JD 4020 vs IH 966

Bill VA

Well-known Member
Haying, square baler with kicker and wagons, 9ft disc mower conditioner. Field rehab, ie no till, perhaps tillage, spring tooth field cultivator, disc
and cultipacker. Larger rental fertilizer and lime buggies from the coop. Bringing loaded wagons of kicked bales off our hills to the barn.,
spraying with a larger tank sprayer. A do it all haying tractor.

4020 or 966 and why.

Not interested in any other make or model for this thread.

Not looking to start a color war.

Bill
 
Between those two tractors I would opt for a 4020. I'm not going to say it's a better tractor. My ex's dad had an 806 and a 1066 and they were abused bad. They were falling apart but to take what they did for as long as they did they must have been really well built machines. The reason I would go with a 4020 would be better parts availability and they are more nimble handling. My ex's tractors also seemed to sit lower in the rear end than my Jd's and I would guess they would drag windrows. The steps on the IH tractors also seemed to be an afterthought. They were small and hard to climb up and off of. I know you said you weren't interested in other models but 4020's are bringing enough money right now I would really consider looking up to a 30 series JD. They would be around the same money if not a little cheaper and have many improvements.
 
Can't go wrong either way if the condition of any prospective tractor you look at is good. The 966 w/ TA will give you 16 speeds to work with versus 8 with the JD so that is one consideration if number of speeds is critical. Having driven both and closely related models the Deere will drive much nicer. Hydraulics on the 4020 are better IMO. Late 4020 is good on fuel but I think the 400 series engine in the 966 has a bit better torque and better on fuel than the Deere. As from the factory both are very good tractors. Unless a very nice '71/'72 4020 I would go with the IH but will say after 8-10 hours in the field the Deere will wear on you less. Good luck.
 
looking at some of your requirements i would have to say the 966 it is a heavyier tractor by almost a ton. i must admit i have mostly run IH but have run JD for the neighbors. the deere do drive nicer but to me the IH always sounded like they had more power. there was concern about parts avability below but i believe parts for both tractors are readly avalible.
 
Both are good tractors. The IH has a better motor and the JD handles easier. How may times are you going to be on and off the tractor a day??? The IH 966 has a taller platform height. They are like climbing a wall to get on without a step kit. The JD platform is lower.
 
I'll second that one. When they delivered my new Kuhn a few years ago,the blockman said they don't recommend an open tractor. I've got two big "holes" and several spiderweb cracks in the back window of my 2-105 from that thing throwing rocks at it. I'm pretty sure when looking at that window,that if either of those rocks had hit me,I'd either be six feet under or sitting in the corner rocking,sucking my thumb.
 
I guess we should have loaded up our old 4020 and dropped it off. Friday we left NY for Troutman NC. (just north of Charlotte) This was an unexpected trip to help with the grandchildren. We figured we had just enough time before wheat harvest to make it.

The 4020 diesel power shift is for sale. It's basically retired. I have it because of the power shift. I don't believe any other tractor of the era could handle as easy as this one. Not many today could compete with it either.
 
Bob, I wish I had the money for it but I don't. An early 4020 along with a very late 4020 is on my wish list. Right now I had better be wishing for rain.
 
We, very fortunately, got almost an inch of rain between Thur afternoon, and Fri morning, when we left. That's the most we've had in weeks. I've never seen so many terrible soybean stands.

I see, once again, rain was forecast for today. But it was another joke.
 
When I was a youngster we had a 4020 Powershift slide console . Tough to beat . Ran a 966 couple times , still think the jd was better .
 
I remember during the 1970's when flail type stalk shredders were the rage guys made protective cages that blocked off the area in back of the operator from fender to fender and most mounted on the 3pt hitch for quick on and off. Probably were not fool proof but certainly helped in a lot of instances. I remember one time when dad had me grab the neighbor's IH 60 stalk shredder that a couple of rocks flew by my head while out shredding corn stalks.
 
I?ve got a 12 foot moco with flail conditioners and the 4020 won?t hardly start it spinning. On paper it was supposed to (or so the salesman told me when I bought it new), but you can imagine the heated exchange when they delivered it and I hooked it to the 4020. It was supposed to go on that tractor because it was the only one without duals at the time. I know that?s three extra feet on mine but you might run shy of power in heavy hay. Those conditioner flails take some ponies. I do run it on my IH 886 when I have to. It does fine but I run a gear slower than when I put it on a larger tractor. The 4020 and the 886 are about the same power but I think the IH puts more to the pto.

We used to have a 966 and it is more powerful yet. We put about 12,000 hours on it before selling it and only replaced the starter. Darn good tractor, and that?s coming from someone who has both red and green machines.

