[AT] 8020 Antique

Mon Nov 1 17:02:27 PDT 2010

Gene,

There is a typo on the size of the three point hitch in my message. The 8010/8020 has a Category V three point hitch not Category
IV. Apparently about half of the 8010's were shipped with this hitch. The 8 bottom plow had to be one heavy sucker. I'd hate to
think about how much tension was on the top link when the tractor bounced through a furrow. I suspect the issues created by this
fully integral plow caused the invention of semi-integral type plows with a lift assist at the real wheel.  Sorry for the typo.

Gene,

In an attempt to avoid further misstatements, the JD 8010 has been reported to have been first announced in September of 1959 in
Marshalltown, IA just prior to the rest of 10 series of New Generation JD tractors announced later in 1960 (2010-5010). It is
reported that all but one were recalled by JD to fix some transmission/clutch problems and then re-model numbered/re-serial numbered
as 8020's during the 1961-1964 period. According to tractordata.com the lone remaining 8010 is now in Walter Keller's collection in
Wisconsin. I can verify that a 8010 is in Keller's collection based on a picture I took in 2006 during a tour given by Walter
Keller. See 8010 Picture:

http://public.fotki.com/deanvp/tractor_shows/2006/gog_2006/keller_collection/dcp_3057.html

Amazingly, of the 100 8010's built close to 75 8020's have survived to this day. This 8020 at this auction may be the 74or 75th
found. The original plow that was offered with the 8010/8020 was a fully integral 8 bottom moldboard plow which was obviously very
unwieldy. Several of these Category IV three point plows have survived as well.  JD had some trouble selling these $30,000 plus,
26,000 lb plus tractors and many ended up being rented/leased out by JD and also being used as Industrial tractors. 150 HP at the
drawbar. A tractor quite a bit ahead of its time but was a forewarning of tractors to come. 

Dean VP
Snohomish, WA

Change occurs "when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change!"

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Gene Dotson
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 10:06 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] 8020 Antique

    There are a few misstatements in this story. The 8020 was a follow on to 
the 8010 which was first produced in 1957 or 1958. I was privileged to see 
the first 8010 tractor in Ohio at 1958 Case Farm-O-Rama near Richwood, Ohio. 
The Walton-Case families were big farmers there and had close working 
relationship with John Deere Company and hosted this show for several years. 
Russell Case bought the 8010 and used it on the Walton-Case farms for 
several years. This tractor originally had a fully mounted 7 bottom 
moldboard plow that lifted completely off the ground when raised from the 
furrow. Russell's wife, Meriam, drove the tractor regularly and when turning 
at the end of the field, the plow extended quite a distance behind the 
tractor and swung directly behind the tractor. Meriam was known to misjudge 
the length behind her and destroyed a few telephone and electric poles. 
Fences were not a problem as the plow raised high enough to clear the 
fences. The 7 bottom mounted plow was  traded for a 6 bottom semi mounted 
plow for the second year.

    My good friend, Jim Gillfillian worked on the Walton-Case farm for 
several years. I have driven this tractor several times and ridden with Jim 
even more times. The tractor was upgraded to 8020 specs some time in the 
early 60's by John Deere. I don't know if the Walton family still has the 
tractor. They reduced their farming operation considerably in the early 
70's. This would certainly be a valuable tractor today.

                        Gene

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Goff" <alfg at sasktel.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 11:32 AM
Subject: [AT] 8020 Antique

> Ok, which one of you atis guys came up here to Sask. and paid $90,000 for 
> this JD 8020 4WD?
> http://www.mackauctioncompany.com/10-oct2.html
>
> If I'd known it was going to sell that cheap I'd have gone to the sale. 
> :-)
>
> By WILLIAM DEKAY, Saskatoon Newsroom
> October 14, 2010
> Bidding was intense on the ground and via the internet Oct. 2 for a rare 
> four-wheel drive John Deere 8020 tractor.
>
> In the end, an anonymous buyer bought the tractor for $90,000.
>
> The tractor is one of 74 out of only 100 manufactured. This particular 
> tractor has serial number 14 and created a stir in the agricultural world 
> because until now, it was not known what had become of it.
>
> Initially, auctioneer Norm Mack questioned whether he would handle the 
> sale when he went to inspect the farm machinery of Edmund Pranke.
>
> "His equipment was nothing special, but he took great pride in what he 
> had," says Mack.
>
> Then he saw the 8020 and knew it was something different.
>
> "We knew we had found a diamond in the rough. This was a special tractor," 
> he says.
>
> On a warm harvest day Oct. 2 the sale attracted almost 300 bidders and as 
> many spectators, many travelling from the U.S.
>
> "The night before, when we pulled in, there were cars already there. Every 
> Midwest state that farms was already there," said Mack.
>
> "Going over this tractor, they were almost in awe that this tractor would 
> be in Saskatchewan. A lot of people travelled hours, even days just to see 
> this tractor with no intention of buying or even bidding, but just to come 
> and see."
>
> John Deere's 8020 was built between 1961 and 1963 with a price tag of 
> $32,000.
>
> "It was a tremendous amount of money in the early '60s. Therefore demand 
> was low," said Mack.
>
> It was the first four-wheel drive articulated tractor produced by a major 
> manufacturer. Mack says all future four-wheel drive tractors were based on 
> the 8020, even the new ones today.
>
> "It was ahead of its time," he said. The 8020 also boasted a Detroit 
> diesel engine commonly called a Screaming Jimmy. "You could hear them 
> coming a mile away," said Mack.
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Ralph in Sask.
> _______________________________________________
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