1982 John Deere 400 Garden Tractor Walk Around and Overview

In this video I give you an up-close look at a 1982 John Deere 400 Garden Tractor.
Check out the restoration video here:
• John Deere 400 Garden ...
Buy Kohler K Series Parts including the Kohler K532 used in this tractor:
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Thank you for saving the tractors!

[@omarvargas5736]

I bought my first tractor today and it was the John Deere 400 paid $500 for it, and it came with a mini loader and 60” mowing deck! Can’t wait to get it looking like the one in the video 🙏🏻

[@Isavetractors]

That's a GREAT deal! Congrats!

[@jupitercyclops6521]

That is a sweet deal. Saw one the other day for $2,400. Comes with snow blower & deck, but looks rough & has a homda motor! Honda makes a good motor, but who knows how it was installed. Everything is high around here (including the seller)

[@jupitercyclops6521]

Its been a few months.. How you liking it Omar?

[@omarvargas5736]

I'm currently rebuilding the mower deck but the tractor itself is a little tank I love it!

[@wrongmower]

I graduated in 81, my small school bought one of those in 82 I believe, and it just wore out in 2014, like you said, it's one tuff tractor, in fact I'm going to see if they want to get rid of it, thanks for posting your vids, very good they are :)

[@zmarkgraf]

Nice work, fella. I started watching your channel almost 2 years ago back before I owned my house and was living in the garden tractor -challenged state of New Mexico (they're few and far between!). Fast forward and I bought my first house and went back and forth between buying an Economy Power King and an old JD 318... until I found a good condition 332 Diesel! Could not believe the quality and robust nature of that tractor, absolute powerhouse. Thanks for helping instill a passion for these otherwise forgotten about machines. I often find myself a little embarrassed to admit how into this hobby I am, nice to see someone with as much of an interest!

[@Dailyinput244]

I have one. It’s a beast. One of the largest garden tractors John Deere made. I didn’t rebuild my engine. I repowered it with a Briggs and Stratton engine repower kit. Had to engineer a new driveshaft but otherwise it was a piece of cake. And I just picked up a John Deere 140 H3 in working condition.

[@wilkersonsmowershop8379]

Nice save norman. Once again your work with old tractors has made me proud. Good work brother. Keep saving the old iron.

[@timcallahan1055]

I literally just picked up a 400 yesterday from an estate sale. Came with 60” mower and a snowblower. Has records. I don’t know year or much else. Pretty much an impulse buy. Runs great - could use a cosmetic restoration. Seems like the motor was rebuilt to some capacity in 2018. Can’t wait to learn more about it.

[@tonysantana1493]

I just absolutely Love this tractor you did an awesome job!!!

[@brianphilbrook5262]

Sweet sweet machine. You did one heck of a job on that tractor. You’ll have to show her in motion sometime.

[@joshbasford7091]

Just bought a 83 jd 400 and I’m highly impressed with it

[@dreamcatcherdb]

Hey Norman, that’s a great video on the John Deere 400. I just picked up a Deutz Allis 1920 which you probably know is the same as a simplicity SunStar 20. I begin restoring it and quickly found out that it has a lot of the same parts as the John Deere 300 and 400 series tractors of the same vintage. It would be great if you could do a video that compared the John Deere and the simplicity tractors of that size. Keep up the great work thanks

[@Stu650Zuk]

Great job Norman on a great tractor! I know sub compact and compact tractors own the market nowadays. But I still believe tractors as this 400 were still built better. Plus most compact and subcompacts are very similar with different stickers....This is a real JD tractor in my book....I would like a new 4wd Kubota or JD though too. But I will always like the classics more.

[@paradoxdea]

One word: Beautiful!!

[@caydengordon3146]

I’ve always wanted an old deee like this! My mom just won’t work out the funds for one of this which I could of course till or cultivate her large garden with! Always been a deere fan!

[@caydengordon3146]

Correction: instead of deee it’s deere that was a mistype!

[@robertjordan9075]

Love the results of your work. You make me want one.

[@marksmith9538]

Great tractor. I have an '82 also with a loader and box scraper. About 1000 hours and going strong.

[@markchidester6239]

Mine has 2000+ hours and going strong!

