Fixing up my new 4020PS

[MattA]

I'm kicking off a new thread for fixing up my new 4020PS. I've been working on it on the side for a week and a half now. Below is my growing list of things I'd like to get done on the 4020PS and the status. I'll post up some pictures separately from my phone.


Maintenance done by previous owner(s)
300CCA battery
Oil change with filter
Added oil filter gasket
Hydraulic steering cylinder rebuild
Amazon replacement starter (sounds like crap)
New set of high lift RM48 blades
New RM48 deck adjustment rod
Replaced rear fender light assembly


Clean up list
Give it a good washing - Washed twice. Looks much better.
Tractor is filthy underneath and in the tower - Cleaned out belly pan + about two dust pans worth of dirt/oil from under the tractor.
Clean and scrape both RM48 decks - In progress.


Fix it list
RM48 deck #3 is very loud. Needs spindle bearings and possibly pulleys.
RM48 deck #4 spindle bearings are seized. Deck lowering mechanism is seized and appears to have never been greased. I'm open to ideas for freeing up the deck lowering mechanism.
Onan needs its carburetor cleaned. Usually starts fine but surges a bit at idle. I also randomly could not start the tractor. After 3-4 tries, I let it sit 30 seconds and then it fired right up. - First cleaning attempt done with the carb still on the tractor. Have not run the tractor.
Replace the air filter. I swear the previous owner showed me a new filter installed in the tractor. This one looks like it got wet and should have been replaced years ago. - Done
Replace fuel filter. Previous owner said he did but it doesn't look new.
Check/replace spark plugs. Again the previous owner said he replaced them. They don't look new.
Fix the hood. Its not closing completely and latching. Bottom mount appears to be bent slightly. -Bent hinge area fixed. Hood still doesn't latch down tight.
Grease and lube tractor as required - Greasing done.
Change hydraulic oil - In the process. 3-4 quarts changed.
Change transaxle oil - Done. Used 1 quart of Valvoline 75W-90 gear oil. The flexible package is highly recommended for filling the transaxle.
Install Ingersoll battery tray C48415 from late model tractors (I already have the tray) - Done.


Future fix it list
Swap back in OEM starter (seller had it rebuilt)
Front end alignment?
Figure out if anything is leaking in the tower. The gunk on the hydraulic filter was definitely wet. I'll check to see if the filter is loose.
Buy a decent quality 350CCA battery like 4016 has? My 4016's battery is 6 years old and still cranks that little vanguard great >>> https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/la ... ssb1/u1luh
Onan valve adjustment?


Mods lists
Power steering mod for improved turning radius


Swap it over from my 4016 list
Swap over front axle pin - Done. Made a huge difference.
Swap fenders (already drilled for my cab)
Swap over tires and rims
Swap over the cab mounting hardware (longer bolts in the steering tower and foot rests)


4016 list
Tighten up the steering gear and double nut it - Done. Works great.
Fix the jumpy travel - Filled with 1+ quart of oil. Oil was 7" down from the top of the tank filler neck. Hopefully this was an easy fix to the jumpy travel control (Inline link to TCV is new)
Check status on my old RM48 deck and reassemble the mule drive - Center spindle bearing top bearing was pretty much seized and chute side top bearings was noisy. Both bearings replaced.


Stuff to paint
SB48 bottom
Berco bottom
Weight box bracket

[MattA]

C48415 battery tray installed

[MattA]

Fixed the bend in the hood by the hinge. Hood still doesn't latch down tight.
Before

After

[MattA]

I drained out a few quarts of hydraulic oil through the case drain return. Takes a while. Took the family out to dinner while it drained. Should have put the filter on my parts order. Bob has the filters at half price.

Also drained and refilled the transaxle with 1qt 75w90. The valvoline flex fill package makes filling very easy. https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/produc ... sae-75w-90

[propane1]

You’re a busy fella Matt. She’ll be just like new.

Noel

[MattA]

You’re a busy fella Matt. She’ll be just like new.

Noel

Yeah I've got some extra vacation at work this year to burn. Been using it to fix up my tractors and do projects around the house.

First pass quick carburetor clean with just removing cover and cleaning what I could get at seemed to help. The engine idles and runs better now. After about 10 seconds at idle with no load the engine starts to hunt a little. Goes away with some load. I didn't have the intake gaskets/carb gaskets/tons of free time to pull the intake and clean the carb. That rabbit hole may include resealing the intake manifold and adjusting the valves while everything is apart. I'll save that for another time.

Power steering mod where the spindle arm hole is redrilled to decrease the turning radius didn't go well. I started a small pilot hole with a 1/16" bit carefully... and I broke the bit in the hole I must have wasted an hour trying to get the bit out. I bought some steel center punches off Amazon to try and break up the bit. Hopefully I can get the broken bit out this weekend. No luck drilling from the bottom side and knocking out the broken bit. I ruined a couple of bits and punches trying to that.

This weekends task is to change out the spindle bearings on RM48 decks #3 and #4 (the new to me later model decks). Hopefully I can get those decks finished up. RM48 decks #1 and #2 (Massey Ferguson MF248) will be sold with my 4016. Deck #4 lowering mechanism is rusted in place. Its never been greased. I'm going to pull the grease fitting out and spray PB blaster inside the pivot and see if that will help loosen it up.

[MattA]

This afternoon I started the rebuild of RM48 decks 3 and 4.

I had previously washed the decks off. Deck 3 had a sloppy mess inside. It's a good idea to clean a deck out before washing it.

The spindles in deck 3 had been greased so much that grease was leaking past the top and bottom spindle bearings. Bearings came right out and the new bearings pressed in with no issues. I'm hoping to clean up the pulleys and reassemble the deck this weekend. The mulching kit will go back in this deck.

New bearings installed

Deck 4 was stored outside. The spindle bearings and idler pulley all needed replacement. Water must have been getting in the center spindles housing. It was rusted inside and had minimal grease. Both center spindle bearings were also seized. New bearings were pressed in. I need to clean up the pulleys for this deck.Also need to try and free up the lowering mechanism.

Both mule drives will also get serviced.

[DavidBarkey]

Do you have some rust converter to deaden the rust ?

[MattA]

Do you have some rust converter to deaden the rust ?

I do not but I'm certainly open to recomendations.

Deck 3 underneath isn't too bad

Deck 4 has more rust underneath