John Deere 4020 Specs
| Production | |
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
| Row-Crop tractor | |
| Factories | Waterloo, Iowa, USA |
| Mexico | |
| Total built | 184,879 (total) |
| 8,123 (gas) | |
| 8,445 (LP) | |
| 168,311 (diesel) | |
| 17,732 (standard) | |
| Original price was $10,345 in 1972 | |
| 4020 Serial Numbers | |
| 1964 | 65000 |
| 1965 | 91000 |
| 1966 | 119000 |
| 1967 | 145660 |
| 1968 | 173982 |
| 1969 | 201000 |
| 1970 | 222160 |
| 1971 | 250000 |
| 1972 | 260791 |
| Final | 270288 |
| Engine options | |
| John Deere 6.6L 6-cyl diesel | |
| John Deere 5.6L 6-cyl gasoline | |
| John Deere 5.9L 6-cyl gasoline | |
| John Deere 5.9L 6-cyl LP gas |
| Engine Detail | |
| John Deere | |
| diesel | |
| 6-cylinder 12-valve | |
| liquid-cooled inline | |
| Oil capacity on most 4020 diesels increased from 8 to 12 quarts starting with the 1969 model year, tractor serial number 201,000. High-crop diesel tractors retained the 8-quart capacity throughout the production run. Tractors fitted with after-market turbochargers, and early tractors with replacement oil pans, may also have the higher oil capacity. | |
| Displacement | 404 ci 6.6 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.25×4.75 inches 108 x 121 mm |
| Compression | 16.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2200 |
| Idle RPM | 600-2500 |
| Operating RPM | 1500-2200 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 24 |
| Coolant capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.018 inches 0.457 mm |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.018 inches 0.457 mm |
| Engine Detail | |
| John Deere | |
| gasoline | |
| 6-cylinder 12-valve | |
| liquid-cooled inline | |
| Original gasoline and LP-gas engine, used through the 1965 model year. | |
| Displacement | 340 ci 5.6 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.25×4.00 inches 108 x 102 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2200 |
| Idle RPM | 650-2500 |
| Operating RPM | 1500-2200 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Coolant capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.025 inches 0.635 mm |
| Point gap | 0.016 inches 0.406 mm |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.015 inches 0.381 mm |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.028 inches 0.711 mm |
| Engine Detail | |
| John Deere | |
| gasoline | |
| 6-cylinder 12-valve | |
| liquid-cooled inline | |
| The larger, 362 ci engine became available in 1966, replacing 340 ci engine. | |
| Displacement | 362 ci 5.9 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.25×4.25 inches 108 x 108 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2200 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 8 qts 7.6 L |
| Coolant capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Engine Detail | |
| John Deere | |
| LP gas | |
| 6-cylinder 12-valve | |
| liquid-cooled inline | |
| Displacement | 362 ci 5.9 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.25×4.25 inches 108 x 108 mm |
| Compression | 9.0:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2200 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 8 qts 7.6 L |
| Coolant capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Transmission options | |
| 8-speed partially synchronized | |
| 8-speed full power shift |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | John Deere Syncro-Range |
| Type | partially synchronized |
| Gears | 8 forward and 2 reverse |
| Oil capacity | 52 qts 49.2 L |
| Oil type | 303 Special |
| Synchro-Range requires the tractor to be stopped and clutch depressed to select one of four shift stations. Once a station is selected the tractor can be shifted on the move between the two forward gears (and single reverse in stations 1 and 2) by using the clutch. | |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | John Deere Power Shift |
| Type | full power shift |
| Gears | 8 forward and 4 reverse |
| Oil capacity | 68 qts 64.4 L |
| Oil type | 303 Special |
| Power Shift allows shift-on-the-move between gears without clutching. | |
| John Deere 4020 Tires | |
| Ag front | 6.00-16 (row crop) |
| 7.50-18 (standard) | |
| Ag rear | 15.5-38 (row crop) |
| 18.4-34 (standard) | |
| John Deere 4020 Power | |
| Drawbar (tested) | 83.79 hp 62.5 kW |
| PTO (tested) | 95.83 hp 71.5 kW |
| Mechanical | |
| Drive | 4×2 2WD |
| 4×4 HFWD 4WD * | |
| Differential lock | mechanical rear Opt |
| Power steering | |
| Hydraulic wet disc brakes | |
| Open operator station. Cab optional. | |
| Capacity | |
| Gasoline Fuel | 34 gal 128.7 L |
| Diesel Fuel | 34 gal 128.7 L |
| LP-gas Fuel | 45 gal 170.3 L |
| Syncro-Range Hydraulic system | 10 gal 37.9 L |
