dadiehl
Silver Member
I am not being smart . Sorry if I came across that way. I know what my wife pays in shipping with her business and it’s just baskets and pottery.
Buy an existing JD 2020 or wait for newer?
- Thread starter FreeWulf
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scaredychicken
Veteran Member
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- Jul 21, 2012
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- Salmon Arm BC, Canada
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- John Deere 160 (1988), Arctic Cat 400 ATV (2006), Kubota BX23S (2018), Jacobsen Super Chief 1450 (1969), Cub Cadet RZT S50 zero turn mower (2012)
Sentimental value aside, the price seems high to me.
The things that bother you now about the JD2020 will always bother you.
I think that I'd be buying your perfect tractor, once in Alaska. Who knows what you'll really need until you get there? Who knows what you will find in the used market, until you get there?
Are there dealerships in the area that you are moving too ?
i'd wait it out
The things that bother you now about the JD2020 will always bother you.
I think that I'd be buying your perfect tractor, once in Alaska. Who knows what you'll really need until you get there? Who knows what you will find in the used market, until you get there?
Are there dealerships in the area that you are moving too ?
i'd wait it out
CADplans
Elite Member
I cultivated thousands of acres with a JD 2020, and a 6 row 3PH cultivator,,
that said, I do not remember the 3PH control being an issue,,,
The 2020 was our loader tractor, and was almost impossible to use with the loader,
until we put 11.00 X 15 tires on the front one day,,
After that, the tractor almost performed like a 4WD,, the problem was the skinny OEM tires.
That was a great tractor,, I have basically the identical tractor, a 584 IH,,
I compared the specs, the 584 IH and the JD 2020 must have been built to compete with each other,,
they are amazingly similar,,
that said, I do not remember the 3PH control being an issue,,,
The 2020 was our loader tractor, and was almost impossible to use with the loader,
until we put 11.00 X 15 tires on the front one day,,
After that, the tractor almost performed like a 4WD,, the problem was the skinny OEM tires.
That was a great tractor,, I have basically the identical tractor, a 584 IH,,
I compared the specs, the 584 IH and the JD 2020 must have been built to compete with each other,,
they are amazingly similar,,
Thanks for all the replies. I'm just going to wait and find what I'm really looking for.
I do like the 2020. It's a good tractor, I'm impressed with it, but it's not the right one for me.
I'm going to be making several trips with a truck and trailer moving up there through Canada. I had initially thought to just buy a tractor once I got up there, but I need one in the meantime, and there aren't many used tractors for sale up there. It seems like it will actually pay to buy used down here, and haul it up there with one of my loads.
You must have a different setup than this 2020. The PTO lever is waaay down on the left side. It's just a 8" metal lever with a little loop the size of your thumb. It doesn't even stick up near the gear shifts at all. It's actually kind of hard to get at. I wonder if yours was modified, or his was, or if it was a different year/different tranny thing?
I do like the 2020. It's a good tractor, I'm impressed with it, but it's not the right one for me.
I'm going to be making several trips with a truck and trailer moving up there through Canada. I had initially thought to just buy a tractor once I got up there, but I need one in the meantime, and there aren't many used tractors for sale up there. It seems like it will actually pay to buy used down here, and haul it up there with one of my loads.
You must have a different setup than this 2020. The PTO lever is waaay down on the left side. It's just a 8" metal lever with a little loop the size of your thumb. It doesn't even stick up near the gear shifts at all. It's actually kind of hard to get at. I wonder if yours was modified, or his was, or if it was a different year/different tranny thing?
CADplans
Elite Member
This arrow just happens to be pointing to the 3PH control lever,,
That is virtually the identical position of the control on my IH 584, the control can be seen just to the left of the loader hydraulic hose.
rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
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- 9,534
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- Rural mountains - Colorado
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- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
Reading through your comments on the 2020 and what you want to do with a tractor I think you are looking for the right type of machine. A very good, used but sound US tractor from the "golden age" i.e. about 1970 through 2000 would suit you well and will still last a lifetime.
It was an era when US tractors were designed to be infinitely rebuildable & repairable by a mechanically inclined owner. Everything from internal tolerances to accessibility to casting quality is designed for service. That's their strength. You can add Case & Massey to your list of JD, IH, Ford.
Don't overlook some of the older slightly larger cabbed tractors or loader/backhoes. You are looking for a "sweetheart"; if you find her you can live with the shortcomings.
