John Deere 4020

ford4wd08

Member
Hello all, new guy here. My grandfather has been cattle farming for as long as I can remember. I chose to go into engineering, but I would like to some point get back into cattle a little. Which brings me to my post. My papaw had a JD 4230 he recently sold that he did all of his haying operation with. It was a good tractor, but terribly hard starting. I hated to see it go, but it is kind of a blessing that it went. I am just putting pencil to paper and trying to make my "plan" for what I would like to do in the next coming years. For some reason I am really drawn to a JD 4020. I just love the romantic notion of one. I am surfing all over the web to see what I can find on one, and I read some great info. If I was to choose this model, which I know there are many others out there for less that may be more of a tractor, would this make a good haying tractor for cutting and round baling? Probably a 4x6 role? Are they hard starting? Any thing to look out for early vs late model?
 
The 4020 is down 10 horse power or so from his 4230. They are also pretty high demand tractors. Will it work for the haying operation sure. If on a
modest scaly you wanted to play with hay. Two or three tractors are often best for making hay. One in the 125 to 150hp category wit hhydro transmission,
and one in the 100 hp class for MOCO or diskbine, and one in the 60 hp class for moving and transporting bales. Jim
 
ONE area I will comment on is the PTO clutch. Powershift used one setup through it's run, a multiple disc wet PTO clutch.

Synchro used a manually-operated dry PTO clutch in the earlier tractors, a hydraulically-engaged dry PTO clutch later, in the side-console years

So there are 3 quite different PTO clutch setups, and I believe you will get quite a variety of opinions as to which is the most desirable.
 
My grandad has the loader end covered. He has a JD 2630 with a loader. Engineering will definitely be the bread winner, but playing in hay would certainly be a hobby.
 
I worked for a JD dealer when 4020s were still used a lot in our area. the 30 series was new. We did lots of clutchs in the synchro tractors but I don't remember a ps ever coming in with problems. I always thought it was one of the best tractors JD built. That being said the 30 series, was pretty stout. As mentioned the 42s seemed to be hard to start but the 4430s were much better, also more power. If yoou are going to want a cab the 30 series is a lot better as the soundguard cab beat the heck out of the old Hinson and Hiniker cabs on the 4020, most guys wondered if the add on cabs were really an improvement over the "open station" except in the wind. Noise was a big factor. Also seems like adds I see everyone thinks their 4020s are worth more than the newer 30 series, sometimes even 40 series. Since 4020s are now 50 years old I think I would be inclined to look harder at 30 series.
 
Thank you for the reply. I guess I am just having bad memories of the 4230, if it was run for a long time and cut off warm, it wouldn't start up again without cooling. Maybe it was just this one, but hey that's all it takes. I'm not worried about a cab. Open station is fine by me as long as I have some shade. 4230 was a 4 post canopy.
 
I would move up to a 40 to 60 series. Be
sure and get a cab. But we have a 4010D My
dad bought it new in 63. My son owns it
now but he uses a M126 GX Kubota. We hay
with the Kubota Mowing and big baling. A
6060 Allis to square bale. And a 4320 JD
Compact to rake and pickup square bales.
Have a WD 45 to do odd jobs. Plus a few
Olivers to talk about! LOL
 
I don't think a cab is 100% necessary. It is a convenience yes, but AC and all is just something else to fix. I guess my reason for the 4020 is nostalgia... I won't necessarily be in a hurry when I get to this point of hay work. It might however just be a starting point, maybe buy a 40 or 50 series tractor later to fill in the gaps? Like I said all a plan in my head at this moment.
 
If I had to pick one to hay with and still keep the 4020 style I would look for a 4320. Same fell, just a little more ponies. It could run any moco easy, spin any size round baler and not bad on fuel. Only 6 inches longer than a 4020, all had hydraulic controls on the right side. Prices are high just like the 4020, but like a good Harley. Pay the price, take care of it, and always able to get what you paid for it back. 4320 was just John Deere's answer to everyone installing a turbo on a 4020. Same look. Same feel, just a little more iron. Bomb proof.
 
