Buying Advice How bad is no 3 point?

[selkie]

So I recently found a JD 2020 for sale, seller asking $3k in what's supposed to be decent running order. He says that the 3 point was a factory delete, that the tractor was ordered without it. It does have a drawbar, rear PTO, and rear hydraulics.

In looking at the pros and cons of 3 point hitches, it looks like the pros and cons are:

Pros - easier to attach equipment, can use a somewhat wider range of things, can work in tighter spaces
Cons - can raise the center of gravity and make it easier to tip over on hilly terrain (which would be a concern here) - also non-3-point attachments said to be cheaper, on average

I'd also seen that non-3-point tractors cost a lot less, which certainly goes with the fellow's asking price.

Thoughts? I'd like to attach a loader, and pull a plow with it. Maybe a rototiller. Could imagine a backhoe although I don't know if that's even a technical possibility on a 2020 without 3ph. I know that on the smaller tractors, people like to use 3ph attachments to provide counterweight for the loader, but this is a larger machine, so maybe that's not as big a thing? The extra stability and lower price both really appeal to me, but I don't want to get a machine that I'll regret. Being able to work in tighter spaces is something I'd miss.

 

[duramaxsky]

So can you add one?

 

[CobyRupert]

You’ll want a 3 point hitch. Especially on a JD 2020 sized tractor.
Hard to imagine you’d find a plow or rototiller to pull without a 3pth.

 

[jeff9366]

This 2-WD tractor was last produced 50 years ago. Deere is one of the best at maintaining "legacy" tractor parts but Deere low production run, low turnover, legacy parts are $$$$.

I speculate a Deere factory Category 2 -Three Point Hitch could be $4,000, parts only, today. It is possible you could find a complete TPH in a tractor junk yard if you are very, very patient. Over 100,000 Deere 2020s were produced.

Unlikely hydraulic plumbing is installed on the tractor to operate a Front End Loader. You probably do not want a loader on a 2-WD row crop tractor.

Deere 2020 is a ROW CROP TRACTOR. This usually means high ground clearance to clear growing crops = high center of gravity = low stability.

Descending steep hills 2-WD tractors have limited braking.






John Deere 2020

1965 - 1971 New Generation Series
Row-Crop tractor
Previous model: John Deere 2010
Series next: John Deere 3020
Series back: John Deere 1520
Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Mexico
Original price (USD)
$5,800 (1971 )

John Deere 2020 Engines:
John Deere 3.0L 4-cyl gasoline
John Deere 3.3L 4-cyl diesel
full engine details ...

Capacity:
Fuel: 19.5 gal [73.8 L]
Hydraulic system: 10 gal [37.9 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: II

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: live
independent*
Rear RPM: 540
540/1000*
Mid PTO: optional
Mid RPM: 1000

Dimensions & Tires:
Wheelbase: 86 inches [218 cm]
Weight: 5770 lbs [2617 kg]
Front tire: 9.00-10
Rear tire: 14.9-28
full dimensions and tires ...

2020 Serial Numbers:
Location: Right side of transmission.
photo of 2020 serial number

1965: 14502
1966: 14680
1967: 42721
1968: 65176
1969: 82404
1970: 102032
1971: 117500

how to read serial numbers...



John Deere 2020 Power:
Drawbar (tested): 45.90 hp [34.2 kW]
PTO (tested): 54.09 hp [40.3 kW]
power test details ...

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
Steering: power assist
Brakes: differential hydraulic wet disc
Cab: Open operator station.

Hydraulics:
Type: closed center
Capacity: 10 gal [37.9 L]
Pressure: 2250 psi [155.1 bar]
Pump flow: 10.5 gpm [39.7 lpm]
Page information:
Last update: March 26, 2018
Copyright: Copyright 2018 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[CobyRupert]

What’s the width to center of gravity’s height ratio? This is a measure of stability. But if you say center of gravity is a little over rear axle height, tire size gives clues.
The 2020 is a stable tractor. Relatively low and wide as far as crop tractors go. If it doesn’t have ROPS, drive accordingly.
Drive safe if it has ROPS too.

 

[stuckmotor]

People complain about having to get off of the tractor to hook up 3pt hitch equipment. Those without a 3pt hitch can work hours mounting and adjusting equipment IF they an even find any to buy.

