full set of suitcase wts up front. Both,, we were not happy with them, In a row crop situation, using the 4 to 3 or 2 to 1 slap down fetcher the Quad was where it was at its best!
We sold our old mid-series 4630 PS we lost our Best loader/grain cart tractor...really long in the tooth, and suspicion there was an internal trans/rear-end problem,.. some over 12K hrs.
When we made one of the tractor the loader tractor the Shortcomings of the QR were really brought out! wanted our old 4630 PS back!
Put an A&L 650 bu Grain Cart on either...(fully loaded) and they were Gutless F-in Wonder! Greatest day was when we replace them with with 2 Late PS models as the 40 series was phased out for the better refined 50 series.
OBTW our 4640 PS was a better all-around tractor over the same tractor with quad.
Over all it falls to preference and Useability on ones operation. We found the Quad to be Clumsy, and too difficult to get into another gear quickly, on the fly. Deere made a zillion of them and folks got along fine. Simply saying we were not Fans of Any Quad-Range row crop tractor version! we got along very well with the PS and had not trouble with them. Both QR tractors bought Brand New, both had around 8K hrs on each when we sold them. and got the newer SP versions!
Later,
John A.

John A.
Also everything equal the PS requires more FUEL than a QR!!
Jim