JD 4520 Info

[Grey]

I just purchased a JD 4520 Row Crop Tractor with Synchro Shift in excellent condition. It is beautiful with 3300 original hours. It still has all the foam padding under the canopy and all of the foam around the body panels and it runs great! I have been reading that there were some problems with the original engines and many were replaced early on with 4620 engines. My question is, is there an easy way to tell if mine has been replaced by looking at it. I have the original owners manual with documentation of all three owners since new and when it was traded each time at the same dealership. However, there wasn't anything on the service history. I thought about taking a Sunday drive one day and visit them to find out its history. I know it wasn't a very popular tractor, but this one seems to be a real gem. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[deeredriver]

Grey;
The 4520 was Deeres first tractor with factory instolled turbo. With the 4620 they also put in an intercooler. I would say if it does not have an intercooler then the engine is original. I have both models and mound D6 and D7 blades on either one. The rear housings are built strong enough to take the abuse without breaking anything. 4020 or 4430 tractors are not strong enough in the rear in castings. Hope this helps.

 

[larryanderson]

There were 7875 total made with 1662 having the power shift.They were only made in 69 and 70.They came with shorter pump and had a lot of injector problems.JD offered an update motor replacement that should have a serial number.The 1000pto only seems to hurt their value the same as it does the 46 series.Basically the rear end and trans were very good and a few got Kinze Detrit repower which really made a tractor out of them if you could stand the noise.3300 hours is rare .Sounds like a nice tractor and most of the 20 series are gaining in value and popularity.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 22:14:56 09/16/10) My question is, is there an easy way to tell if mine has been replaced by looking at it.

Engine serial number tag and/or by chance engine casting numbers should answer your question.

 

[ET]

4620's had an intercooler. The 4520 camshaft oil pump drive gear would strip off. I think the 4620 went to a timing gear drive on the injector pump if I remember right. Very poor power to weight ratio on both 4520's and 4620's.

 

[Robin Bos]

According to my information, deere offered several options to update those tractors, starting with another air cleaner. the original ones had two long round air cleaners in length above the engine. Those cleaners caught fire very quick. the update for this gave you a 4620 air cleaner (one big round air cleaner, 7020/7520/6030 style, but these stay under the hood). Then there were several options in between, and the last option was a complete engine replacement. they always told me the tractor saw the factory for the second time in its life for that option.
to make a long story...even longer... If your tractor stil got those two long air cleaners, probably nothing was updated.