[@davesmith2907]

One of the best in its day for sure! Had one sold it...... Wish I had kept it and refurbished it . Nice Job Here! I still have a 64 -110 all original with lot of extra's Love the old thing...

[@MrBill-mq7ti]

Nice job, it looks fantastic.

[@TheMarcball]

Howdy, just moved to Puget Sound WA and bought a JD400. Cute Lil hotrod!

[@patrickflohe7427]

I live near Port Orchard, where did you ever find one of these beauties? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in Washington.

[@gregoryguza4623]

Beautiful machine, you did an awesome job. I wish I had someone local to me to rebuild the Kohler K181S in my 1977 JD 208. It still runs but it’s a little shaky. I don’t have most of the proper tools nor the space to do the rebuild myself.

[@andrewfarrant198]

That is one mean looking machine, you do great work.

[@DirtDiver343]

Killer job! Love these tractors. One day

[@hamdoginc1]

Can't say I'm not a little jealous. Nice work and machine.

[@j_w_customs_3433]

Omg I want it love your tractor great overview!

[@rockiemountin7535]

Nice job Norman that’s one sweet tractor

[@dominique4822]

Sublime machine, un travail extraordinaire de rénovation.Bravo, vraiment Bravo.

[@sentinel8711]

interesting my 316 also has 4 front auxiliary hydraulic hook ups almost done with painting it these 400s are good garden tractors as well

[@StillOnSteel]

Beautiful Deere 😍

[@joshuahenrichs595]

Just found my 3rd project i need one of these in my life

[@machone7580]

Nice 400, they are classics for sure! The 400 was big and heavy, no doubt, but it's no bigger or heavier than the current lineup of JD X-Series heavy-duty garden tractors.

[@gardentractors1751]

It's the same basic size as a modern X7. The John Deere 300 series and 400 series were merged together when the 425-455 tractors came out which of course have now become the X7's.

[@starkgary]

I beg to differ a bit on the build quality. These older garden tractors had an option for a loader on the the front and a 2 stage that was so heavy the rear tires would come off the ground when you hit a bump. The newer ones don't have the option for a loader anymore (JD rep explained to me that they have thinned the frame a little so people would buy the 1 series tractors instead) and the x3 and x5 series don't even compare. These tractors seem to fall between the x7 series and the 1 series in terms of build materials and durability. Hell my 420 has the same thickness frame as my new F250!

[@davelambert6927]

Hi Norman I agree with you on that 400 John Deere early 80s at that one nice tractor always wanted one rugged machine for it's size and like you said can't beat those motors once again nice video enjoyed watching

[@patrickflohe7427]

She’s a stunner! I want one so bad!

[@averageschmo963]

Amazing Job!!!!!

[@wayneweckwerth9080]

Have the opposed Kohlers getting better I know some of those were tossing connecting rods

[@dynastar3759]

Oh boy, it's more than 12mph! Dealers advertised them at 16 mph, I used an app to test mine and it said 18! They are crazy fast!

[@MonkeyKong21]

you could probably over-inflate the tires to get more diameter and go even faster :P

[@mattbrennan8088]

those are so bad ass. Hard to find a used one, nobody wants to sell theirs

[@randysimmons9838]

Its a beast!

[@richsmith9063]

Nice. What a Beast !

[@PhatboyHD88]

Awesome video buddy ,,, didn’t hear that baby pur tho lol...I’m sure we will in future videos,,, your gonna keep it aren’t you ? ,,, hate to see you sell such a beauty ,,,

[@pyro323]

You dont see too many shaft drive lawn tractors anymore. Most of them are belt driven. Cub Cadet does offer a shaft drive lawn tractor but it $4,000. The 400 looks really good Norman!

[@Isavetractors]

Thank you! Keep in mind this 400 is not a lawn tractor. It is more akin to today's sub compact utility tractors. Modern Tractors that are like this one are: John Deere (X series), Simplicity (XL), and Cub Cadet (Can't remember Model, but the shaft driven one), and the Kubota BX series of tractors.

[@jennifersquier1908]

What a nice tractors man good job. I got 2 4020 ingersoll tractors. There nice but not as user friendly.

