Plumcrazy

Member
Could someone please tell me what is so great about a John Deere 4020? I see another one just sold for $12,000! I think these tractors were built in the early to mid '60s', if I remember right. Why in the world would someone pay $12,000 for a 50 year old tractor? Why is my 1962 Oliver 1600 only worth about $1800, for the same year? I'm confused.
 
"Why is my 1962 Oliver 1600 only worth about $1800, for the same year? I'm confused."

Simple. It's the wrong color of green!

Actually, it's LUCK and DEERE's clever marketing and appeal to consumers. DEERE = tractor = childhood memories = a "warm and fuzzy feeling... think unicorns and rainbows"! (OOOPPPSSS... unicorns and rainbows has a deeper PRESIDENTIAL meaning nowadays!)

Also, the 4020's were made up into '72, with the later, "side console" models typically bringing the best prices.

Of course, 4020 serial number 1 would be an entirely different matter!

FLAME AWAY, folks!
 
The 4020 JD was built from 1964 to 1972. There were over 169000 made.They were an easy tractor to operate and many young peoples first tractor experience.The same generation are now buying the tractor they remember from their youth. they are still used on many farms as mowing and auger tractors.On our farm we have several newer JDs but my late 4020 is my favorite.
 
You either have to know some of John Deere history, had farmer friends that owned the competitors big tractor, or owned one yourself to know the answer to that question. The 4020 is THE model that made John Deere what it is today simply said. I own 8 John Deeres, anyone of them will bring 2-3 times what the competitors model will, may be just the green paint, or something. Don't get me wrong, I like them all and respect the roll they all played in the agricultural development of this country and others.
 
When I was a kid in school my buddys had Olivers and I was raised on JD and liked those. We did the usual friendly ribbing to each other.
Then several years later after we were out of school I saw a JD appear on their farm. It was a 4020. This lead to them having alot more JD"s and I still think the Olivers are there too. I guess I had the last jab ?

If you have never owned a 4020 you just won"t understand. They are just a real nice machine that you can work on yourself. Plus what else could you buy new or used run the daylights out of it,write it off, and still sell it for more then you paid ?
 
The tractors are powerful and yet very nimble and manueuverable. They are extremely comfortable with a nice seat and a roomy, spacious operators platform that allows a person to stretch their feet or stand up if necessary. The controls(especially on the console models) are spaced just right for finger tip control. At least 95% of parts for the tractor is still available on the dealers shelf. Finally, they have a classic design with a lot of eye appeal which coupled with a reputation for reliability and dependability make them a great tractor.
 
Ditto! Lets not forget its a Deere too, just like the 2 bangers, and we all know they are worth mre, just because they are that high dollar green paint!
 
I agree with what the others are saying. It's the high dollar green paint and the "warm & fuzzy" feeling of having what grandpa had that makes these worth so much.

I've never been on a 4020 and hardly any deeres at all, so no I don't understand the "experience" one gets on a green & yellow tractor. To me they all have strengths *& weaknesses. Our big tractor is an Oliver 1855 which puts out 105 pto HP, so it's about as strong as a 4020. Just a much smaller engine that is pushed about to it's max. The controls on it are all in a very good location and within reach without leaning forward or aything like that. MUCH more comfortable than the 986 we rent once in a while when we need a 2nd 100 HP tractor to fill a bag.

I'm kinda glad that the ollies can be had for so much less. Makes them a much more affordable tractor horsepower vs. $$$. I also have a 63 1600, it was my grandpa's he bought new in 64. We've got it on the farm insurance for $10,000, which we feel is almost a fair replacement price. No way we could replace that tractor for a mere $5,000. Not with all the work I put into it and the sentimental value it has.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
Kinda like the old retailer said, "I have no problem with those who sell for less; they know what their product is worth". If anyone wants to drive a cheaper tractor, more power to 'em.........
 
