New M4000

[smallfarmer]

Hi guys, just bought a 1979 M4000 with over 6k hours on it. It's in pretty good shape, not a looker but has some chops.

I want to make sure she's in good shape for tractor season. I think I want to change the oil, air, and fuel filter, and of course change the oil. Is this all as straghtforward as it seems? Any tips, and anybody else out there with a M4000?

I will probably have a lot of questions in the coming year. Thanks,
Andrew

 

[eserv]

Hi guys, just bought a 1979 M4000 with over 6k hours on it. It's in pretty good shape, not a looker but has some chops.

I want to make sure she's in good shape for tractor season. I think I want to change the oil, air, and fuel filter, and of course change the oil. Is this all as straghtforward as it seems? Any tips, and anybody else out there with a M4000?

I will probably have a lot of questions in the coming year. Thanks,
Andrew

The M4000 is built under a license to Fiat, hence it looks like a White 1365 or the Allis Chalmers equivalent. It has a Kubota 6 cylinder engine and is a very smooth running beast! The weakness's are 2nd gear in the transmission, the clutch and the front axle pivot pin. otherwise they are a very nice machine. even those weakness's only show up if you do a lot of loader work with it.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Is it coincident that the M4000 looks like a White 1365? I've looked all over the internet and the M4000 comes back as being manufactured by Kubota. Even some Fords from that era look the same.

 

[eserv]

Is it coincident that the M4000 looks like a White 1365? I've looked all over the internet and the M4000 comes back as being manufactured by Kubota. Even some Fords from that era look the same.

It is built by Kubota, but they were licensed from fiat for the design. It was a quick way for Kubota to get into the larger tractor market! Nowadays they just buy the company, the latest rumor which is more than just rumor is that they have bought Fendt! That"ll get us some interesting product!

 

[Stubbyie]

Odd about the Kubota in White clothing and relationship to Fiat.

Had two different Whites with Fiat internals and in both cases the 2nd gear in transmixer went out.

Just something to watch for.

 

[smallfarmer]

Thanks for the info - SO why exactly does 2nd gear go out? I haven't really given it a good workout yet to see how it feels in every gear, but it actually shifts better then my truck almost...

Loader seems to work pretty good, some hydraulic whine when at maxed out. IS that pretty usual? I haven't had a loader before so any hints on upkeep would be great. Also it seems to go down instead of up sometimes, unless I push the lever all the way in the right direction. Is that indicative of low hydraulic fluid?

 

[Stubbyie]

WRT loader: keep everything greased well all the time. If you can find an aftermarket ram wiper that will ride on ram tight against cylinder you can keep dust and junk picked up by oily ram from directly contacting cylinder internal seal(s). Just seems to help over time.

The whine you mention...if yours is related to White and it's one of the White/Fiat models on mine the aux hydraulic circuit feeding the loader control had a separate external hand-operated valve mounted on transmission case. I had forgotten about this until you mentioned the whine. The first valve between knees under seat had to be held open with one hand while operating loader control valve with other hand. Bothersome. Unless that first valve was held hard to the open position the fluid flow would create a whine. I cable tied the first valve open but it was so springy I couldn't get it held 'tight open'---and if it was even the slightest bit off the open position it would whine and squeal.

With this in mind follow your hoses and find out if you've got a primary valve that's been tied open or if you have an external adjustment at some port.

Lots of weird stuff on that White Fiat.

Had a diesel-fired preheater instead of glow plugs. Open flame and everything! After regrowing eyebrows the first time it didn't get used much in hard winter.

Sure glad we graduated to Kubota.