John Deere 4020 Overview
The John Deere 4020 is one of the main New Generation row-crop tractors, built at Waterloo from 1963 through 1972. Deere built 184,879 in total, and the model became a benchmark machine for farms that wanted a high-horsepower row-crop tractor without moving into the largest chassis classes.
The 4020 family spans diesel, gasoline, and LP gas versions, with Syncro-Range and Power Shift transmission coverage in the manuals and Nebraska tests. Its main working specs include a 540/1000 rear PTO, Category II rear hitch, closed-center hydraulics, and an 8225 to 9560 pound operating-weight range depending on equipment.
The important thing with a 4020 is keeping the configuration straight. Early and late operator manuals, pre-201000 and 201000-and-up parts catalogs, and separate diesel, gasoline, LP gas, Syncro-Range, and Power Shift tests should not be blended into one universal spec.
John Deere 4020 Quick Answers
- Production yearsThe John Deere 4020 was produced from 1963 through 1972.
- PowerNebraska diesel tests measured 94.88 hp at rated engine speed for a diesel Syncro-Range tractor in Test 930 and 95.83 hp for a diesel Power Shift tractor in Test 1024.
- EngineThe John Deere 4020 used diesel, gasoline, and LP gas engines. Common displacement entries include 404 ci diesel, 340 ci gasoline/LP, and a later 362 ci gasoline Power Shift test configuration.
- PTO and hitchThe John Deere 4020 has a 540/1000 (1.375) rear PTO and a Category II rear hitch.
- Service capacityCapacity rows vary by engine and transmission: engine oil appears as 8, 9, or 12 quarts in the data, coolant is 24 quarts, and the hydraulic/transmission system differs between Syncro-Range and Power Shift tractors.
Engine and Power
The 4020 is not a one-engine tractor. Diesel rows center on the 404 ci six-cylinder, while gasoline and LP sources include 340 ci and later 362 ci gasoline test coverage. Treat Nebraska figures as configuration-specific: a diesel Syncro-Range test, LP Syncro-Range test, gasoline Syncro-Range test, gasoline Power Shift test, and diesel Power Shift test are separate evidence points.
Diesel engine
John Deere / diesel / 6-cylinder 12-valve / liquid-cooled inline / Oil capacity on most 4020 diesels increased from 8 to 12 quarts starting with the 1969 model year, tractor serial number 201,000. High-crop diesel tractors retained the 8-quart capacity throughout the production run. Tractors fitted with after-market turbochargers, and early tractors with replacement oil pans, may also have the higher oil capacity.
| Displacement | 404 ci 6.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25x4.75 inches 108 x 121 mm |
| Compression | 16.5:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2200 |
| Idle Rpm | 600-2500 |
| Operating Rpm | 1500-2200 |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Volts | 24 |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Intake Valve Clearance | 0.018 inches 0.457 mm |
| Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.018 inches 0.457 mm |
LP-gas engine
John Deere / gasoline / 6-cylinder 12-valve / liquid-cooled inline / Original gasoline and LP-gas engine, used through the 1965 model year.
| Displacement | 340 ci 5.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25x4.00 inches 108 x 102 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2200 |
| Idle Rpm | 650-2500 |
| Operating Rpm | 1500-2200 |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
| Sparkplug Gap | 0.025 inches 0.635 mm |
| Point Gap | 0.016 inches 0.406 mm |
| Intake Valve Clearance | 0.015 inches 0.381 mm |
| Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.028 inches 0.711 mm |
Gasoline engine
John Deere / gasoline / 6-cylinder 12-valve / liquid-cooled inline / The larger, 362 ci engine became available in 1966, replacing 340 ci engine.
| Displacement | 362 ci 5.9 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25x4.25 inches 108 x 108 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2200 |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 8 qts 7.6 L |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
LP-gas engine
John Deere / LP gas / 6-cylinder 12-valve / liquid-cooled inline
| Displacement | 362 ci 5.9 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25x4.25 inches 108 x 108 mm |
| Compression | 9.0:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2200 |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 8 qts 7.6 L |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 qts 22.7 L |
Manufacturer
Manufacture years
PTO power
Drawbar power
Transmission
The 4020 is commonly discussed around Syncro-Range and Power Shift tractors, and those choices matter for operation, service checks, hydraulic/transmission capacity, and test comparisons. Use the transmission on the tractor, not just the 4020 model name, when comparing data.
