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John deere 4230

18K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  vinces hay service  
#1 ·
I am starting a custom hay operation and just purchased a used jd 4230 with a cab. This is the biggest tractor I have owned and was wanting some general tips for haying with it and also tips with the tractor in general. I have operated tractors this size and bigger on other farms in the past. Any feedback is appreciated!
 
#2 ·
Vince, They are pretty tough tractors and make good haying tractors. Little over a hundred hp I think. Use to have one and then moved up to a 4240. Used it to run a 16'mower conditioner and a NH 5x6 round baler. They do like to drink fuel though. If you have a PS tranny, keep the levers inside the cab lubricated and it will help with shifting. I just use a spray type with spray tube. No other tricks that I can think of. That tractor should pull all of your haying equipment. Welcome to the forum. Mike
 
#3 ·
Great haying tractor, I have 2 4230's and 2 4430's. If it is a quad range they tend to get caught in park, but very easy to release. You just put gear shifter in 1st and let clutch out a little or reverse if that does not work. I have over 15,000 hours on one of mine.
 
#7 ·
man of steel said:
Yes they are not too great in the cold. Plug them in
This is true here in Kansas in the winter. I put mine on a heavy duty timer as I feed cattle after my daytime job. It's a 4430 and most I have heard of either use a block heater or ether but I don't like using ether not sure if it's hard on them but its just my preference. good luck,happy haying and welcome this is a great site packed full of good info! Martin
 
#12 ·
12 to 18 K with around 5 to 9 thousand hrs per tractor house. as you know the shape its in and the mantainance has alot to due with the true value. your advantage is knowing the previous owner Martin