4020 front end

[ArleninOr]

What frontend can we put under a 4020 without looking hacked up. Sorry guys, but JD's are not what I normally deal with.

 

[Kansas4010]

Anything from a 2510 up to a 4320 will fit. Also conversions of a 4430 front end. There are also aftermarket versions like Swartz and a few others. If it has a loader I'd recommend the heavier 4430 front end.

 

[D-]

What does it have now?
The aftermarkets (Schwartz, etc,)are light and junkie looking.
Used originals a lot of the time are badly worn and welded knees.
New are available through A&I and are a little heavier than originals.
We put a 4630 front under a 4020 with a heavy loader. The salvage yards
carry the adapter kits for that modification.
Many options available depending on your situation.

 

[rrlund]

At one time,there was a kit available to put a heavy front end from a Case under them. Worthington sold them if memory serves me right. They were a popular conversion for loader use on them.

 

[jdjerry]

I put a 4440 front end under mine . I got it from Worthington with the adapter .

 

[ArleninOr]

Thanks guys. Has an original now all welded up.

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 18:15:13 10/14/19) At one time,there was a kit available to put a heavy front end from a Case under them. Worthington sold them if memory serves me right. They were a popular conversion for loader use on them.

If I recall, the Case front end on the 4020 I used with one would not pivot as steeply. It didn't look terrible, jut not quite right.

 

[larryanderson]

The heavier 30/40 series 8 bolt with the adapter plate are used on many loader set ups.The A&I made in Canada is heavier made in the center section but the knees,6 bolt rims and spindles are the weak point.I had one 4020 that had a 5020 front end that made the wheel base shorter but looked out of place. Sounds like yours is in poor condition and wouldn't have much value but nice JD used not welded JD W.F. bring $750+ I had a nice 4440 front that customer did not want left on collector type tractor and traded even up for one off a 72 4320.I was told that salvage yards usually want around $1500+ with correct wheels and tires.The Case front end is just as good with adapter probably a little cheaper but maybe not as desirable due to not being JD.

 

[M w J]

The case front end works ok it don't turn quite as sharp but it sits ahead about 8 inches further so you don't need quite as much weight on the back end.

 

[SHALER]

The path of least resistance is probably a new A&I front end which is good and can be had for $1500 to $1600. If you have the time and inclination to shop around all the other options mentioned are good. You did not say whether you have a loader on it, so Im assuming you dont.

 

[ArleninOr]

Has a loader on it.

 

[ArleninOr]

Randy, would you remember what Case front end would have been used?

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 15:06:21 10/16/19) Randy, would you remember what Case front end would have been used?

On the one I ran I believe it was a 1370.

 

[fdt860]

What about a 4010/4020 fixed thread axle ? Those look very nice.
Maybe hard to find? i have seen few 4020s with 5020 front axle. The front axle looks too big, but this works well.

 

[rrlund]

70 series I believe.

 

[ArleninOr]

Found a complete 4020 tractor, unknown problems. Landowner said get it out of here. It is out of there. Thank again guys.

 

[Glen D Anderson]

We've broken a few spindles over the years on our fixed tread front ends.

I wonder if anyone has ever modified a fixed tread housing to accept a larger dia. spindle? Looks like there'd be enough meat there to go .250" bigger......

(quoted from post at 22:23:15 10/16/19) What about a 4010/4020 fixed thread axle ? Those look very nice.
Maybe hard to find? i have seen few 4020s with 5020 front axle. The front axle looks too big, but this works well.

 

[tim s]

The best fix is changing over to a 42/4430 front end...they look good and are much stronger..

 

[Glen D Anderson]

I've read of this mod. a few times on the 'net Tim. What is the actual diameter of the spindle(the king pin portion)? Just curious as to what we're gaining in terms of size..

Besides the complete donor front end, what is required to install? Adapter plates? Do the donor tie rod ends fit the factory steering arm? Etc....

Can the original 3020 / 4020 6 bolt wheels be used or are the larger 8 bolt required?

TIA

(quoted from post at 08:24:00 10/20/19) The best fix is changing over to a 42/4430 front end...they look good and are much stronger..

 

[tim s]

There is an adapter plate to let the 42-4430 front axle fit,,the construction of the later model front ends are "Much" better, and yes the tie rods interchange,,and you can get 6 or 8 lug wheels..I get them from Anderson Tractor in Bluffton Ohio

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 08:11:16 10/21/19) I've read of this mod. a few times on the 'net Tim. What is the actual diameter of the spindle(the king pin portion)? Just curious as to what we're gaining in terms of size..

Besides the complete donor front end, what is required to install? Adapter plates? Do the donor tie rod ends fit the factory steering arm? Etc....

Can the original 3020 / 4020 6 bolt wheels be used or are the larger 8 bolt required?

TIA

(quoted from post at 08:24:00 10/20/19) The best fix is changing over to a 42/4430 front end...they look good and are much stronger..

/quote]

From what I can see, the "king pin" is the same diameter between 4020/4430 front axles but the spindle/wheel bearings are significantly bigger.

 

[tim s]

4020 front spindles are bad about twisting,,you can take some of it up with tie rod adjustment,,but the geometry changes things..don't seem to have that with 4430's

 

[Glen D Anderson]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

How are are you determining the diameter is the same?

(quoted from post at 08:11:53 10/21/19)
From what I can see, the "king pin" is the same diameter between 4020/4430 front axles but the spindle/wheel bearings are significantly bigger.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 11:11:53 10/21/19)

4020 wide frt knuckle bushing(A877R) inside diameter is 1.500 in
4430 wide frt knuckle bushing(R49835) inside diameter is 1.750 in

So long story,short story is 4430 knuckle diameter pivot area is larger than 4020!

 

[fdt860]

Interesting info.
One interesting mod would be to remove weld on a 4020 knee, redo the vertical portion of it to have the 1.75 inch spindle from 4430s and weld it back. Cost should not be very high but labor is the issue. Plus you need the 8 bolts rim with an heavy loader.

 

[Glen D Anderson]

Thanks Jim!

A .250"(1/4") increase in dia. is significant!

That in itself makes the 4430 front end upgrade worth it IMO....

4020 wide frt knuckle bushing(A877R) inside diameter is 1.500 in
4430 wide frt knuckle bushing(R49835) inside diameter is 1.750 in

So long story,short story is 4430 knuckle diameter pivot area is larger than 4020!

 

[Glen D Anderson]

Thanks Tim!

(quoted from post at 06:40:42 10/21/19) There is an adapter plate to let the 42-4430 front axle fit,,the construction of the later model front ends are "Much" better, and yes the tie rods interchange,,and you can get 6 or 8 lug wheels..I get them from Anderson Tractor in Bluffton Ohio

 

[fdt860]

Going from 1.5'' to 1.75'' makes the spindle 1.6 times stronger while bending and twisting. (Max Stress proportianal to the cubes of the diameter).
So yes, totally worth it.

 

[fdt860]

Actually, this site sells what they call HEAVY DUTY spindles and knees, and they are 1.75'' diameter instead of regular 1.5''.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/...hArea=John-Deere&md=4020&cat=Steering