[@bartjuhhh6416]

Hi norman i have a wheel horse 800 with a kohler k181s but it keeps backfireing sometimes is it the needle or airscrew or sonething else on my garden tractor

[@ChuckOwens-wp9cz]

Hi. I bought a JD 400 in August and it was recovered with a Honda Performance 670 but I don't have deck.A 60 in. Decks hard to find so I'm gonna rig up one of my own to cut grass. Maybe a 3pt finish deck. Thanks

[@had2galsinthebooth]

If she had a bigger rack(loader)and a little more rear end(snow plow)I would want to marry her! She's sleek and beautiful as-is but I need her to be more useful in winter. :) I've seen some of your vids and you just might be getting a new sub. Good work man.

[@erikvaldur3334]

Great job. Might be the next machine I gas for. Does this offer the optional rear PTO like the 318 does?

[@jjdurrantfarm72]

Hey Norman what type of sickle mower attachment would go great with the 400? I got one from a guy down the street and I've been rebuilding it and getting ready to fire it up

[@jacksonelkin7460]

Where did you get that cover on the fender pan with the John Deere logo I have to put one on a 400 I bought and could not find one

[@TF856]

I wish I would have known about you back in the mid-80s when my dad's 400 engine fell apart. It had some overheating problems that caused other problems that caused other problems apparently and he couldn't afford to fix it so it sad around for several years. Near the end of the 80s we finally got enough parts to piece it back together and run it for a while till it fell apart again. That engine seems to be the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen in my life. And the parts were asininely expensive! When the tractor was running I loved it. He got that manly for mowing his 10 acres and for clearing snow on his driveway that was several hundred feet long. By the time he sold it the motor had two major breakdowns and only had a few hundred hours on it. The rest of the tractor was fine. He ended up using his Massey Ferguson with the brush hog to do all the mowing because this thing was always broken down.

[@TheTreegodfather]

Just a thought- stuff the hour meter under the hood and put the matching fuel gauge in it's place. You don't need to look at the hours very often, but it sure is nice knowing how much fuel there is at a glance.

[@il67bp]

Is there a fuel gauge available?

[@robertduncan2742]

What's a good hoses to use to replace the ones by the cooler

[@1oldteck]

You did an awesome job on that restoration I was wondering where I fill up the power steering... It acts low

[@Isavetractors]

The power steering gets fluid from the rear end.

[@monsterrc1681]

Just bought a John Deere 314

[@dakotak8437]

Any info or video on what to adjust the deck on John Deere 430 and what the arms do on the front caster wheels

[@chet9055]

The 430 is a beast I own one

[@diyhgg8674]

My 3 point keeps leaking down(dropping) overnight. What might be the most likely issue to look at? Thanks

[@RustyZipper]

What a beast! That’s why I got the Cub Cadet 169- rare and one big cylinder! Did they put the K532 in any Cubs or Fords?

[@Isavetractors]

The Ford LGT 195 has a Kohler K532 engine in it. I agree about the 16hp K341. Love one big piston and cylinder!

[@ad356]

the cub cadet 782 was a beast that had a twin kohler, but im pretty sure it was a KT17. if you have never mowed with one they were impressive, and the red units were built by IH. cub cadet 982 was bigger yet, considered to be a "super" garden tractor. check out the farmall cub which is really classified as a small farm tractor, i have one of those and its little brother a 1961 cub cadet original. i have mowers for both. farmall cub has a 4 cylinder liquid cooled gasoline engine. interesting history, when IH built the gear drive cub cadets they used the same transmission and differential as the farmall cub. one of the reasons why the things are stupid tough, they are way overbuilt. they did this to save on design and engineering costs associated with designing a transmission and diff. it is the kind of thing you will NEVER see again. i have mowers for both my cub cadet and my farmall cub.

[@cubcadetmadness4673]

the equivalent to a john deere 400 would be a cub cadet 2072 it had proper power steering a rear PTO the twin brakes and 20 hp Kohler magnum and it use the same tough rear end as the 782 and the rest of thoes tractors the only down fall was that it was aluminum but the cast iron ones bolt right in or if you wanted a deisel you could get a 1772 with a kabota d640 3 cylender deisel and all the same features

[@andymoore1813]

Is my 127 cub cadet worth anything I'm not planning on selling it but I wanna know

[@andymoore1813]

It runs with no rust to

[@quadererdd]

I have a John Deere 400 That is having battery charging issues. Im thinking it is the cable to the stater but Im not 100 % sure. Any Ideas or suggestions? Mine is a 77 or 76 400. It has the exhaust out the front of the nose.

