John Deere 4020 Overview
John Deere built the 4020 at Waterloo from 1963 through 1972, with row-crop, standard, and hi-crop chassis represented in Deere documentation. Diesel, gasoline, and LP-gas engines were offered across the run, and late parts documentation also identifies a power front-wheel-drive standard tractor.
Transmission choice matters as much as fuel type. The Syncro-Range is an eight-forward, two-reverse constant-mesh transmission with synchronized shifting within four stations. The Power Shift uses planetary gears with hydraulically actuated wet clutches and brakes for eight forward and four reverse selections.
Five Nebraska reports keep the performance evidence honest: Tests 930, 934, and 939 cover diesel, LP-gas, and gasoline Syncro-Range tractors; Tests 1012 and 1024 cover gasoline and diesel Power Shift tractors. Their PTO, drawbar, fuel-use, and weight figures remain attached to the tested configuration rather than being flattened into one 4020 rating.
Use the basic tractor serial number before choosing a manual or ordering parts. Deere places the plate at the upper right rear of the transmission case; PC859 covers tractors through serial 200999, PC1116 starts at 201000, and the late OMR48273 operator-manual preview starts at serial 250001.
- JD 4020
- Deere 4020
John Deere 4020 Quick Answers
- Production years and configurationsThe John Deere 4020 was produced from 1963 through 1972. Deere documentation identifies row-crop, standard, and hi-crop chassis, with diesel, gasoline, and LP-gas engines and Syncro-Range or Power Shift transmissions.
- Where is the tractor serial number?The basic tractor serial-number plate is in the upper right-hand corner at the rear of the transmission case. Deere uses that number to separate early and late parts and manual coverage.
- What does the serial code identify?From serial 091000, Deere's prefix identifies chassis, fuel, and transmission: 1/2/3 for row-crop, standard, or hi-crop; 1/2/3 for gasoline, LP-gas, or diesel; and P for Power Shift. Syncro-Range appears as R in PC859 and S in later PC1116.
- Engine optionsThe 4020 family includes a 404 cu in diesel, early 340 cu in gasoline and LP-gas engines, and later 362 cu in gasoline and LP-gas coverage. All five official test configurations were rated at 2,200 engine rpm.
- Syncro-Range or Power Shift?Syncro-Range provides eight forward and two reverse selections with synchronized shifting within four stations. Power Shift provides eight forward and four reverse selections through planetary gears and hydraulically actuated wet clutches and brakes.
- Transmission-hydraulic capacityBoth reviewed manual previews list a 10 US gal service fill for Syncro-Range and 14 US gal for Power Shift. Dry-system capacities are 13 and 17 US gal respectively, so service fill and dry capacity should not be interchanged.
- Diesel tested PTO horsepowerFor diesel tractors at rated engine speed, Nebraska Test 930 recorded 94.88 PTO hp on the Syncro-Range and Test 1024 recorded 95.83 PTO hp on the Power Shift.
- Gasoline tested PTO horsepowerFor gasoline tractors at rated engine speed, Nebraska Test 939 recorded 95.59 PTO hp on the 340 cu in Syncro-Range and Test 1012 recorded 95.66 PTO hp on the 362 cu in Power Shift.
- LP-gas tested PTO horsepowerNebraska Test 934 recorded 94.57 PTO hp at rated engine speed for the tested 340 cu in LP-gas Syncro-Range tractor.
- PTO and hydraulicsThe reviewed manuals describe an independent rear PTO with 540/1000 rpm shaft options and a closed-center, constant-pressure hydraulic system with 2,250 psi maximum or standby pressure.
- Which manual or parts catalog fits?OMR41754 covers serial 91000-200999; PC859 covers tractors through 200999; PC1116 starts at 201000; and late operator-manual preview OMR48273 starts at serial 250001. Use the complete tractor number, not model year alone.
