John Deere 420

   / John Deere 420 #1  

Will_C

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
1,773
Location
Upstate N.Y.
Tractor
Kubota L3560, Toro 52" and 60" ZTRs, Kubota RTV 900
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
 
   / John Deere 420 #2  
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.
 
   / John Deere 420 #3  
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.
 
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   / John Deere 420
  • Thread Starter
#4  
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
 
   / John Deere 420 #5  
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.
 
   / John Deere 420
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't buy a tractor without a PTO and probably wouldn't buy one without remotes.

Will
 

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