John Deere 4440 Specs and Years Built

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John Deere 4440 row-crop tractor with Sound-Gard cab pulling a chisel plow through corn stubble on an autumn afternoon

The John Deere 4440 is a 130 PTO hp row-crop tractor built in Waterloo, Iowa, for the 1978 to 1982 model years. It runs a 466 cu in (7.6 L) turbocharged six-cylinder diesel, came with the Sound-Gard cab as standard, and tested at 130.58 PTO hp in Nebraska Test 1265. Its serial number tells you which year yours was built.

At a Glance

  • Years built: 1978 to 1982 in Waterloo, Iowa, as part of John Deere's 40 Series "Iron Horses." It replaced the 4430 and was followed by the 4450.
  • Engine: 466 cu in (7.6 L) turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel, rated at 2,200 rpm.
  • Transmissions: 16-speed Quad-Range or 8-speed Power Shift.
  • Weight: 13,270 lbs operating, 15,775 lbs fully ballasted.
  • Dating your tractor: the serial plate sits on the rear of the tractor, above the PTO shaft. The year table is below.

What Years Was the John Deere 4440 Built?

John Deere built the 4440 for the 1978 through 1982 model years at its Waterloo, Iowa, works. Green Magazine dates its release to September/October 1977, when it arrived alongside the smaller 4040 and 4240 and the larger 4640 and 4840 as the "Iron Horses."

  • Replaced: the 4430, built from 1973 to 1977.
  • Replaced by: the 4450, built from 1983 to 1988.
  • Popularity: TractorData calls it the most popular tractor of the Iron Horses series. Green Magazine puts average sales above 13,000 units a year, about the tenth most popular tractor in Deere's history.
  • Versions: two-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, and a Hi-Crop model for high-clearance work.

One naming trap: TractorData also lists a German-built 4440 from John Deere's Mannheim factory, sold in other markets from 1977 to 1984. The figures in this guide are for the Waterloo-built row-crop tractor.

What Are the John Deere 4440 Specs?

These are the core specifications for the Waterloo-built 4440, from TractorData's compilation of John Deere literature and the Nebraska test reports.

Spec John Deere 4440
Engine 466 cu in (7.6 L) 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel
Bore x stroke 4.5625 x 4.75 in
Compression ratio 14.9:1
Rated engine speed 2,200 rpm
PTO power 130 hp claimed, 130.58 hp tested
Transmission 16F/6R Quad-Range or 8F/4R Power Shift
Hydraulics Closed center, 2,250 psi, 23 gpm
Rear PTO Independent, 540/1000 rpm
3-point hitch Category III-N/II, 5,710 lbs lift
Fuel tank 65 gal
Engine oil 16 qt
Cooling system 36 qt
Air cleaner Dry type with safety element
Standard tires 10.00-16 front, 18.4-38 rear

Green Magazine notes that the 466 engine was developed from John Deere's earlier 404, and that it was turbocharged but not intercooled.

How Much Horsepower Does a John Deere 4440 Have?

John Deere rated the 4440 at 130 PTO horsepower, and University of Nebraska testing confirmed it with both transmissions. The two official tests came in within a fraction of a horsepower of each other.

Nebraska test Transmission PTO hp Max drawbar hp
Test 1265, November 1977 16-speed Quad-Range, 2WD 130.58 112.69
Test 1357, August 1980 8-speed Power Shift, 2WD 130.41 111.23

The same tests recorded a maximum pull of 13,392 lbs for the Quad-Range tractor and 13,738 lbs for the Power Shift. Fuel use at full PTO power was 8.6 and 8.5 gallons per hour.

How Much Does a John Deere 4440 Weigh?

A 4440 weighs 11,780 lbs as shipped and 13,270 lbs ready to work, according to TractorData's published figures. Fully ballasted, it reaches 15,775 lbs.

  • Shipping weight: 11,780 lbs
  • Operating weight: 13,270 lbs
  • Ballasted weight: 15,775 lbs

The real figure for your tractor depends on its cab or ROPS, front-wheel drive, tires, duals and wheel weights. Weigh it before hauling if you are close to a trailer or permit limit.

What Are the Dimensions of a John Deere 4440?

The 4440 is a big row-crop tractor: 158.5 inches long on a 106.7-inch wheelbase, and 117.3 inches tall to the top of the Sound-Gard cab. The exhaust stack reaches 128.7 inches, which is the number to check against a shed door.

John Deere 4440 dimension drawing showing 158.5 inch length, 106.7 inch wheelbase and 117.3 inch height to the Sound-Gard cab roof, with engine, PTO, weight and hitch specs
Dimension Measurement
Overall length 158.5 in
Wheelbase 106.7 in
Height to cab roof 117.3 in
Height to exhaust 128.7 in
Width 96 in (109 or 119 in with long axle)
Front axle clearance 24.7 in
Rear axle clearance 28 in
Drawbar clearance 15.7 in
Front tread 55.7 to 93.2 in
Rear tread 60 to 130 in

Rear tire options ran from 15.5-38 to 23.1-34, so clearance and height on your tractor shift slightly with the tires it wears.

Which Transmission Does a 4440 Have: Quad-Range or Power Shift?

Every 4440 came with one of two transmissions. Green Magazine notes that Deere dropped the Syncro-Range and creeper options offered on the 4430 because few buyers chose them.

