3020

The 3020 ~ 1964-1972

The story told is that one of John Deere's early partners found him working on one of his early plows and chided him for time and effort being spent improving what was already the best and widely used plow on the market.  'We must continue to improve our product,' Deere reportedly answered, 'or the others will and we will lose our trade.'  In much the same spirit, the 3010 and 4010 were replaced just three years after their introduction.  The Reason: The engineers had developed something better...the 3020 and 4020, the latter was destined to become the most popular tractor of its time.

The 3020 and 4020 were more powerful than the tractors they replaced.  But the big news was the Power Shift transmission.  The operator could use a single lever to shift between any of eight forward and four reverse speeds, under load, on the go, without clutching.  Those forward speeds were practical, properly spaced, and ideal for any tractor job.  Combined with the flexibility of variable-speed engines, this permitted pinpoint selection of power and speed.  An 'inching' pedal provided 'clutch action' in tight quarters and backing to implements.  The time-proven Syncro-Range transmission was also available as an option to the Power Shift.  The 3020 and 4020 also introduced a  hydraulic power differential lock, which when a foot pedal was depressed, directed power equally to both drive wheels for improved traction in mud, snow or other difficult operating conditions; and a power weight transfer hitch.  The 3020 was originally rated at 65.28 PTO hp. in State of Nebraska Tests.