The weakness for US made tractors back then was a reluctance to go to simple transmissions, few had 4wd, many only had manual steering. A add-on power assist cylinder was common and worked OK other than leaks, but full hydrostatic power steering in common use today was not as common. That's because most were Ag tractors and the problem has having enough load on the front tires rather than too much weight up their like with a loader. You MUST have some form of power assisted or full power steering for loader use. It sounds like you are in luck with that 2020 because it already has a set of remotes which is a big deal for JDs because JDs used the more complex closed center hydraulics while the rest of the world uses the simpler open center hydraulics.
But since it has remotes, it has the innate capability to an implement - in your case that would be the loader.
BTW, your transmission is what is called a shuttle shift. i.e. one lever reversing but needs the foot clutch when doing so or for all shifting.
The next step up is the "power shift" which works internal clutches hydraulically as you move the shift lever. The foot clutch can be
But with even moderately good care those old tractors will last just about forever.
4wd is wonderful if you can find it, but those old 2wd tractors could do a whole lot of useful work in 2wd. While you should get 4wd assist if there is anyway that you can, don't bypass the perfect tractor if it happens to be 2wd. It will be way less expensive, is likely to have been less stressed, and there are excellent chains & tires today that will make it a beast in the snow. It's simply a matter of getting the right chains for your tires and putting them on for the winter.
This sounds too simple when I say it, but the most important thing with the tractor is reliability. After that comes convenience, a good 3pt & PTO, and the all-important FEL. 4wd is farther down the list.
IMHO, you are looking for the right type of machine from the right era.
We've had an older big 2wd collar shifting, JD with a loader and poorly-placed levers for 40+ years now. It's no longer our first choice for chores....It is work to run it and there really are better more modern 4wd tractors now. I know because we have several of those, too. But that old 2wd JD will also do the work. It's still a worker. Yes, it's work to make it work, but even with chains and all.....having an old JD that works right sure beats having 12K in the bank.
It's all about finding a good one. You will know it when you see it. And while in some ways it is nice to find one with a FEL on it already, having a FEL sure does stress a tractor while without one they are always in better condition. But do get a good 3pt hitch. I think that JD made by far the best 3pt hitch. Many crank adjustments and just overall best quality.
Good luck,
rScotty
It was an era when US tractors were designed to be infinitely rebuildable & repairable by a mechanically inclined owner. Everything from internal tolerances to accessibility to casting quality is designed for service. That's their strength. You can add Case & Massey to your list of JD, IH, Ford.
Don't overlook some of the older slightly larger cabbed tractors or loader/backhoes. You are looking for a "sweetheart"; if you find her you can live with the shortcomings.
The weakness for US made tractors back then was a reluctance to go to simple transmissions, few had 4wd, many only had manual steering. A add-on power assist cylinder was common and worked OK other than leaks, but full hydrostatic power steering in common use today was not as common. That's because most were Ag tractors and the problem has having enough load on the front tires rather than too much weight up their like with a loader. You MUST have some form of power assisted or full power steering for loader use. It sounds like you are in luck with that 2020 because it already has a set of remotes which is a big deal for JDs because JDs used the more complex closed center hydraulics while the rest of the world uses the simpler open center hydraulics.
But since it has remotes, it has the innate capability to an implement - in your case that would be the loader.
BTW, your transmission is what is called a shuttle shift. i.e. one lever reversing but needs the foot clutch when doing so or for all shifting.
The next step up is the "power shift" which works internal clutches hydraulically as you move the shift lever. The foot clutch can be
But with even moderately good care those old tractors will last just about forever.
4wd is wonderful if you can find it, but those old 2wd tractors could do a whole lot of useful work in 2wd. While you should get 4wd assist if there is anyway that you can, don't bypass the perfect tractor if it happens to be 2wd. It will be way less expensive, is likely to have been less stressed, and there are excellent chains & tires today that will make it a beast in the snow. It's simply a matter of getting the right chains for your tires and putting them on for the winter.
This sounds too simple when I say it, but the most important thing with the tractor is reliability. After that comes convenience, a good 3pt & PTO, and the all-important FEL. 4wd is farther down the list.
IMHO, you are looking for the right type of machine from the right era.
We've had an older big 2wd collar shifting, JD with a loader and poorly-placed levers for 40+ years now. It's no longer our first choice for chores....It is work to run it and there really are better more modern 4wd tractors now. I know because we have several of those, too. But that old 2wd JD will also do the work. It's still a worker. Yes, it's work to make it work, but even with chains and all.....having an old JD that works right sure beats having 12K in the bank.
It's all about finding a good one. You will know it when you see it. And while in some ways it is nice to find one with a FEL on it already, having a FEL sure does stress a tractor while without one they are always in better condition. But do get a good 3pt hitch. I think that JD made by far the best 3pt hitch. Many crank adjustments and just overall best quality.
