Most nimble handling - 4020, 4230, 4040?

Read posts all the time about how nimble handling the JD 4020 tractor is. Many state how a 4020 is a big tractor that handles like a little tractor.

My question is are the successor replacement models by JD for the 4020 like the 4230 and 4040 equally as nimble handling? Or does the 4020 even outrank them in nimbleness?

Lets limit the discussion to open station style tractors only so the newer cabs is not a factor in this answer.

Some years ago, my father bought a 4230. It DOES have a cab, however. He had used a 3020 for years on the front end loader and snow blower. He talked about a few different models of tractors, as well as brand other than a Deere. He had spent a lot of hours on a 4020 and a 4320, too. I have used his 4230 for handling round bales of hay. The tractor is equipped with 18.4 x 34 rear tires. Dad had thought the 3020 was probably the most handy and nimble tractor for multi-purpose use on the farm. He thinks the 4230, as far as multi-purpose use around the farm, is about as nimble and handy as his 3020 has been. He wanted a cab for the winter time use mostly, but that cab and the air conditioning gets used quite a bit in warmer conditions, too. For use with a front end loader, the 8 speed syncro or 8 speed powershift would be a bit more handy, but the quad range does suffice. Finding one with a transmission other than the quad range was almost like looking for a needle in a haystack at the time he was looking around. Keep in mind, a tractor of that age probably has some issues which will need to be remedied. The one he bought did, but it is now a very reliable machine.

I have several 4020's and a 4230 cab tractor as well. My go to tractor that I enjoy and use the most is my 4020 narrow front. The newer 30 series lack a little in visibility the way the operaters station boxes you in compared to the 4020. The 4230 seems a little longer from the operaters seat as well. It might not be but feels that way to me. The 4230's controls beside the seat are nice. It really comes down to what you like. Tom

A 4020 has a bit shorter wheelbase than a 4230 or 4040, an in tight spaces, I like the clutch smoothness on the 4020 better than the perma clutch on the later models. That said, the perma clutch iwill take a
lot of use!

They are all pretty similar, though.

I have a 4020 with wide frt. and a 158 frt loader and a rear 115 blade hanging on the back. While this combo is MUCH larger than the model 50 with 45 loader it replaced it is still a lot more nimble and can get into tighter spots.

I have a 4230 open station powershift that is the most used tractor on the farm

My uncle has a 3020 narrow front. That's the go to tractor for most small chores. A narrow front is by far the best for backing up equipment in tight places.

All 3 of these tractors are very nimble,, the smooth clutch operation and the nice low end power makes them that way, the open stations are good for easy mounting,,and you are more aware of what is going on around you,,but most of all the are very dependable, the 3 of them are my favorites..

Length makes the difference.4320 is longer than a 4020 and 3020 is shorter.I bought a nice 3020 with a narrow front and it was the handiest of all.Most all tractors are wide front and if they happen to have a MFWD that makes turning radius usually longer.

My brother in law bought a 4020 new and, although he no longer has it, still comments on its nimble abilities. He
ran a cattle feedlot and the 4020 would deftly back the large (for its day) spreader in and around corners and have
the grunt to haul it to the field. A great power/weight ratio.

I always felt like 4030s and 4230s were just as nimble as the 4020 and especially more comfortable to operate. For one they are better to get on and off of and the platform is much nicer and roomier. With all the gaps covered up on the sides and back, a lot of dust and debris is blocked vs a 4020 where you just have to eat it. Plus if you have a rider on the fender, you don't have to worry about them falling between the fender and platform or anyone getting a leg crushed by the rockshaft coming up. Moving on, the controls in my view are better located on the 30s and the tilt and telescoping steering is hard to beat in my book. Throw a quad range in that console and it would be very hard to go back to a pre-console 4020 syncro range.

I think most everyone could agree that the diff lock pedal engagement and disengagement is way nicer on the 30s vs that the little heel pedal that never seems to come up fully and you have to kick at it or pull it up by hand. Not to mention the 30s got rid of the stupid piece of pipe front axle for something nicer and sturdier. I'm sure by the numbers there are more 4020 guys out there so most of what you hear might favor them by a lot, but I like most or all of the improvements of the generation IIs.