[@lwoodt1]

I think I need one of these

[@Isavetractors]

Yes you do!

[@lwoodt1]

@@Isavetractors my Deere 210 looks a bit dated next to that 400

[@thomasfiedler5176]

Do u got rebuild kits for the 318 with the onan engine

[@robertduncan2742]

Very similar to my 420

[@OneNewMan]

do you sell restored tractors like this one?

[@robertduncan2742]

Is it possible to get pics of the throttle assembly in front of the motor

[@SkiddingF350]

Hey Norman, dumb question, but how is the hi/low operated? Very nice work!!!

[@Isavetractors]

Just a lever between your legs. It shifts a gear set in the rear end

[@fordtruck193]

Not a big fan of the JD stuff because they are SO EXPENSIVE!!!!! That is a super nice tractor, but those green and yellow parts take up a lot of green.:-)

[@starkgary]

A farmer once told me that the green paint has shredded $100 bills in it which is why they're so expensive. Ha!

[@willyck948]

ever try ZIPPO VARGAS poor man's power steering? He's got few videos on KZbin parts and install instruction. Consists of thrust washers and roller bearings between wheel king pin and axle. Did it on my craftsman and made in much easier to steer. My craftsman had little ware and required very little work to properly install them only took 1 day.

[@lwoodt1]

Did that to my simplicity landlord 101 a few years ago.. works well.

[@cdyoude]

I just picked up a 1981 JD 400. It's in pretty good shape with the exception of oil consumption and smoke so the Kohler needs rebuilt. I've been on your website and seen you have what looks like a pretty comprehensive rebuild kit for the K532. Is there anything in addition to your kit that I would need to breathe life back into this motor?

[@Isavetractors]

Our kit has everything you need. You may need the rear cam bushing and a new welch plug which we also have

[@ForestToFarm]

Very cool tractor Norman! What could I expect to find one of these for? Junk or running either way. It would be perfect on our small farm/homestead.

[@starkgary]

Around me (Mid-Michigan area), this tractor and it's brothers the 420 and 430 will go for $1000 to $4000 depending on how well it was cared for and how rough a life it's had. I paid about $4000 in 2015 for a 420 with a 54" plow. It had around 400 original hours and obviously had been babied for its entire life. They are a whole lot of fun!

[@ForestToFarm]

Thanks Gary! They look awesome. Gonna be on the lookout for one. I am originally from Berrien Springs Michigan. It will always be home to me. Terry

[@brickicb7545]

I got one for sale. We should talk.

[@mackendw]

@@brickicb7545 how old? attachments? what ya looking to get out of it?

[@brickicb7545]

@@mackendw Don't have it any more. Sold.

[@ZippoMan18]

What is one of those worth these days? Great job on the restoration. Looks amazing!

[@Isavetractors]

Thanks. They range. I bought this broken for $500. I could probably sell the whole set for $4k

[@ZippoMan18]

@@Isavetractors very nice score you got! Thanks for letting me know rough values. I am in British Columbia, Canada and saw one For Sale when I was out for a walk. Cool looking tractors!

[@compacttractortv5074]

Thats one good looking tractor

[@ltsallwood]

I still don't get how the forward and reverse works. Do you just push the lever into the forward position and push the pedal? Then do the same for reverse? Is it the later ones where you push on the front pedal for forward, and the smaller one behind it for reverse? The latter sounds very handy, espeially when mowing. This cheap troy bilt mower I used like 15 years ago would kill the engine when I threw it in reverse while mowing. Made it a pain to mow because I would have to do a big circle instead of backing up real quick.

[@liquidcode1704]

the lever is the only thing that determines the direction, there is also a throttle lever, the only foot pedal is for braking

[@sentinel8711]

can you lock in the differential /thus power to both wheels ? like the 420 series ??

[@Isavetractors]

No not on this tractor.

