JD 3020 D vs 720 gas?

I'm looking to put a little more horsepower on my farm. I have a '57JD 720 gas wide front that I use quite a bit and I have found a '68 JD 3020 diesel syncro wide front for sale. I live in pretty hilly terrain and even the 720 boggs down in 4 gear pulling an 8ft 3pt disc with a 12ft drag. I am looking at getting a 10-12ft wheel disc for my corn fields and was wanting to make sure the 3020 would out pull the 720. According to tractor data, the 3020 has a few more hp and is a little heavier. What are your thoughts?
Thanks
 
If you're trying to really out pull the 720, you probably would be happier with a 4010 or 4020 because a good weighted 720can pull almost as much as a 3020....not as fast maybe, but it will do the same job.....just s little slower.
 
I've got a 720 gas also. I'd rather have it than a 3020 I think. If I were you I would look at a 4010 or 4020 like others have said. More weight and power and better on fuel also.
 
A 3020 will not want to have anything to do with a 12 ft disc and drag on the sandy land where I live. That's the set-up we used with a 4020. 10 ft... maybe. All said, If you could find a 4000 you would be happy... Plenty power and better economy.
 
The 3020D is rated around 70 H.P.and being a diesel will improve its lugging power.That being said I personally like the 404 motors much better in the 4020 series and they closer to 95/100H.P. and I have seen equal 3020/4020s side by side bring about the same money as the 3020 is one of the handiest yard tractors and sell well.The 270 motor was only used in 3020s and they dont run as smooth due to the way they are balanced.The 3020D is a big step in technology from a 720gas.
 
A 720 is really a hoss !! Especially the diesels.

A 3020 will be no match for one. Better just get the 4020. Or for the same money these days get a 4230 even with a cab. The 20 series are hot for collectors now.
 
Back in the day my Dad had a 720D traded an A for a 3010D. best I remember they were pretty equal but the 3010 may have been a bit faster as far as ground speed went. I remember using 4th gear on both for most all jobs.
 
Like you I farm in a hilly area with a 730. To help wih the gradient my 730 has M4WD.

I needed more hp and considered replacing the 730 with another tractor - I decided against this and am now rebuilding the 730 with 830 valves to increase HP.

I suspect that the 3020 would not meet your expectations.
 
I don't think the 3020 would be a huge improvement.

We have both a 720 Diesel and a 3020 diesel.

When we used to haul forage boxes with both of them (716a JD boxes with tandem gears), one wet fall- I'm thinking 93- the 3020 would get stuck pretty easily with a full box. And we'd back into the same rut with the 720, with the same size tires, back up 10 feet, and would jerk that load out with no problem at all.

At least the 720 diesel would outperform the 3020 in a lot of ways. The 3020 however didn't need a pony motor, had better hydraulics, etc.
 
Stick to the 720! that 3020 while nice is getting out with all the hyd problems yet to come if they haven't been fixed allready. Johnd Deeres " closed minded" hyd work great untill a internal leak occurs and them super heating oil and lots of $$$$. Local mega Jd store doesn't even have tools for the powersteering valve or rockshaft valve. And the remotes, about $750 to rebuild, Mega store has them lined up on the floor for rebuild. Saw a 70 diesel pull a 4020 diesel backwards untill the sun went down. As 15yrs as a mechanic I say stick to the 720.While a 3020 or over rated 4020 might have more raw pto horse power (4020 is bogus due to over riding the governor to 96hp- factory design) they just dont have the traction or lugging ability. I personally baled hay with a 730d and 327 baler- put in 1500 bales on a little over 6 gallons diesel, used uncles 4020 later in the week got about 1350 bales and 15 gallons diesel. Just my experience.
 

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