 

[Big Barn]

The short answer? Don’t buy it.

However I respect that is your choice to make and I’m not the type to say “I told you so” if you do.

 

[Ricn]

Do yourself a BIG favor and buy a modern diesel tractor with three point, wide front end, front loader and 4x4, you will never be sorry.

Sizing it a little bigger then you need is always favorable, well almost so.

 

[Jstpssng]

You would be better off spending more money up front to get what you need. Adding things later such as loader and especially 3pth can get pricey.

 

[rScotty]

Do yourself a BIG favor and buy a modern diesel tractor with three point, wide front end, front loader and 4x4, you will never be sorry.

Sizing it a little bigger then you need is always favorable, well almost so.

I LOVE the JD2020 and that whole series. In fact, that whole era was a time when machinery was made to be as good as possible - no shortcuts. And the JD xx20 through xx50 series were the best of the best. As good as anything today IMHO.

But in spite of that, I have to say I'd give that particular 2020 a pass..Here's why.... What made them so good was not just the engine and frame & hydraulics, it was the options. It was the balance with the wide front, rugged power steering, power shifting transmission with reverser....and that great factory loader & 3pt.
Without those things, most 20hp compacts with 4wd and FEL would do many times the work and do it better.

On that 2020 you get none of the above. So unless you can find one that is blown up but has all those parts I'd look for a better deal. Now if you do run across a junked 2020 with the options on it, you could buy both, do some wrenching, and come out with one great tractor. BTW, JD parts availability even for these old models is still pretty good and at decent prices. That's why you are seeing a resurgence in their popularity.
rScotty

 

[wvgca]

I dunno .. the yard tractor, 30hp made in 1949, coop e3, doesn't have a 3pt hitch, and it works well ..;.
but the bigger tractors, a 140 hp fwa, and a 4wd 300 hp, both have 3 point hitches, but have never been used,
I have no 3pt hitch equipment at all, nothing ??

 

[Sawyer Rob]

How bad is no 3 point?

It's no big deal at all IF you don't need one...

The problem is, you ARE going to need one!!

SR

 

[5030]

It's no big deal at all IF you don't need one...

The problem is, you ARE going to need one!!

SR

EXACTLY.... My first tractor was a dual fuel (keroscene distallate) / gasoline Farmall Cultivision A that I restored and it didn't have a 3 point either though it did have an offset pto and I finally relegated it to running a Woods belly mower that was designed specifically for it. Mowed nice but did little else. Finally sold it and got my first real tractor with a 3 PH. Night and day difference.

 

[selkie]

The short answer? Don稚 buy it.

However I respect that is your choice to make and I知 not the type to say 的 told you so if you do.

I can't complain, I asked =)

And honestly, I'm glad people spoke openly and bluntly.

OK, another question. I've heard a lot of emphasis here on having a heavy enough tractor. Given that there are some hills here and that I want to plow areas that are currently sod, how much power (and weight) am I going to need? As Ricn mentioned, I'd rather have a little more power than I need than a little less, but I don't want to get a big machine just to say I have one. (I was looking at the 2020 because of the low price, not because I think I need something that size)

The larger lawn tractor here claims to be 23hp, which makes it hard for me to imagine a larger tractor with the same power rating being able to do what I'm imagining. I realize it's gas instead of diesel, and that gearing and general build play a role, but still...

 

[jeff9366]

OK, another question. I've heard a lot of emphasis here on having a heavy enough tractor. Given that there are some hills here and that I want to plow areas that are currently sod, how much power (and weight) am I going to need? As Ricn mentioned, I'd rather have a little more power than I need than a little less, but I don't want to get a big machine just to say I have one.

How much land do you want to work? 1 acre? 15 acres? 174 acres?

Are non-commercial gardening and residential landscaping your primary tasks?

How much time do you want to spend on your tractor? Tractors in residential use average 60 engine hours per year, according to industry surveys.

VIDEOS: Comparing Kubota's 26hp Compact Tractors - YouTube

So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube



When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

 

[fried1765]

I can't complain, I asked =)

And honestly, I'm glad people spoke openly and bluntly.

