Well I need a bigger tractor for some projects and was wondering if anyone has any feedback on the John Deere 4020 diesel power shift tractor.Going to go look at it this weekend.Anything I should look at ? Also how big a plow will a 4020 pull.It has single tires on rear.Thanks Guys BlaineF(WA)
- Thread starter BlaineF
- Start date
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
One of the best tractors ever made. Three bottom plow in heavy soil, four in light soil. 4020s are getting old and a good one is hard to find.
Josh in Pa
Member
Excellent tractor if its been maintained. I"ve heard that syncro"s are preferred over powershift, but have only ever driven a syncro. I also prefer other brands. An 856 Farmall or 1850 Oliver are good comparable tractors, and can usually be had cheaper. I think all these tractors will handle a 4 bottom plow here in Pa, but it varies a lot with area.
Josh
Josh
Fordfarmer
Well-known Member
You could get a good one or a bad one, just like any brand. Good or bad, it WILL be thirsty.
I run Fords... 7000/7600 is similar but slightly smaller (83-84 h.p. 4-cyl. turbo), and we always pulled 5-16's in our heavy clay/loam. Right at the limit for both power and traction, but it did it. Before the 7000, Grandpa pulled 5-14's with a Commander 6000. I'd think a 6-cyl., 90 h.p. 4020 should pull 5-16's in most soils.
I run Fords... 7000/7600 is similar but slightly smaller (83-84 h.p. 4-cyl. turbo), and we always pulled 5-16's in our heavy clay/loam. Right at the limit for both power and traction, but it did it. Before the 7000, Grandpa pulled 5-14's with a Commander 6000. I'd think a 6-cyl., 90 h.p. 4020 should pull 5-16's in most soils.
I've told the story before about the one that a friend bought. Looked excellent but when he got it home and put it to work he found out the block was cracked. Dealer tore it down and the whole engine was scabbed together with mismatched used parts. So hard to say "what to look for". By the time he got that one fixed with a whole new short block,he had the most expensive 4020 in history.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
The tractor at the latest was a 1972 so 40 years old. For many
farmers it was the main workhorse so at this time they can have
a great many wear(worn out) problems. Take someone who is
very familiar with that series JD and knows the problem areas.
One for sure is the hydraulic pump system. Because of their
reputation they are generally higher priced than a comparable
HP tractor of another brand.
farmers it was the main workhorse so at this time they can have
a great many wear(worn out) problems. Take someone who is
very familiar with that series JD and knows the problem areas.
One for sure is the hydraulic pump system. Because of their
reputation they are generally higher priced than a comparable
HP tractor of another brand.
I would want to drive it around until everything is
good and warmed up and I am satisfied that it shifts
well, minimal leaks etc. Then I would pull the
hydraulic filter and cut it up, giving the owner a
new filter to put back in. They can work pretty darn
good with a lot of extra iron floating around.
good and warmed up and I am satisfied that it shifts
well, minimal leaks etc. Then I would pull the
hydraulic filter and cut it up, giving the owner a
new filter to put back in. They can work pretty darn
good with a lot of extra iron floating around.
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
BlaineF
Powershift's are good trans especially for loader work. Very similar to a hyd shuttle type trans. Keep hyd oil full,clean and hyd filters changed regularly. Downside is when they wear out/break they are VERY $$$$ to repair.
Powershift's are good trans especially for loader work. Very similar to a hyd shuttle type trans. Keep hyd oil full,clean and hyd filters changed regularly. Downside is when they wear out/break they are VERY $$$$ to repair.
dino in iowa
Member
In 1965 I was 23 years old, The first time I drove a 4020 I could not
believe how nice, even better than 2 year old pickup. In 1939
I would believe Farmers felt the same way and in furture years
with the International M. The tractors of this day all hold special
places in the same categorys To find the right 4020 today. just to
restore would be a treasure. But in time all generations have
special collections. In numbers the M held it's own for tractor
manufactor. In that era it was probaly more suited to the income
factors of Farming.
believe how nice, even better than 2 year old pickup. In 1939
I would believe Farmers felt the same way and in furture years
with the International M. The tractors of this day all hold special
places in the same categorys To find the right 4020 today. just to
restore would be a treasure. But in time all generations have
special collections. In numbers the M held it's own for tractor
manufactor. In that era it was probaly more suited to the income
factors of Farming.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Thirsty? Compare the Nebraska tests and get back to us on that.
Phil in Pa
Member
I'm a Massey guy, but I can tell by their resale values over the years the 4020 was top notch.
Most important like already said, find somebody who knows these machines if possible to evaluate it.
It's too expensive a mistake if you miss a hidden problem.
Most important like already said, find somebody who knows these machines if possible to evaluate it.
It's too expensive a mistake if you miss a hidden problem.
cumminspuller
Member
They are great tractors hands down. The powershift is nice until it breaks and it doesn't take long to get pricey to fix. I like a 4020 but think the prices are a tad bit on the rediculous side no matter how nice it is.
JD 4020:
6.4 max PTO use per hour
6.4 max drawbar use per hour
Oliver 1850:
6.3
6.1
Allis Chalmers 190XT:
5.7
5.7
Farmall 856:
6.6
6.6
Massey Ferguson 1100:
6.2
6.1
Heres comparable models and their fuel use. the 4020 isnt the best in fuel consumption, but it is still probably the best tractor in its class.
6.4 max PTO use per hour
6.4 max drawbar use per hour
Oliver 1850:
6.3
6.1
Allis Chalmers 190XT:
5.7
5.7
Farmall 856:
6.6
6.6
Massey Ferguson 1100:
6.2
6.1
Heres comparable models and their fuel use. the 4020 isnt the best in fuel consumption, but it is still probably the best tractor in its class.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
That is gallons per hour, apples and oranges. How about the HP per gallon per hour numbers ?
elmersooner
Member
just check it out good. they are one of the best tractors of the time--but that was 40 years ago. I have baled many a bale with one and would choose it over most new ones.
Eldon (WA)
Well-known Member
Blaine which way ya headin? I'm planning on going down to the auction in Eltopia tomorrow to see how things sell....
Must be some tough ground around there. Usually don't hear about a 90 to 100 PTO horsepower tractor pulling less than a 4 bottom unless it is a rollover plow. When dad bought the 4010 factory new the dealer brought out a F145H 5 - 16's plow which he could pull at the farm down the road but not at the home place. He only had money for one plow so he bought a F145H 4 - 16's.
BushogPapa
Well-known Member
He needed a good old 820/830 for plowing on the "Home Place"...they WOULD pull the 5x16"..!
Farm across the road from my High School had bought a New 4010/5x16" and already had an 830/5x16"..
They plowed the field across the road..it had a streak of Jack Wax across the middle of it..
The 4010 would stop and change gears every time, while the 830 just popped a few more puffs of smoke and never stopped..!
About every 2nd round, the 830 would Pass the 4010..
Ron..
flying belgian
Well-known Member
You are right about them old 2 cylinders. No need to ever down shift. They just pop a little louder.
BushogPapa
Well-known Member
I generally have a hard time monitoring just how hard I am working my 720 D..
I can hear my Flail mower getting Loaded-up by the sound of the mower, but ONLY by the amount of Smoke out the exhaust on the tractor..
Maybe I need to use a straight pipe..!!!
It really seems to be true...the 70 and 720 are mostly "Single Speed" engine when it comes to actual "Working RPM"..FULL throttle is really where it is happiest..!
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I have a couple of 4020s and a Ford 7700, fuel consumption is nearly identical doing the same jobs. I like both tractors, the 4020 is built with a lot more iron however.
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