[@crypto49er51]

cool

[@MidwestMotoRider]

Hi Norman, how about some parts for my 75 Gilson Hydro 16? :) Ok, well then can you get me a starter gear for my 16hp B&S cast iron motor on that Gilson that won't bust in two pieces after only a few starts? So far I am not having any luck. Take care and that is a fine John Deer!

[@wansolve2036]

MidwestMotoRider if you're breaking that gear, take apart and clean & lube the engagement mechanism, that did the trick for me. That and using only the metal gears.

[@dustyphillips3166]

I noticed that your web site now offers a rebuild kit for the K532 as well as the K582. I also noticed in your JD400 rebuild montage video, that there a small amount of footage of the engine rebuild. Would you consider editing together a detailed rebuild video on this engine. I have a tired old K532 in my TORO GMT200. It still runs, but starts blowing blue smoke once it gets hot. A detailed video would give me a better idea if this was the kind of thing I could tackle.

[@Isavetractors]

Yes I will be doing a full rebuild series on that engine like I've done with the single cylinder engines.

[@ThatMowerMan]

Hey Norm! Been watching a long time now and i was wondering if I buy a non-running 400 and want to steer it do i risk hurting the power steering cylinder?

[@Isavetractors]

No you wont hurt it. Go and buy that 400!

[@ThatMowerMan]

@@Isavetractors Thanks Norm! I really appreciate it!

[@TF856]

My dad had one of those John Deere 400 tractors. It seem to hold up well but the engine was a piece of crap. No matter how much we worked on it, it kept breaking down all the time and John Deere and Kohler both wanted way too much money to work on it. Apparently they don't like working on garbage either. And the parts were horrendously expensive. John Deere wanted like 50 or $60 for a clutch cable which is nuts. We ended up making one from parts from the hardware store for less than 10 dollars. Heat shields on the exhaust burn through and damaged other parts of the tractor. The coil went out and a few other problems and the tractor was only use periodically for about three years and did not have very many hours on it. That Kohler engine was an absolute piece of garbage. He finally sold it at auction to get rid of that piece of garbage. He finally went back to using his 60 hp Massey Ferguson for doing all the snow removal and morning and rototilling and dirt moving. He should have just gotten a snowblower for that Massey Ferguson in the first place. He would have saved a lot of money.

[@jeffbenjamin6480]

Do you have a link to the 3 point hitch? I'm close to purchasing one of these machines but from what Im reading the 3 point can be hard to find.

[@Isavetractors]

Google Reugg Manufacturing

[@jeffbenjamin6480]

Thank you wasn't sure with spelling.

[@Isavetractors]

That's the hitch on mine. I love it!

[@jeffbenjamin6480]

Found it .Thank you.

[@jeremygeorge5831]

How much does a brand new engine and parts cost for this particular lawn tractor in 2021?

[@kjamesjr]

Where you get the stickers and decals?

[@MisterEberger]

Hey Norman - did you go with a CAT0 or a CAT1 Reugg 3PH? What made you choose one over the other? Thanks!

[@Isavetractors]

Mine is a cat 0. They didnt have a cat 1 I dont think when I bought it. I can still use cat 1 implements though just have to change the pins

[@MisterEberger]

@@Isavetractors would you recommend getting the cat0 then? I'd like to use the original attachments but have flexibility for other things like box blades etc

[@Isavetractors]

Yea the cat 0 is all you need. Most cat 1 implements will be too big anyways. The small cat 1 chisel plows, 48" box blades can still be used on cat 0. Just change the pins to the 5/8 ones and depending on the implement you put the pins on the inside.

[@MisterEberger]

@@Isavetractors thanks Norman!

[@darrellashby6788]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, didn't the 400 also come with a optional diesel engine?

[@Isavetractors]

That is the John Deere 430 which is the 400 with a 3 cyl. Diesel with a stretched out frame and hood

[@darrellashby6788]

@@Isavetractors ok, thank you..nice tractor. Very well done

[@ThatMowerMan]

Hello Norman again! I bought that 400 and I’ve got is close to running.. but I’m running into issues on the steering on my 400.. every time I turn left, the inner hydraulic lever goes forward leaving me unable to turn any further left.. is there any reason why that’d happen?

[@Isavetractors]

Hmm not sure. Can you send me a video? My email is on our website.

