John Deere 2140 serial number

Henryk · Sep 11, 2017

Hi there all. First typer long time reader.
Me and my brother is looking at a John Deere 2140 as a project tractor. But we are having a rough time understanding the serial number. Was hoping some one could please help us. The numbers are as follows:
Typ. 2140 Code 214SU Serial no. 532433L (L mist be generic as this is printed on the tag)
Thank you!!

JD Seller · Sep 11, 2017

I can't be much help with the serial number but I can talk about the tractor in general. IF it has any type of hydraulic or brake troubles then be prepared to spend lots of time/money to get it fully repaired. Those Mannheim designed tractors are great until they have brakes and hydraulic issues. Then they can easily be a nightmare to repair if they have been ran with bad brakes for very long. The brake material get into the entire hydraulic system. Then a full repair is cleaning everything back up.

If it has a bad motor or transmission then they are not any different than any other tractor. Hydraulics are a game changer on them.

nh8260 · Sep 12, 2017

According to tractor data it appears to be a 1982 (possibly 1983) model. I used to have a 2140 and it was a lemon to say the least. I don't think that tractor could ever be fixed, fix one thing and another goes bad. I was very glad to see it go down the road!! Those tractors were built in Germany, every German tractor I've ever seen had L after the serial number, my 2120 has it as well.
If this tractor runs and you are able to drive it around and/or test it out, see how the PTO does with a bush hog or something that will require some effort, the PTO clutches were wore out on mine and that was a costly surprise to say the least when I tried to bush hog the pasture and the PTO slowed to a stop in taller grass. Another thing is the engine balancer shaft bushings, if these have a lot of wear you will lose oil pressure after it gets up to operating temperature. These are a few things to look for, I wish I would have never seen that tractor, I went from green to blue and that has been like night and day!! Any questions just hollar

richardinnz · Sep 12, 2017

The 'L' suffix or pre-fix on the newer machines stands for Lanz, as it is the old Lanz factory in Manhiem where it was built. The brakes are no worse than on anything else of that era like the I.H. world series tractors and certainly better lasting than the Massey 3000 series, as long as they have not failed and filled the system with crap you will be o.k. You may or may not have a park brake as I see some of the U.S. spec'ed tractors we get here only have a park lock, if you do have a park brake check that has not been left on and worn out, again filling the rear end with crap. Check the motor has good anti-freeze in it as the liners are prone to going pourus, best to use the JD Thermoguard (I think it is Coolgard in the U.S?) but even then they are a cheap and easy motor to rebuild. Hydraulic faults can be difficult to diagnose, you have to be very systematic working along the low and then the high pressure system without going straight past the fault. Would I buy one over the same era MF or Ford or IH? - Yes without any hesitation the Deere was the better tractor at the time over what we had available at the time.

Tx Jim · Sep 12, 2017

Welcome to YT
I think Tractor data must have omitted some serial numbers because the site shows 2140's built from '80-'87. At around 35,000 units built a yr I'm going to GUESS SN 532433L is around a '85 model. As previously stated by other poster if hyd's are not operating properly they can be very challenging to repair. If tractor has a cab that complicates any hyd repairs that may be required.2140's were built for sales in European countries so it will have a hand brake

buickanddeere · Sep 12, 2017

The family has used a 2020,2120,1640,1840 and 2355 as loader tractors to feed livestock daily. Other than one clutch , all they needed was filters, oil changes ,batteries, a water pump, a couple of starters and a couple of alternators .
No wet clutch or wet brake problems . No broken oil lines . Maybe if the operator's with problems had kept clean in contaminated Wet clutch compatable oil in the transmission. The failures would be few in number .

centash · Sep 12, 2017

Agree with B&D 100% Ben

Tech 7 · Sep 12, 2017

My John Deere sourced info puts it as a 1985 model year tractor. You say its a project, that makes me wonder what
issues it might have, lets face it its 35 years old.
I would strongly recommend the use of John Deere oil for the transmission/hydraulic system based on 25 yrs+
experience.
Have seen many of that vintage see the 10,000 hr mark.

Henryk · Sep 12, 2017

Thank you everyone for the reply!! Very good and much appreciated.
So my brother is a qualified john deere diesel machanic and we are both pretty handy around the machines.
So weve seen this tractor sit in the paddock ( we are in New Zealand) for some time now so went and asked the farmer what is up with the tractor,as it has factory 'bar' axel in the rear with duals which is VERY rare in New Zealand and do not see it very often like that.(does anyone know how to find out what specs were offered in different countries??)
So he claimed the clutch is stuck. And so as my brother is self employed as a mobile machanic we thaught if we pick it up cheap we can repair what needs doing and the rest is cosmetic like surface rust by being outside the shed etc.
Then possibly on selling it maybe keeping it.
Will try to upload some photo's as I learn more!!

John Deere 2140 serial number

Henryk

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JD Seller

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nh8260

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richardinnz

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Tx Jim

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buickanddeere

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centash

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Tech 7

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Henryk

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