JD 1020 Loader Tractor Opinion and Fair Price

Hello JD Forum,
My efforts to buy a JD 1020 gas loader tractor were dashed when the owner sold it before i could get it inspected.
I have found another and would like to ask all the experts the following:

1. Is the 1020 (1967) gas loader tractor ( can't tolerate diesel fumes) a good choice for use around my house and small pecan farm for moving material, objects and some landscaping. I plan on dedicating
this loader tractor for just that,with the possible exception of occasional rotor tilling (if it will go slow enough?)
2. Your opinion of this model of JD loader tractor in general as far as durability, longevity and ease of operation, and your opinion of this loader tractor in particular.
3. What is a fair price for this tractor?

The current owner has worked at refurbishing this tractor over many years, has a detailed spreadsheet of all parts and work done on the tractor.
Hours ~ 1200; Asking Price $7900

Keep looking. It's nice but he has way to much in it so he won't sell for market value. Might bring $3500 here if it runs as good as it looks. Old tractors are just like old pickup trucks. Doesn't matter what you invest they are only worth so much.

I have a 301a which is an industrial version of that tractor, with what is probably a better loader, a 145 I think. I would say I have used mine a lot, drinks fuel, not much power, light in the rear. Too much money, even though it looks good.

With time he will get his asking price. You might buy a cheaper one with some problems but you will have that much in it by the time you get it fixed up. The 48 was a good loader and the tractor looks very good. Having records of what has been done to it is great. The reply below about $3500 I will take 10 at that price if they look like the one you have pics of. Go price a good lawn mower. It would be nice to buy it for less but I sold a 2030 with low hours for $5500 (no loader)and had a good bit of interest and a 48 loader will bring $1500-2000. Having the package together and the history makes it an ok deal. Tom

I don't doubt that the seller could have $7900 in it, but in average condition it would be overpriced at that. Fresh paint can hide a lot of sins.

A lot of 48 and 148 loaders were used on 4020s and they held up well. A 1020 would have a tough time hurting that loader. Dad had one on a 2020 and that was a great combination. The 2020 had a straight front axle and about 2000 pounds of weights and fluid on the rear axle to balance the loader with an 60 inch materials bucket and 80 inch snow bucket extension that added about a foot onto the front of the bucket. The snow bucket was a pain to remove, so after the first year we cleaned cattle barns with the snow bucket in place. The single tilt cylinder would get a bit spongy with a full snow bucket of cattle manure or dirt. The 48 loader can be removed or attached in less than 5 minutes. Ask if the seller has the loader stands.

Nebraska Tractor test #935 Deere 1020 gasoline - https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.bing.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1412&context=tractormuseumlit

The lower gears should be slow enough to run a roto-tiller. That tractor does not have an independent PTO (hydraulic PTO control would be between the shifters), but it might have a continous running PTO with a two stage clutch. Press in the clutch petal to the floor and check for more resistance of a second stage in the bottom two or three inches above the floorboard.

That outfit would normally sell for $4,500 to $6,000 in average condition, or $3500 to $5000 for the tractor alone in average condition. This one is very straight with good tires and a great paint job. The loader is also in good condition. The front edge of the bucket looks to have been updated.

You'll have to drive the tractor to determine its condition and if the 1200 is original or if the hour meter was reset at the last engine overhaul. The controls, petals, drawbar, 3pt hitch, and loader should be tight and smooth, close to new. For $7900 there should be a lot of receipts for parts and work done. The seller is probably looking for $7000 to $7500. If the 1200 hours is real you may have a hard time finding another tractor half that age that is as nice. I would be skeptical of the low hours until it actually checks out like new.

The JD 1020 tractor was pretty rugged. The JD 48 load on it would hold up well too. The bad part is he could very easily have $7900 in the tractor. Even with the rebuild and new paint it is not worth that on the open market. $4500-5500 would catch it most of the time. The issue I see is your wanting a gas motor so that limits you to an older tractor. So you will have to make the call on what this one tractor is worth to YOU. You will never sell it for anywhere near the $7900 mark. Having said that If you keep the tractor for 10-15 years and have to spend little on it because of its current condition than it becomes "cheap" tractor to you. So you can take the amount it is over valued over a period of time. It becomes a few hundred dollars a year extra expense. So it become livable.

