4020 fix it or forget it?

[Forgotten_Orchard]

Hey everybody,

I've got a big question about my '68 4020, but please forgive the backstory first. . .
The wife and I just bought an orchard that hasn't seen any attention in years, and it came with a house, and a bunch of broken down equipment, including the aforementioned JD. We desperately need a tractor and shredder to start revitalizing the orchard (but we're on a budget), and I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to get there. Should I try to sell the 4020 as (rusty) parts and buy something running, or would it be worth it to fix it and buy a brush hog? Someone in the long forgotten past took it apart, and somehow lost the crankshaft, don't know what else grew legs in the meantime. To make matters even more interesting, we live in a place where everything rusts, and everything needs to be shipped in at high cost, but it's beautiful, and everything grows here. I'm handy, I weld, and do automotive repair, but I've never worked on a diesel, or any heavy hydraulics, but I've got friends around who have and can help. I'll attach photos, any and all advice or derision is welcome.

 

[dirttoys]

Hey everybody,

I've got a big question about my '68 4020, but please forgive the backstory first. . .
The wife and I just bought an orchard that hasn't seen any attention in years, and it came with a house, and a bunch of broken down equipment, including the aforementioned JD. We desperately need a tractor and shredder to start revitalizing the orchard (but we're on a budget), and I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to get there. Should I try to sell the 4020 as (rusty) parts and buy something running, or would it be worth it to fix it and buy a brush hog? Someone in the long forgotten past took it apart, and somehow lost the crankshaft, don't know what else grew legs in the meantime. To make matters even more interesting, we live in a place where everything rusts, and everything needs to be shipped in at high cost, but it's beautiful, and everything grows here. I'm handy, I weld, and do automotive repair, but I've never worked on a diesel, or any heavy hydraulics, but I've got friends around who have and can help. I'll attach photos, any and all advice or derision is welcome.

Oh my.

If you have the skills and time it would probably be very satisfying.

I personally would go another way.

Best,

ed

 

[CobyRupert]

Parting is such sweet sorrow.,

....but I’d part it out or sell “as is”.

People like those 4020’s and they were very very popular. They are iconic as they came to represent Deere’s transition into a new era. For a lot of small farms, back in the small farm heyday, they were often the first “big tractor” at 90Hp, and often the first diesel.

It’s nice to see them restored and a lot of people restore them as a hobby (or as a tribute to their dad, or their childhood, etc..) ....but getting yours to running condition looks expensive. And that’s just restoring the stuff you can guess needs to be done. Could be a bottomless pit if you then discover it needs a lot more.

 

[MossRoad]

Some base info on that machine...

TractorData.com John Deere 4020 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a bunch of those for sale. Many under $15,000. Maybe you could purchase a used one and keep yours for parts, or sell it to offset the purchase.

But first, you should probably decide the chores you'll be needing to do, and the size of machine you'd need to accomplish those chores within your budget. Then decide if that's the machine for you, or if your money would be better spent on a different size machine.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1109/tractors-100-hp-to-174-hp/manufacturer/john-deere/model-group/4020

 

[MossRoad]

Oh, and welcome to TBN!

 

[Forgotten_Orchard]

We'll, it seems like everyone is on the same page. I was kinda hoping for one crazy member to tell me to go for it and offer to sell me a used crankshaft, but I guess it's going on craigslist. . . Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate being welcomed to the forum so quickly! If anyone wants to work their way through a Hawaiian vacation, lmk I've got plenty of work.

 

[dirttoys]

We'll, it seems like everyone is on the same page. I was kinda hoping for one crazy member to tell me to go for it and offer to sell me a used crankshaft, but I guess it's going on craigslist. . . Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate being welcomed to the forum so quickly! If anyone wants to work their way through a Hawaiian vacation, lmk I've got plenty of work.

Update your location!! Probably find a couple of volunteers

Best,

ed

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to TBN
If the piston rod & CS main brg caps original locations weren't marked then engine block would require being "lined bored" & I'm not sure if piston rods could be reused by resizing. One could locate/install a self propelled combine engine or salvage yard engine. Also closed center hyd's such as a 4020 utilizes if there's a hyd problem requires very knowledgeable diagnostic procedures. Rear tractor tires are expensive. I'll advise to sell 4020 & buy an operating tractor. I think salvage value which is dependent on location should be in the $2500-$3000 range. Granted the two tractor 1/2s will be a challenge to load on a trailer.

 

[Zebrafive]

We'll, it seems like everyone is on the same page. I was kinda hoping for one crazy member to tell me to go for it and offer to sell me a used crankshaft, but I guess it's going on craigslist. . . Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate being welcomed to the forum so quickly! If anyone wants to work their way through a Hawaiian vacation, lmk I've got plenty of work.

Very Tempting! Which island? As long as it's not all work and no play.
A 4020 seems way too big for orchard work. What does the used tractor market have to offer in Hawaii?