repowering a 3020 gas

SDMike

Member
Hello, opinions please. I have a 3020 gas, syncro, nf, mismatched tires with a spun bearing. Crank is shot. I have access to a NA 4cyl Perkins diesel out of a telehandler, a Cummins turbo 4cyl, and a JD 404 out of an early 6600 combine. Not looking for a hot rod/puller, just a usable tractor. Which way would you go and why? OR would you just part out/sell the 3020 as it sits and put the money toward something else? Thanks to all.

Mike
 
How is the rest of the tractor? If good then you might look into repowering with a JD 4239 or 4276 engine. There used to be a kit offered 25-30 years ago to help adapt and most likely a good machinist/mechanic could fabricate what would be needed. Going with a JD engine would help with marketing the tractor when the time comes to sell or trade. Using a 404 would make for a more extensive project as the frame rails and hood among other things would need to be dealt with. Anything can be done with enough money and skills.
 
A little more expensive but desirable would be a 4.5 Power Tech JD engine. I've seen an excellent installation into a 4020 of those.
 

Of the three options you listed, the Cummins would be the most desirable. It is gonna be a lot of fab work to make any of them fit. My neighbor put a 5.9 Cummins in an 856, so it can be done.
 

Installing JD 404 engine in 3020 would bolt up with ease but would require extending all hyd lines, side frames & hood. Below is a photo of kit JD once offered to install a 300 series engine in 3010/3020. I read in another similar YT thread it was also offered by another company but I can't recall the company name.

mvphoto99851.png
 

I wonder....could you go to a JD salvage and find a 4010-4020 LP tractor and buy the front end to use for your tractor.

Would it fit and would there be any other mods needed except changing the fuel tanks and the engine?
? LP tractors are pretty available at the salvage yards I've went to...

Maybe some other posters would know how much trouble this option would be???
 
Been there. I sold it to a tractor salvage yard and bought something that was ready to go to work today. Wasn't the same make and model, but had the same affliction.
 
I don't think Deere offered the kit directly. My experience was it came from a Deere engine distributor named Superior Diesel. They are still around, and package Deere engines for power units, gen sets, etc.
 
For what it's worth, we our Deere dealer repower 2 tractors at the end of the 80's- a 4020 with a 466, a 300 Industrial with a 179. Both were sourced from Superior.
 
I don't think that the 3020 radiator is enough for a 404 if the tractor is worked to any degree.
 
All option are possible but not really economically feasible. The early 6600 had a 329?? It will not be easy. The late 6600 had a non turbo 404 / 4230 engine. Having the engines is a advantage and the least expensive and evasive option if you can do the work yourself, is put the 404 in it. It will bolt right up. The fly wheel and clutch will also work even though it is a bit smaller clutch disk. Nothing says you have to work it to it full potential. Same with cooling it will never get hot doing 3020 / 65 HP work if radiator is clean / not restricted. 4020 frame rails is how you do it and are readily available in junk yards. I got two set if you want to pay the shipping from Eastern Iowa which are too heavy to make them economical. Hood will have to be lengthened as not sure if the 4020 will work?? Need to get your tape measure out. steering and hydraulic lines have to be screeched which can be fabricated pretty easy. You might want to put a large 4020 air cleaner on the larger engine if for some reason you want use its full power for PTO and ground driven equipment using both functions. I know guys that did this with 3010's 30 years ago and are still doing chores with them. Have fun!
 
That would be an option and make it easier. They will bolt right up Dash height would be wrong so pedestal would also need to be changed / raised.
 
some of the smaller 50 and 55 series Waterloo tractors had Dubuque engines . Not sure what could be swapable to a 3020.
 

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