Farmall 856 vs JD 4020D

I do not expect that ANYONE would use either of these tractors as a primary, heavy use tractor in a farming operation. If you are needing the tractor to make a living from it, you would have a much newer tractor.

An older tractor of this size is now most likely to be a third string backup on a larger farm, most likelly to be found pulling wagons and running an auger, baling hay, or other lower horsepower requirements. If this is what you are needing, Fuel efficiency ratings, max horsepower, and whatnot are unlikely to be a major factor, unlike what you would be worrying about were you spending $100,000 on a new, high horsepower tractor and were planning 500 hours a year for it!

A hobbyfarmer, on a small acreage (100 acres or so) would be able to use the horsepower as it was originally intended. However, either of these tractors will deliver MORE power than is needed. I know this, being on a 116 acre hobby farm myself and using a 1968 4020D. I could certainly get along fine with less hp---a 2510 would actually have sufficient---but I LIKE the 4020! I also LIKE the other 4 tractors I have (but don't always need).

The biggest consideration, in my opinion, between the Farmall 856 and the John Deere 4020 is this: which tractor is more comfortable, is easiest to operate, has the most convenient controls, starts easiest, and will have the best track record for repairs. The "track record" for repairs should be judged on an individual evaluation of each tractor---not a group judgement of each type as a whole. I suggest that you evaluate each choice mechanically, operate each tractor for an hour (or more if possible) and buy the one which will make you the most happy.

Save the maximum performance debate for evaluating late model tractors, because you will need to know how much work you can extract from a high hours per year tractor, and also you could debate the horsepower producing merits of a pulling tractor, because that is what you need to know in order to win!

You should read G Taylor's post. You never really do see Semi's of this age out on the interstate, attempting to make a living. If you DO see an old semi tractor, chances are it is pulling a farmer's grain truck or hauling his hogs to market. Not hauling freight comercially/

It is the same way with these old tractors. I do know a number of local farmers who use tractors of the vintage you mentioned. Usually, they have ONE tractor that is in the 10-15 year old range and a bunch of older tractors of varying sizes. In order to run old machinery, you simply have to have more of it, than you would have otherwise. OLD machinery is theoretically more subject to breakdowns. With more acres to cultivate, a breakdown at a critical time will cause severe difficulties whether it is planting or harvesting time. Sometimes, due to the weather, the window of oportunity can be small, and when that is the case, the machine NEEDS to be working. This is the reason for newer over older machines. This theory even works at my level. My baler used to be an old 14T and it worked for 30+years. Eventually, repairs became too common, so now I have a 337. Still not new, but a whole lot better than the 14T. Hard to justify the expense? What is the cost of a cutting of hay lost due to mechanical breakdown at a critical moment.

Perhaps a farmer working 1000 acres wont have a $100,000 tractor. Most of the 3000 acre farmers DO and the size of the farms keeps growing.

Back to the original point. for a small size place like mine (or yours) ANY 100 hp tractor is just overkill, and the time differnce between a 4020 and an 856 for plowing 80 acres is a coffeebreak. My statements recomending what to buy are still valid.

I think you already had your mind made up, mr IH1, and were hoping to get justification and encouragement for your preference. Enjoy your Red tractor. I enjoy my Green one.

JD70Jim

My point EXACTLY.

JD70Jim