1020 John Deere Serial Number

[dpoc]

Hello,

After doing some google searching I know this topic has been discussed in the past. Some of the information I collected is included below. After reading a few of the articles I was able to
decipher most of the serial number but the part I am confused about is every where I look they say the starting number is 14501. The reason I am confused is the serial number I am looking
at is T4R1C02019. Which if I am reading the information correctly is lower than the starting serial number for this tractor. Help!! Any information is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Here is the breakdown of the first five characters in your serial #:

T - Tractor
4 - Designates series (the 4 indicates it is a 1020)
R - Designates tractor style (the "R" is an RU)
1 - Designates engine type (1 indicates gasoline)
C - Designates type pf transmission (C is collar shift)


Year Starting Serial Number
1965 14501
1966 14682
1967 42715
1968 65184
1969 82409
1970 102038
1971 117500
1972 134700
1973 157109

 

[Bob]

While this doesn't completely solve the mystery, as other details don't match up, DEERE must have been awfully fond of using the numeral "4" to designate a series, as they used it to mean "1520", as well!

Perhaps there is still another series designated as "4" that will be in your serial number range???

Happy sleuthing!

<img src = "https://i.imgur.com/HGcOXO6.jpg">

 

[Tx Jim]

The VIN(02019) you posted doesn't contain enough numerals as it should contain "6" numerals to be correct SN for JD tractors of that era.

 

[8850dave]

My JD 1020 has a serial number for a 2020 tractor on it came from local dealer new and only a 2 owner tractor

 

[Jim.ME]

You are saying your data plate identification string begins T5 (2020) instead of T4 (1020)? The 6 digit serial number can intermingle in the number range of a given year as far as I know.

 

[dpoc]

That is exactly why I am confused and asking the question. I looked at the ID plate multiple times just to make sure I didn't write it down incorrectly or missed a character but I didn't. I
can try taking a picture later today maybe my untrained eye is missing something. On a different topic the collar shift with Hi-Lo what is that referring to? This tractor has split shift and
"I" and "II" for forward speeds.

 

[Tx Jim]

Your tractor had 3 trans options when it was new.
collar-shift
collar-shift with hyd reverser with control on LH side of steering wheel
collar shift with hyd hi-lo with control on LH side of steering wheel

 

[dpoc]

Tx Jim thanks for the clarification. There are not any additional controls on the LH side of the steering wheel.

 

[Tx Jim]

JD dealership where I was employed when 1020/2020 were new sold very few if any of those models with either of those hyd options.

 

[dpoc]

Tx Jim, Here is a picture. What am I missing?

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 10:00:56 12/30/19) Tx Jim, Here is a picture. What am I missing?/quote]

Nothing It appears your tractors SN has only 5 numerals.

 

[Jim.ME]

(quoted from post at 11:00:56 12/30/19) Tx Jim, Here is a picture. What am I missing?
&lt;img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto729.jpg"&gt;

Could that be a replacement tag? I think the 1020 original tags looked like this:

Stamping looks rough as well.

 

[PeterE]

The "4" series designation was also used on the 300 series industrial models.

 

[dpoc]

So the question is still there. If the
starting serial number was 14501 in
1965 which is the first year based on
my understanding how can this number be
lower than that? The tractor was
bought used so I cannot speak on if the
tag is original or not.

 

[Jim.ME]

(quoted from post at 14:16:04 12/30/19) So the question is still there. If the
starting serial number was 14501 in
1965 which is the first year based on
my understanding how can this number be
lower than that? The tractor was
bought used so I cannot speak on if the
tag is original or not.

If it is a replacement and someone stamped it they may have missed a number. That said, look closely at about 7 o'clock below the right rivet, it looks like there might be the bottom of a 1 there. If you have a pair of "visegrips" with good jaws you can grab the head of the rivet and turn it counterclockwise while pulling out to back the rivet out to check for certain. If there is a number there it is a replacement, stamped with too large a stamp for the room available. JMHO. The rivet will tap back in after.

 

[dpoc]

Good catch. When I zoomed in on the
picture I noticed what you were talking
about. I will try to back the rivet
out.

 

[jhwilliams]

Sure looks like a replacement tag to me.

 

[jhwilliams]

I don't think my 1020 or 2020 have "SN" stamped on them in the window. I think the tag has the word "Serial" printed and then a window for just the number itself. (Same for "Type"). I think that's why whomever did it ran out of room to stamp the last number. I'll go look at mine later today.

 

[jhwilliams]

This is the tractor S/N tag on my 1968 1020. It doesn t have "SN" stamped, but has the words "Type" and "Serial" below the windows where those numbers are stamped.

 

[jhwilliams]

This is the engine S/N tag on the same tractor. It s hard to see but it s much more like the one you showed. Also, the numbers are all stamped much straighter. All leads me to believe yours is a replacement tag, someone started out by incorrectly stamping "SN" and then ran out of room for the last digit. It s probably under that rivet, as already said. I think your serial number is probably 020191.

 

[dpoc]

Jim.ME you were correct. I pulled the rivet out and there was another digit under the rivet head. Based on some of the images others have posted it definitely looks like this is not the
original tag. Thanks to everyone for the replies and help!!

 

[Jim.ME]

So your serial number, 02019[u:5b58ebafbf]?[/u:5b58ebafbf], falls in the 1966 build range.