Author Topic: Early JD 440 (Read 2900 times)

JacksonBros · « **on:** September 25, 2011, 08:17:46 pm »

Well im fairly new to this site but,

Just got my very first skidder, being a john deere mechanic for several years after college, I like this particular model 440 because of the easy to fix synchro-range trans thats used in many ag tractors. This was an extremely good find I feel with it having super tires, new set of chains to go with it is and a fully rigged winch line. I only cut part time and on the side so pushing it to the limit of over loading it wont be a problem. Just gonna have some safe fun on it. Here are some pics let me know stuff about it that I may not know! I love to hear different things and learn from others.

Decked · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2011, 08:39:22 pm »

Looks like nice machine! blade isn't all bent up..somebody was good to her. I had a '69 540...dam near put me in the poorhouse.

JacksonBros · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2011, 08:43:10 pm »

It took many dissapointed trips and long wasted hours looking at junk machines but persistance pays off I spose. As for the 540's I looked at a couple and wow was they worn out hard...

snowstorm · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2011, 06:53:35 am »

what year is it? gotta be 66...67...? its not an A still has the single lever shifter. jd made a kit to change them over to 2 lever..........back in the 70's

mad murdock · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2011, 11:48:21 am »

Welcome to the Forestry Forum JacksonBros. Persistence does pay off, that is a nice looking piece of JD iron you got there

The 440 is a great machine, small and agile, about as close as you get to leave no trace, unless you are using hayburners, or going small scalel a.k.a. logrite arch and 4 wheeler, (not as much fun as busting brush in a skidder, IMO). Though the Garrett I have is about the same size, and equally as suited. Myself coming from the upper Great Lakes region, until coming across the machine I have, hadn't heard of the Garrett name, though I was plenty familiar with Tree Farmer . Funny how things come full circle sometimes. You will have some good times with your 440.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:00:07 pm »

welcome to the forum, very nice JD

JacksonBros · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:03:11 pm »

Well I ran the serial number by a guy I used to work with at JD and it comes out as a 66'. As for Garrett I have never heard of that untill now, I will have to look into what that machine looks like, sounds interesting.

mad murdock · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:55:32 pm »

Here are a couple quick ones for you of what the Garrett looks like. They sold the Tree Farmer line to CanCar in late 1964, I think TF87's machine is a later 60's TreeFarmer C5 or some iteration of it. Mine has 59hp ford diesel power, and a Germatic 8A winch. Prolly a little smaller than the 440A, but not much. I can easily drag 500-800 bd/ft hitches without straining the machine too much. Garrett was not as well known all around like JD, but Dwight Garrett invented the articulated skidder in 1949, in Enumclaw, Wash.
He knew what he needed in the woods, and the rest is as the saying goes, "history". BTW, I have always been a fan of the old 440's, they were the best IMO, for their size and what you could do with them, of JD's line. Bigger machines can do more, but they make a bigger mess as well, IMO.

snowstorm · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:22:09 pm »

Quote from: JacksonBros on September 26, 2011, 04:03:11 pm

Well I ran the serial number by a guy I used to work with at JD and it comes out as a 66'. As for Garrett I have never heard of that untill now, I will have to look into what that machine looks like, sounds interesting.

so its one of the first ones built. gas or diesel? if its diesel it should be the smaller motor188ci? the 219ci came out later

Bobus2003 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2011, 07:00:12 pm »

Darn good lookin little 440.. I've got one and love it.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2011, 08:07:28 pm »

i believe you are right about about my skidder

JacksonBros · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2011, 08:10:19 pm »

It is the diesel non turbo. I couldnt 100% tell you the ci, the serial number off the tag of the block i couldnt get an answer as to if it was original block or if someone has updated it cause the friend at john deere said back in those days he thought the numbers on the tag didnt exactly mean what it was for example the 4045, 6068 exc have that included in the serial number but my serial number is meaningless it seems as far as that goes, any clues?

acco1840 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2011, 01:14:58 am »

Nice machine mate!! Looks about the same size as my IH S7b. What size tires??

snowstorm · « **Reply #13 on:** September 27, 2011, 06:39:11 am »

Quote from: JacksonBros on September 26, 2011, 08:10:19 pm

It is the diesel non turbo. I couldnt 100% tell you the ci, the serial number off the tag of the block i couldnt get an answer as to if it was original block or if someone has updated it cause the friend at john deere said back in those days he thought the numbers on the tag didnt exactly mean what it was for example the 4045, 6068 exc have that included in the serial number but my serial number is meaningless it seems as far as that goes, any clues?

should be a tag on the motor. seems like they were 59hp the A was 70hp

JacksonBros · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2011, 06:51:17 pm »

Wondering if anyone knows but just was checking all the hubs tonight and noticed one that looks to have the epoxy repair that I am assuming was used because it had some play in it? Does anyone know about these style hubs and if I should be really concerned about this? All of the hubs are nice and tight on the axles but just noticed this and want to know what to look out for in the future. Thanks

snowstorm · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2011, 07:41:45 pm »

Quote from: JacksonBros on September 27, 2011, 06:51:17 pm

Wondering if anyone knows but just was checking all the hubs tonight and noticed one that looks to have the epoxy repair that I am assuming was used because it had some play in it? Does anyone know about these style hubs and if I should be really concerned about this? All of the hubs are nice and tight on the axles but just noticed this and want to know what to look out for in the future. Thanks

i would be concerned if it didnt have expoxy. that was deeres fix back in the 70's. new hub set in plastic steel. didnt have any problems after that. could a new hub even be found if needed?

