I have been thinking about purchasing a 3020 a4020 or a 4000 john deere because I really like these older tractors does anyone have any pro's or con's on any of these tractors, I only have a few acres that I want to bale some hay on and need a bit bigger tractor I only have a ford 3000 now and I think I can pick up one of these other tractors in fair shape for about 6-9000 in my area and maybe put another 3-4000 and really have a nice tractor and I think I want a console model. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
3020,4020,4000 ?
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Farmwithjunk
Super Member
3020; Good tractor with one weak link. The 4-cylinder diesel uses a counter-rotating balancer to lessen crankshaft vibration. That balancer has been known to fail. The parts to repair it are getting to be in short supply. Deere offeres a variety of "crate engines" that are bolt in replacements. One is a turbocharged 100 hp "industrial" engine that makes the 3020 a beast
4020; Later models rated 94-97 hp, depending on tranny option. PowerShift models being the higher rated. If you get one that's still 24volt start, get the retrofit kit from Deere to convert to 12v. Much easier to live with. The 4020 may or may not be the best tractor of it's size ever, but it is no doubt the most popular. The 4010 opened the door. The 4020 came charging in. They changed the big tractor market forever. Today the 4020 is as much a big chore tractor as anything else. They're incredably popular and command a steep price.
4000; In 1969, Deere needed a tractor to go head to head with International Harvesters 706/756. Instead of a totally new tractor, Deere took the highly successful 4020 engine and offered it with what was essentially a 4010 chassis. They were marketed as a way of stepping up from a 3010/3020 without going to the expense of a 4020. Deere suggested taking the same implements you were pulling with your 3020 and using them at higher ground speeds behind the more powerful 4000. Many 4000 buyers were just after "cheap horsepower" and bought 4000's in place of a 4020's. Watch out for those.
The down side. These tractors are getting long in the tooth. Some 4020's are 44 years old. The NEWEST are 36 yo. In their day, they were bought primarily as "big HP" for pulling plows, disc's,ect. They weren't babied. There are still many good ones in circulation, but there's more that are simply trashed. It's easy to drop $5000 to $10,000 into REPAIR BILLS to rebuild one that's worn out.
Get a good 4020 and you have a nice tractor that'll be worth it's purchase price years down the line. Get one that's been hammered and you'll own a money pit on wheels.
There's a few newer XX40 series/XX50 series Deeres approximately the same HP that can be bought for about the same money. All things being equal, I'd rather have a newer tractor if I was putting that sort of $$$$$ into it.
4020; Later models rated 94-97 hp, depending on tranny option. PowerShift models being the higher rated. If you get one that's still 24volt start, get the retrofit kit from Deere to convert to 12v. Much easier to live with. The 4020 may or may not be the best tractor of it's size ever, but it is no doubt the most popular. The 4010 opened the door. The 4020 came charging in. They changed the big tractor market forever. Today the 4020 is as much a big chore tractor as anything else. They're incredably popular and command a steep price.
4000; In 1969, Deere needed a tractor to go head to head with International Harvesters 706/756. Instead of a totally new tractor, Deere took the highly successful 4020 engine and offered it with what was essentially a 4010 chassis. They were marketed as a way of stepping up from a 3010/3020 without going to the expense of a 4020. Deere suggested taking the same implements you were pulling with your 3020 and using them at higher ground speeds behind the more powerful 4000. Many 4000 buyers were just after "cheap horsepower" and bought 4000's in place of a 4020's. Watch out for those.
The down side. These tractors are getting long in the tooth. Some 4020's are 44 years old. The NEWEST are 36 yo. In their day, they were bought primarily as "big HP" for pulling plows, disc's,ect. They weren't babied. There are still many good ones in circulation, but there's more that are simply trashed. It's easy to drop $5000 to $10,000 into REPAIR BILLS to rebuild one that's worn out.
Get a good 4020 and you have a nice tractor that'll be worth it's purchase price years down the line. Get one that's been hammered and you'll own a money pit on wheels.
There's a few newer XX40 series/XX50 series Deeres approximately the same HP that can be bought for about the same money. All things being equal, I'd rather have a newer tractor if I was putting that sort of $$$$$ into it.
chh
Veteran Member
FWJ gave you all the history and he's a bigger expert than I am to say the least, so I'll give you my experience with 4020's. I have owned 2. We bought an early 60's model with the standard tranny. It had 5000 hrs or so on it when we got it. The front end was pretty well worn out. I was a powerhouse on the baler and equipment we had though. We happened upon another one at an auction that was a powershift with less than 5000hrs(I don't recall exactly) and bought it. It had a bad pump and weak tranny. We had given about $6000 for it(early 1990's) and the repairs were estimated at $10,000. We switched front axles onto the other tractor and dumped it back thru another auction. Had the original one convverted to 12 volt when the starter failed and ran it until it was about to turn over 10,000 hrs before we sold it. It was a great old tractor but most of them are gettign pretty well used. Nice ones with a front end loader still bring around $15,000 here in Oklahoma.