Engine and Power
The 4020 is a multi-engine family: 404 cu in diesel, early 340 cu in gasoline and LP-gas, and later 362 cu in gasoline and LP-gas coverage. The five Nebraska groups below keep fuel, displacement, transmission, PTO power, drawbar power, fuel use, and tested weight attached to the tractor actually tested.
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 |
Early gasoline engine
John Deere gasoline six-cylinder / 340 cu in displacement / used through the 1965 model year
| Displacement | 340 cu in / 5.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25 x 4.00 in / 108 x 102 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2,200 rpm |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Volts | 12 V |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 US qt / 22.7 L |
| Sparkplug Gap | 0.025 in / 0.635 mm |
| Point Gap | 0.016 in / 0.406 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 |
Early LP-gas engine
John Deere LP-gas six-cylinder / 340 cu in displacement / tested in 1966 at 2,200 rated rpm
| Displacement | 340 cu in / 5.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.25 x 4.00 in / 108 x 102 mm |
| Compression | 9.0:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2,200 rpm |
| Starter Volts | 12 V |
| Coolant Capacity | 24 US qt / 22.7 L |
Nebraska Test 930 — diesel Syncro-Range
| Pto Power Rated | 94.88 hp at 2,200 engine rpm; 5.995 US gal/h |
|---|---|
| Pto Power Standard | 86.85 hp at standard 1,000 PTO rpm; 1,894 engine rpm |
| Drawbar Power | 83.79 hp at 4.91 mph during the two-hour maximum-available-power run |
| Maximum Pull | 11,249 lb at 2.63 mph |
| Tested Weight | 8,865 lb without ballast, including operator |
Nebraska Test 934 — LP-gas Syncro-Range
| Pto Power Rated | 94.57 hp at 2,200 engine rpm; 10.236 US gal/h |
|---|---|
| Pto Power Standard | 84.22 hp at standard 1,000 PTO rpm; 1,895 engine rpm |
| Drawbar Power | 83.59 hp at 4.91 mph during the two-hour maximum-available-power run |
| Maximum Pull | 10,674 lb at 2.75 mph |
| Tested Weight | 9,180 lb without ballast, including operator |
Nebraska Test 939 — gasoline Syncro-Range
| Pto Power Rated | 95.59 hp at 2,200 engine rpm; 7.887 US gal/h |
|---|---|
| Pto Power Standard | 85.81 hp at standard 1,000 PTO rpm; 1,895 engine rpm |
| Drawbar Power | 83.28 hp at 4.91 mph during the two-hour maximum-available-power run |
| Maximum Pull | 10,658 lb at 2.74 mph |
| Tested Weight | 8,910 lb without ballast, including operator |
Nebraska Test 1012 — gasoline Power Shift
| Pto Power Rated | 95.66 hp at 2,200 engine rpm; 9.283 US gal/h |
|---|---|
| Pto Power Standard | 87.52 hp at standard 1,000 PTO rpm; 1,894 engine rpm |
| Drawbar Power | 82.57 hp at 4.81 mph during the two-hour maximum-available-power run |
| Maximum Pull | 10,665 lb at 2.26 mph |
| Tested Weight | 9,240 lb without ballast, including operator |
Nebraska Test 1024 — diesel Power Shift
| Pto Power Rated | 95.83 hp at 2,200 engine rpm; 6.486 US gal/h |
|---|---|
| Pto Power Standard | 89.93 hp at standard 1,000 PTO rpm; 1,894 engine rpm |
| Drawbar Power | 83.09 hp at 4.83 mph during the two-hour maximum-available-power run |
| Maximum Pull | 11,104 lb at 2.33 mph |
| Tested Weight | 9,560 lb without ballast, including operator |
Manufacturer
Manufacture years
Transmission
The operator-manual specifications distinguish an 8F/2R constant-mesh Syncro-Range from an 8F/4R planetary Power Shift. The difference changes shifting, reverse ratios, test context, and transmission-hydraulic service fill, so the model name alone is not enough.
