John Deere 520
Built: 7/1956–8/1958 · Series: 20er-Baureihe
← Predecessor: 50 · Successor: 530 →
More machines from model year 1956
John Deere 20 series – two worlds under one name: the two-cylinder 320 to 820 (1956–1958) and the New Generation 1020 to 4020 (1963–1972)
At John Deere the '20 series' label covers two entirely different tractor generations that share only their final digits. The first are the two-cylinder models 320, 420, 520, 620, 720 and 820 of 1956 to 1958 – the last 'Johnny Poppers' with the horizontal twin whose exhaust beat gave them the nickname, built in Waterloo and Dubuque, Iowa, as petrol, all-fuel, LPG and, on the 720/820, diesel tractors. In 1960 John Deere switched to four- and six-cylinders with the 'New Generation of Power'; the second group of 20s, the 1020, 2020, 3020 and 4020 of 1963 to 1972, is that new world, and with about 184,000 units built the 4020 became the best-selling tractor of its time and the benchmark of the 100 hp class.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
For Europe the Mannheim plant built the 1020, 2020 and 3020 as well as the intermediate 1120, 2120 and 3120; in the register OU marks the orchard utility version, VU the vineyard utility and (A) four-wheel drive. Values run from 18.5 to 73.6 kW (25 to 95 hp), 1,647 to 7,726 cm³ with two to six cylinders, unladen weights from 1,247 to 3,830 kg, lengths from 2,915 to 4,062 mm and widths from 980 to 2,276 mm.
The break of 1960 was the biggest in John Deere's history: the two-cylinders were considered outdated, and the new generation brought the Syncro-Range transmission, closed-centre hydraulics and, on the 4020 from 1969, the Power Shift option.
Used, the two-cylinders are collector pieces, while many New Generation models are still at work. When buying, transmission and hydraulics matter on the Waterloo 20s, engine and front axle on the Mannheim models; parts are readily available through John Deere and specialists.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: John Deere 20er-Baureihe, John Deere (manufacturer), John Deere 4020 (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Engine make | John Deerecorrect |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Benzin/Vielstoff/LPGcorrect |
| Power | 39 hp (28.7 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,325 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 122 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,300 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 2correct |
| Displacement | 3,111 cm³ (189.8 cu in)correct |
| Bore | 119.06 mmcorrect |
| Bore | 4.6875 in (119.1 mm)correct |
| Stroke | 139.7 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 5.50 in (139.7 mm)correct |
| Compression ratio | 4.85correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,372 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,200 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,518 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,286 mm (90 in)correct |
| Ground clearance | 629 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,250 kg (4,960 to 6,600 lbs)correct |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 6correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Clutch | dry disccorrect |
| Front tyres | 5.50-16correct |
| Rear tyres | 13.9-36correct |
| Top speed | 17 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 18 gal; 15.5 gal (all-fuel); 33 gal (LP)correct |
|---|
Origin and approval
| Plant | Waterloo, Iowa, USAcorrect |
|---|---|
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
| Units built | 13,048correct |
Other data
| Linkage category | Cat II (opt)correct |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540correct |
| Predecessor | John Deere 50correct |
| Successor | John Deere 530correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 12.8 kW/t (29 kW / 2.2 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 24% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the John Deere 520 have?
The John Deere 520 delivers 39 hp.
How much does the John Deere 520 weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,250 kg.
What engine does the John Deere 520 have?
2 cylinders, 3,111 cm³ displacement, Benzin/Vielstoff/LPG.
How fast does the John Deere 520 go?
Top speed is 17 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the John Deere 520?
3,372 mm × 2,200 mm × 1,518 mm.
When was the John Deere 520 built?
Production years: 7/1956–8/1958.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 45 individual figures for this model. They come from 3 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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