John Deere 420

Will_C · Aug 24, 2015

Have been thinking about buying a vintage tractor for work in my food plots, and found a JD 420 listed at a local auction. I have a few questions-

1. What is the tractor capable of? Can it pull a 2 bottom plow? How big of a disk? I want to make sure it can handle these implements with a degree of ease.

2. Any particular weaknesses with these tractors? Any known problem spots that can be a money pit? Anything I should look at beside the usual tires, engine smoke, making sure everything functions as it should.

Thanks.

Will

Deere Dude · Aug 25, 2015

Forget about a 2 bottom plow, but should pull a 5' wide disc. I had one about 20 years ago and liked it.

They seem like nice tractors and have about 20HP. I would look for something with a rototiller for food plots.

Mace Canute · Sep 6, 2015

A friend has a love affair with old John Deeres and between the two of us we have several of them...Ds, an R, an Ar, an H, a 70, 3010, 3020, 4010, 4630 and a couple of garden tractors. They all require work ranging from just a tad to a considerable amount and all required a knowledgeable mechanic. Fortunately my buddy is a very good mechanic skilled in many thing besides just mechanics. Without that knowledge and ability it would be impossible to repair them. If you aren't equally capable you might be happier with something newer that doesn't require a lot of work to maintain it.

Also forgot to mention two "A"s.

Will_C · Sep 7, 2015

My retired farmer cousin is an old JD can-he. Polecats the ones he farmed with 40-50 years ago. He checked that particular tractor out and proclaimed it junk. He is keeping his eyes open for me-with his help I'm sure I can make an old tractor work for me.

Will

buickanddeere · Sep 8, 2015

The 420 was built over three years and had three major upgrades. You want a yellow and green 420 with the slant steering wheel , five speed and live pto. Either find a tractor with a SCV or locate the parts. There were also six or more chassis types of 420's which are suitable for different tasks . The row crop utility "W" is the most popular.