| Power Shift Hydraulic system | 12 gal 45.4 L |
| Tractor hitch | |
| Rear Type | II |
| Rear lift | 3790 lbs 1719 kg |
| Power Take-off (PTO) | |
| Rear PTO | independent |
| Rear PTO Type | 540/1000 (1.375) |
| 1000 (1.375) | |
| Engine RPM | 540@1900 |
| 1000@1900 | |
| Front PTO | independent |
| Front PTO Type | 1000 |
| Engine RPM | 1000@1900 |
| Hydraulics | |
| Type | closed center |
| Syncro-Range Capacity | 10 gal 37.9 L |
| Power Shift Capacity | 12 gal 45.4 L |
| Pressure | 2250 psi 155.1 bar |
| Valves | 1 |
| SCV flow | 6 gpm 22.7 lpm |
| Total flow | 18 gpm (early) 68.1 lpm |
| Dimensions | |
| Row crop Wheelbase | 97.5 inches 247 cm |
| Standard Wheelbase | 100.25 inches 254 cm |
| Length | 151 inches 383 cm |
| Width | 89.6 inches 227 cm |
| Regular rear axle | 3.375 by 91 inches 85 by 2311 mm |
| Long rear axle | 3.375 by 104 inches 85 by 2641 mm |
| Extra long rear axle | 3.375 by 112 inches 85 by 2844 mm |
| Front tread | 48.5 to 82.25 inches 123 to 208 cm |
| Rear tread | 60 to 91 inches 152 to 231 cm |
| Rear tread | 66 to 97 inches 167 to 246 cm (long axle) |
| Rear tread | 67 to 105 inches 170 to 266 cm (extra long axle) |
| John Deere 4020 Weight | |
| Shipping | 8436 lbs (diesel syncro) 3826 kg |
| 8225 lbs (gas syncro) 3730 kg | |
| 8319 lbs (LP syncro) 3773 kg | |
| Operating | 8645 lbs (gas syncro) 3921 kg |
| 8945 lbs (diesel syncro) 4057 kg | |
| 9240 lbs (gas powershift) 4191 kg | |
| 9560 lbs (diesel powershift) 4336 kg | |
| Ballasted | 13980 lbs* 6341 kg |
| John Deere 4020 Height | |
| Row-crop Steering wheel | 77.9 inches 197 cm |
| Standard Steering wheel | 78.25 inches 198 cm |
| Standard Exhaust | 88.25 inches 224 cm |
| Row crop Exhaust | 88.75 inches 225 cm |
| Electrical | |
| Ground | positive (1964-1969) |
| negative (1969-1972) | |
| floating (24V) | |
| Charging system | Motorola alternator |
| Charging amps | 55 |
| Batteries | 2 (24V system) |
| 1 (12V system) | |
| Battery volts | 12 |
| Battery AH | 75 |
John Deere 4020 Attachments
| Attachment overview | |
| John Deere 148 loader | |
| John Deere 158 loader | |
| John Deere 48 loader |
| 148 Loader | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Loader Model | 148 | 148 |
| Lift Capacity | 3100 lbs | 1406 kg |
| Breakout Force | 4700 lbs | 2131 kg |
| Dump Angle | 38° | 38° |
| Reach (Dumped) | 32 inches | 81 cm |
| Rollback Angle | 11° | 11° |
| Height (at Pin) | 126 inches | 320 cm |
| Clearance (Dumped) | 102 inches | 259 cm |
| Clearance (Level) | 121 inches | 307 cm |
| Boom Cylinder Diameter | 2.5 inches | 6 cm |
| Bucket Cylinder Diameter | 2.5 inches | 6 cm |
| Weight | 1350 lbs | 612 kg |
| Bucket Width (60 inches) | 60 inches | 152 cm |
| Bucket Width (72 inches) | 72 inches | 182 cm |
| Bucket Width (84 inches) | 84 inches | 213 cm |
| Bucket Width (96 inches) | 96 inches | 243 cm |
| Bucket Capacity (0.5 cu yd) | 0.5 cu yd | 0.4 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.6 cu yd) | 0.6 cu yd | 0.5 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.8 cu yd) | 0.8 cu yd | 0.6 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.9 cu yd) | 0.9 cu yd | 0.7 cu m |
Here’s the updated table for the 158 Loader:
| 158 Loader | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Loader Model | 158 | 158 |
| Lift Capacity | 3800 lbs | 1723 kg |
| Breakout Force | 5000 lbs | 2268 kg |
| Dump Angle | 37° | 37° |
| Reach (Dumped) | 32 inches | 81 cm |
| Rollback Angle | 12° | 12° |
| Height (at Pin) | 156 inches | 396 cm |
| Clearance (Dumped) | 132 inches | 335 cm |
| Clearance (Level) | 151 inches | 383 cm |
| Boom Cylinder Diameter | 2.75 inches | 7 cm |
| Bucket Cylinder Diameter | 2.5 inches | 6 cm |
| Weight | 1771 lbs | 803 kg |
| Bucket Width (60 inches) | 60 inches | 152 cm |
| Bucket Width (72 inches) | 72 inches | 182 cm |
| Bucket Width (84 inches) | 84 inches | 213 cm |
| Bucket Width (96 inches) | 96 inches | 243 cm |
| Bucket Capacity (0.5 cu yd) | 0.5 cu yd | 0.4 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.6 cu yd) | 0.6 cu yd | 0.5 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.8 cu yd) | 0.8 cu yd | 0.6 cu m |
| Bucket Capacity (0.9 cu yd) | 0.9 cu yd | 0.7 cu m |
| 48 Loader | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Loader Model | 48 | 48 |
| Lift Capacity | 2400 lbs | 1088 kg |
| Breakout Force | 3600 lbs | 1632 kg |
| Dump Angle | 39° | 39° |
| Reach (Dumped) | 26 inches | 66 cm |
| Reach (Ground) | 68 inches | 172 cm |
| Rollback Angle (Ground Line) | 9° | 9° |
| Height (at Pin) | 126 inches | 320 cm |
| Clearance (Dumped) | 104 inches | 264 cm |
| Weight | 1220 lbs | 553 kg |
| Bucket Width (60 inches) | 60 inches | 152 cm |
| Bucket Width (72 inches) | 72 inches | 182 cm |