With a 4020 you don?t have the transmission upgrade that a quad range gives you, so the IH pulls out ahead.
 
Better motor than the 404.....I seriously doubt that! I've personally seen that engine go for an ungodly number of hrs., but I do like the 966 also, they were tuff tractors.
 
Both are good top notch tractors. The '9' is newer('71 to '75),the 4020 (64 to '71).The '9' has more power,and better fuel economy.The '9' has 16 foreward gears;the 4020,8.the JD has better hydraulics,is lighter in weight,and is more nimble.The IH hydraulic pumps are much cheaper(and easier) to change if that even becomes necessary. Some folks say the 4020 easier to operate,I say they are bout even once you get used to them.The early 4020 with the hydraulic controls on the dash is unhandy(IMHO).The IH has both 1000 and 540 shafts. The 4020 must have the shaft changed each time you want/need to change pto speeds.The IH is taller than the JD.You would be happy with either tractor. If I remember correctly,you already have a 756?The 966 is the better choice then, simply because you are already used to IH. Plus,staying with one brand means everything 'fits'.Weights,filters,hitch dimentions,........Staying with one brand just makes better sence.
 
This is a tuff question. I have both and neither one is for sale. The jd handles a lot nicer. I like the ih for hard tillage. The 4020 will do fine with a 9 ft mower. I now have a 10 ft Kuhn and use it on the 966, because it is heavier. I rake and square bale with the 4020. Both are great tractors.
 
No,the hydraulic TAs lock equally well in both TA/direct. Just don't pull the TA back while going down that hill! It is NOT a 'jake brake'.
 
I would go with the 4020. I have three here right now. The 966 does not handle as nice and is much harder to get on and off of. My wife's family had a 1066 and she could not believe how much better a 4020 was to operate. You will have plenty of power for your 9 ft discbine. We cut everything from heavy rye for silage to alfalfa and grass and always cut in 5th gear sometimes 6th. I do not like the TA in the IH as they will free wheel when not in direct and will need repair sometime. For heavy tillage the IH is great and the twin pto shafts was a very good idea on the IH. Take the steering wheel off a 4020 and you can still steer it that will not work on the IH.I would prefer an 856 to a 966 and would never consider an 86 series. The IH does have a better engine but I have no complaits with the Deere 404. Lots of people made a good living with either one of them. Tom
 
If the 4020 is a side console, that's your winner. All the controls are very handy, comfortable and tough to beat.

If it's an early 4020, it's a toss up between the two, but would still lean towards the 4020. They're nimble and handle very well for their size. I've spent a few days on a 1066 and liked that too, but felt like I was reaching for all the controls instead of being placed in the right spot like a late 4020. Both are very reliable good horses though. I have no hate for the ih, just a touch less comfortable and agile.
 
Any IH bigger and newer than the 706 will not free wheel in low TA. Only the 656 and likely the other successor 6** series smaller frame models as well as allsmaller models than a 656 freewheeled in low TA.


Never ran a 966 but my dad had a 1066 back in the 1980's and early 90's. Tractor was not what I would call nimble but was a powerhouse for sure (basically a 966 with a Turbo I think). I would bet the 966 would outwork the 4020 on heavy tillage for sure

I have no doubt a 4020 would be more nimble for light jobs even though I never ran one. Square baling or raking hay with a 4020 is likely a very nice experience.


What would scare me about the 4020 is they are powerful at their wide open throttle engine rpm of 2500 rpm, but might not be any more powerful than your current 756 at with the engine PTO rpm. Might want to check that.
 
Both are great tractors and i have ran both in the field plowing a lot. The deere is nicer to handle much better hydraulics. Both are about the same on fuel. Needed more front end weights on the deere both pulling 5/16 all day long. Both are long life engines will go over 10000 hrs easy.
 
Both great tractors, I think the 4020 is just a little handier when sitting in the seat, but brute force I think a 966 will beat a 4020.
 
I own two 4020s both early models. One power shift. I grew up helping a close friend who had a 966. I also own a 1086 so I am not a all green or red kind of guy. I can tell you that if money is tight the 966 sells for 1/2 what a 4020 will. I have a friend who has a 9 for sale for 3500. You cant buy a parts tractor 4020 for that. The powershift 4020 is hands down a nicer tractor for making hay. Backing in wagons or doing chore work a 4020 with either tranny is the way to go. For tillage work a 966 weighted down is a good puller. Side by side it will out pull a stock 4020, but will never ride as nice. A 4020 will always hold its value if you don't over pay for it in the beginning. Think of one of them being an investment. I have seen both tractors with 10,000 hours on them and still running with little repairs, so to say one engine or tranny being better than the other would be a hard sell. I never liked round baling with a 966 because you need to reach behind the seat to turn on and off the PTO. I have seen adaptor leavers to move this to the side. A early 4020 sucks to have the hydraulic leaver on the left side dash each time you want to kick out a bale. I have a set of remote controls mounted on a pedestal between the right fender and the seat. It looks very nice and works better than a late 4020 side controls with out having to pay the big buck to own one. Each tractor can be made nicer very easy. Long story short,, either tractor will do the job and you will not be sorry. One just costs more money to own. Al
 