Syncro-Range transmission
| Type | constant-mesh Syncro-Range |
|---|---|
| Gears | 8 forward / 2 reverse |
| Shifting | four stations; synchronized shifting within stations |
| Service Fill | 10 US gal transmission-hydraulic service fill |
| Dry Capacity | 13 US gal dry system |
Power Shift transmission
| Type | planetary gears with hydraulically actuated wet clutches and brakes |
|---|---|
| Gears | 8 forward / 4 reverse |
| Shifting | hydraulic power shifting controlled by the speed selector |
| Service Fill | 14 US gal transmission-hydraulic service fill |
| Dry Capacity | 17 US gal dry system |
PTO and Hitch
The reviewed manuals describe an independent PTO with interchangeable rear shaft arrangements for 540 or 1,000 rpm, plus mid-PTO availability on 4020 tractors. Tested PTO figures remain in the five labelled engine groups because no one result represents every fuel and transmission combination.
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
Both reviewed operator-manual specification pages describe a closed-center, constant-pressure system that serves steering, brakes, and implement control, with 2,250 psi maximum or standby pressure. Flow, remote-valve count, pump condition, and installed plumbing still need to match the tractor and job.
Type
Pressure
Total flow
Valves
Fluids, Battery, and Service Facts
Capacity must stay tied to engine, serial range, and transmission. OMR41754 lists a 9 US qt dry crankcase and 8 US qt service fill; late OMR48273 lists 12 US qt for diesel or 8 US qt for gasoline/LP-gas. Both list 24 US qt coolant, 10 US gal Syncro-Range service fill, and 14 US gal Power Shift service fill.
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 basic tractor plate is at the upper right rear of the transmission case. Deere's post-091000 prefix identifies chassis, fuel, and transmission, while documentation splits at serial 200999/201000 and the late OMR48273 operator-manual preview begins at 250001.
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
final
location
Manuals and Documents
The two operator-manual links are 10-page and 9-page previews whose visible specification pages were reviewed directly. The Deere PC859 and PC1116 links are official introduction extracts, and the five Nebraska links are complete official test reports.
Use the document that matches the serial range, fuel, transmission, and chassis. These records do not describe one universal 4020 configuration.
Operator manual preview
- John Deere 4020 operator manual OMR41754 previewserial range
Operator 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 serial range
Late operator manual preview covering John Deere 4000 and 4020 tractors from serial number 250001 upward.
Open preview PDF
Parts catalog
- John Deere 4020 parts catalog PC859parts catalog, parts matching, serial range, parts system categories
Official John Deere parts catalog introduction for 4020 tractors through serial number 200999.
Open parts catalog - John Deere 4000/4020 parts catalog PC1116parts catalog, parts matching, serial range, parts system categories, late serial range
Official John Deere parts catalog introduction for 4000 and 4020 tractors from serial number 201000 upward.
Open parts catalog
Tractor test report
- Nebraska Test 930: 4020 diesel Syncro-Rangetested performance
Official Nebraska test report for a John Deere 4020 diesel Syncro-Range 2WD test configuration.
Open test report - Nebraska Tractor Test 934: John Deere 4020 Syncro-Range LPGtested performance
John Deere 4020 LP gas Syncro-Range 2WD test, April-May 1966
Open test report - Nebraska Tractor Test 939: John Deere 4020 Syncro-Range Gastested performance
John Deere 4020 340 cubic inch gasoline Syncro-Range 2WD test, May 1966
Open test report - Nebraska Tractor Test 1012: John Deere 4020 Gasoline Power Shifttested performance
John Deere 4020 362 cubic inch gasoline Power Shift 2WD test, May-June 1969
Open test report - Nebraska Tractor Test 1024: John Deere 4020 Diesel Power Shifttested performance
John Deere 4020 diesel Power Shift 2WD test, September-October 1969
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.