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JD 4430 problem....

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McGee213288

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We have a 1973 JD 4430. Our problem is the tractor is hard to crank when the temp gets below 50*. Yesterday Hubby changed out the 2 batteries...and nothing changed...still cranked over slow...once she is warm..she will spin like a top..and crank back up.. :roll:

We have been having to jump her..connecting to the hot side of the silanoid(sp)..but my Chevy will no longer get it done..and I have to ask our Cowboy for a jump off what he says is a 24 volt system on his Dodge Diesel...and shoot the starting fluid to her... :shock:

Any ideas or experience with this???

Mc
 
I'll ask the guys when they come in later from chores. But I can tell you that we have a 4440 that if it's below 30 degrees it will not start without plugging it in to warm up. It's always been like that.. We have another 4440 and it will start in much colder temps... Someone here will have the answer....
 
The 30 series tractors are notorious for starting hard. The only solution I know of is to trade it off. Seriously!
 
Make sure all connections are clean and corrosion free at the starter and batteries as well as tight between any external posts at the starter. Most electrical issues are ground related. Double check where the negative wire grounds to the tractor at the batteries and the starter. More than likely you need to have your starter rebuilt. It will not cost more than a couple hundred bucks. An exchange will be a bit more. They wear out like old cowboys but there is a solution to the starter.
 
Sounds to me like your starter is worn out. My 7060 allis chalmers has been that way for the last 3 years. It finally gave up had the starter rebuilt now it cranks real fast. When the starter was bad it was also hard on batteries.
 
per said:
Make sure all connections are clean and corrosion free at the starter and batteries as well as tight between any external posts at the starter. Most electrical issues are ground related. Double check where the negative wire grounds to the tractor at the batteries and the starter. More than likely you need to have your starter rebuilt. It will not cost more than a couple hundred bucks. An exchange will be a bit more. They wear out like old cowboys but there is a solution to the starter.
Click to expand...

Haymaker claims Viagra helps old Cowboy's "I would'nt Know"
 
I was also thinking it was the starter...but once it is warm it spins and cranks...plus the men folks are beating me up saying 'NO'.. :oops:

We had a 1960 something 4030D..and had to rebuild the started when she became hard to crank during the summer...fixed her up just fine..

Hubby is thinkin' it is what he believes is the 6 volt system...just does not have enough to turn the engine....course I point out it seems to do just fine when she warms...NOT scoring any points here.. :eek:

Swapping her in is not an option right now...long story.. :?
 
Denny said:
per said:
Make sure all connections are clean and corrosion free at the starter and batteries as well as tight between any external posts at the starter. Most electrical issues are ground related. Double check where the negative wire grounds to the tractor at the batteries and the starter. More than likely you need to have your starter rebuilt. It will not cost more than a couple hundred bucks. An exchange will be a bit more. They wear out like old cowboys but there is a solution to the starter.
Click to expand...

Haymaker claims Viagra helps old Cowboy's "I would'nt Know"
Click to expand...

Already had to chase off one Cowboy for tryin' to get some sugar...The other one is old enough to be my Daddy...I don't care nothin' bout that.. :lol: :oops:
 
i would say it has more to do with the tractor being a 30 series, than anything else. JD 30 series are cold blooded SOBs. i have a 4630 that will start when it gets pretty cold, as long as it is inside & plugged in, if it is one without the other it won't start. has to be both. that the only thing i don't like about mine, other than that....i think they are pretty solid machines.
 
If it is turning over too slow it is a power to the starter (batteries, connections etc) or a starter issue. Whether it starts or not when cranking is another issue (fuel, compression etc).
 
Our 4430 does the same thing. Thats just how they are cold blooded. Keep it plugged in and I would suggest getting a good battery with good cranking amps will help the problem. On more suggestion on getting it started is spray some either in the air filter before you crank on it and when I does start cranking then spray it in the air breather and it will fire right up no matter how slow it cranks or cold.
 
Justin said:
i would say it has more to do with the tractor being a 30 series, than anything else. JD 30 series are cold blooded SOBs. i have a 4630 that will start when it gets pretty cold, as long as it is inside & plugged in, if it is one without the other it won't start. has to be both. that the only thing i don't like about mine, other than that....i think they are pretty solid machines.
Click to expand...

Sounds like my old 1486 International. On a hot day all I have to do is walk by it with a cold beer in my hand and it wont start without ether :?

As far as the 4430 goes, it's easy enough to test the starter without going to the expense of changing it first. You should be able to get your hands on an ameter to test the starter draw. If it is drawing amps within specs then your problem is elsewhere.
I can't remember if the 4430 was a 6 volt tractor with a 12 volt starter.... if so there must be a series / parellel switch that may be acting up.
 
:heart: ...Ya'll are GREAT!!...'preciate the comments...all kinds of places to look/see...if it is the starter....I promise not to say 'SEE!!??..Told ya so'... :p ...lolol..well may-be once... :lol:
 
We had an 1840 that was hard to start. Change the batteries, then 6 mos. later change/rebuild the starter.
When I finally changed both at the same time the problem of it turning turning over fast enough was solved.
 
My international 340 is like that,if you don't plug her in on cold days,and take some ether to her,you can kiss your battery and day good bye :wave: :p :wink:
 
I am probably the last [person to try to give you advise,but will stick my neck in anyway. it seems that some of these tractors that were built after the old 4020 were harder to start.

Most of them have a 12 volt system that uses two six volt batteries connected in series. This makes more connections to be faulty. Cables might be the first place to start. Even though a cable may look good and the connections are good there may be a problem where the cables connect to the terminal. Make sure the batteries are connected right. positive to starter solinoid, negative to positive on other battery then it's negative to ground. Starters give out earlier when they have to crank for longer periods before the engine starts. I have a 4450, I have had alot of trouble with this too. It starts hard when the temp is below 25 degrees unless it has been pluged in. I am having pretty good luck with it now. If it has been pluged in it only has to turn over a few times and then it will start.

I also have a 4240, for my part I believe it is a better tractor. It starts some easier but starts best if it has been pluged in.

I find it is best to use starting fluid sparingly, to much seems to sorta lock the engine up.
 
I have a 4030 that was a bugger to start. I put two 12 volt Optima batteries and hooked them up in series. They are located on the starter side, and have tons of cranking power now. Have a cool chain box, and it eliminated alot of cable length too. Not without saying, we have 24 out right now and I need to have her plugged in to get her to fire.
 
has this starting issue always been a problem with this tractor? i would guess after you double check the batteries, starter, ect. it is always going to be a hard starter on colder days. it will never start as good as the 50 series or newer, or even as good as the 40 series. before i bought my 4630, i was told.." in the winter when you go in the house for the night, you better take that tractor with you and put a blanket over it."
 
it was with a 30 series i learned the DIFFERENCE between a fuse and a diode.a bad diode was running my batteries down each nite,hotwired alternator with switch,,run forever!!
 
Interesting thread - there is nothing worse than going out in the morning to find the tractor won't start.
That's one thing I like about my Massey 3 series - they are way better starters than the previous models. Mine stays in an enclosed but unheated shop - I don't usually plug it in if it's above -15C, below that we set her on a timer for a couple of hours. When it gets to -30C I set the timer for maybe 4 hours plus have a magnetic oil pan heater on the timer as well. Much below -30C and I pull one of the batteries off at night and take it into the house (luckily it's real easy to access). We can usually get her going at -40C OK with that combination but on occasion we have had to use ether. We need to keep the batteries, starter and connections good in our cold climate! What other methods do folk have to keep them starting? does anyone plug them in all night and how much difference does that make?
 

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