Good luck,
rScotty
Last edited:
Zebrafive
Super Member
Some of your questions may have been answered, so The may be duplicates.
I ASSUMED the tractor had Reverser when you said it had a lever to shift forward/reverse. You later described the left lever on the transmission having reverse. So this 2020 does not have a Reverser. You are correct a Reverser will have lever on the dash and a sticker showing forward and reverse with pictures of the tractor. HI/LO will have the same lever and sticker with a rabbit & turtle.
The PTO lever between the two shift levers is for optional independent PTO (good option to have) The lever on the side is slide a collar to internally engage the PTO, then you use the PTO clutch (if no lever between the shifters) it will have a two stage foot clutch, tractor(traction) & PTO.
For a loader, you will want the HD front axle, easily identified by TWO rows of bolts holding the "knees to the center section. You will also want 11L-15 tires.
The right way to add a loader hydraulics, is for the loader to have it's own valve, which you plumb into the hydraulics behind the PCV (Pressure Control Valve) and a return line to a ported filter cover. SCVs will not be used for the loader when plumbed this way.
For a loader with valve and plumbing (lines, fittings) expect to spend $4-5K
My JD 2030 diesel has independent PTO, JD 245 MSL loader, 2 rear SCVs, extendable lower links on the 3pt hitch, HD front axle 11L-15 tires, HI/LO shift.
If someone were to offer me $12K they would own it.
Drawing is the HD front axle center section
Pictures are my 2030, I was looking for HD front axle
I ASSUMED the tractor had Reverser when you said it had a lever to shift forward/reverse. You later described the left lever on the transmission having reverse. So this 2020 does not have a Reverser. You are correct a Reverser will have lever on the dash and a sticker showing forward and reverse with pictures of the tractor. HI/LO will have the same lever and sticker with a rabbit & turtle.
The PTO lever between the two shift levers is for optional independent PTO (good option to have) The lever on the side is slide a collar to internally engage the PTO, then you use the PTO clutch (if no lever between the shifters) it will have a two stage foot clutch, tractor(traction) & PTO.
For a loader, you will want the HD front axle, easily identified by TWO rows of bolts holding the "knees to the center section. You will also want 11L-15 tires.
The right way to add a loader hydraulics, is for the loader to have it's own valve, which you plumb into the hydraulics behind the PCV (Pressure Control Valve) and a return line to a ported filter cover. SCVs will not be used for the loader when plumbed this way.
For a loader with valve and plumbing (lines, fittings) expect to spend $4-5K
My JD 2030 diesel has independent PTO, JD 245 MSL loader, 2 rear SCVs, extendable lower links on the 3pt hitch, HD front axle 11L-15 tires, HI/LO shift.
If someone were to offer me $12K they would own it.
Drawing is the HD front axle center section
Pictures are my 2030, I was looking for HD front axle
fried1765
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2015
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- Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, 8N Ford, Gravely 12 HP "Professional", 48" SCAG Liberty
Good idea!
Buy your tractor in the lower 48, and then take it with you to AK.
You will have a MUCH WIDER selection of used tractors in the lower 48, and at much better prices.
deserteagle71
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2017
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- northern Nevada
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- John Deere 2020 diesel, Kubota M7060HDC12
I too have that metal lever with a little loop that you are talking about. That engages the PTO...but as Zebrafive states in his post above, mine also has the independent PTO option. So to run my PTO I first have to move that lever you are talking about.
Then I have to move the PTO clutch lever (middle one, pointing back towards the seat in this photo) forward to actually get the PTO to turn. And this is the annoying part because when I move one of the gearshift levers I also move the PTO lever downward and disengage the PTO:
Is this the same 3-point controller you find so annoying?
Ah, that makes a lot more sense then. I can see how you could knock the PTO out of gear.
I took some pictures as well.
Here's the old girl in all her glory.
And here's the little PTO lever on the left side. Not a big deal, since I don't have to use it more than once an hour or less, but not super easy to get at. Don't mind the little running board addon, my dad is experimenting with making some better foot shields.
Shift pattern and dash:
Here's the 3Point position lever. Since we only use it for brush hogging, we don't ever touch the draft lever. The position control is resting all the way down, and when I run the brush (bush) hog, I am constantly adjusting it at nearly that same height. My arm and neck get sore from always being bent over to adjust the lever. You can see that it's not much above my ankles on the foot rests.
It's also annoying because when I back up to hook up a new implement, I can't see the 3 point arms when I'm bent over adjusting the lever. If the lever were up higher, I could just turn my head and see behind me, but it's all the way down.