John Deere 4020 Problems
The John Deere 4020 is a well-loved tractor, but it does come with a few common issues that users frequently report. Here’s a rundown of what to watch out for:
Engine and Fuel System Problems
- Rough Idling and Stalling Under Load: Some users find that their 4020 starts fine but idles roughly and stalls when working hard. The tractor seems to run better when the choke is partially engaged, which might point to issues with the carburetor or fuel delivery system. Even after regular maintenance like changing plugs and cleaning the carburetor, this issue can persist.
- Diesel Fuel in Oil: Another issue is diesel fuel mixing with the engine oil, which can happen even after fixing the injector pump and lift pump. This persistent problem raises concerns about the long-term health of the engine.
- Overheating: Overheating is another concern, with some users noting that the temperature gauge can hit 240°F, well above the normal range. This could potentially damage the engine, so it’s important to check for head gasket leaks and keep a close eye on the oil condition.
Hydraulic System Problems
- Loss of Power Steering: A common hydraulic issue is losing power steering when the clutch is engaged. This is often related to problems with the hydraulic pressure system, especially in the syncro range transmission. Some users have found that modifications to the hydraulic system can help reduce this problem.
- General Hydraulic Failures: Various hydraulic problems can occur, such as a drop in system pressure, which affects implement operation and steering. This might be due to worn components or leaks in the hydraulic lines.
Transmission and Gear Shifting
- Transmission Issues: Transmission problems, particularly in the syncro range models, have been reported. Worn check valves can cause hydraulic pressure loss, affecting gear shifting and overall performance.
- General Maintenance: Regular maintenance of the syncro linkage and brakes is crucial. Keeping these components in good shape can help prevent many of the common issues seen with the 4020.
Overall, while the John Deere 4020 is a reliable tractor, staying on top of these potential issues can help keep it running smoothly.
John Deere 4020 Review
The John Deere 4020 is a standout tractor, praised for its durability and advanced features, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many farmers. Here’s a detailed look at this iconic model:
First introduced in 1963 as part of John Deere’s New Generation series, the 4020 quickly became a top seller, with over 180,000 units sold. It was offered in various configurations, including row crop, standard, and Hi-Crop versions, to meet a wide range of agricultural needs.
Features
The 4020 was packed with innovative features for its time:
- Engine Options: It was available with gasoline, diesel, and LP-gas engines, offering flexibility for different farming operations.
- Hydraulic System: The tractor came with a closed-center hydraulic system, which was more efficient than the open-center systems used by competitors. This improvement allowed for better control and responsiveness when using implements.
- Power Shift Transmission: This feature allowed for smooth gear changes without needing to clutch, enhancing overall efficiency. The tractor also boasted a robust power take-off (PTO) system compatible with both 1000 and 540 RPM equipment.
- Comfort and Control: The 4020 featured a posture seat for added comfort, smooth power steering, and a variable-speed engine, making it easier to operate for extended periods. Its independent power take-off and position-responsive rockshaft also improved implement handling.
Performance
While many users appreciate the 4020 for its reliability and user-friendly design, some have noted that it may feel underpowered compared to modern tractors. For example, it can seem less powerful when pulling heavy implements. Despite this, its long-lasting durability and ease of maintenance often make these concerns secondary for many farmers.
Variants and Collectibility
The 4020 saw significant updates throughout its production, with a major redesign occurring at serial number 203,000 in 1969. This update included changes to hydraulic controls and engine components. Collectors often prefer the later models due to these improvements and increased reliability.
Conclusion
The John Deere 4020 is celebrated for its blend of power, efficiency, and user-friendly design. It remains a cherished choice among vintage tractor enthusiasts and continues to be a dependable workhorse on many farms. Whether for restoration projects or daily use, the 4020 exemplifies the quality and innovation that John Deere is renowned for.