John Deere 1025R Reviews

The Perfect Joe-Homeowner Machine
Model Year: 2014

I purchased this tractor from Craig Taylor Machinery here in Fairbanks Alaska in April of 2014 and was a little ambivalent as to whether this machine would be enough. The machine is the John Deere 1025R equipped with the 53" front end loader and the model 260 backhoe along with some other implements such as a snow blower, box blade, and pallet forks. I have accomplished some tasks that I was sure that I would have to rent larger equipment for with this tractor including the removal of a 1000 gallon underground fuel oil tank and replacing a 40 foot long culvert on in my driveway. The machine feels like a piece of heavy equipment on a small scale and if you are the type of person who is not afraid to tackle your own projects, this machine can deliver.

Pros: Reliability, load capacity of front end loader. Features such as the floating seat, work lights, tilt steering, separate hydro-stat, fwd/rev. pedals, and easy access maintenance points.
Cons: Ignition/start switch and aux lighting switches have a cheap plastic feel to them--the test of time will tell me how well they hold up.

My JD 1025R
Model Year: 2014

I bought the JD 1025R and at first I was worried I may have needed a bigger model. I have 5 acres---mostly woods---with trails my children cut through to play with their go karts. This unit seems to be the perfect size for what I intend to use it for. I have the belly mower, which I love the drive over---quick hookup, the H120 loader and I just purchased a landscape rake. Plenty of power and not too big in size. The price was actually better than other units I researched.

Pros: Price, power, size and attachments.
Cons: Cannot reverse when mowing without lifting mower button.

Perfect for All the Honey-Do Lists
Model Year: 2014

I've only had the 1025R in my possession for a couple weeks but I've put 9+ hours on my machine in that time and have been immensely impressed with the capabilities. I own one acre in North Texas, my land is relatively flat but I have ditches on three sides. The 54D 54" deck mowed the waist high grass 3' average, with very little difficulty. It did bog down around the lush green grasses of the aerobic septic sprayers, and I had an over heat twice during this time but a cleaning of the chaff and seeds off the radiator quickly returned it to normal temps. I was able to mow about 3/4 of an acre like this in three hours of work. Took longer with the weed eater for cleanup. The 647 rototiller is a little more than 48" wide but broke through virgin soil which was a hard mix of a nice loam, good amounts of sand, topsoil, and clay. It was heavily vegetated with grasses and thistle but managed to pulverize with two passes to near perfection. About four more passes were needed over the course of two days to give it a chance to air out and a garden was planted promptly. I am amazed at how fine the mix is still even after watering. The H120 loader on this machine is nothing but amazing. I've moved dirt, rocks, stones, even up rooted some shrubs. I like the ability to quick detach the bucket and add other implements but I will be adding some chain hooks to the bucket. It would also be nice if it had the ability to bolt on some teeth or a bar for bucket protection. I opted for the turf tires on the tractor so it would be better at mowing my yard. It has proven reliable even in soupy mud though. For extended agricultural use some Ag tires will be needed and I plan to purchase an additional set on rims for this purpose. It isn't a super fast tractor but is very useful and has been a pleasure to operate. Looking back I wish I would have added the mid mount hydraulics and added the extra hydraulics for the front end loader to use grapple hooks, broom, etc. I also was surprised to see there were no hydraulics installed in the rear for running implements and that you have a choice between the power beyond kit which is for the backhoe or regular hydraulics. They do not have an option for both so I will be looking into third party kits.

Pros: Size, power, capabilities.
Cons: Hydraulics, limited lift weights.

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1025R New Tractor Review
Model Year: 2014

Just bought my first subcompact tractor, JD 1025R. In first two weekends, moved 12 yards of crushed gravel, 8 in just four hours. Have two comments: First, front loader spewed some grease from the arm joints. I attributed this to joints overfilled with grease at the dealer. Second, I recommend getting a weight box in back to counteract the weight of the rock in the loader. Tractor is tippy without it. Going to look into that for mine. Other than that, unit runs great! Sure like the easy on/easy off mower deck and loader.

Pros: Easy on/easy off mower deck and loader.
Cons: Light in rear without weights.

Me & My JD1025R
Model Year: 2013

As you can see from my ratings, this is a great machine. That being said, the biggest thing to remember is this is a sub-compact tractor under 25 HP, not a 80,000 lb. excavator. It simply does not have the power to move large or heavy things. You can accomplish a lot and with a little patience. You can do big things, just take it slow and don't forget the limits of the machine. Like anyone else, I tried to do more and got nowhere, re-thought what I was trying to do and went slower and got more done! I was amazed what can be done with such a small loader bucket, but not impressed with the 12" backhoe bucket. It seems too small to me and I would have liked to see say a 18" bucket on the backhoe but remembering it's a sub-compact, that may be reaching to far. I may, in the future, add a bigger bucket. I would like to be able to move more material with each scoop. Winter starting: hm---no complaints here. We had a harsh winter with temps in the single digit or below zero for extended periods more than normal for here and when I had to move a snow drift after the machine not running for weeks, it started up very well. Machine is outside under a tarp. I have no doubt this would handle a few acre garden probably more, I know it would mow acres and acres of grass all day long but I also have to say the deep lug tires it came with will rip your lawn up real quick too. If your doing strictly lawn work or landscaping maybe consider different tires. With anything you buy, remember what you bought and the capabilities of it, go slower and get more done. I'm happy with my purchase.

