JD 2020

What do you all think about a John Deere 2020? I'm looking for about a 50 horse tractor but I want something older. I know the pto problems of the 3010 and 4010 series were corrected with the 3020 and 4020s, does that go for the 2020 as well? Any other suggestions for a solid older 50 horse tractor for decent money?

Ford 4000 is a decent tractor in that size range, Diesels in this neck of the woods go for about 4500 bucks. I am talking about the newer ones with the 3 cylinder, very dependable and easy on fuel. I dont have much experience with the JD 2020 or 3020 but it seems like you pay a lot for green paint around here.

They were a very good model, but they are very old now and can suffer from neglect. If you can find a decent one buy it you will be happy with it.

I've got a 1020. Same thing but a 3 cylinder instead of 4. Super nice little tractor. I've had a loader on it for over 27 years. Beat the daylights out of it feeding cattle and cleaning up every day. The PTO clutch is different from the 3020 and such. It has the split clutch. Push it half way to stop the tractor,all the way to stop the PTO. I'm an Oliver man myself,but as far as I'm concerned,the 1020 and 2020 were two of the best utility tractors ever built. (Except for the Oliver 550) Had to get that in there.

Friends dad bought one new, still has it today, rebuilt the motor once. The 2020 seems like a darned good tractor, I like the 8 speed and the park feature on that trans, hydraulics are strong, he uses a boom pole and tows logs with it. Pulls that 3 bottom JD plow he has in thick loam/clay topsoils. I've run a tiller behind it, has live pto, 2 stage clutch. His is a gas model, he had to change the fuel shut off on the carb, it's kind of a solenoid, shuts the fuel off, I forget what the deal was, I changed it out over a year ago, some pesky nuisance type problem, OEM part was a couple hundred, think we eliminated that and used another part # adjusted the carb etc. Overall it's been on 85 acres its entire life, and has done everything from backblading snow, cutting, raking, baling hay, towing logs, etc. since new. It handled a 6 foot tiller with no trouble at all, and it seems to get decent traction in snow, with loaded tires no chains, I've see that thing walk through drifts in high gear, not sure what any inherent drawbacks there are with these, sure seems to be a good one, maybe diesel would be better.

Like was mentioned the Ford 4000, and or many of their models, hard not to appreciate those, we've got a 3600 ford that is a reliable tractor.

2020 was a very good tractor, but if I had my choice, I'd only want it with the continous PTO, and NOT the optional Independent PTO. The continous uses a two-stage engine clutch, whereas the independent uses a hydraulic clutch pack powered by the transmnission pump and can give many headaches.

Early power-steering cartridges can cause a bit of trouble blowing seals.

When I was working at the fertilizer plant they had a 2020 that I used to mow with and no brakes, would not hold a candle to the 2 3 cylinder 4000 Fords I had, they were easier handling and more comfortable, Fords had 38" rubber and 2020 had 36" rubber that is very hard to find.

The 2510,3010,4010 & 5010 were Waterloo chassis tractors.
The utility tractors such as the 2020 were built in Dubuque or Mannheim. While they shared some design similarities and even some common parts as Waterloos. They were based on the German Lance chassis.
Other than being old, possibly high hours and abused. Depending on your intentions and abililty it maybe ok. In the past 38+ years, somebody maynot have kept the coolant corrosion inhibiter active.And they have dumped the wrong oil into the transmission.
As with any used purchase. Spend a few minutes for free at the dealer. To find out the price of new in order to get an accurate feel for used value.

buickandeere,
Which models of Dubuque/Mannhiem built tractors were based on German Lance chassis? I know about the 510/710's but to me they look more like 1010/2010's with later style engines than a 2020.

What percentage of "common parts" did Waterloo and Dubuque share? What design similarities between Waterloo and Dubuque were you referring to? I can't think of very many.

Mannheim/Dubuque hydraulic systems, engines & general design are very similar to the Waterloos.
General overall design plus all sorts of minor common parts and systems. It would take days to work up a full list.
It depends on who you ask if the 20 series utility tractors were designed in Mannheim or Dubuque. And if the 10 series Waterloo tractors "borrowed" Mannheim engineering? Or vic.versa.
That would be a question that the engineers and executives of late 1950's and early 1960's wouldn't be able to agree on.
Other than the model decal and some sheet metal during the 30 & 40 era. The Dubuque and Mannheim tractors were "identical". The US built tractors mostly used Delco starters and alternators.

buickanddeere,
I've worked on both Waterloo New generation and JD 20/30/40/50 &55 utility tractors. Other than the hyd systems being both closed-center on some models & both needing Hy-Gard oil to me that's were the similarity STOPS. Some JD utilities are open-center hyd's and I don't remember of an open-center Waterloo 10/20/30/40/50 or 55 series.

What in your opinion makes the engines similar once you get past wet sleeves. The shape of the blocks & cyl heads don't resemble. One can't install a "block heater" in a Dubuque block but can in a Waterloo block.

I guess I can't see Forest for the trees but I don't see the resemblance between Waterloo & Dubuque tractors of the same era.

People can see more if they choose to open their eyes.

b&d,
My eyes are open enough to see you have NO Good ANSWER,you just change the subject as usual instead of answer the question!

TxJim

You have a nice day.

b&d