  • Quad-Range (16 forward, 6 reverse): a partial power shift with four gears in each of four ranges. Gears 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, power shift on the go, with a synchronized shift between 2 and 3. Range changes need the clutch.
  • Power Shift (8 forward, 4 reverse): clutchless power shifting between all gears, with an inching pedal for hooking up implements.
Transmission Oil capacity, 2WD Oil capacity, front-wheel drive
Quad-Range 44 qt 60 qt
Power Shift 52 qt 68 qt

John Deere's operator's manual treats the transmission and hydraulics as one transmission-hydraulic system with shared filter elements. That is why TractorData's hydraulic capacity of 11 to 17 gallons matches these transmission figures.

What Hydraulics, PTO and Hitch Does the 4440 Have?

The 4440 uses a closed-center hydraulic system at 2,250 psi with a 23 gpm pump. Green Magazine reports the pump was 17 percent larger than the 4430's, and that the rockshaft could carry 26 percent more weight.

  • Remote valves: 2 or 3
  • Rear PTO: independent, 540/1000 rpm, 1-3/8 inch shaft
  • 3-point hitch: Category III-N/II, 5,710 lbs lift capacity, more with the optional lift-assist cylinders
  • Electrical: 12-volt system on two 6-volt batteries (850 CCA), with a 61-amp alternator on ROPS tractors and 72-amp on cab tractors

Hitch category and PTO speed decide which implements hook straight up, so confirm both before buying a used implement for your 4440.

How Is the 4440 Different From the 4430?

Green Magazine describes the 4440 as fixing the shortcomings of the 4430 it replaced. The changes that matter most when you work on one:

  • Engine: a 466 cu in six, developed from the 404, with better torque at low and medium engine speeds.
  • Hydraulics: a pump with 17 percent more output and a rockshaft rated for 26 percent more weight.
  • Transmissions: Quad-Range or Power Shift only.

Because the drivetrain and hydraulics changed, look up parts by the 4440 model and serial number rather than assuming a 4430 part carries over.

How Do I Find the Year of My John Deere 4440?

Like other John Deere tractors of its era, the 4440 has no single year character in its serial number, so the year comes from a serial range chart. TractorData places the serial number plate on the rear of the tractor, above the PTO shaft, and lists the first serial number of each model year.

Model year Serial numbers from
1978 1,000
1979 14,820
1980 29,539
1981 42,665
1982 56,346

Find the highest starting number your serial passes, and that row is your model year. One serial break matters for parts: TractorData notes the rear axle size increased from 86 mm to 92 mm at serial number 010329, during 1978 production, so quote your serial when ordering rear axle parts.

Engraving-style drawing of a John Deere 4440 right side showing the serial number plate above the PTO shaft, the Sound-Gard cab, the 466 cu in turbo diesel, the Category III-N/II hitch and the 18.4-38 rear tires

Our guide to finding the serial number and year on your John Deere tractor covers other models and the newer PIN formats.

What Should You Check Before Buying a Used 4440?

The newest 4440s are now more than 40 years old, so condition matters more than the spec sheet. Owners on farm forums repeat the same few checks:

  • Cooling system pressure test: owners report cracked cylinder heads as a common problem, and a pressure test is how they check for one.
  • Rear axle bearings: named by owners as a standard check on these tractors.
  • Batteries and cold starting: the 4440 starts on two 6-volt batteries, and owners mention hard starting in cold weather.
  • Transmission: drive it through every gear and range, cold and warm.
  • Serial plate: make sure it is present and readable, since it decides which parts fit.

These are owner reports rather than John Deere statements. Consult a certified mechanic for engine, head gasket or transmission work.

Where Can I Find Parts for a John Deere 4440?

Start with your serial number, since some 4440 parts changed during production, then match the John Deere part number. Our aftermarket replacements are built to meet or exceed OEM specifications. For the Sound-Gard cab, these listings show fitment for the 4440:

Based on our catalog data, these kits list fitment for row-crop tractors from the 4030 to the 4850, plus several 4WD and utility models, so one part number can serve a mixed fleet. Browse the full range of John Deere tractor parts for filters, cab parts and more. It is your responsibility to verify fitment before ordering, and we are happy to help: send your serial number and the John Deere part number to sales@partsonline.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a John Deere 4440 tractor weigh?

About 13,270 lbs operating weight, according to TractorData. It ships at 11,780 lbs and reaches 15,775 lbs fully ballasted.

What year did they make the John Deere 40?

The John Deere Model 40, a two-cylinder tractor that replaced the Model M, was built from 1953 to 1955. The 40 Series "Iron Horses," which include the 4440, were built for the 1978 to 1982 model years.

Is the John Deere 4440 a good tractor?

It has a strong record: TractorData calls it the most popular tractor of the Iron Horses series, and it tested at 130.58 PTO hp. Any tractor this age still needs a careful inspection, especially the cooling system and rear axle.

What John Deere tractor is 40 hp?

Not the 4440, which is rated at 130 PTO hp. From the same era, the John Deere 2040 utility tractor, built from 1976 to 1982, was rated at 40 PTO hp.

What are the John Deere 4440 specs?

A 466 cu in turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel, 130 PTO hp, a 16-speed Quad-Range or 8-speed Power Shift, a 65-gallon fuel tank and a 106.7-inch wheelbase. It weighs 13,270 lbs operating.

What are common John Deere 4440 problems?

Owners most often mention cracked cylinder heads, worn rear axle bearings and hard cold starting on the two 6-volt batteries. A cooling system pressure test is the usual check for a cracked head.