Pros: Performs well when used within it's intended capabilities, easy to use, fuel efficient.
Cons: Backhoe bucket small, priced I feel a bit high.

Parts Swap Tractor
Model Year: 2013

I bought this being told it was 2 months old, I found it was 13 months old. It was 1 1/2 gallons low on fluid, the battery kept dying, the light switch did not work, the air cleaner meter is missing. The antifreeze overflow is empty, and the seat was torn, I ordered off the internet on the salesmans word. John Deere states they can't help because it's a dealer issue. I traded a Kubota and I'm kicking myself every day. JD, Orange VA

Pros: Nothing.
Cons: It's painted green.

1025R with Mower, Loader, and Snow Blower
Model Year: 2013

Purchased the 1025R with a 60" mower deck with auto connect, 54" snow blower, and a H-120 loader. I had a few issues initially but all were resolved with the dealer promptly. With the wider mower deck it took a little trial/error to get the settings correct to eliminate the "scalloping" of the yard. With the snow blower I asked the dealer for plastic shoe/skids since the metal shoes were scratching-leaving skid marks on blacktop driveway. Upon further investigation we found one of the shoes was bent, probably during shipment which was probably causing the marking. However, I decided to leave the plastic shoes on and see how they wear. Also the front PTO sensor (allows backing up without activating PTO override switch) did not work. There was no mention of this feature in the tractor's manual or the snow blower manual. With the loader the dealer routed the hoses incorrectly through the framework. Also the dealer did not check the hydraulic transmission fluid level after they installed the loader and snow blower (which takes much fluid to fill the hoses). I had read on this site to check the level upon delivery with the dealer's salesperson.

Pros: Very satisfied with the equipment. Dealer has taken care of all my concerns/questions
Cons: No manual on Front Hitch and Front PTO for snow blower- have requested from deale

New John Deere 1025R
Model Year: 2013

My first tractor purchase. FEL, 60 inch belly mower and bagging system, 3 inch wood chipper. Bought after-market pallet forks. Has been very reliable and implements work well with tractor. Well enough designed that a novice like me has been able to handle everything and learn a lot at the same time. Belly Mower has greatly reduced mowing time from that required when using a riding lawn mower. With all the projects this makes possible on our land, it gets me up off my butt and out of the house more often, of which the wife approves!

Pros: Designed to require minimum use of tools.
Cons: No instruction or training from dealer.

Love Unit with Couple Exceptions
Model Year: 2013

First annoyance is the fact you have to pull out the mover button every time you go in reverse, a real pain while mowing especially. Not enough clearance when mover is in utmost position, makes it hard to mow in heavy grass because of cutting height. Well built, solid and works well except for those two items.

Pros: Solid, works well.
Cons: Mower height and reverse requires pulling out mower button.

Great Machine
Model Year: 2012

Bought this to replace my 455. Loader is 4 times better. All-wheel drive fantastic. Paired it with trac-vac per my dealers recommendation and this time of year my neighbors are begging to use it. Bot 3pt spreader, rake, plow and loader.Plowed all last year with no chains - only wheel weights. I couldn't be more pleased!

Pros: Power, versatility.
Cons: None.

Lots of Fun
Model Year: 2013

Tractor has been performing well. Learning how to use it effectively. Performs beyond what I would have expected. Most of shortcomings would be my inexperience.

Pros: Good features.
Cons: Some paint damage when delivered.