I"ve run a 4020 quite a bit including a wild ride down a long hill when the synchro popped out of 6th with a big load of silage, and a powershift going up hill when you downshift twice where my 856 would pull it in road gear withou even pulling the torgue. The controls may be a bit handier, but the wide front is weak enough you don"t see very many loaders on them. Anybody that is objective and has run both will tell you the 856 has more power. So I wouldn"t trade my 856 for one even up unless I could sell the 4020 and buy 2 856s. Lee
 
I had a 706 Farmall and a early 4020 syncro, the 4020 was a little more tractor. I had a 806 Farmall and a 1970 4020 FWA powershift with a turbo. There wasn't a lot of difference in the tractors, comfortable seats, nice control locations, etc. But right now I would rather have the 4020 FWA turbo back. Just a nicer running, easier to handle tractor. And worth more. Of course it was a dinasoir compared to my 4430 FWA, powershift with a cab, or my brothers awkward Farmall 1066. All in what you like....James
 
Partly because some of that vintage Oliver have had a propensity to break crankshafts, mostly because for every Oliver made there were 50 or 100 4020 made so there are many more 4020 to choose from.

To say nothing about the full power steering and brakes, not power assist, steering and brakes by hydraulic power alone. That's not all good, but its pretty nice most of the time. Quite a bit of HP for the tractor's weight is one of the things that Deere doted on back in the 60. As noted 4020 were made from '64 to '72, three different versions almost different enough to have had different model numbers. The Power Shift transmission was new in '64, and far more rugged than the previous Ford SOS. The transmissions used side by side shafts, getting 8 x 2 (or 3) in the length of one transmission where everybody else put the range transmission in front of the regular transmission making a very long transmission combination.

And then it is very handy to find 4020 parts all over at Deere dealers and aftermarket because the many made ensure a parts market, where there are few Oliver dealers and fewer parts.

Compared to the later electronic tractors, the hydraulic 4020 is easy to maintain and to fix, comfortable to drive, and decently capable within its weight and power.

And ten years ago, I got more tractor for my money buying a 4020 than any similar sized AC or Oliver or IH and I had 30 or 40 4020 to choose from for each of those other brands, so I was able to choose one that wasn't so worn out. Today the 4020 is starting to be collected and that has run the price up over what it cost new. Say what you will, running a tractor ten or 40 years and selling it for more than you paid makes for a cheap farming operation.

For sure, any 50 year old tractor can be worn and beat to death. No matter the brand its nice to be able to select for condition, not just to find ONE per model per year of shopping.

So far my 4020 mostly works for me, I don't work ON it. Which meets my farming goal. Growing crops is more important than turning wrenches to me.

Gerald J.
 
I've had an early(1965) 4020D power shift for about 20 years. I bought it for the trans. It is no power house, but it truly is finger tip control. My 100# wife runs it with no clutching/shifting/steering/pto operation issues. Never even considered putting her in the old Steiger beast. She has run the Magnum 7240 a little and approves! So there is hope in getting her into something newer.
Local New Holland salesman is always bugging me about replacing the 4020. I ask if he has a 90HP full power shift tractor that will start a full load from a dead stop and let you move up to any speed without clutching/stopping/etc. So far that has ended the conversation. This with a tractor designed in the 50's, built in the 60's! Is that progress?
 
I'm with you. I'd put my Oliver 1850 with the Perkins diesel up against anybody's 4020. With that said,I saw an ad the other day where a JD dealer has a 1966 3020 listed for $12,000. Now that's pushing it for an old tractor without a warranty. I don't care what the price is for a new one.
 
Lets not forget the 2 cyl. 30 series is where JD finally outsold IHC. then when the 3010 and 4010 came out with all their advancements JD was full steam ahead of the rest and still is.
 
I am glad that someone still likes the Oliver line or else the Deere tractors would cost even more.lol.
 