PTO and Hitch
PTO and hitch specs for the John Deere 4020 center on an independent rear PTO with 540/1000 speed coverage, a Category II rear hitch, and 3790 pounds of listed rear lift. Match implements against the tractor's PTO equipment, hitch setup, tire/ballast condition, and transmission rather than assuming every 4020 is equipped the same way.
Configuration-specific values are split out where the same model has documented differences by engine, transmission, or equipment.
Rear PTO
Rear PTO type
Engine RPM
- 540@1900
- 1000@1900
Rear hitch
Rear lift
Hydraulics
Closed-center hydraulics are a major part of the 4020's appeal. The specs include 2250 psi pressure, 6 gpm SCV flow, and 18 gpm early total flow, while capacity rows separate Syncro-Range and Power Shift systems. Remote valves, pump condition, hitch equipment, and loader or implement plumbing still matter in the real tractor.
Type
Pressure
Total flow
Valves
Fluids, Battery, and Service Facts
Maintenance data for the 4020 needs the engine and serial range beside it. Published rows include 8, 9, and 12 quart engine-oil capacities, 24 quarts of coolant, 12-volt battery data, plus gasoline tune-up values such as 0.025 inch spark plug gap and 0.016 inch point gap. Fluid type and part-number recommendations should stay tied to the correct operator manual and parts catalog.
Battery volts
Battery Ah
Tires and Dimensions
Tire and dimension values can vary by wheel, axle, and configuration.
Weight
Length
Width
Front tire
Rear tire
Ag front
Ag rear
Electrical
Electrical rows are included when documented.
Ground
Charging system
Charging amps
Battery volts
Serial Number Lookup
The 4020 serial table is especially important because Deere documentation changes across the production run. The current row set runs from the 1964 starting serial number through the 1972 final serial, while the parts catalogs split coverage at serial 200999/201000 and the late operator manual begins at 250001.
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
final
Manuals and Documents
These documents cover the practical side of the John Deere 4020: operator controls, serial-range coverage, parts-catalog splits, and tested-performance context.
Pay attention to serial ranges and transmission coverage. Early and late manuals, PC859 and PC1116 parts catalogs, and individual Nebraska tests do not all describe the same tractor configuration.
- John Deere 4020 operator manual OMR41754 previewOperator manual preview for 4020 row-crop, standard, and hi-crop tractors in the 91000-200999 serial range.Open preview PDF
- John Deere 4000/4020 operator manual OMR48273 previewLate operator manual preview covering John Deere 4000 and 4020 tractors from serial number 250001 upward.Open preview PDF
- John Deere 4000/4020 parts catalog PC1116Official John Deere parts catalog introduction for 4000 and 4020 tractors from serial number 201000 upward.Open parts catalog
- John Deere 4020 parts catalog PC859Official John Deere parts catalog introduction for 4020 tractors through serial number 200999.Open parts catalog
- Nebraska Test 930: 4020 diesel Syncro-RangeOfficial Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 diesel Syncro-Range 2WD test configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 934: 4020 LP gas Syncro-RangeOfficial Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 LP gas Syncro-Range 2WD test configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 939: 4020 gasoline Syncro-RangeOfficial Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 gasoline Syncro-Range 2WD test configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 1012: 4020 gasoline Power ShiftOfficial Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 gasoline Power Shift 2WD test configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 1024: 4020 diesel Power ShiftOfficial Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 diesel Power Shift 2WD test configuration.Open test report
Parts Checks Before Ordering
Do not order John Deere 4020 parts from the model name alone. Match the part to the tractor's serial range, fuel type, Syncro-Range or Power Shift transmission, row-crop, standard, or hi-crop configuration, PTO setup, and early or late parts catalog coverage before choosing service parts.
Filters, fluids, belts, electrical parts, clutch and PTO parts, and hydraulic parts can vary by setup. Exact part numbers need a parts catalog, manual, or trusted supplier source before they become recommendations.
Accuracy Note
Tractor specifications can vary by year, region, factory configuration, installed equipment, and later repairs. Match serial range, engine, transmission, PTO setup, and model code before ordering parts or doing service work.