1020 opinions

[Brian Bell]

All, I"m going to look at a 1020 this weekend and need some input. What types of things should I be on the lookout for as far as wear/known issues go? I"m really familiar with the N and hundred series Fords but out in the dark on the Deere"s. The asking price is 3800 and I haven"t seen it yet. I"ll try to post some pics and give a detailed desc of condition after I look at it to help me with making a good offer. I appreciate all help that is given!

 

[Brian Bell]

forgot to mention that it is a diesel.

 

[DAVIS FARMS]

RUN AWAY PARTS ARE OBSOLETE BUT THEY CAN BE GOOD TRACTORS NOT A BAD PRICE

 

[Machinery-Man]

priced at $3800 you want have much margin to fix up the tractor so it should have the following...tight steering, check the drag link and tie rods..no welds...engine should have no blow by and start with little cranking..transmission and lift need to work properly and be sure to check the clutch should have dual stage for transmission and PTo. If you have any one of these areas with problems you're sunk at that price...also should have good rubber...I've got a 1020 diesel but at today's prices much repairs are cost prohibitive...

 

[PH]

I would walk away as fast as you can. Know a guy who bought one and nothing but nightmares. Engine had a knock in it, can't get parts for the factory injection pump. He had to convert it over to a new style for big $$$. Hydrualic pumps are also a weak link. I run Deere tractors myself but wouldn't own a 1020. Price seems decent, but better have a deep checkbook to repair it.

 

[Tech 7]

obsolete 1020 parts????? Rebuilt the engine in mine this past summer I must of got the last engine kit and radiator!!! Great little tractor will have it as long as I can still get on the seat. Are some of you thinking of a 2010? Bob

 

[4010 puller]

Not a bad tractor. Check 3 point lift, steering, brakes to see how hydraulics are. What do you plan to do with tractor. They arent a real power house at 3 cylinder and about 35 horse. I have been feeding round bales with mine and brushhogged last summer in heavy brush with a 6' mower but it was slow.

 

[tim s]

They are cute and handy,,but still have the "crappy" Dubuque hydraulic system....and brakes....

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 07:14:01 04/02/10) They are cute and handy,,but still have the "crappy" Dubuque hydraulic system....and brakes....

IMHO Dubuque tractor hyd's started giving the most problems when options were added such as ind pto and either hyd hi-lo-or reversers. This was due to the cracking/leaking tubes that supplied oil to the above functions

I think 1020's were good reliable utility tractors although they are getting OLD similar to me. I also agree with Tech 7 that parts are readily available.

 

[JDemaris]

1020 is a great utility tractor, but if you can find an industrial version - called a 300, it will probably have better hydraulics.

Don't believe some of the negative nonsense you hear. Great tractor IF it has the options you want. Not all 1020s have a live PTO or power steering. Unless dirt cheap, I would not buy one without those two features. Some come with a hydraulic reverser, hydraulic hi-low, and/or a hydualic-clutched live PTO instead of the dry dual-clutch live PTO. I prefer the dual-clutch type. It's simpler, cheaper to fix, etc.

Parts support is great, direct from Deere and aftermarket. Common wear items tend to be mostly in the steering. And if it has a HD loader, sometimes a cracked engine-block where the loader attaches in front.

820, 830, 1020, 300, 302, etc. - are all similar tractors with some variations in option packages and hyraulics. Engine is very common and same a used in many Deere tractors, crawlers, forklifts, and power units.

The one thing I do not like about 1020s is the dinky little German hyraulic pump. It comes with two choices and both are tiny. A .7 cubic-inch, or a 1.38 cubic inch. Both tiny. The industrial version - called a 300 usually comes with the USA pump that is 2.4 cubic inches per rev.

I've got a 1020 and a 300B backhoe/loader. My retired farmer-neighbor has a 300 that I found for him for $2800. It was a town highway tractor. Came with an Alamo sickle bar mower. Gas engine, cat. 1 three point hitch, dual-clutch powered live PTO, power steering, and hyraulic hi-lo. Perfect running tractor and the engine was rebuilt just before we bought it. Pretty good deal for $2800.

I bought my 300B with a diesel, power steering, hydraulic reverser, loader and backhoe for $3200.