[@ThatMowerMan]

@@Isavetractors could I make a video on it and put it up on my channel?

[@ThatMowerMan]

@@Isavetractors I figured it out, it was a stuck valve in the spool. It cured itself over time. 😊

[@johndeeregarage5339]

Hey norman what does that yellow lever on the right side of the dash tower do?

[@Isavetractors]

That's the PTO lever to turn it on

[@johndeeregarage5339]

@@Isavetractors oh ok thanks norman

[@liquidcode1704]

I have two of these, one with a backhoe and front loader, I need to get them both fixed

[@allenwhite9729]

Do you still have this tractor and is it for sale?

[@benschlechter]

What's the difference in size between the 400 and the 420, which came out a year later?

[@Isavetractors]

They are very similar in physical size

[@stanlogan1933]

Where did you get the decals for this tractor project

[@Isavetractors]

from John Deere Dealer

[@Red-head-triple1]

Wonder if this guy gonna make videos again

[@Isavetractors]

This guy def gonna make more videos. Already back at it. I'm putting together a bunch of shorts in the meantime

[@gradyrigby2851]

I have the Sears equivalent with a FF24.

[@victorvannatter312]

Is it the hydrostat that provides all the hydraulics?

[@Isavetractors]

Yes correct

[@victorvannatter312]

@@Isavetractors That's a lot of hydraulic flow for hydrostat. Thank you

[@sarahmorrisette1046]

That mad 850 cc

[@chriscoble8394]

what is the yellow handle for on the right side of the steering wheel.

[@Isavetractors]

Ah shoot, I forgot to talk about that one. That controls the front and mid pto.

[@chriscoble8394]

Thanks

[@carlhelmick8104]

Hero, I like your videos . I really do, but son a walk around isn't telling me anything. Put a mower on it are a plow. And put that puppy to work. Now I'm impressed. Cause I get to see what it can do . And you do really great work on the riding mowers that you rebuild. And I do mean great work . But everybody that has a great looking mower like that are like which ever that got. Does a walk around these days . Please make it work . That is what impresses me the most to see what it can do. I'm just saying . Ok, I don't mean no disrespect. Like I said you do really great work on these Mowers rebuilding them and you do really good videos. Anyway keep up the great work and have a great day..😀👍

[@Isavetractors]

Thanks for your comment. Please explore the rest of this channel. We have lots of videos of our tractors at work. You will find videos of our Backhoe tractors, Loader Tractors, Mowing Tractors, towing tractors, snow removal tractors. You can also see each of these tractors being rebuilt, fabricated, Etc.

[@carlhelmick8104]

@@Isavetractors Well thank you, I appreciate you doing a comeback on that I really wasn't expecting it. That's why I like your videos . And like I said you do a great job on your videos and rebuilding the lawn mowers. and I will check out the other channels thank you so much. 😀👍

[@paulg444]

How do I buy it ?

[@jacksonelkin7460]

I can but I 400 for $650 that is in kinda rough shape with a snow plow should I do it?

[@Isavetractors]

Yes!!!

[@MonkeyKong21]

high gear and full throttle feels like you're going 60mph, probably because there's no suspension and it feels like the tractor would slide sideways and roll if you made the slightest turn at speed

[@andrewmullin3625]

Do you sell complete onan b43e rebuild kits your website?

[@Isavetractors]

Not yet but we are working on it

[@andrewmullin3625]

isavetractors okay thanks. Do have any idea when it will be ready?

[@Isavetractors]

It probably won't be 100% ready until this time 2019. Some components will be rolling out this Fall

[@andrewmullin3625]

isavetractors ok thanks!

[@carrieturko1399]

I have the same 400 but it's a 1978

[@shelbywilson9624]

Cub, wheel horse, and sears nothing else

[@Isavetractors]

I use to think the same but I do have to hand it to JD, the 400, and 140 are very nice! My favorites are still the Ford LGT's!

[@peteprizzi8508]

This is before they started makin' junk. It must have cost a pretty penny even back then.A beautiful machine though.

[@camarondelrio2785]

Is this DiESEL??

[@Isavetractors]

Gas

[@redaabdoun1977]

This tractor is an engine that does not work and we do not have any spare parts available in the country, and in Volta can I buy parts from a mobile