For that kind of money there are some pretty nice newer Fords, IH's and Massey's around.
Good luck!
For that kind of money there are some pretty nice newer Fords, IH's and Massey's around.
Good luck!
I just bought a 1967 model 4020 for cheap horsepower. The console (later models and 12v) are going to cost more. I bought mine for $6250 and have put about $1000 into it to get it up to par. So far I have only done a little bit of shredding with it and moved some hay last weekend, but have liked it so far. Don't be afraid of the 24 volt system, it's not too hard to understand and it really cranks the motor over fast for good starting.
EquipmentJunkie
Platinum Member
There has already been some good advice given to you. I'll just add that buying any one of these Deere tractors in good condition will deliver you a virtually depreciation-free purchase. These tractors will hold their value very well.
I will also echo CHH's opinion on the other brands. While a Deere 4020 and 4320 top the list of my desired Deere tractors, the green tractors bring a premium and a very nice Ford, IH, or Massey can be had for less. My favorites would be an IH 826 hydro or IH 1026 hydro for a baling tractor. The Torque Amplifier (TA) transmission in other IH's may be good for baling, too. You'll be hard-pressed to beat an IH 806 for power and longevity. Just my two cents...
I will also echo CHH's opinion on the other brands. While a Deere 4020 and 4320 top the list of my desired Deere tractors, the green tractors bring a premium and a very nice Ford, IH, or Massey can be had for less. My favorites would be an IH 826 hydro or IH 1026 hydro for a baling tractor. The Torque Amplifier (TA) transmission in other IH's may be good for baling, too. You'll be hard-pressed to beat an IH 806 for power and longevity. Just my two cents...
Kaliburz
Gold Member
Farmwithjunk said:
A bolt in replacement for the 3020 engine?! What engines are those???? I know the 2030's (2640's, 2440's) have current engines that fit, but the old 3020's!?
I have a 2030 that's been in the family since new. Tach says 7,000 hours but who knows if it's flipped..... still running okay.....
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Kaliburz said:
A Deere dealer could probably give you more specifics, but the engine in question is a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine intended for use in a Deere backhoe. I see the friend who did the swap about once a year at a consignment sale I go to in March. That'll be my first opportunity to get the details on the specific engine. I have had a chance to hop on the 3020. With 100 HP on tap on such a relatively small/light chassis, it makes for one stout little tractor.
EquipmentJunkie
Platinum Member
FYI - There is what appears to be a really nice JD 4000 for sale in this week's Lancaster Farming. It has a canopy, side console, OH engine, brakes, clutch, & paint with three factory remotes for sale in Maryland for $12,500. The photo shows new front tires and rears look to be about 30%. I'll PM the phone number for you if you are interested in it. I know the money may be a bit strong but it sounds like there has been a lot of work put into it.
CATMAN
Gold Member
- Joined
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- Tractor
- Dad's=JD4440;IH1066;JD4020;JD3010;2 JD"B" 1949 & 1937(hand-crank)
My Dad has a 1964 JD 4020 Diesel w/ powershift (purchased used in 1966). It has been a great tractor. Probably on the 3rd or 4th overhaul (engine) and I don't know if the tranny has ever been into other than a "parking pawl" item. (Wouldn't stay in Park). Remember, back "then" these were the main tillage tractors (plow, disc, plant, rotary hoe, cultivate, spray, chop hay, haul in from combine, operate feed wagon year-a-round, haul manure, etc.) It has probably had at least 3 hour meters/Tach(they do fail). It is still my brother's favorite tractor=loves that powershift, as do I.
My uncle had a JD3020 Diesel for 30-35 years had good luck with it also as his main tractor/loader.
Honestly, Dad's 1979 JD 4440 w/powershift (purchased new) has been as good or better than the 4020. I believe it is at close to 11,000 hours on original engine and it has been turned up in HP, too.
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
CATMAN said:
4020's are probably the MOST POPULAR "big tractor" ever. They were #1 in sales in their class while "current". They raised the bar for every brand regarding what was considered a "modern farm tractor". They have a loyal following to this day. They were (are) a truely great tractor.
All that said, the 4440 was probably the BEST TRACTOR Deere ever produced. They were a balance of power, reliability, great design, and reasonable new purchase price. The 4440 still commands a lot of respect, even from fans of competing brands.