3020 diesel vs gas, PowerShift vs Syncro

Well I finally decided that my next tractor is going to be a 3020 but I can't decide between a diesel or a gas and a powershift or syncro. I know the diesel is more fuel efficient, but that is not important to me since I am not going to be using it all the time.

Between the gas and diesel, which is a better made and more reliable tractor with less problems with the engine?

I have noticed that the syncros out number the powershifts in the for sale market. Is this because they are worst trans and not desired, or just because there are more of them?

I know the power shifts are more complicated to repair, but are they reliable and fail easy? I see that they always command more money.

I am seeing gas narrow front tractors in good condition for 4500 to 5500, and diesels 6500 and up. Is paying extra for the diesel worth it in the long run if fuel efficiency isn't considered necessary?

if you can afford it and can find one a side counsel diesel power shift would be my first recommendation. next option for me would be a toss up between an early diesel power shift and a side counsel syncro. then a early diesel syncro. both transmissions are great when taken care of and i don't think either one is any more prone to issues than the other one. i would say both transmissions are about the same to work on as far as difficulty of the process goes. im not a fan of carburetors or ignition systems but they are cheaper to repair than an injection pump and injectors. diesels will obviously put out more torque. and if your going to use it in the winter the gas will start better unless you have the diesel plugged in ahead of time. do you have both gas and diesel readily available on the farm? the answer to that could sway your decision but i wouldn't let it limit you as 300 gallon overhead fuel tanks are about a dime a dozen and it would take a while to burn through 300 gallons with a 3020, unless you going to be working it all day for days in a row.

a list of what you plan to use it for and the attachments you will be using with it will help us point you in the right direction to fill your needs.

There?s a guy on here who likes his gas 3020 hopefully he?ll reply . I have a synchro and a powershift I like the powershift for farming and the synchro for loader work

1) No matter what, find one in good to great shape.

2) I'd lean towards diesel, or possibly LP if you stumbled on to one.

3) Either transmission is fine. Both have a strong track record. Syncros are more common, and hence a little cheaper. If buying a powershift, make sure the PTO stops. The PTO brake was a weak spot on those, and requires a double split to fix.

I have a 3020 gas, 2510 diesel, 2010 gas, and 4020 diesel, all synchros. I sometimes wish the 3020 was diesel, and I would probably trade it up for a diesel if I had the chance. I think you should consider a 4020 diesel. It would not cost any more than a good 3020 diesel. Its only a few inches longer, and would really churn out the snow. The 6 cylinder engine sounds better and they have no balancers to cause grief. If you ever crack the block or throw a rod on the 3020 diesel, you are SOL. You only need powershift for things like baling when the windrows are changing all the time. Actually, the 2510 at 55 hp will do everything the 3020 will do. The 3020 gas has good power, but uses too much gas and sometimes wants to load up at idle. But the 3020 gas would be the lowest cost to acquire. And they are generally not wore out as bad as the diesels. It would have to be a really nice one to bring 5,000.

That's strange ? why do you prefer the syncro for loaders ?

I know you are wanting a slow reverse for snow blowing. I think others said the power shift was slower speed in rev. ? For sure check that out.
I had a industrial model 500 which is a 3020 with power shift. It was a diesel. I just don't care for the sound of the 4 cyl. engines in those. Also in cold weather that power shift will zap a lot of power until it is warmed up.
I have a 4020 GAS with syncro and a loader and rear blade. Never ran a snow blower on it so can't comment on that but for a snow removal machine it has been a good machine ! Need tire chains on them as these big tractors are helpless on snow and ice on hills otherwise.
I would not pass up a nice 4020 if you find one ! If bought right you won't be sorry ! I have hills and DO NOT like the power shifts park set up ! I prefer the park of the syncro range. They lock in better and when stuck in park from hill bind are easy to get out of gear due to a feature that lets you go into gear while in park to relieve gear pressure and a spring lets the park pop out. Keep in mind that if you have MAJOR engine problems in a 3020 either gas or diesel you are extremely limited on finding a replacement. If the lower HP of a 2510 or 2520 would work for you don't let a good one of those pass you by either.

The power shift is convenient,, and go with a Diesel for sure..

Is this gonna be a winter tractor?

If so then I would go with the gas. A gas with quite a few hours and no recent overhaul can still start up nice when it's below 0F. A diesel that has quite a few hours on and hasn't had a recent overhaul will be a pain to start in the winter. If you do find a good cold weather starting diesel it's gonna come with a higher price tag.

Early last year the gas we were getting changed and shortly after that my uncle's 3020 started missing and sometimes not hitting on all four. Up until that time he never had that kinda problem. The gas used to have a red dye, but then it was clear, after that is when we had the problems. I thought it was now ethanol blended gas but our fuel supplier said it's been ethanol blended for years, so I'm not exactly sure what changed.

If you're looking for a yard tractor, a narrow front is the way to go. Easy to back up wagons, maneuver around stuff, etc. Haven't had any experience with a powershift so I can't comment there.

I suspect if he does get a 3020 or better yet a 4020 he will like it so well the 2 cyls. will be setting still more and more ! lol.

Because you don?t have to ratchet through the gears on a powershift then ratchet through the gears in revere or you have to push the clutch with a synchro push the clutch and move the lever back and forth just like a reverser I?ve ran powershift with loaders on a 4430 a 4850 and a 4450 and the synchro in any of em are lot better than the powershift we had a 4430 with powershift and one with synchro range and you could load a semi twice as fast with the quad range

First reverse on a 3020 powershift at 2100 rpm is 1.8 mph the synchro first reverse at 2100 is 3.3 mph

Powershift, diesel, side console would be my first choice.

The power shift would have a slower reverse and also takes some power.Very handy tractor just prefer 6 cyl diesel side counsel.Newer 69/72 power shift bring a premium and are in short supply.Actually a 2520/3020/4000/4020 syngros all bring about the same and the older 64/68 models are about the same price with powershift or syngro.The 2520/4000 P.S. bring big premium.Sorry but no JD gassers here but there are people that wouldn't have anything but.Whatever you decide on get a good one .

If he buys a 3020 or 4020 would it be hard to mount the snow blower on front? I know nothing about snow blowers but don't 3020s have a front PTO?