Dad's 4320 Update

I mentioned on here about 3 weeks ago that I got my Dad's old 4320 John Deere back home. It actually hadn't gone far. When my Dad passed away in 2006, my Uncle bought the tractor at the farm sale. My plan was to buy it then, but when I saw my cousin bidding on it I backed off. Kicked myself since because my Uncle didn't really need it, he just bought it as a spare.

I tried for several years to get it bought and finally did. It just sat outside not being used. As you know just sitting outside is hard on the old tractors. It was no different on this one. Tires going flat, hoses getting bad among a few things. I did get it running with a new key switch only to find the waterpump bearing froze up. Got the waterpump rebuilt and noticed fuel leaking under the tank. I figured the tank had a hole in it, but it was a fuel line by the tank that had a hole in it. Welded that and the fuel is good to go.
The leaking fuel over the years was sucked into the radiator and it is plugged. The tractor gets pretty warm doing light work. Looks like a radiator redo next.
That appears to be the final item for now. All lights work fine. The AC still had freon. I added 2 cans of R12 a d it cools like a new one. New seat cushion yesterday should help the rear end a little.
Took the loader off as I have other loader tractors and the loader is very cumbersome. I plan to use it on the V rake and maybe the small square baler, although it would be plenty of hp. Still have some work but it is coming around. Before and after pics although the before is the last one. Bob

GOOD JOB getting the 'ol "hoss" back home and running!

Yes, nice job getting that tractor going. I am glad you got that ugly loader off of it. It looks like a nice straight tractor.

Paul

Forgot to mention the tractor only has 4817 hours. When my Dad bought the tractor it was 3 years old. He used it for about 3 years for hay and then sold his cattle in about 1980 so it saw very little use from 1980 until his death in 2006. Mainly just used for drilling wheat or beans. It was too small for much tillage work. Thus the low hours. I've put 7 hours on it just playing, but need the rad done before I do much. Bob

Nice recovery.

Pulled A new Holland 283 for a lot of years with our 4320 makes a nice baling tractor with the cab

Looking good. My Son has Dads 4010. Need to get it out this summer.

It is great that you got your Father's tractor back. It is unusual to have good AC working. As for the radiator being plugged with fuel/dirt. I have had good luck with hot water and Simple Green. IF you have a hot water pressure washer just turn the pressure down and wash it the best you can. Then spray simple green into all the radiator fins you can get too. IF you do not have a hot water washer I have just used a garden hose hooked to a hot water spigot form your house water heater.

The best way is to remove the radiator and then you can wash it out easier.

I have washed and washed with my hot water pressure washer. Just can't seem to get it clean. Also, with the cap off, when the thermostats(both new)open, there is not what I would call a great flow of water. I don't know if the inside might be somewhat plugged or not.

Abilene Machine is about 15 miles from me, and I just went ahead and picked up a aftermarket radiator. They guaranteed me that it was identical to OEM. We will find out. I am going to change it out and then I'll know for sure it is good. This tractor should never see hard work, but I may do some plowing with it at plow days so I need it to be somewhat good. Bob

It is really good what you are doing, nice job.

In addition to all the good radiator cleaning comments below, I would suggest you get a flush product from NAPA. I flushed a 4055 and 4450. Drain coolant (dispose of properly), put in flush, fill with water, warm the tractor up, let it run and open the pet-cocks on the radiator and block, keep full by running garden hose into radiator fill (I like to run warm water in to lesson the shock to the block, maybe not needed but it makes me feel better.). Let the tractor run, including heater, and keep adding water until the water coming out of the pet-cocks starts to run clear or at least much improved. Turn off the tractor, drain water and refill with new coolant.

On the 4450 I took the radiator out (highly recommended) and emptied my hot water heater four times through my pressure washer to get that radiator clean. Ya, don't bend over the fins with the pressure washer. Then I took it to a radiator shop and had it leak tested. It tested good so back in it went. It's been running all summer but it has not seen chopper duty yet.

Good Luck.

Paul