Re: Fixing up my new 4020PS
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2026 9:37 pm
I had the day off with the intention of using my 4020PS with the Johnny Bucket to clear the grass where the shed is going before another nor'Easter hits tomorrow and things didn't go as planned.
I found a small puddle of oil under the tractor which after removing the belly pan and tower screens I determined the first return line hose section after the oil filter was leaking. Tightening the hose clamps seems to have fixed the problem for now.
Today was the first time I ran the Linamar engine for more than a few minutes. The engine is surging a bit again. Raising the throttle a little + a little choke seemed to help. While the power steering worked great, it was a struggle to dig up the grass with the Johnny Bucket. Plenty of traction but the tractor just didn't push the bucket as well as I thought it should.
I left the tractor in the yard and took a quick lunch and came back to a tractor that wouldn't start. It cranks fine. I decided its punishment was to be towed to the garage by a vanguard.
Waiting for a tow
Vanguard powered tow rig arrived
It took a few minutes but I did get it to the garage. I discovered I could turn the 4020PS steering wheel a little to help direct it to the garage (non-running tractor with power steering).
Mowing deck came off the 4016. Johnny Bucket and the weights were swapped over.
Before heading out with the 4016, I put a pair of Oregon spark testers inline with the Linamar's plugs and gave it a good cranking. The Linamar actually started and ran poorly. IMO the spark looks weak on both plugs. I could not start the Linamar on one plug or the other. That's where I quit the diagnosis for the day. I think I have an Onan service manual on pdf.
My 4016 did well with the Johnny Bucket. It's definitely got more pushing power than the 4020PS. I wasn't able to finish the job today. That's just how things go these days.
I have to say I'm pretty discouraged with the 4020PS. I've spent a lot of time working on it and it still needs more work. I don't think I've put 2hrs on it yet.
I found a small puddle of oil under the tractor which after removing the belly pan and tower screens I determined the first return line hose section after the oil filter was leaking. Tightening the hose clamps seems to have fixed the problem for now.
Today was the first time I ran the Linamar engine for more than a few minutes. The engine is surging a bit again. Raising the throttle a little + a little choke seemed to help. While the power steering worked great, it was a struggle to dig up the grass with the Johnny Bucket. Plenty of traction but the tractor just didn't push the bucket as well as I thought it should.
I left the tractor in the yard and took a quick lunch and came back to a tractor that wouldn't start. It cranks fine. I decided its punishment was to be towed to the garage by a vanguard.
Waiting for a tow
Mowing deck came off the 4016. Johnny Bucket and the weights were swapped over.
My 4016 did well with the Johnny Bucket. It's definitely got more pushing power than the 4020PS. I wasn't able to finish the job today. That's just how things go these days.