My 4020 Story: Life Saver & Getaway Racer

My grandpa bought our family's John Deere 4020 brand new in 1967 from Reeser Farm Equipment (now Prairie State Tractor). It served as their main day-to-day tractor, even through today! My dad has told me several stories about how he had to stand on the seat, and drive with his foot during harvest to be tall enough to flag grandpa down (who was in the combine) when the wagons that he was pulling behind the 4020 was getting full enough to go unload.

The 4020 was the first tractor my dad taught me how to drive on my parent’s 40, during harvest. He rode on the fender just long enough for me to get the hang of things, abruptly jumping off to run alongside the tractor to go hop into the comridebine to keep things moving. (Also, my first time learning sign language- farmers edition- for: stop, throttle up/down, etc.)

The 4020 actually saved my dad's life in an accident he was in, shifting equipment around to get ready for the next season of farming, when a tail wind caught him just right. -It was obvious that it immediately needed to be fixed back up to keep the operations of the farm “normal”. So, the rollback bar was put back on it for safety purposes, and it now has a spot on my brother-in-law's farm either grinding feed for cattle, hooked up to an auger ready to unload grain from a nearby bin, or even mowing road ditches. I was even lucky enough to have it featured as my “get away ride” for after my wedding ceremony!

My favorite memory was from a few harvest seasons ago, (unfortunately, one of the last memories to be had on this farm) was my mom sitting on the fender on the 4020 as my dad was driving it with a set of wagons behind them, me driving the 8530 with my husband in the buddy seat with another set of wagons behind us, and my little sister and brother-in-law were in the combine. Picture perfect weather to finish a late night of harvesting with the family. It was probably the most fun we had on the farm as a family, with no break-downs!

I can’t imagine the farm world without a John Deere 4020 in it. It’s so versatile and practical. You can’t beat the feeling of an open cab tractor, that has several stories to be told about it.

Story written by Andrea Lauer. Have a 4020 story to share with Prairie State Tractor? We're collecting John Deere 4020 tractor stories to help promote our new 4020 special inspection program. Plus, our favorite entry will get their 4020 inspected for free. Click here for all the details on how to submit your own story. To schedule a 4020 special inspection for only $195, click here and complete the form.