John Deere 400
The John Deere 400 is a tractor produced by John Deere Lawn Tractors. It is equipped with a 879 cc 53.67 ci engine. The listed engine power is Gasoline (gross): 19.9 hp / 14.8 kW. Transmission: Sundstrand. Drive type: shaft. Operating weight: 500 lbs 226 kg.
Engine Power
Gasoline (gross): 19.9 hp / 14.8 kW
Drive & Traction
shaft
Fuel & Capacities
4.5 gal
17.0 L
Transmission
Sundstrand
Operating Weight
500 lbs
226 kg
Overview
 | 1975 - 1983
400 SeriesGarden tractor
400 Series
Garden tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | John Deere |
Garden tractor | |
Built in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA | |
John Deere 400 Engine | |
|---|---|
19.9HP Kohler 879cc 2-cyl gasoline | |
Engine details ...  |
John Deere 400 Transmission | |
|---|---|
hydrostatic | |
Transmission details ...  |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Power steering | |
Mechanical shoe brakes | |
Open operator station. |
Capacity | |
|---|---|
Fuel | 4.5 gal
17.0 L |
Hydraulic system | 1.375 gal
5.2 L |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Capacity | 1.375 gal
5.2 L |
Front valves | 2 |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | 0 OptOptional |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | independent OptOptional |
Clutch | mechanical *Linked to the front PTO. |
Rear PTO Type | drilled shaft |
Engine RPM | 840@3500 |
Front PTO | independent |
Clutch | mechanical |
Front PTO Type | 2100 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 52 inches
132 cm |
Weight | 975 lbs
442 kg |
Front tire | 18x8.50-8 |
Rear tire | 26x12.00-12 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | negative |
Battery volts | 12 |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Operator's Manual 400 Hydrostatic Tractor (OM-M48676) published in 1975 | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1975, by John Deere | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1976, by John Deere | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1978, by John Deere | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1979, by John Deere | |
John Deere Lawn & Garden Equipment published in 1980 | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1980, by John Deere | |
Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1982, by John Deere | |
Introducing the John Deere lawn and garden line for 1979 | |
John Deere Lawn and Garden Equipment published in 1978 | |
Matched Working Equipment for John Deere Lawn and Garden Tractors published in 1975 |
Engine
Engine Detail — 879 cc / 53.67 ci Gasoline
Manufacturer | Kohler K532AQS |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 2-cylinder, air-cooled horizontal-shaft opposed-twin |
Displacement | 879 cc
53.67 ci |
Bore/Stroke | 3.38x3.00 inches
86 x 76 mm |
Power (gross) | 19.9 hp
14.8 kW |
Air cleaner | dry |
Rated RPM | 3500 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 3 qts
2.8 L |
Oil change | 50 h |
Transmission
Transmission — Sundstrand
Transmission | Sundstrand |
Type | shaft-driven hydrostatic |
Gears | infinite forward and reverse (2-range) |
Oil capacity | 5.5 qts
5.2 L |
Oil type | Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard |
Oil change | 500 h |
 | |
Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard |
|---|
400 Transmission Controls | |
|---|---|
 | |
1 | Throttle |
2 | Forward/Reverse |
3 | Brakes |
4 | Range shift |
5 | Parking brake |
Dimensions
John Deere 400 Tires | |
|---|---|
Lawn/turf front | 18x8.50-8 |
Lawn/turf rear | 26x12.00-12 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 52 inches
132 cm |
Length | 76 inches
193 cm |
Width | 49 inches
124 cm |
Height | 44 inches
111 cm |
Weight | 975 lbs
442 kg |
Attachments
Attachment overview | |
|---|---|
60" mid-mount mower deck | |
Snowblower | |
Blade | |
Front-end loader | |
Backhoe | |
The 400 was compatible with the John Deere model 35 three-point mounted tiller. |
60" Mower deck | |
|---|---|
Type | mid-mount John Deere 60 |
3-blade with hydraulic lift | |
Cutting width | 60 inches
152 cm |
Drive | shaft |
Weight | 250 lbs
113 kg |
Overall width | 72.5 inches
184 cm |
Cut height | 1.5 to 7 inch
3 to 17 cm |
John Deere 430 Backhoe | |
|---|---|
Backhoe type | John Deere 430 Backhoe |
Weight | 500 lbs
226 kg |
Transport height | 72 inches
182 cm |
Bucket width | 8 inches
20 cm |
13 inches
33 cm | |
13 inches
33 cm | |
Digging depth | 72 inches
182 cm |
Reach from pivot | 108 inches
274 cm |
Loading height | 49.5 inches
125 cm |
Swing Arc | 135° |
Bucket force | 3000 lbs
1360 kg |
Dipperstick force | 1560 lbs
707 kg |
Photos
John Deere 400 garden tractor with mower deck.
John Deere 400 garden tractor with three-point hitch.
Restored John Deere 400 garden tractor.
John Deere 400 operator station and controls.
John Deere 400 with front-mount snow blower.
John Deere 400 with fender deck removed.
John Deere 400 tiller mounted.
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for John Deere Lawn Tractors John Deere 400 based on its 19.9 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 1 to 2 Bottom (12")1 - 2 铧 (30 cm) | Light Duty | Ideal for garden plots and light sandy soil. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 4 ft (48 in)1.2 m | Light Duty | Pasture clipping and light brush under 1" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 42 to 48 in105 - 120 cm | Light Duty | Covers compact tractor tire width. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for John Deere Lawn Tractors John Deere 400.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 4.3 hrs
Approximately 4.3 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (4.5 gal / 17 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1 gal/hr (3.9 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
John Deere Lawn Tractors John Deere 400 Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for John Deere Lawn Tractors John Deere 400.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)19.9 hp
Kilowatts (kW)14.8 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)20.2 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare John Deere 400 against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
John Deere Lawn Tractors
John Deere 400
Engine Power:Gasoline (gross): 19.9 hp / 14.8 kW
★ Baseline Reference
International HarvesterMarket Competitor
International Harvester 184 Lo-Boy
Engine Power:18
Production Years:1977 - 1980
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