John Deere 4020

1971 John Deere 4020

In mid 2019 I started looking for my dream tractor, a late model John Deere 4020 and hopefully with lower hours, and halfway decent sheet metal. After going and looking at several in late 2019 in Feb 2020 I found and purchased a 1971. It had been purchased new locally and had been owned over the years by two or three local farmers. In good mechanical shape with only 5800 original hours and the original tach.

That Summer we used it lightly on the family farm raking hay and picking up square bales, basically to find leaks, etc. That Fall I completely dismantled, power washed and started the restoration process. After approximately 1 ½ years of off and on restoration work we finally completed the last detail a couple weeks ago, and displayed it at a local annual equipment show at our John Deere dealer, and entered it in our local annual parade.

I’m extremely pleased with our finished project. Over the years I have restored several of my own tractors and tractors for others which many were beautiful when completed. I did have my good friend paint the chassis for me as I was running out of time, and chopping corn silage with my brother last Fall. I also ended up having him repaint my hood for me as I kept getting an orange peel condition. But now at 71 years old a longtime dream came true, this is one of the nicest I have ever owned, and a keeper for life!

Gary R. Heberling
Carsonville, Michigan

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