(quoted from post at 08:22:21 05/15/20)
Randy
All JD 3010's certainly weren't as bad as the one you've referred to for yrs or JD wouldn't still be in business selling tractors unlike some other defunct tractor companies that are out of business.
JD 3010/3020 do have orphan engines that only those tractor models utilize.
Jim
John Deere did not always had the better products. Look at their line of middle HP tractors right now. They are just selling a name at a high price.
John Deere has consistently be good as coming up with the right technology at the right time, so they could make a good use of it.
Exemples: Powershift, Rubbercushioned cabs, electro hydraulics controls on tractor or combine, electrically operated PST : They did not have it first by far, but when they had it, their version became the norm.
4010/3010 were successfull design for sure. For a long time, I tought that everything else released few years later was a copy of it. But I have to admit a change like this was drawn for sure by the fashions of the late 50's. For instance Oliver 1800 are very nice as well and are not copies because released at the same time than the 4010. Same goes for IH806.
3010 4010 nice platform with controls on the dash is in fact just a trend of the time. Cars also had gear shift on the dash in that area. Deere was successfull of introducing it on time.
Ford was first with the 6000 with a nice open platform. Less desirable as far as engine, reliability and hydraulics.
Massey was a little behing with the 1100 but IMHO pass everyone as far as comfort goes (side console, better hydraulics controls than anyone, and hydraulic seat in 1964). They were waiting the 2nd gen 4020 to have something to run against.
The area were Deere did a huge step above the competition with the 3010/4010 is the hydraulic system. Today as a core tractors, this cost more fuel because most at 10K hours are leaking, but back then it was great.
Note that first to undoubtly pass JD on Hydraulics was Allis with the 7000 series that had fpc pumps. If the Allis Acoustacab was not that ugly, they would have hold well against the 30 series. Much better than the retarded 66 series that would have been good competitors for Deere 4510.