Ahhh!! The John Deere 4020 probably the real spring board for JD this is kinda like an NFL football team with a staff that built a dynasty for years kinda like a team that dominated the league because of the right defensive and offensive coordinators coming together. JD had a team of young engineers that were saddled with a task to build a tractor that would fit the need of the times and the future. Build a tractor that had lots of power and was agile enough to do farm chores but yet pull a 5 bottom plow or forage harvester or baler and with the operator in mind. Things have changed like the NFL but there is still a need out there for the 400 to 500 acre livestock farmer for that type of tractor but what is out there is a tractor that is cumbersome and extremely exspensive so when you look at the price of a new one vs $12000 it's a bargain. For years the 4020 has always brought top dollar at any sale bringing it's original purchase value due to inflation. Deere has tried to capitalize on that concept by building the larger version of the 20 series 4320, 4520 and the 4620 not enjoying the same success. You have to keep on top of the changes of the market or you lose no matter the color. Parts of the previous was drawn from an article that I read out of a Farm Equipment Dealers publication in the late 70s early 80s.
 
You are not comparing apples to apples. 1600 Oliver competed with the 3010 John Deere.

But - lots of 1600 Olivers go for way more than you appraise the one you have.

http://www.external_link/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5459484&GUID=CA551D0160584574BDF700B8FE049338
1600
 
The 4020's decedents are usually considered to be the 4430 and 4440.
Deere still sells a stripped down simple mechanical 6D, 6115D series built in Mexico. Which is considered the "modern 4020".

Tractors
6D Series
6100D (100 hp)
6115D (115 hp)
6130D (130 hp)
6140D (140 hp)

6115D Cab

MANUFACTURER
MODEL John Deere
6115D Cab
Official Test
Nebraska Test Number TBD-Nebraska Test

Engine
Manufacturer John Deere 4.5L PowerTech E (2 valve)

Aspiration Turbocharged & Inercooled

Cylinders/Displacement, cu. in. (liters) 4/276 (4.5)

Cylinder Liners Wet

Fuel Tank Cap., US Gal. (L) (Open; Cab) ---

Standard 41.7 (158)

Optional N/A

Underhood muffler Yes

Performance
Advertised PTO HP (kW) @ Rated RPM 95 (70.8) @2100 per ISO 97/68/EC

Official PTO HP (kW) @ Rated RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

@ Standard PTO @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Maximum @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Advertised Engine HP (kW) @ Rated Speed 118.4 (87.0) @ 2100

Max Unballast Drwbr HP (kW) @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Maximum Torque (PTO) @ RPM, lb-ft (Nm) TBD-Nebraska Test

Max Torque Rise (80% Rtd Spd) @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Maximum Torque Rise % (PTO) @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Fuel Use, U.S. gal./hr. & HP hr./gal. at:
PTO @ Rated Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Standard PTO Speed @ Eng Speed TBD-Nebraska Test

Maximum PTO Power @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Maximum Engine Power @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

Max Unballasted Drawbar Power @ Eng RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

75% Load, Full Engine RPM (Unballasted) TBD-Nebraska Test

75% Load @ Reduced RPM (Unballasted) TBD-Nebraska Test

Transmission
Std. Transmission; Forward/Reverse 9F/9R PowrReverser

Opt. Transmission; Forward/Reverse 9F/3R Top Shaft Syncronized

Reverser Base LH

On-the-Go Shifting (Yes/No/Partial) Yes

Clutch; Wet/Dry Wet

Creeper No

Power Take-Off (PTO)
Standard Independent 540/1000

Optional N/A

PTO Speeds @ Engine RPM TBD-Nebraska Test

PTO Actuation TBD-Nebraska Test

Hydraulics
Type Open-Center

Pump Rated Output, GPM (L/min.) ---

Standard 17.6 (66.6)

Optional N/A

Rated Flow @ One SCV, GPM (L/min.) N/A

Max Output @ SCV Couplers, GPM (L/min.) N/A

Maximum Operating Pressure, PSI (kPa) 2830 (19500)

Maximum Hydraulic Power, HP (kW) 18.6 (13.8)

Hitch Draft Control Load Sense Type Lower-link

Remote Control Valves Available 2 std., 3 opt.