Bobus2003 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:06:48 pm »

All my Hubs have JB Weld on them

thumper · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2011, 09:36:17 pm »

yup, if the weld is still there thats good. once the hub starts slopping it will soon strip the hub to axle.. usually a drill hole in the hub that was for filling the weld.

redprospector · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2011, 01:00:17 pm »

That's a good lookin' little 440!
I've got a 1973 model 440b. It get's used every day in my thinning operation.
I know what you mean about many disapointing trips, and wasted time looking at junk. When I bought mine it was a basket case. I had my doubts when I was putting it together, but after I put her to work I've never regreted choosing the 440.

Andy

JacksonBros · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:00:32 pm »

Here is a pic in the middle of the painting process. I was taught by an older guy where I work how to paint old equip cheap but with professional results and it had worked amazing. You roll on the paint then directly "tip" the wet paint with a fine bristle paint brush and it blends into a solid gloss with no stroke marks or anything. Here she is only half done

mad murdock · « **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:25:21 pm »

wow! nice technique there Jacksonbros! that is looking migh T fine

beenthere · « **Reply #21 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:30:42 pm »

Looking good. Is it JD yellow paint?

And not sure how you can "roll" on paint? it implies using a roller.

If it works, great. !!

JacksonBros · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2011, 06:20:42 pm »

Just installed new factory seat pads I got from a JD warehouse that has been over head in storage for years! As for the paint color it right from JD and its Classic Jd Forestry/Construction Yellow

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2011, 07:33:55 pm »

LOOKS REALLY GOOD

sprucebunny · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2011, 07:59:03 pm »

Great looking machine

I hope it works well for you.

I learned the same painting technique for putting fine finishes on boats. I haven't had very good luck doing it with Rustolem, though. Might need to add a flow agent.

JacksonBros · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:59:59 am »

Haha Im a boat mechanic at a shipyard, the guy that taught me is a painter there, to funny

toploader Ford · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2011, 02:49:56 pm »

Yep, good lookin old skidder. I had a 1970 model 440A, very low maintance machine and pretty easy too fix. I learned, in the winter time, to take the front grill off and releave the pressure on the pump, before starting. Takes alot of strain of the starter motor. Once warm it was ok.

Ken 45lc · « **Reply #27 on:** October 09, 2011, 11:12:17 am »

Very nice looking machine.
I ran a 440A for a few days when I was in my early teens, it was the first real skidder I ever ran, before that was a farm tractor. I was amazed how much more the skidder could do, and how many more places I could go with it. I thought I was a professional logger the few days I got to run it. I was really disappointed when I had to go back to using a farm tractor after that.

Could you please explain your painting technique a little better? Your paint looks really good, and if it's easier i'd really like to know how you did it.

Taylortractornut · « **Reply #28 on:** October 09, 2011, 02:46:06 pm »

Thats a nice little skidder, theres one for sale at the tigercat dealer down the road from the house. Theres one at work near the landfill been doing a good job hauling out logs. THey have the topper hooking the chokers and another one unhooking them at the landing so the driver doenst have to get off the machine.

JacksonBros · « **Reply #29 on:** October 09, 2011, 07:19:06 pm »

Well here is the finished machine. Thanks to everyone for the good comments and info, hope everyone liked seeing the old skidder get a makeover.

- Ken45lc, as for the painting it was pretty simple, I used a normal fine finish paint roller like you would for painting walls, and then a fine bristle brush for the final go over. As for what i found worked best for me was to use the roll to get one coat on everything i could hit with it then with the brush get all I couldnt get with the roll as least once. Once it got tacky I rolled everything again and brush again exc. Lastly I used the brush to go over with a light coat to take out all air bubbles and imperfections. I did use 2 cans of spray in hard to reach areas. So total paint was one gallon and 2 spray cans. about 90 bucks. I dont think it was a bad investment for the paint.

beenthere · « **Reply #30 on:** October 09, 2011, 08:17:41 pm »

She's a beauty, and parade ready!!

brendonv · « **Reply #31 on:** October 09, 2011, 08:45:36 pm »

Looks great!

I was on a job Sat. morning where we used a JD 440 to pull a large back leaning Sugar Maple over. That machine backs some power. If I ever run across one for a decent buck I might pick one up for myself.

Nice job on the paint, I too was wondering the process as I'm about to paint an old cast iron bath tub.

Bobus2003 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2011, 09:50:24 pm »

Looks really good.. Mine got repainted about 6 years ago.. she doesn't look so good anymore.. amazing how quick they get scratched up

redprospector · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2011, 10:03:10 pm »

Wow! You may have just inspired me to go buy some paint.

Andy

YupperYooper · « **Reply #34 on:** October 10, 2011, 10:13:45 am »

Quote from: JacksonBros on October 09, 2011, 07:19:06 pm

Well here is the finished machine. Thanks to everyone for the good comments and info, hope everyone liked seeing the old skidder get a makeover.

NICE!!!

5akman · « **Reply #35 on:** October 10, 2011, 07:04:11 pm »

What brand paint did you use? One part or two part? Any primer needed?

thecfarm · « **Reply #36 on:** October 10, 2011, 07:19:33 pm »

I enjoyed the makeover.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #37 on:** October 15, 2011, 11:11:05 am »

Very Nice! Well done.

Norm · « **Reply #38 on:** October 16, 2011, 08:14:39 am »

Sweet!

Corley5 · « **Reply #39 on:** October 16, 2011, 08:16:55 am »

That looks good

Too bad to take it to the woods and scratch it all up

CX3 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 17, 2011, 09:05:06 pm »

Howdy I like your skidder. I still have one just like it. Thats what I started with. There are 2 things you should know about this skidder. First, dont let its size fool ya. It can work 10 men to death in one day. Second, you and the wife be prepared for you to quit your job and become a poor logger. Once its in the blood, well you will find out the rest.

. Good luck buddy

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Author Topic: Early JD 440 (Read 2900 times)