which J.D. is considerd best

[Mark Henderson]

Hi,
I want to buy my first John Deere tractor but know very little about the differnt models. I want to grow a couple acres of both sweet corn and strawberries to help supplement my income. This tractor must plow,disc, rototill and use a sprayer on these crops. I feel I need at least a 30 h.p. tractor but I would like some seasoned farmer to help in my choice. Is there a John Deere 30+ h.p. tractor that is considered the most reliable throughout the years. I am trying to find something in the late 50's to late 60's
but some one steer me the right direction.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[64ford]

520,630,or for heavyer stuff a 730 or 720 deisel

 

[Walt in Jaxn Tn.]

If you are going to power a roto tiller then you will need someting with more than 2 cylinders and a beefier 3-point hitch I would think. Mabey a 4020?

 

[CLW]

How many is a couple acres? 520-4020 seems like a lot of tractor for 2-4 acres. We farmed 900+ acres with one A and one B.

 

[Brendon-KS]

In some regards, a 30hp tractor to power a rototiller and a 30hp tractor to pull a plow are different animals. A tiller requires very slow ground speeds which not a lot of vintage tractors are capable of. A modern compact would be good for this type of work. But, a lightweight 30hp compact will not pull a plow nearly as well as a heavier tractor with the same power since they lack the traction and drivetrain strength needed for heavy drawbar work. If you decide on a vintage tractor and plan to use a tiller, look for one that goes no more than 1 to 1.5 mph in first gear. In some ground conditions, even 1.5 mph would be plenty fast.

 

[Nofbdybs]

Going to be hard to beat any of the 20 or 30 series tractors. Gas, LP, Diesel, whatever.

 

[Tx Jim]

Mark Henderson
A 3cyl JD tractor such as a 820,830,1020,1520 or 1530 will go slow enough to pull a rotiller.

1020 is 38 pto hp,started being built in '65. 820 is 32 pto hp built beginning in '68.

 

[MEANJDK]

I have a 51 B, with a 3 point hitch that I use on 2 acres. I use a 2 bottom plow, 6 foot disk, a 5 foot tiller and a 6 foot S-tine harrow to cultivate the corn. Been using the B to till neighbors gardens also for 10 years. It works great with a 5 foot brushhog also.

So I guess my answer would be a model B, cuz I've been there and done that and still doing it. I'm not sure about the answers suggesting that you need to go so slow with a tiller, the B goes plenty slow for that. Maybe a video would help you??

Write me if you got any more questions.
Thanks, Jim.

 

[Dave H]

Well if you want to work on a hobby tractor then you need an antique.

I don't know anybody that tills two acres Usually that is worked by old farming techniques like plow disk cultivate.

If you got the dough and want to hop on the tractor light it up and do the work and put it back in the bsarn, I would suggest something newer in the compact line with a diesel.

I got three antique tractors to include a 420 but still borrow the neighbor's Jd with loader and 4 WD to move dirt around.

Just a thought, but it wold appear to me that it ould take about two acres to turn a big womping 4020 aroud on.

 

[JDemaris]

1020 series is a great tractor with many useful features. Lots of options though, so they are not all the same. Live PTO (optional), all have a two range gear trans but also can come with an optional hydraulic hi-low, or hydraulic reverser. Power brakes, power steering (optional), etc. Industrial version is the 300 and often has better hydraulics.

If you need a bit bigger, the 2020 is close to the same tractor, but with a four cylinder engine instead of thre. Industrial version is the 400.

Both tractors use 300-series engines and parts will be available for a long time.

Don't confuse earlier 1010 and 2010s with 1020s and 2020s. They have noting in common except for the paint.

 

[jturbo 10]

I have a various collection of JD's that might work...JD 630, JD 420, JD 50, JD 3020, and a JD 850 (3cyl diesel). Of the above tractors I would recommend the JD 420 but it should have live PTO. My JD 50 is great for plowing, disking, mowing, etc as it has power steering, live PTO, and 800 three point. The JD 850 is a three cyl diesel (Yanmar/live PTO, differential lock, three point) that is wonderful for mowing, tilling, light disking, etc. I have a John Deere 2x12 plow for it and it does just fine but the drive lines on these tractors are not built for long term heavy duty tillage. One advantage of the 850 is it does not use much diesel and it is very reliable if not abused. The JD 950 or 1050 might be the best combo for you as they are more horsepower/weight and have turbos. I would not recommend the JD 630 or JD 3020 as they are probably more than you need. The JD 2520 would be a good compromise but they are very pricey and desired by collectors (For good reason by the way). A newer tractor would be the JD 5200 series with all the goodies. JMHO

 

[Anonymous-0]

Werent those the days...!!!

We did, too...only with 2 JD "B" and 2 WD-45 tractors...!!!

Wish we could do it all again...!! What good days we had...!!

Ron..

 

[Deereguy]

Sounds like you need a nice 430 standard.

 

[Brian Dan]

Which JD is best? They all are!
For a small acrage get one with power steering, live hydraulics, live PTO and three point hitch.
Remember too big is just right.