OK, another question. I've heard a lot of emphasis here on having a heavy enough tractor. Given that there are some hills here and that I want to plow areas that are currently sod, how much power (and weight) am I going to need? As Ricn mentioned, I'd rather have a little more power than I need than a little less, but I don't want to get a big machine just to say I have one. (I was looking at the 2020 because of the low price, not because I think I need something that size)

The larger lawn tractor here claims to be 23hp, which makes it hard for me to imagine a larger tractor with the same power rating being able to do what I'm imagining. I realize it's gas instead of diesel, and that gearing and general build play a role, but still...

You mention "hills here", but you have no location in your profile.
Please put your location in your profile, so we can know where "here" might be.

 

[selkie]

How much land do you want to work? 1 acre? 15 acres? 174 acres?

Are non-commercial gardening and residential landscaping your primary tasks?

How much time do you want to spend on your tractor? Tractors in residential use average 60 engine hours per year, according to industry surveys.

VIDEOS: Comparing Kubota's 26hp Compact Tractors - YouTube

So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube



When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

Thanks, that's helpful.

We have 5 acres here. It is an old family farm that had fallen into disuse decades ago.

Our goals are to clear land and bring it back into service as a family farm and homestead. Very little decorative landscaping beyond having some flowers here and there. Some grass, for the children to play on.

We live here (thankfully the farmhouse was in better shape than the land =) but I wouldn't really call what we have in mind residential use. It isn't realistic to cultivate all 5 acres here but I'd like to have at least an acre or two under cultivation at any given time.

So with that in mind, what kind of weight and horsepower do you recommend? I had previously been very interested in a JD 1050 or 1070, which seemed like a good balance of "enough" and "not too much". Those clock in at around 3000 pounds in 4x4 config, is that enough to pull a plow?

 

[rScotty]

I can't complain, I asked =)

And honestly, I'm glad people spoke openly and bluntly.

OK, another question. I've heard a lot of emphasis here on having a heavy enough tractor. Given that there are some hills here and that I want to plow areas that are currently sod, how much power (and weight) am I going to need? As Ricn mentioned, I'd rather have a little more power than I need than a little less, but I don't want to get a big machine just to say I have one. (I was looking at the 2020 because of the low price, not because I think I need something that size)

The larger lawn tractor here claims to be 23hp, which makes it hard for me to imagine a larger tractor with the same power rating being able to do what I'm imagining. I realize it's gas instead of diesel, and that gearing and general build play a role, but still...

You can plow fine with a little 15hp tractor. It just doesn't go very deep or very fast. It only pulls a little bitty plow and will take you days to do an acre. But plenty of people the world over use them. It works. And it takes forever.

A reasonable HP tractor for working the way most local folks want to work would be in the 30 to 50 hp range for working 10 to 20 acres with some hills. More power or less plow or more back and forth with a small plow if you are doing turf. Consider doing some disking or cultivating. Frankly if it is first time in some years I'd hire somebody with a big tractor to do an initial plowing.
After you get it buster-plowed, disc, and cultivate for a seed bed then you can maintain it each year with a smaller machine.

There are lots of good old tractors out there that will do what you want. Go out to farming country and ask around at the feed and seed store or the family breakfast restaurant. Look at the bulletin board and the local trader paper. Here we still use a 1958 John Deere late modele "B". It has 30 hp and more than enough power. Neighbors use a Farmall from the same era. Another neighbor hays with a Massey Ferguson 65. Another has an old Ford. Several have 1980 vintage big Masseys just because big old tractors are way cheaper than small old tractors!!

All of those mentioned have good 3pts, are easy to maintain & fix, loaders are available, and $3000 would buy any of them. And they will all be going strong - with maintenance - decades from now. Yes, several are gas rather than diesel. That's OK too.

Keep in mind that this TractorByNet Forum is focused on new and expensive compact-size imported diesel 4wd tractors.

There are some some old-timers here, but mostly here we talk about warranty, mowing grass, finance, and emission controls. Most TBNers think it is important to have a dealer available for doing required repairs and most maintenance. HST transmissions are very popular.

The world of modern small compact imported 4wd diesel machines is where things are happening now. It's fascinating to us, but it is a whole different world than the older US made farm machines like you are looking at.