1025R Review
Model Year: 2013

Review of 1025R I just finished bush hogging with the 1025R and 48" frontier bush hog. This Bush Hog/1025 PTO setup is a HUGE improvement in starting up the bush hog. It starts up without the slams and bangs of the LX-4/4010 PTO. Those slams and bangs likely contributed to the failure of the output shaft gizmo/donut on the 4010. I'd often have to restart the LX-4 a 2nd and 3rd time before it would smooth out, too. Somehow the blades would not straighten and swing freely every time. One time, the blades on the LX-4 actually got crossed underneath. I had to return to the garage and get underneath with a crowbar to get them uncrossed. Not so with the 1025 PTO running the Frontier unit. I don't know whether the improvement was made on the Frontier unit or the PTO startup on the 1025R. The Frontier RC-2048 bush hog seems almost a copy of the LX-4 (the stump jumper apparently stays in place when one removes the blades on the Frontier, according to the book; that appears to be one of the minor differences. Maybe the stump jumper binds on the blades at times and doesn't allow them to swing freely on the LX-4. The long reach and accuracy of the rock shaft control made setting the bush hog height no sweat at all. It's a huge improvement over the on/off one on the 4010, like the one apparently on the 1023E. The 1025R has, of course, a fair bit more power, 25 vs. 18.5 on the 4010. There was no noticeable bog down in thick grass like used to happen with the 4010. The 4010 is more like a 2019F(?) in current model nomenclature: a bit higher up with split brakes like on the 2 series now. The 1025 appears to run at a slightly higher rpm for PTO speed. Maybe not. The display on the 1025 does give you the PTO speed in addition to engine speed. I do miss the split brakes on the 4010 or the R3 front tires. The R4 tires on the 1025 do not have the side grip when turning, inferior to R3s. One needs the split brakes for turning in tight situations, with the R4s. The little tool box on the 1025 has taken the place of my tool belt that I had wrapped around the left side tower of the 4010's FEL. I'm using the 2nd drink holder cavity for my fire extinguisher that I had mounted on the right fender of the 4010. I remounted my drink holder that I had on the right tower of the 4010 to the right tower of the 1025. There was already a hole there to mount it with. Refueling the 1025 is easier with the fuel tank to the left of the seat. No more lifting 5 gallon containers to the hood for siphoning into the tank. I sat a 5 gallon container on the seat and siphoned it into the fuel tank. The 2 series still have the tank refill on the hood. It remains to be seen what the fuel consumption will be on the 1025. The 4010's overall average over 660 hours was 0.46 gph. Hopefully, with improved combustion due to emission requirements, the 1025's will be the same, despite the higher hp. However, on the first refill, the fuel consumption seems quite high, near 1 gph. Could it be that the engine is running cooler? The 1025 temperature indication is only about 1/3 way up on the "green" of the gauge. Don't know where the 4010's was, as it had no gauge. Note to JD: they'll run more efficiently if you run them warmer with a higher set thermostat. Oh, the seat! This is absolutely the best part of the 1025 compared to the 4010. The 4010's seat is likely just like the simple seat on the 1023E. You feel every hole and rise that the wheels hit. You do not on the 1025. It's MUCH more comfortable. The stuff underneath the seat of the 1025 is much cleaner. I'd have little bits of brush left underneath the seat clutter on the 4010 that was impossible to blow out with an air hose. I like the outboard turnbuckles to keep the 3ph tight. They're much easier to get at vs. the 4010's that were inboard. The lock nuts for the top link of the 3ph and the height adjustment of the right side arm on the 3ph are less robust than the big ones on the 4010. Should do the job, just cheap looking. The top link provided for the Frontier bush hog doesn't go short enough to adjust the bush hog slide to the middle part of its run, but it lifts the bush hog about as high as when I'd shorten the top link to its shortest position on the 4010 to transport it or to enable lowering onto brush. I've only hauled a few loads of mulch and one load of soil in the 1025's bucket, so far. It's big enough for me now, but is a tad smaller and would have required more trips to haul the 22 tons of gravel that I hauled with the 4010 when it was new. Can't comment yet in comparing it to the awesome snow moving capability of the 4010 bucket. The 1025's 49" bucket is a better match for when running the bush hog though. I'd often have to swerve out of the way of stuff to keep from hitting them with the 4010s 53" bucket vs. the better-fit-to-a-48"-Bush Hog one on the 1025. The jury is out whether the oil dip stick will ever get caught by big weeds or small limbings. I had one jerked out on my Gravely. I took to turning it around so that the loop is up against the engine block. I've done the same thing on the 1025. On the 4010, the dip stick was behind some easy-to-remove side panels. The dip stick is below the single bolted side panels on the 1025. The 2 wheel/4 wheel selector is easier to work on the 1025. However, the range selector is not "shift on the fly" like the one on the 4010. You have to be pretty much stopped on the 1025 to change range. The parking brake is easier to set and to take off on the 1025. The hydraulic cooler on the 1025 is in front of the radiator, like it is on the 4010. There is no hydraulic cooling fan to get ripped away by brush like on the 2210/2305 and Kubota BX brands. For changing hydraulic fluid, the left rear wheel has to be removed on the 1025, to remove the cylindrical oil suction screen. One had to remove one of the rear wheels on the 4010 to slide the bottom 3ph bar out of the way of the of the cap over the hydraulic filter. The 1025's is a spin-out filter just underneath the hydraulics/differential. For some odd reason, JD has chosen (and Kubota, too) to put an in line fuel filter underneath the left side foot well, in addition to the much bigger (than on the 4010) filter inside the water dropout bowl like is on the 4010. There's no shut-off valve for this underneath filter. You have to clamp the hose to keep fuel from coming out of the tank. The battery on the 1025 appears much more accessible than the one on the 4010. One had to rotate the front FEL shield and tilt the front grill forward on the 4010 to get at the battery. The 1025 requires removal of one headlight to get the battery out. Overall, the 1025 is a much cleaner design than the seemingly patched-on pieces of the 4010. Use of a chipper/shredder wasn't covered in the owner's manual. I asked the sales person and then I tried it. You get up off the seat before pulling the PTO button. The rear implement will start then.

Pros: Great seat, better than 4010.
Cons: No split brakes.

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