Nice little 3020 I picked up

[cowboydoc]

If it was me I would get the 4020 for doing your pasture and field work and maybe later haying. You can get a 148 loader for between 2-3k. That is a great loader for that tractor. Get a dedicated lawn mower for you finish mowing work and you will still have money in the bank. I got a 455 a couple years ago for around $7k with less than a 100 hours on it. It's 23 or 25 hp and mows about anything very quickly. You'd have maybe $17k into a dedicated mower and a tractor and loader you can do anything with. The nice thing is in 2,4,6, etc. years you can sell them and get all your money back. That won't be the case with a brand new tractor.

 

[FLDave]

Nick,

You misunderstood what I was trying to say. I meant instead of paying over $24,000.00 for a new 4320 with a FEL I could get the following and spend less:

1.) 4020
2.) FEL
3.) Seperate Lawn Tractor to mow an acre or two around the house.

I could use the 4020 for bush hogging, tilling, and look into getting a loader for it. I just hope it's not too big and in bad shape.

If I get cold feet are you still interested in the guys name Rich?

What should I watch out for?

Thanks,

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

The restoration job on that FFA 4020 was probably done at the John Deere Collector's Center in downtown Moline.
I was there two months ago and there was a 4020 (maybe the same tractor) that was 95% restored. I just stood there and stared at it for a while. Absolutely beautiful.

If you are ever in the Quad Cities area, stop by the John Deere Pavilion and the John Deere Collector's Center (made to look like a 1950's-era John Deere tractor dealership).
John Deere has invested millions of dollars in several facilities that can easily occupy several hours of your time. They are both within a block of each other and well worth your time. You don't have to be a die-hard Deere fan to enjoy it. I've been there three times and seem to find something new each time.

 

[cowboydoc]

If it only has 2400 hours on it I am VERY interested!! I would call and take a JD mechanic out with you to look at the tractor. They can bring hydraulic tester, etc. and let you know what shape it's in. It might cost you a $100 or so but you'd know if it was a good one or not.

Equipment Junkie,

If you or anyone else is ever around the Quad Cities at Deere let me know. I'm only about an hour away and would love to meet with some of you guys if you were there.

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks for the info, I will do that when I am in the area. I trade a little in the older 2 cyl Deere tractors and always like seeing them restored. Just sold a 1959 430W JD with Factory PS to a locar Medical Dr. for $6500 and it was described as a investment for him, although, he will use a finish mower with the yard mintainence.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Used JD 6 ft KBA Lift Disc Harrow $695*

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

The 4320 is a little harder on fuel than the 4020. The 4320 is better on fuel than a 4430. The 4320 is a 4020 on steroids. They are both nice tractors. The older loaders (not sure the #) that went on the 20 series ran off the remote blocks. There should be two. One lifts the loader, the other works the bucket. They use the hydraulic controls to the side of the seat. The loader you are talking about may be totally different though. A 4020 will be fine with 2wd. If you get it stuck, then you shouldn't have been there in the first place. Did I say that a 4020 is probably (in my opinion) the best tractor JD ever made?

 

[FLDave]

Well it all may be a moot point. I tried to call the owner about 10 times and left two messages. That usually isn't good. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks for all the last minute information. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[FLDave]

OK, he finally called. He said that he went to get the tractor ready and the battery was dead and had to be replaced. I guess thats where he was all day. He said it had been sitting for a few years.

He said the paint still had some shine to it and there were a few minor dings in the hood. He said a rubber mallet would get these out easily.

I asked for the hours and he said 1900. A '72 JD 4020 with 1900 hours? I asked him if he thought that was authentic. He said he had the tractor for the last 10 years and only put maybe 500 hours on it. He said that he couldn't vouch for the previous owner.

He said that the tires had some age cracks but they also had tubes and held air.

He said it was always barn kept.

I'm supposed to drive up tomorrow afternoon to see it.

 

[yellowsocks93]

Well in that case get the 4020 and like Rich said a good 400 series machine for mowing or a F 700 series front mower.

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue">I asked for the hours and he said 1900. A '72 JD 4020 with 1900 hours? </font>

It has been our experience that a set of new oem rear tractor tires will wear about 2500-2800 hours. If they have been run on the highway the figures could be lower. This in mind, the tires should look pretty well worn out or they should be practically news ones on the rear---Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Used 2 and 3 Bottom Turning Plows*