buying a 3020??

Now that we have our 4020 completely restored, I obviously will not be putting a loader back on it. I have been looking for a nice 3020 to put the loader on and do various chore work to limit the wear and tear on the 4020. Are the any things to watch for when buying a 3020? I have heard something a about different vintage of engines that may or may not desirable?? Will be shopping for diesel, hopefully a powershift, wide front.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I am not fond of the very early ones with the big fuel injecters like the 3010-4010 used. They are very expensive to rebuild. If you buy a powershift and plan to use the pto make sure it will stop as it won't on many powershift tractors. It is fixable but will take a good bit of labor. If it was overhauled ask if anything was done to the engine balancer. If the engine seems to have any vibration in it I would consider pulling the balencer assembly and having it checked for wear. When overhauling a 3020 I always have the bushings replaced and if it is my own here on the farm I will replace the shafts as well. On the early tractors I prefer one that has been changed to 12 volt. I will buy a 24 volt tractor but when it gives any problems we change them to 12 volt. The rest of the tractor is about like a 4020 only smaller. Tom

Buy another 4020 to play with and get dirty, IMHO.

A 3020 is about the same price as a 4020. You'll need to add more weight to a 3020 to handle a loader as well as a longer and heavier 4020. Fuel economy will be better with a 3020. If it will be used daily for feeding livestock that could add up, for less than 100 hours a year of occasional yard work it won't matter.

. How about a 2510 or 2520 ? Same chassis as the 3020 but the engine has a better selection of service parts .

I'm with Bob,,get another 4020,,the 3020 is shorter and will not deal with a loader near as well as a 4020, the 3020 only has 2 front side frame bolts per side and this "is" a problem when a loader is used,,a 3020 will cost near what a 4020 will and the cost for any major repair is also near the same..

I like my 3020..power shift gas.. but fuel economy stinks.. I personally dont like loaders on tractors thats why i bought a skidloader...

As said Id buy another 4020 for chores..

Tractor tom, I have a 3020 with a JD model 48 loader on it. It has generally performed well for me for the 7 years I have owned it, considering 6,000 hours and going on 55 years old! I use the loader mostly for 4x5 round bales. It is also used for manure and general farm maintenance. it has partially loaded 15.5x38's, a set of "Z" rear weights and a JD ROPS canopy which weighs something. The loader bucket is not huge, I think 5 feet. In any event, the loader does not seem to stress the tractor. I have the big 11Lx15 front tires on it. Oftimes if I am ferrying round bales around I have a spear on the back and then carry two in order to help balance things out. If you are looking for 3020 diesel powershift, I think the only advice I would give you is to get a 1969 to 1972 model, or S/N 123,000 and above. Mine is a very early model, the 2 features I miss most is that it does not have a differential lock, and has only a single remote (which I could remedy for a few bucks if I really wanted to). I converted it to 12 volt. Most will advise you to be very sure the powershift is in good shape or you will be looking at a very costly repair. If the wide front end looks suspect, some will also advise to replace with a 30 series front end if you can find one. Getting a later model (123,000 and above) will also help you resale-wise down the road.

I would agree a nice 4020 would be a better candidate for a loader tractor and they hold their value.Wide fronts are the same and can fail if abused.The shorter frame makes a 3020 a little handier but the 270 engine was not used elsewhere like the 404 or even the 239 in 2520 .

I think you will be disappointed with a loader on 3020 after 4020, I would pick up another 4020 to put loader back on.