Thanks to all for your replies, lots of good info provided.
Just like in most things-- a wide range of opinions on this tractor, all are appreciated.
The owner has sent me a spreadsheet showing repairs, parts, and comments. ( i have attached 5 .jpg screen shots that show all entries)
he bought the tractor in 2003, he says there was 1100 hrs on the working hr meter when it quite working and he replaced the tach (hr meter)in 2015, thus re-starts at zero.
Hour meter now reads ~ 100 hrs.

As thorough as the owner is i tend to believe his hrs claim, but maybe the JD dealer i plan on hiring for intpsectdion can see if corroborating evidence supports that- probably no way to determine.

Any furhter thoughts or comments are welcome.
Again, thanks for taking the time to provide your input.

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The print on the spread sheet is a bit small for me to read. It looks like the coolant was changed in 2003, 2014 and again in 2016. Was the hydraulic fluid last changed in 2003, what condition is the hydraulic oil in now, milky with water? I didn't see any engine work that would suggest an overhaul. It looks as if the hour meter meter was replaced shortly after it quit working, so I would trust the sellers statements about the hours he put on the tractor. The rear tires look very good, one was new in 2004 and the other came from another tractor. The spreadsheets suggest mostly cosmetic improvements, a "Sherwin-Williams overhaul". The seller is likely honest, but if engine work is claimed, ask to see the actual receipts.

You don't know the history in the 36 years between 1967 and 2003. The hours could have been reset or the meter was replaced in that time. You also don't know if the engine was overhauled in that time, I would budget that it could be the original engine unless the seller has receipts for an overhaul ($3,500 for an overhaul ?).

Drive it to see how tight and smooth everything operates. Check the coolant (test strips) and hydraulic oil before you start it and check the color of the hydraulic oil again after you run it. It sounds more like it could be in average condition with good sheet metal, a great paint job, better than average tires and a good heavy duty loader. If things don't look or operate right be ready to walk away.

You won't be able to resell it for close to the asking price. IMHO if you like it and will keep the tractor a long time it could still be an OK buy at closer to $6000.

ss55 thanks for your extensive comments.
I will try and answer your questions i have answers:
*He states the transmission fluid is crystal clear.
*The hour meter was replaced when it quit working in 2015 with 1100 hours showing, currently~100 hrs on new tach/hour meter.
*No engine/transmission overhaul:, but wouldn't expect one if the hours are honest would it?
*Will ask owner if he has any knowledge if any engine/transmission work was done by previous owner he bought it from.

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As long as the brake pads and rotors are good . The price is high but acceptable . Hopefully it has had more than a DuPont Overhaul .
How is the loader valve plumbed into the tractor ? Can’t tell for certain but it probably is and should be supplied from the high pressure line prior to the SCV valve . And returning the oil into a ported filter cover, not directly into the transmission sump.

Thanks buickanddeere for your response.

Will be sure and have this checked by the JD dealer inspector.

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(quoted from post at 14:07:51 07/03/18)
l .
How is the loader valve plumbed into the tractor ? Can’t tell for certain but it probably is and should be supplied from the high pressure line prior to the SCV valve . And returning the oil into a ported filter cover, not directly into the transmission sump.

Click to expand...

I wonder what the purpose of the hose visible in photo is for??

The only black object that comes from the front takes a right angle and then heads to the right and goes behind the top-link bracket and below the remote hydraulic ports?

I think that is part of the electrical wiring. It has black flex covering over some wires. I can see that from the detailed picture I have of this view.

Good question. I am leaning towards that black item being a type of flexible conduit routing and protecting the wiring to the trailer light socket.

i know i am off subject here, but do not understand your comment on diesel fumes. I guess you are talking exhaust.

I am happier than a pig in you know what with my compact utility. Love the little Yanmar diesel. i don't think it "stinks" except for a small puff of black on start up.

I got a couple of antiques that run good but wanted something to jump on with a hydro drive, use it and not deal with aged equipment.