The John Deere 4020 tractor was produced from 1963 to 1972. It was part of John Deere’s New Generation series that replaced earlier tractor models. The 4020 delivered 101.3 horsepower and served farms across the United States and internationally.
New Generation Series Development
John Deere launched the New Generation series in 1963. The 4020 replaced the 4010 model that had been produced from 1960 to 1963. The tractor sat between the 4000 model (107.7 hp) and the 4320 (127.8 hp) in the product lineup. Production continued until 1972 when the 4230 replaced it.
Production Numbers
John Deere manufactured 184,879 total units at factories in Waterloo, Iowa and Mexico.
The production breakdown was:
- 168,311 diesel models.
- 17,732 standard configuration tractors.
- 8,445 LP gas models.
- 8,123 gasoline models.
Diesel engines accounted for 91% of total production.
Model Variants
The 4020 was available in four configurations:
- 4020 Row-Crop: Designed for row cultivation with adjustable wheel spacing and a 97.5-inch wheelbase.
- 4020S Standard: Built for general farming with a 100.25-inch wheelbase.
- 4020H High-Crop: Featured extended axles for crops requiring extra ground clearance.
- 600 Industrial: Modified for construction and industrial applications.
Engine Options
John Deere offered four engine choices:
- 6.6L 6-cylinder diesel engine.
- 5.6L 6-cylinder gasoline engine.
- 5.9L 6-cylinder gasoline engine.
- 5.9L 6-cylinder LP gas engine.
Testing showed the tractor produced 83.79 drawbar horsepower and 95.83 PTO horsepower.
Transmission Systems
Two transmission options were available:
- 8-Speed Partially Synchronized: The standard transmission with eight forward speeds.
- 8-Speed Full Power Shift: Allowed gear changes without using the clutch.
Hydraulic System
The 4020 used a closed-center hydraulic system with these specifications:
- 10-gallon capacity (Syncro-Range) or 12-gallon capacity (Power Shift).
- 2,250 psi operating pressure.
- Single selective control valve with 6 GPM flow.
- Total system flow of 18 GPM on early models.
- Rear lift capacity of 3,790 pounds.
Standard Features
The tractor included:
- Power steering.
- Hydraulic wet disc brakes.
- Open operator station with optional cab.
- Mechanical rear differential lock.
- 4×2 2WD or optional 4×4 HFWD.
Fuel and Capacity Specifications
Fuel tank capacities were:
- 34 gallons for gasoline and diesel models.
- 45 gallons for LP-gas models.
The tractor weighed between 8,225 and 9,560 pounds depending on configuration.
Power Take-Off Systems
The 4020 featured both rear and front PTO options:
- Rear PTO: 540/1000 RPM independent operation.
- Front PTO: 1000 RPM independent operation.
Both systems operated at 1,900 engine RPM.
Electrical System Changes
The electrical system evolved during production:
- 1964-1969: Positive ground system.
- 1969-1972: Negative ground system.
24V floating system available as option.
Motorola alternator provided 55-amp charging.
Single battery for 12V systems, dual batteries for 24V systems
Pricing
The original price was $10,345 in 1972.
Serial Number System
Serial numbers were located on a plate at the rear of the transmission case. Production started with serial number 65000 in 1964 and ended with 270288 in 1972.
Production Timeline
- 1964: Serial numbers began at 65000.
- 1965: 91000.
- 1966: 119000.
- 1967: 145660.
- 1968: 173982.
- 1969: 201000.
- 1970: 222160.
- 1971: 250000.
- 1972: 260791.
- Final: 270288.
Tire Specifications
Standard tire sizes were:
• Front: 6.00-16
• Rear: 15.5-38
Attachments
The tractor was compatible with front-end loaders and other implements.
Production End
Production ended in 1972 when John Deere introduced the 4230 model for the 1973-1977 model years. The 4020 had served as the primary mid-range tractor in John Deere’s lineup for nine years.
