Repowered Deeres Look Like New

Repowered Deeres Look Like New ENGINES Engines 20-1-40 "When we're finished you won't notice a bit of difference in the appearance of your tractor. What you will notice is its greatly improved performance," says Mark Mertes of The Motor Works, an Iowa business that repowers some of the most popular Deere tractors ever built - 4000's, 4010's, and 4020's - with newer-style diesel engines. In the past, installing newer Cummins, Perkins, even Deere diesels in these tractors invariably required stretching the frame 3 in. or more, hurting its looks and resale value. What's unique about The Motor Works is that it found a quick, economical way to repower these tractors without modifying the frame or hood. The Sibley, Iowa, shop pioneered the technique two years ago and remains the only place in the U.S. that knows how to do it, according to Mertes. He installs the larger 100 hp 466 cu. in. engines built for Deere 4440's in the shorter-framed 4000's, 4010's, and 4020's. "We strip the engines down to the bare block," he says. "Then we bring all the components into the upper range of newer Deere specs. We rebuild the engines from the ground up, modifying the external engine parts, using all new Deere parts so they fit the other tractors. It took us a while to perfect the process but we can now re-power a 2-WD in just one or two working days, a 4-WD in just three or four." A recent job involved repowering a 1969 4020 used to stockpile corn at the elevator at Sanborn, Iowa. Its original 404 cu. in. 95 hp diesel engine had 7,000 hours on it. By last fall, it needed a minimum of $4,000 worth of repairs and a week in the shop. The elevator decided to try The Motor Works way instead. "We couldn't be happier. The tractor of-ten runs 24 hours a day in the fall and we've seen up to a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency, more torque and easier cold starts," says shop foreman Don Brower. "It's a heavier duty, higher tech engine than the original and cost a total of $6,000 with exchange of the original engine core. Downtime was only two days." Besides diesels, The Motor Works re-powers gas and LP Deeres as well. Cost averages $6,500. Engines are backed by a two-year, 2,000-hour warranty. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Motor Works, Ahrendt & Clark Inc., Hwys 9 & 60, Sibley, Iowa 51249 (ph 712 754-3741 or 800 262-7720).

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