Both new and old machines will do the job you want to do. Dirt doesn't care.
rScotty

 

[kthompson]

If you can find pull implements that do what you want you may find no need for a 3 pth. One pointed out he had no 3pth equipment and large tractors they are optional. I farmed for few years and used pulled implements as much as possible. Yes had some 3 pth ones but replaced all I could with pull type. Disk, sprayer, planter and box blade were all pull type and they are much smoother than those run on the hitch. Much of the hay equipment is also pull equipment. Doubt you would find a pull type tiller. Now can you find the equipment you would want in pull type for the hp of the 2020, no idea.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks, that's helpful.

We have 5 acres with some hills. It is an old family farm that had fallen into disuse decades ago.

Our goals are to clear land and bring it back into service as a family farm and homestead. Very little decorative landscaping beyond having some flowers here and there. Some grass, for the children to play on.

I wouldn't call what we have in mind residential use. It isn't realistic to cultivate all 5 acres here but I'd like to have at least an acre or two under cultivation at any given time.

So with that in mind, what kind of weight and horsepower do you recommend? I had previously been very interested in a JD 1050 or 1070, which seemed like a good balance of "enough" and "not too much". Those clock in at around 3000 pounds in 4x4 config, is that enough to pull a plow?

A Deere 1050 or 1070 will pull a two-bottom plow with ease. Either of these Deere models would be ample for ten (10) acres of field. (Note that plows come in widths. You need a plow with width as wide or wider than the width of your right/rear tire, which has to fit in the bottom of the plow furrow created by the plow.) For two acres you will be happier with a PTO powered roto-tiller for the long term but you may need a plow to bust the sod you have.

Frankly if it is first time in some years I'd hire somebody with a big tractor to do an initial plowing.

Any 4-WD tractor with good parts availability and a bare weight of 2,000+ pounds will be ample for an acre of two. Start looking for a 4-WD Deere 750 through Deere 1050. A Deere 750 will pull a one bottom plow with ease.

Operating a forward rotation PTO powered tiller is a low power application. Forward rotating tines push the tractor forward as they turn.





John Deere 1050

1980 - 1989 50 Compact Series
Compact Utility tractor
Next model: John Deere 1070
Series back: John Deere 950
Distributor: John Deere
Manufacturer: Yanmar
Factory: Japan
Original price (USD)
$15,000 (1989 )

John Deere 1050 Engine:
Yanmar 1.7L 3-cyl diesel
John Deere 1050 Power:
Engine (gross): 37 hp [27.6 kW]
Drawbar (claimed): 28 hp [20.9 kW]
PTO (claimed): 33 hp [24.6 kW]
Drawbar (tested): 27.25 hp [20.3 kW]
PTO (tested): 33.41 hp [24.9 kW]


Capacity:
Fuel: 11 gal [41.6 L]
Hydraulic system: 6.875 gal [26.0 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: I
Control: mechanical center-link depth sensing

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: live*
Rear RPM: 540
Engine RPM: 540@2260

Dimensions
Weight (shipping): 2933 lbs [1330 kg] (2WD)
3142 lbs [1425 kg] (4WD)
Weight (operating): 3400 lbs [1542 kg] (4WD)
Weight (ballasted): 4140 lbs [1877 kg]
Wheelbase: 68.9 inches [175 cm]
Length: 122 inches [309 cm]
Width: 65 inches [165 cm]
2WD Height (hood): 55.1 inches [139 cm]
4WD Height (hood): 54 inches [137 cm]
Front tread: 49 inches [124 cm]
Rear tread: 51 to 75 inches

John Deere 1050 attachments:
mowing deck
blade
front-end loader
backhoe
1050 Serial Numbers:
Location: Serial number plate on the rear of the John Deere 1050, below the PTO shaft.
1980: 1000
1981: 5280
1982: 6572
1983: 9001
1984: 11006
1985: 14001
1986: 17001
1987: 19501
1988: 21479
Final: 23734

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD
Steering: manual
Brakes: differential mechanical internal expanding shoe
Cab: Two-post ROPS.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 6.875 gal [26.0 L]
Pressure: 2030 psi [140.0 bar]
Pump flow: 7.5 gpm [28.4 lpm]
Page information:
Last update: May 2, 2018
Copyright: Copyright 2018 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com