Your first statement should be inclusive of the 706 as well - it does not freewheel in low TA
either. I believe any model with a hydraulic shift TA is solidly connected both directions in low
range.
 
yes I should have worded that better and said starting with the 706 and bigger they do not free wheel in low TA
 
For square baling, general haying and some tillage, I'm not sure either one would be a big improvement over your 756. With 40 to 55 year old machines, condition is everything, drive each one to see which one is in better condition and which one you like better. A worn out seat suspension or excessive blow-by won't show up in the factory specifications.

Is the 756 not working out? Are you looking to replace the 756 or are you adding another tractor? Deere 4320, Case 970, and 1070 might have more modern features at less cost than a late 4020. A Case 930 CK would probably be the best low price value. If you will be adding a front end loader, I'd go with a Deere because of better handling, reversing and hydraulics. On heavy PTO loads, a 4020 runs at reduced RPM to make PTO speed, 1900 RPM instead of rated 2200 RPM. Five less HP, a little better fuel economy at 1900 PTO speed. 4320 would run 2200RPM at PTO speed.
 
Well lets look a the spec.s of BOTh . Yep i love red BUt the 4020 is a ice tractor , BUT they are fuel hogs when worked , why lets look at head design . They are NOT a cros flow head , next lets look at weight of the tractor , the 4020 is lighter , the engine on a 4020 is 404 cu. in. the 966 has a cross flow head and better bottom end torque and uses less fuel , the 966 has 10 CU. In over the der and it has better bottom end torque and it is heavier , then ya add in loaded tires and yes i am for LOADED tires add in a 1000 on the nose and some iron on the wheels the 966 can get to 14-15000 lbs vary easy. Will that be enough ?? don't know as i do not know your ground . Where we farm at there are times the 1066 fully loaded is not enough when dealing with fully loaded 18 foot silage wagons that can weight out at 32000 plus pounds and even behind the two big tractors whe use to use and they were weighing in at over 20000 each the loads would do what they wanted as TAIL WAGGING THE DOG . I have had a simple four row planter loaded full of fert and corn shove me with a 706 fully loaded down a hill ( that was fun) . With out seeing what your dealing with we are all guessing . And yes i have had a loaded wagon and baler shove a 1486 with loaded 20.8x38's full rack on the ft and three sets of Donuts on the wheels . what tires ya run is important and condition of the tires . Your 756 weighted can get you to 14000 and maybe a shade more , depending on tire size , ft weights and 150 wheel weights . YOu strt off with a tractor that weighs in around 9 to 9500 bare then throw in a 100-110 gal. of full strenght Cal each tire will run a 1000 or more then throw on another 750 in iron on the rear and a grand on the ft. with good tires makes a huge difference . No weight your asking for trouble .
 
(quoted from post at 02:19:13 07/11/18) Well lets look a the spec.s of BOTh . Yep i love red BUt the 4020 is a ice tractor , BUT they are fuel hogs when worked ,

The Nebraska testing lab doesn't support that statement.

The manual transmission (Synchro range) 4020 beat the 966 in fuel economy at rated engine speed, and the Power Shift version of the 4020 was only slightly beaten by the 966.

Test 930, 4020 Synchro 94.88 HP, 15.92 HP hrs per gallon
Test 1082, 966 gear drive 96.01 HP, 14.85 HP hrs per gallon
Test 849 4020 Power Shift 91.17 HP, 14.20 HP hrs per gallon
 
(quoted from post at 16:58:28 07/10/18) Does the TA freewheel down hills in some gears or TA position? Not a good scene with inexperienced operator..

The TA on the later models does not free-wheel. That would include the 706, 806, and later models.
 
Given the age I think you go with the one in the best condition. After 40-50 years of use what they where like from the factory doesn't mean squat. And I mean CONDITION - not hours. We ran an 886 past 20,000 hours and it was still twice the tractor than my FIL's 4040 was with 1/3 the hours.
 
The problem with those tests is they
dont necessarily do the same in the
field. Every 4020 and most jd's I've
driven have burn a lot more fuel that
most others.
 

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