JOHN DEERE
Three-Cylinder Tractors

When One More or Less Was Just Right

The technician is wiping up oil spilled after changing the oil filter on an experimental “2100” Tractor. The plate riveted on the front of the transmission case reads: X21VU509. The ”VU” stands for vineyard utility, a very narrow-tread and low-clearance configuration. Aside from Series “2100” Experimental Tractors, which were developed and tested in the U.S., no tractors of this designation ever reached production status. However, the “1020” Series evolved from the “2100s”, of which the “1020” V, similar to this tractor, was built in Mannheim and sold in Europe.

In North America, the “1020” was available in three versions: LU (low utility, 17 inches of axle clearance), RU (regular utility with 20 inches of axle clearance), and “HU” (high utility with 24 inches of axle clearance). The new “1020” was equipped with an eight-speed collar-shift transmission, planetary final drives, closed-center hydraulic system, and many of the advanced features found on the rest of the New Generation Tractors. The same engines used in the JD350 were also used in the “1020s”, which produced 38 horsepower at the PTO in official tests. Shortly after introduction, orchard fenders were made available for the “1020”, and by 1967 a complete Orchard Package based on the “LU” chassis was available.

This quartering rear view of the experimental “2100” Vineyard Utility Tractor shows its very narrow tread width.	Getting closer to being a “1020”, this “2100” with diesel engine is fitted with Orchard fenders. Note the metal shroud enclosing the rear of the seat for protection from limb snap-back. This feature was not carried through on production “1020” Tractors.

Like the “1010” that preceded it, the “1020” had an industrial counterpart, the JD300. The JD300 was essentially a “1020” RU with a coat of industrial yellow paint and fixed-tread front and rear axles. However, the JD300 was equipped with a cast-iron “nose” and other features to better handle the conditions of industrial service. It was also available as the JD300 Turf Tractor which, based on the “LU” chassis, featured a low center of gravity, making it ideal for mowing, landscaping, and maintenance. It could be equipped with either dual tires or single flotation tires on the rear. When equipped with 9.00-10 Flotation Front Tires, the tread of the swept-back front axle could be adjusted from 52 to 69 inches.

Like all other John Deere Tractors built in Waterloo and Dubuque, the “1020” was sold in Canada. However, due to exchange rates and different farming practices, there were areas in Canada where the “1020” was deemed too expensive. To meet the need for a lower-priced tractor in that power class, it was decided to import the Mannheim-built 510 Tractor. The 510 was powered by the same three-cylinder engine as used in the “1020”, but was available only in the diesel version. Although the 510 was a less expensive tractor than the “1020”, it still came fully equipped with a 3-point hitch and 540/1000 rpm PTO. The 510 was a “packaged” tractor with very few options, which kept the manufacturing and selling price low.