4020 diesel pulling an IH 720 4-18 plow

Tony730

Member
I have a 1967 4020 with 23hrs on engine
since complete overhaul. I am wondering if
it'll have enough Heart to pull a 4-18 semi
mount plow. I know it depends on the type a
soil it is to. I live in central Indiana. I
am thinking of getting a Oliver 4-16 plow
for it and it'd be a better match. I've
heard Oliver plows pull better to.
 
For many years I used a 4020 pulling a 4x16 semi mount Oliver. Pulled easy in sand , not so easy in clay. Our soil changes by the foot so sometimes your in sand, sometimes clay. So I needed a plow that I could handle over the good or bad. I always thought 5 bottoms would be to much part of the time. Pulling 18s would be like 5 16s.
 
For a non turbo 4020, a 4x16 would be a better match for sure. I have a 4x16 1350/1450 plow that my 4020 handles quite well. I would hate to ask more of it than that though.
 
I thought so. I have a 4230 and it handles
the 4-18 plow most of the time, but you know
it's there without a doubt. And I think it'd
be too much for a 4020 in the soil around
here. I think I am going to buy that Oliver
565 plow if I can still get decent shares
for it. The ones from shoups (weise) are
terrible.
 
Used to be a lot of red plows behind green tractors here. In "73 I bought a 4020 (cranked 102 hp) and 4-16 Melroe plow, later went to the 4-18 for better stalk clearance. No problem here on heavy soil...Nicollet-Webster soil types. Had a 5-18 IH 720 on the 4430 (cranked 137 hp) in later years, but the 5-18 Oliver/White plow laid a better furrow. Typically ran 8-10 inches deep.
 
In my neck of the woods most everyone pulled 5-16's with a 4020. Not fast, but it worked. When I was in high school I worked for a farmer one Saturday plowing old alfalfa with a 4020 pulling an Oliver 5-16's in second gear. Didn't get over many acres that afternoon but I thought I was king of the hill on that huge tractor.
 
I had a 1969 4020 back when that was considered a big tractor. I pulled 4-16s with mine, some neighbors bragged about their 4020s pulling 5 bottom plows but they also cheated them up a lot when they got info clay.
 
We have silt loam soils here, and 5-16's was the general rule with a 4020.

Over the years, what was thought to be an acceptable field speed has increased... but back then a bigger implement and tug slowly was the rule.
 
Just remember, there is not much difference between a 4230 and a 4020... biggest difference is a wet clutch and a nice cab.
 
If I were you I would rather have the 4-16 and have the speed option it would allow to lay the soil more level and maybe save another time over for fitting it down. Needless to say a little speed make for a nicer looking job.
 
JD made a 1350 plow with shear bolt standards and a 1450 plow with safety trip standards. FYI I am curious which one you have. I have a 1450 6-18" plow I used to pull behind a 4320, but my 4440 pulls it a lot easier.
 
I grew up in Shelby County Indiana. Had a 4020 PS and walked through almost all except "pot hole" gumbo in 4th gear, pulling 4-16's. We usually plowed around 7 in deep, depended on the field and moisture.
 

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