JD 730 or 4020 for part-time farming

DavidT1

Member
Hello,
Got kind of an odd question, but if you were doing part-time farming of up to 200 acres and you had the option between a 730 or a 4020 that would be ONLY used for field work, what would you take? It would be for wheat/soybeans and pulling equipment such as a disk, drill and so on in the 12-14ft range in ND soil. We have a 620 already so know how they work and how to maintain two cylinders. Just looking for some thoughts. Thanks!!! :)
 
I love the 70, 720, 730.. but I too would get the 4020..As you know you THINK thats all your going to use it for but then something comes up and I wish I would have......good luck.. I have a 3020 and love it.. but looking for a 70..just to have.. gpa had one..
 
I would buy a nice 72 4020 side counsel in nice original shape and if you buy it right it will appreciate in value.The 2520,4000,4020,and 4320 still bring more than they were new by several thousand dollars.If you could find a NewGen II without cab they are good too but hard to find. Unfortunately the 2CYL have lost some value.
 
I agree I would pick a 4020 to have to use. As for the money that a side counsel 4020 is going to bring, I would search for a 4230/4430. The prices ive seen on the internet, they can be had for the same money, especially a open station And you have the option of a quad range transmission.
 
I too grew up on two cylinder John Deeres and the 720 was
my dream tractor. Finally was able to buy a really nice 730
about 10 years ago. Five years ago I added a 1969 4020
power shift. There is just no comparison if you want to work
them. The 4020 feels nimble while the 730 feels clumsy in
comparison. Maybe doesn't matter so much on a large field.
Often I had plans to use the 730 the next day but usually
wound up takins the 4020.
 
A friend of mine was in the same place a couple of years ago, ended up with a 4230 with cab. He loves it and loves the cab, especially because it is safer for his kids to ride along. Paul
 
For me I think the two cylinders loosing value is fortunate, I am looking to buy not sell! I am 32 years old and grew up on a 4020, it was the first tractor I ever drove and we still have it. I love the thing. I have a 70 that I bought 3 or 4 years back, this thing runs like a top. I love this tractor too. I have the choice and sometimes the 4020 works best for the job at hand and other times the 70 does so it would be a hard decision for me. My 70 doesn't have power steering but if I had a 730 that was loaded I may lean that direction. All this coming from a guy that farms with an 8770 and an 8300.
 
In my mind the single biggest limiting factor on
the 730 is hydraulics. The pressure just isnt
there and neither is the flow for an orbital motor.
If the 730 had 4020 hydraulic capabilities the race
for which tractor would be more undecided.

The 730 is very capable on 3pt. and drawbar work
but if remote hydraulics are needed you'll be
lacking.
 
I agree that the 30 GEN II series is the next hot one if low houred and cabless.You see very few without cabs and that makes them unique.The question was 730 or 4020 but the right 4020 will bring as much as a 4440 with over 9000 hours.Two improved features are front axle and hydraulics.
 
Thanks for the replys!! I for some reason thought the 730 would have been higher option. I do agree with a lot of the comments that a bit newer model can be had for less than the 4020. I was looking last night at a 4430 and a 5020 and both were less money than what 4020's bring up here. May have to do some rethinking on what to watch for. Thanks!!
 
Paul,
No lie i just finished reading that and i am now strongly thinking that maybe the better option over the 4020.
 
Mike,
Why do you say to stay away from the 5020? I know they were a bit underpowered for the weight. Any other reason? Thanks!
 
As the owner of a 5020, I'd agree with comment
about staying away.

They are good horses, but not the greatest for
part time farming. They are a little big,
although have a short turning radius. A little
clumsy, too, as they can be difficult to shift
if things are worn, and the clutch can be a bit
like an on/off switch if not adjusted properly.
The 1000 RPM only PTO can be an issue, too.

Parts availability and cost is similar to a
730... most stuff is out there (and may take
some searching) but expect to pay a lot more
than for, say, a 4020 equivalent.