Hitch Category (SAE Designation) Category II

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. ---

OECD ---

Standard 6930 (3150)

Optional ---

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. (SAE) ---

Standard ---

Optional ---

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. (ASAE) ---

Standard ---

Optional ---

Sensing Type Mechanical

Joystick SCV Control Mid mount, opt.

Final Drive
Type Inboard Planetary

Differential Controls Mechanical

Availability ---

Front N/A

Front & Rear N/A

Engage On-the-Go Rear Differential Lock Yes

Axle Type Flanged

Brakes, Type and Control Mechanically actuated wet disk

Operator Station
Rollover Protective Structure, OOS N/A

Rigid - Foldable - Telescopic N/A

Platform - Flat/Straddle N/A

Gearshift Location - Console/Floor N/A

Cab ---

Doors 2

Platform - Flat/Straddle Flat

dB(A) Rating 82

Seat Suspension System Mechanical, Air opt.

2WD Dimensions
Wheelbase, in. (mm) 92.5 (2350)

Front Tread Range, in. (mm) 60.4-80.4 (1533-2043)

Rear Tread Range, in. (mm) 59.5-79.4 (1512-2016)

Minimum Rear Tread Setting, in. (mm) 59.5 (1512)

Front Axle Clearance, in. (mm) 23.5 (597)

Turning Radius w/Brakes, ft. (m) 7 (2.1) @ 64.4 in. tread setting

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) 9.5 (2.9) @ 64.4 in. tread setting

Unballasted Operating Weight, lb. (kg) 8160 (3700)

Approx. Ship Wgt, lb. (kg) Open; Cab 8160 (3700)

MFWD Dimensions
Wheelbase, in. (mm) 92.5 (2350)

Front Tread Range, in. (mm) 59.7-79.4 (1516-2016)

Front Axle Clearance, in. (mm) 18 (457)

Turning Radius w/Brakes, ft. (m) N/A

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) 14.7 (4.5) @ 67.7 in. tread setting

Limited Slip Differential Yes

Unballasted Operating Weight, lb. (kg) 9390 (4260)

Approx. Ship Wgt, lb. (kg) Open; Cab 9390 (4260)

4WD Dimensions
Wheelbase, in. (mm) N/A

Wheel Tread, Min. to Max. in. (mm) N/A

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) N/A

Nebraska Test Unballasted w/Duals, lb.(kg) N/A

Unballasted Weight, lb. (kg) N/A

Standard Tires
2WD ---

Front 10.00-16 in., 6 PR F2

Rear 18.4-34 in., 8 PR R1

MFWD ---

Front 13.6-24 in., 6 PR R1

Rear 18.4-34 in., 8 PR R1

4WD N/A

Track Widths N/A

Miscellaneous
Country of Manufacture Saltillo, Mexico
 
LETS TALK ABOUT THOSE WONDERFUL RED TRACTORS WITH HYDRO TRANSMISSIONS AND HOW FAST THEY WOULD GO UP A HILL WITH A LOAD!!!!! IF YOU OWN RED ITS" NO WONDER YOUR JEALOUS OF THE OLD GREEN 4020, ITS THE TRACTOR THAT SENT ih TO THE GRAVE.
 
(reply to post at 00:30:59 01/19/09) [/quot

buickannddeere,

A JD 6115D with a tiny 276 cu in engine plus all the plastic can't warm up a 4020 with a 404 cu in engine!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you rationalize that a 125 & 140 pto hp tractor(4430/4440) took the place of a 94 pto hp 4020? I don't recall that statement being made when I sold the 30 & 40 series JD tractors when they were new.

Then you state that TODAY A 95 "ENGINE" hp replaces a 4020 that 94 "PTO" hp? With all the statistics(numbers) you always post one would think you would realize this fact.

Isn't this similar to comparing apples to oranges?
 

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