Synchro Range vs Powershift on a 4020

[Bob in Oakboro]

I am considering buying a 4010/4020 to be used for a 100 acre hobby farm. If both tractors are about the same condition and price which transmission would be worth any extra money.

 

[tim s]

The Power shift is not available in the 10's,,and although they are a nice transmission there are some "very" exspensive parts in them and a few PTO problems that can get out of hand,,I would go with a sychro range, they are a bit more repairable....

 

[JMS/.MN]

Drive both and see which you like- personally, I would never buy a synchro, even for field work, much less yard work. PS costs you about 4 hp, which is no big deal. I"ve had 5 PS, with excellent service over 40,000+ hours. Synchro is cheaper to repair, but PS lasts longer if proper maintenance (timely oil changes) is done.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Depends on what you're going to do with it. I have a 4020D power shift only because of the transmission. We pull a 14' disc and cultipacker with it. We stop and pick rock as we're fitting. We can start ground travel under full load and shift up to operating speed without issue.
My 2520D does row crop work and I am pleased with the synchro range in that. Pretty much every thing I do with it I can start ground travel at idle in whatever gear I'm using. If there's one thing I hate it's revving an engine and slipping a clutch to get started. I think probably power shift in that smaller tractor would sap a lot of power.
I have a CaseIH Magnum with full power shift with which I am pleased. I have decided any more tractors I buy will be something other than the old-dry clutch.

 

[Mike M]

If you have to park and stop on hills and get on and off go with a synchro range as the park is alot safer in them.

If you are going to pull loads up and down hills without stopping to shift down then the power shift is the way to go.

 

[DMP62]

Syncro"s have fast low reverse speeds, usually not a problem unless you want to use a snow blower though. From memory I think a syncro has a low reverse of 3.6 mph where a powershift is 2.1 mph (wide open throttle). Something to note for some uses.

 

[nickg]

I have a 4020 with syncro. tractor has over 11000 hrs and no trans problems.Had a powershift and was a good tractor as well. Each has there place and there advantages an disadvantages and everyone has there own prefrences as well. If your ever gona consider a loader than I would definatly say go syncro because you can go from forward to reverse easier and quiker. If youve never used a syncro they take a little getin use to at first.

 

[rick deere]

power shift all the way if its in good condition, and I own both.

 

[usetob]

I bought one of each in the later 60's. The synchro would always out pull the powershift! Maybe Tim S or someone can explain why?

 

[msb]

Customer had a 3020 SR. Bought another new 3020,but PS this time from the dealer where I worked. Got a service call. The complaint-SR was eating the rear out of the PS.Both pulling identical 4-16s. I checked both tractor engine speeds. The PS was way below specs. Someone didn't do all the predelivery proceedure. I had done the SR and when checked , it was right on the money. I set the PS engine speeds to specs and the customer then complained the PS was now eating the SR up. Sometimes its little details that make a big difference.

 

[tim s]

I think the Power Shifts had a bit different pump on them, probably to deal with the extra power the PS trans used, I think they even had "power shift" printed on the pump tag, they do require a bit more to run. The bad side of older PS's is the PTO problems that can happen with them, they had some changes that helped in about 1967, it takes a bit of explaining to discribe the problem but it "is" a problem,and the fact that the planatery clutch pac in the rear section has a $10,000 price tag, which I think is unavailable now, can make them un-repairable, the do have thier place but I vote for the sychro-range for the long haul...

 

[JMS/.MN]

With that labryinth of a shift pattern on the synchro, how can you shift forward/reverse faster than a PS? With the "J" pattern, you can change directions to ANY gear, not just one or two. I wouldn"t take a free synchro if I had to keep it, and will run circles around anyone, loading with my 3020 PS.

 

[larryanderson]

Only one choice for 4010.The late 69/72 with powershift are very collectable and bring more than they are worth.The syngros wear out just like anything and you need to find one that isnt and they will give you years of service.My choice would be syngro due to PTO and the high cost to repair one.I have seen some at local dealer that cost 10K to repair a $7500 tractor.

 

[buickanddeere]

While the entire rebuilt planetary is not available. Is there enough off the shelf bearing and seals. That could be cross referenced from other JD equipment and generic replacment parts. to salvage most PS's ?
What usually fails in a planetary?

 

[tim s]

I think that you can come up with the stuff, just take a while, what usually happens is a gear failure sort of exploding and expands enough to swell or burst open the center of the entire unit, sending shrapnel into all the planetary sets, the 15 spds. have a similar set-up like in the 60 series they have a $12,000 price tag on them, I have bought a couple of them....

 

[4020deereboy]

I would take a synchro over a power shift for loader work a lot faster to shift to reverse and back to forward i