The 430   
And other Dubuque built Tractors of the 50's

430C restored by Gene Ridley

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The Model 430 was the replacement for the 420 in the John Deere line of tractors in 1958.  The serial numbers ran form 140,000 to 161,096.  The next tractor got the next number no matter what the type.  

The 430 line included 6 rubber wheel tractors and a crawler.  You could order special options on your 430 like spin out rear rims.  This option made it easier to adjust the rear wheel width.  Lights and front end weights were other popular add-ons.  You could also get a 5 speed transmission.

The first year, or phase I 430s used the same engine as the phase III 420s.  The rest of the tractor was the same basic components as the 40/420.  The 430's were painted just like the 420's, green with yellow hood stripe and yellow wheel rims.  

New styling made this model appear much different than the previous models.  That was just what the Deer engineers wanted too.  The 430 had a new dash.  Following the upward slant dash and steering design introduced on the phase 3 420s but with all new controls designed for operator comfort.  The elimination of the top engine oil fill and breather allowed a sleek new hood and new grill nose design.    Power steering and a float-ride seat were available to make a days work a little easier.

The types of 430s produced include the S - Standard, T - Tricycle, U - Utility, W - Row Crop Utility, V - Special, H - Hi-Crop, and C - Crawler in 4 and 5 roller versions.  There was also a F-3 version used by Holt to make forklifts.  You could get a gasoline engine standard or order an optional LP gas engine or all-fuel version.  An Industrial version was available but it was no different than a Utility other than it's yellow paint.  It was available in other colors as a special order.  Some of the options you could order on your 430 would be a foot throttle, power steering and direction reverser. 

Production on the 430 began in July of 1958 for the 59 model year, and continued until February of 1960.  A total of 21095 units were built.  

Year Starting Ending
1959 140000 158074
1960 158075 161095

Specifications:

Horsepower - drawbar 26.2 tractor, 23.5 crawler Horsepower - belt 28.3 tractor, 28.8 crawler
Compression - gas 7:1 Bore & Stroke 4 1/4 inches x 4 inches
Compression - LP  8.5:1 Displacement 113.3 cu. in.
Compression - All fuel  5.15:1 Gears 4 fwd, 1 rev or 5 fwd, 1 rev
Electrical 6 volt positive ground

A 430 Standard with Spin-out rear wheels.

I would like to add some 430 photos of different models.  If you have a picture of your 430 you would like to share, send it to us.  A jpg image or bitmap image is preferred.  Please send your name, and any info about the tractor you would like and I'll add it to the caption.              Click to email photo.

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Designed and built by DL