A 5020 is an OK tractor, but I'd pick a 4020,
4430, 4040, and, yes, the 730 before the 5020.
 

I think this is an interesting question. There are a ton of options. I think the answer really comes down to what tractor do you want to drive and enjoy using. Obviously, the 4020 has features and refinement that the 730 will not have. But, driving a 2 cylinder versus driving a 6 cylinder is night and day difference. If you are just looking to buy something that is not that expensive to pull stuff on the farm that is one question. If you want to sit on a tractor that intrigues you and is a joy to watch work, that is another.

phil
 
If you are going to have only one I would take the 4020. You will not be near as tired at the end of a long day as with the 730. When I started farming I had a 720,630 and for a short time a 730, my wifes family had red tractors so they were replaced with 3020 and 4020 tractors that she could run. Two years ago I bought a 630 to use for fun around the farm and I hate it. Thought it would be fun to rake hay with but the steering is so much slower than a 3020 that it was work and not fun. Parts support is better for a 4020 as well. Something you might consider is buying an early 4020(hyd. on dash) and using the money you saved over a late model side console to buy a 720. Then you could enjoy both. Tom
 
5020 was the most unlike john deere that I know of, and for the old 2 cyclinders the mt was the worst for me.
 
What coonie says pretty well sums it up.

I reread your first statement and it sounds like you may just be doing heavy field work ? and if so if you find a nice 5020 it should be cheaper than a 4020 at least in our area ? and may just work well for you.
I'm not a big fan of the 2 cyl. diesels for work where you need something reliable and easy to fix. They are hard to work on and expensive to fix. Hard to find one not worn out.

Hard to beat a 4020 that's why they are the all time favorite JD going. But unless you just have to have one the prices may be up too high you can get more bang for your buck with a newer model.
 
Mike,
Yes you are right it will be for field work and tillage only. I don't have cattle or any other livestock just crops.
 
cost of maintenance om n the 4020 will be much
higher, and my local mega jd dealer no longer has
the tool to do steering valves and state that they
can't rebuild dash board hyd valves.I'd go with
the 730 diesel for that reason!
 
TractornutJD,
After this weekend of looking at a few different tractors and talking with my local shop, my dad and I decided we will be staying with the 730 option. As noted in my first post I have my Grandfathers 620 and it is my only farm tractor at this time and I love it, but we are hopeing to rent a bit more land and thought we should start to look now for another tractor. From talking with the shop and near by farmers the 2 cylinders in my area anyhow are easier to get parts and service on yet, plus we can get one for less money as the 4020's and similar are used regularly on cattle operations here. Now I need to humor if it is worth going to the 830 beings the 730 is close to my current 620 in power. Thanks again!
 
(quoted from post at 07:15:10 12/15/14) TractornutJD,
After this weekend of looking at a few different tractors and talking with my local shop, my dad and I decided we will be staying with the 730 option. As noted in my first post I have my Grandfathers 620 and it is my only farm tractor at this time and I love it, but we are hopeing to rent a bit more land and thought we should start to look now for another tractor. From talking with the shop and near by farmers the 2 cylinders in my area anyhow are easier to get parts and service on yet, plus we can get one for less money as the 4020's and similar are used regularly on cattle operations here. Now I need to humor if it is worth going to the 830 beings the 730 is close to my current 620 in power. Thanks again!

You area must be different than my area. 730 diesels sell as well as early 4020 diesels. Drive a 4020 for a day, then drive a 730 for a day. The 4020 will win hands down as far as comfort and the amount of work done. Leave the 2 cylinders for the collectors.

Don't get me wrong. I have a 60 I use several times a week to move feed and an early styled B that I use every excuse to drive. But, when it comes to actually going to the field and doing WORK, they stay in the shed and the 4430s get used. I don't own a 4020 right *now*, but I've spent many, many hours on one and will own one when I get a chance...
 

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