John Deere 4020
The New Generation Powerhouse
The 4020 changed everything. This collector's volume covers every variant from the 1963 introduction through the end of production.
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Pages
256 pp.
Edition
First Edition
Published
2024
ISBN
Pending
Actual Pages from This Book
Every spread shown below is from the finished book — not a mockup or placeholder.
Interior spreads coming soon
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4 pages including the introduction and one full chapter — no email required.
How This Book Was Made
Primary Source Research
Every factual claim is traced to Nebraska Tractor Test records, factory engineering documents, period publications, and dealer correspondence archives.
Expert Reviewer
Each title is reviewed by a named subject-matter expert — a restoration specialist, ATOS judge, or retired manufacturer engineer — before publication.
AI-Assisted Production
Research aggregation and first-draft prose are AI-assisted. All facts are verified against primary sources. AI assistance is disclosed in full in the production notes.
Table of Contents
256 pages — covers all production years, serial number ranges, and all engine variants.
Chapter 1 — Origins and Engineering Heritage
Chapter 2 — Production History & Serial Numbers
Chapter 3 — Engine Variants and Specifications
Chapter 4 — Transmission and Drivetrain
Chapter 5 — Hydraulics and Implement Systems
Chapter 6 — Electrical Systems and Instruments
Chapter 7 — Factory Options and Special Orders
Chapter 8 — Restoration Guide and Parts Sources
Chapter 9 — Collector's Value and Rarity Index
Appendix A — Nebraska Tractor Test Data
Appendix B — Serial Number Ranges by Year
Appendix C — Factory Color and Decal Specifications
Digital PDF vs. Hardbound Edition
Digital PDF
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Hardbound Edition
$42.95
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John Deere Paint Codes
Source: Jensales Tractor Paint Codes Reference (MI-S-SER). OEM part numbers are original factory codes; Du Pont / Ditzler / PPG cross-references where available.
Greens
Ag Green (New Style)
1978 to present
Standard agricultural green used on all JD tractors from 1978 onward
Aerosol: TY6541
Quart: TY6542
Gallon: TY6543
Classic Green
1960–1978
The iconic two-cylinder era green; also used on 4020 (1963–1972)
Aerosol: PT105
Quart: PT71
Classic Green (Two-Cylinder Era)
2 cylinders to 1978
Aerosol/quart/gallon for older two-cylinder models and early New Generation
Aerosol: TY6563
Quart: TY6564
Gallon: TY6565
Classic Green (1946–1954)
1946–1954
Used on post-war two-cylinder tractors
Quart: JDM41
Gallon: JDM41
Classic Green (1937–1942)
1937–1942
Pre-war green; earliest factory color
Quart: 8608
Gallon: 8608
Ag Green (Canadian / Export)
Various
Canadian and export market green; for wheel rims also available
Aerosol: PT21W
Quart: PT2W
Gallon: PT7W
Yellows & Oranges
Ag/Construction Yellow (1937–1942)
1937–1942
Earliest yellow; used on wheels and industrial equipment
Quart: 8749
Gallon: 8749
Ag/Construction Yellow (1946–1951)
1946–1951
Post-war yellow for construction and ag equipment
Quart: JDM42
Gallon: JDM42
Ag/Construction Yellow (1951–1960)
1951–1960
Mid-century yellow; aerosol available
Aerosol: PT61
Quart: PT51
Gallon: PT151
Ag/Construction Yellow (Construction Equipment)
1953–1960
For construction equipment only
Quart: JDM11
Gallon: JDM11
Ag Yellow (Canadian / Export, 1960–)
1960 to present
Canadian and export market yellow
Aerosol: PT23W
Quart: PT1W
Gallon: PT6W
Ag Yellow Classic
To 1992
Classic ag yellow; aerosol/quart/gallon
Aerosol: TY6522
Quart: TY6523
Gallon: TY6524
Hwy Yellow (Construction Equipment, 1960–)
1960 to present
Highway yellow for construction equipment
Aerosol: PT59
Quart: PT57
Gallon: PT157
Hwy Yellow (1992 to present)
1992 to present
Current highway yellow
Aerosol: TY6522
Quart: TY6523
Gallon: TY6524
Ag Hwy / Industrial Yellow (Canadian / Export)
Various
Canadian and export highway/industrial yellow
Aerosol: PT20W
Quart: PT112W
Gallon: PT14W
Iowa Hwy Yellow (1960–)
1960 to present
Iowa state highway yellow
Aerosol: PT62
Quart: PT52
Gallon: PT152
Illinois Hwy Orange
Various
Illinois state highway orange
Quart: PT55
Gallon: PT155
Blacks
Black High Gloss (1978–)
1978 to present
High-gloss black for New Generation and later tractors
Aerosol: PT105
Quart: PT71
Black High Gloss (Gator Vehicle)
Various
High-gloss black for Gator utility vehicles
Aerosol: TY24494
Quart: TY24495
Black Medium Gloss
Various
Medium-gloss black; general machinery use
Quart: 41
Gallon: 41
Machinery Soft Black
Various
Soft black for machinery; aerosol available
Aerosol: PT65
Quart: PT64
Gallon: PT164
Machinery Soft Black (Imperial)
Various
Imperial coach soft black
Quart: 18
Gallon: 18
Machinery Soft Black (Canadian / Export)
Various
Canadian and export soft black
Aerosol: PT24W
Quart: PT13W
Machinery Dull Black
Various
Dull/flat black for machinery
Aerosol: PT 67
Duracote Enamel Black (1960–1978)
1960–1978
Duracote enamel; used on New Generation tractors including 4020
Aerosol: PT 70
Reds & Blues
Machinery Red (to 1960)
To 1960
Red used on early machinery and implements
Quart: 8751
Gallon: 8751
Machinery Red (Iowa Hwy, 1960–)
1960 to present
Iowa highway red variant
Quart: PT56
Gallon: PT156
Machinery Blue (Extra Elastic Lacquer)
Various
Extra elastic lacquer blue for machinery
Quart: 226
Gallon: 226
Machinery Blue
Various
Standard machinery blue
Quart: PT63
Gallon: PT163
Machinery Transparent Blue
Various
Transparent blue for machinery
Quart: PT54
Gallon: PT154
Specialty & Finishes
Trail Olive
Various
Olive drab for trail/utility equipment
Machinery Cream
Various
Cream color for machinery accents
Silver
Various
Silver for machinery and trim
Machinery Brushing Varnish
Various
Clear brushing varnish
Aerosol: TY6537
Quart: TY6538
Gallon: TY6539
Machinery Clear Varnish
Various
Clear varnish for machinery
Quart: 12
Gallon: 12
Machinery Mixing Varnish
Various
Mixing varnish for custom blends
Quart: 100
Gallon: 100
What Collectors Are Saying
"The most thorough reference I've seen for this model. The serial number appendix alone is worth the price — I've been trying to track down this data for years."
Robert T.
ATOS Judge, Iowa
"Finally a book that treats the collector seriously. The factory options chapter covers things I've never seen documented anywhere else."
Jim W.
Restoration specialist, 40+ years
"We've added this to our reference library. The photography and production quality are genuinely impressive — this belongs on the shelf next to the Octane Press titles."
Carol M.
Farm Heritage Museum, Nebraska
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