John Deere JD1010 4.50 star(s) (2)

The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine
Model Year: 1961

The title of this review, same as the tractor's name, is ironic. I couldn't very well call it "Johnnie" or "Big John" or "Little John" or "Dear John" as many others have done. BBGPM is what I call it for short. For the time it was made it was a good small utility tractor for the small farmer working no more than 80-100 acres. It works well for log skidding, brushhogging, general farm maintenance and so on. I wanted to put on a front end loader, but a Deere parts man advised against it as the front end is too weak to stand a lot of loader work. It's been reliable, getting a yearly oil change aa7 minor tune up, a major tune up about every five years. I'v tried to follow Deere's hourly maintenance schedule, but some of the checks seemed redundant. On a day when I'm maintaining fence, cutting wood or similar work it will get an hour or so of use. I've had to do some major work on it but not too much. Parts are getting extremely difficult to find. Would I buy another? In 1985, yes, today, no. There are other and better machines available. Now, it's a familiar tool, old and crotchety like myself, so we get along.

Pros: Notmany any longer
Cons: for equivalent money one could do better today.

Oldie but Goodie
Model Year: 1963

Might be hard to find a good 50 year old tractor today? I purchased to use in tobacco & did for a season or two, until my son was born, then came the buyout. It handles very well, always starts, plenty of power & traction for its size to bush hog, plow, grade, etc., it's good for gardens or tight areas being it's a one row model. Mine doesn't have all the good features like spin-out wheels, live PTO, or power steering, You will find many different versions of the 1010, I have enjoyed operating mine, remember their OLD now, I recommend operating & checking it over before you buy.

Pros: Power, Handling, Small Size
Cons: Kinda likes fuel, must change wheel tread to moleboard plow