Looking for my restored 400 value

[Aabelling]

Hello guys/gals.. So I picked up a 1980 400 with a rebuilt engine (fresh short block 2 years ago) but still the kohler 532. It obviously needed some resto so I took up the challenge. Turned out great and I put new bearing seals in the gearbox and fixed or painted everything the deck or mower needed. I wont bore everyone with details, but as of now, everything works and looks great. I have a 425 that I love and know that these go for decent money... but Im not familiar with the 400. Before I list it on craigslist, can someone help me out with a value? I will try and put up a few before and after pics. Thanks guys.

[69project]

That looks awesome. I have a 400, maybe I should run it over to you for restoration. As far as value does it have anything else besides the deck? I didn't see a three point or any other attachments but maybe I missed something?

400's are kind of tricky to value if you ask me. They are solid tractors but since some of their attachments are 400 only items it makes them not as desirable as say a 420 or 430. Their Koehler's have a bad rep for expiring well before they should do to their poor internal oiling system design.

To me that looks like a 4k tractor however, I don't know where you live and location is key to value with these tractors. If you are up North or in the North Central US (why I call the JD Garden tractor belt) of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania then you would probably get real close to 4k. If you are in the south or Texas you won't get that unless you find a die hard JD garden tractor fan.

I recommend going to Weekend Freedom Machines.com and listing it there. There used to be a rather large group of 400 owners over there and I am sure someone would jump at the opportunity to own one. It would probably be in good hands over there. I would love to own yours but I would put it too work and I really would not want to trash that nice new paint.

I have seen 400's listed for 3-3500 that were not quite as nice as yours sit for a long time on CL. If you don't do WFM then I recommend Ebay since you have a wider market there. You will have to deal with some odd ball buyers and maybe even a dead beat bidder or two but it will sell. That is a really nice tractor, you did a great job. If you are interested in redoing another one I have one with a deck, front blade, Ruegg 3 point hitch, 35 tiller/PTO and a box blade. It is probably time for me to let it go but just have not brought myself to punch it off. It was my first JD and the damn thing still works well enough to be useful even though it has a charging problem.

[Herminator]

I have a 400 that is in similar condition. They are solid machine but machines like your 425 are much more desirable for every week use so you have to compare it to what they are going for for the average person in the 400 would be less. It’s very hard to judge because it’s not worth $4000 but I wouldn’t give it away for $2000 either because we both know it is one hell of a tractor. The ones I see on craigslist look like hell and they usually want 1000 to 1500.

At any rate you did a beautiful job and it’s ready for another 30 years.

[Aabelling]

Thanks guys! I am in Buffalo NY so the market is hit or miss here. Really depends on the season. I had never heard of that web site before, so I will be sure to check it out.

[firemachine69]

425's command a premium, unfortunately the 400's don't (as mentioned, because of the engine issues).

[89420]

yep 400's are odd balls. prices seam to be down in my area i doubt you could sell it in my area for 2k seams like most people dont want the old stuff anymore as the severe (in my opinion) bad decision of deere to selling cheap junk at the box stores really cheapend the brand

[69project]

yep 400's are odd balls. prices seam to be down in my area i doubt you could sell it in my area for 2k seams like most people dont want the old stuff anymore as the severe (in my opinion) bad decision of deere to selling cheap junk at the box stores really cheapend the brand

Well, the last 400 was made in 1983 so....these are getting long in the tooth and finding one that is a good runner can be a challenge. Also these things are made for larger properties, something not a lot of folks have anymore. Using a tractor with all hand controls is an acquired taste and now that the first couple of generations of X series tractors have come down in price and they are much easier to use to get the same results as a 400. You have to want it or really know what it is about to fully appreciate it.


Really the thing that makes them odd ball is the Rear PTO speed of 840 rpm and the fact the front hitch is a different width than a 420/430. The implements/attachments that use those features don't interchange with any other JD tractor. They have a CAT 0 hitch so any non-PTO powered implement will work on it.

[grandpajay]

It was my first JD and the damn thing still works well enough to be useful even though it has a charging problem.

I solved the charging issue on my 400 easily by replacing the rectifier. They're inexpensive and just take a couple of minutes to replace. I don't mean to derail this thread.

Nice 400, Aabelling!!

[69project]

I solved the charging issue on my 400 easily by replacing the rectifier. They're inexpensive and just take a couple of minutes to replace. I don't mean to derail this thread.

Nice 400, Aabelling!!

I replaced the voltage regulator (is that what you mean by rectifier) to no avail. I am thinking it's the stator, which means the engine has to come out if I read my service manual right? They do not make stators anymore (at least I couldn't find any) so I am guessing I will have to make it an ebay purchase. I have had mixed results buying electrical components on Ebay.

[Herminator]

When mine acted up I also thought it was the stator. Ended up a couple magnets moved on the inside of the flywheel and were touching. I ended up re-attaching them, can’t remember what I used and I hope I wrote it in the service manual. Was either a contact cement or an expoxy of some sort.

As with you, I was not completely confident in the used one from eBay and I couldn’t find any different readings between the stater I bought on eBay and the one I had so I put mine back in.