A cab is not a necessity for a round baler tractor BUT without a cab it IS very UN comfortable. Try it on a nice hot, humid day with the wind blowing all the chaff over you and you will change your mind in a hurry. I run a custom baling business and if I had to use a tractor without a cab I would quit the business. If I had to bale my own hay without a cab tractor I would hire someone to do it.
Running a round baler with a open station tractor can be done you just have to be ready to be VERY uncomfortable. Do yourself a big favor and buy a tractor with a cab to run the round baler.
 
Look at 4040/4240/4440's good cabs and improved performance over the 30's,, your 4230 would have started better if it was O/H'ed with improved pistons,, 4020's are a good tractor but they have had a lot of Birthdays...
 
If you are looking for a tractor for Romance What do you do with women? LOL
You better pencil out the profits in cattle recently. You will be buying a Cub Cadet for mowing.
A whole lot of guys with a lot of haying experience are giving you good advice and you are ignoring all of it. Why not go over to the JD board?
 
I'm not ignoring anything. That would be the day I buy a 4020 and say the heck to it all. I came for constructive criticism which is why I posted. Basically pros and cons. I'm listening no matter what I type lol
 

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I appreciate it. I might just have to start a collection lol. This is years in the making of course. Don't mind old items that require maintenance. I enjoy working on things. It's my escape from the engineering world....
 
There is JD4020 D for sale at auction on 2 Nov in Artesian SD Farm retirement sale. Cab, syncro, wf,
 
Hay is a very time and weather sensitive crop. Row crops or cattle on pasture would allow you to be much more flexible with your time time off. If you farm alone and have a good paying full time time off-farm job you could burn a lot of expensive vacation time and sick time just to "make hay when the sun shines". If you buy hay in the summer you can probably buy all your hay needs for less than it will cost to put it up yourself.

A 4020 or Generation II John Deere won't cost anymore than many other hobbies like a motorcycle, a boat, an old car, woodworking, etc. Buy the tractor you want and enjoy it as a hobby or use it as a yard tractor on an acreage.
 
(quoted from post at 18:11:56 10/24/16) Hay is a very time and weather sensitive crop. Row crops or cattle on pasture would allow you to be much more flexible with your time time off. If you farm alone and have a good paying full time time off-farm job you could burn a lot of expensive vacation time and sick time just to "make hay when the sun shines". If you buy hay in the summer you can probably buy all your hay needs for less than it will cost to put it up yourself.

A 4020 or Generation II John Deere won't cost anymore than many other hobbies like a motorcycle, a boat, an old car, woodworking, etc. Buy the tractor you want and enjoy it as a hobby or use it as a yard tractor on an acreage.

Good advice. Hadn't thought of that. I already have the boat, not into motor cycles. Tractors it is. I would lover to get my dad in on it, but that might be just a dream as well.
 
I'm on the same page as you dcarp. Get a tractor with ac. Life is to short too be miserable baling hay with no ac.I'm not a jd fan but a 4440 is all you need, if it has too be green.
 

4230 had a lousy "ground" negative return connection to the right side of the block. Purchase a new longer HD cable and connect to a starter mounting bolt. Install a $15 front pump de-stroker. You would not believe it was a same tractor.
 
4020's are getting a little old but you'd be hard pressed to find a more bulletproof Deere. JMO Do stay away from one that comes from a dairy.
 
(quoted from post at 12:01:52 10/25/16)
(quoted from post at 20:22:09 10/24/16) Iy you get a 4020 get the Powershift thay are bullet proof.

Powershift trans very expensive to repair when they fail or wear out.


What is not expensive to repair when they are down or just plain wore out?
 
(quoted from post at 04:01:52 10/25/16)
(quoted from post at 20:22:09 10/24/16) Iy you get a 4020 get the Powershift thay are bullet proof.

Powershift trans very expensive to repair when they fail or wear out.

I've read that in many places... It just blows my mind to have an inching pedal vs a real clutch.... I honestly would like to drive both.
 

I've thought about all the responses. I might lay off the 4020 notion and try to find an iron horse 40 series. I was thinking the 4240. It is an improved starter over the 4230? I don't like the idea of using ether in the summer months on a tractor. The less the better. Thoughts? Might go with a cab as well.....
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top