Front rockshaft for JD 4010/4020

When I was a young boy, my dad had a 4010 and later a 4020, both of which had front rockshafts. I naturally thought that this was very common place and that "everyone" who owned a narrow front new generation tractor had one for his tractor. In my older age, I'm finding this to not be the case and in fact, am finding that very few people have even heard of a front rockshaft let alone have seen one or know where there is one. Just to clarify, this is NOT a rockbox. This is NOT a front 3-point. This is a shaft that mounts on top of the side rails right behind and beneath the fan and is designed to be able to lift/lower a front mount cultivator either side by side independently (if unlocked) or the whole cultivator at once (if locked). Additionally, the set up required at least one short arm (preferably two) to connect the rockshaft to the cultivator. Also, a cast iron bracket that mounted farther back on the top of the side rail was required to hold the rear of the hydraulic cylinder in place. These cast iron brackets were specific to a side (one for the right and a different one for the left). Does anyone know of someone who has these parts that he wouldn't mind parting with? I really need the cast iron bracket(s) and the short arm(s), but certainly would entertain aquiring the complete set up.

There was a guy who spruced up sevetal, like 5-6 4020's for auction at Mecum's big sales in Davenport that had frt rockshafts on every tractor with both cylinders. They also had about 8-10 frt slab weights each and at least 4 to 6 rear wheel weights per side. He'd sell similarly equipped 2-cylinder tractors too. I have no idea what his name was. Was 3-4 yrs ago he was doing this.

Dad bought the 4 row frt mounted cultivator for the 4010 at the same auction back in 1968. Think the cultivator was a 400, had been with the 4010 since brand new. Remote Cylinder raised right side, pipe from rear rockshaft ran to left side to raise/lower. Who thought it was a good idea to run a pipe 4-5 inches above the operators platform from the back of the tractor to the very front on the side you most often got on/off of?

Lot of 4020's around back in the 1960's & '70's and most cultivated and none of them had those frt rockshafts.

In my area of N Texas there were many new generation tractors utilized for cultivating rowcrops with frt mount cultivators that had frt rockshafts mostly because of farming land with contour terraces so each side of cult could be independently controlled due to presence of point rows

My brother has a 3010 gas that is super wide (128” to the outside rear tires) with a single front wheel with cultivators and a front rockshaft. They are not a common thing to see on a new gen or even a two cylinder tractor.

He might have acquired some pieces for the new gen, I will see what he has and if he’s willing to part with them.

Thanks for the response. If he has any parts available, please let me know.

Thanks for the response. I'll have to keep an eye open for the Mecum event. Hopefully, something will surface there. My dad bought a T-4 cultivator when he bought his 4010.

You might be able to find a front rockshaft as part of a complete front mounted cultivator, maybe for less cost than for a rockshaft alone. T-4 could be used with a front rockshaft, AT-4, T-6 and AT-6 are other possibilities.

Perhaps, if one could find a complete cultivator. Usually, when guys took the cultivator off of the tractor, they left the rockshaft on the tractor. My local JD dealer parts here doesn't even know anything about a front rockshaft. Fortunately, the oldest parts guy at the dealership, through my suggestions, was able to find a parts listing for a T-4 cultivator and then back his way into info about the rockshaft. Unfortunately, just about every part was listed as NLA.

The 3010-3020 with front rockshaft had special rear side engine panels that are today impossible to find.

We always used the rear rockshaft. I have two sets of the little short lift arms which attach to the rear rockshaft. The later set was a little different, for the side console tractors. I guess they'll go for scrap someday.

My 4010 came new with the short arms along with a support bracket on the head. The support bracket makes it impossible to install certain replacement water pumps so one time I wound up having to wait on pump parts versus throwing a reman pump on.

That's what my mechanic said as well. I guess this was necessitated by the fact that the 30s had a 4 cylinder engine which was just that much shorter resulting in shorter side rails. The 40s, having 6 cylinder engines, were longer which resulted in longer side rails and being able to use the regular side panels. I know my dad's 4010 used the regular side panels all the time with no need to swap them out for other panels.

Am I correct in assuming that the short arms you are referring to that you have, are just the regular ones required for a 3-point set up and would lift the 2-point lift arms?
Where are you located?

No. They are separate parts.

I have a set here that I am keeping to someday put on a tractor.Not that it will get used but I like the looks of it. I sold a set for a 4010 and a set for a two cylinder a few years ago for $250 each. Tom

Darn! Well, it's nice to know somebody has what I'm looking for. If you change your mind and decide to part with the set or any of the parts, please let me know. I'd certainly be willing to pay that. Thanks, Gary