Dimensions
Overall Length |
77 in (1956 mm) |
Wheelbase |
52 in (1321 mm) |
Overall Height |
47.5 in (1206 mm) |
Overall Width (Max) |
51.5 in (1308 mm) |
Overall Width (Min) |
45 in (1143 mm) |
Front Tread |
36 in (914 mm) |
Rear Tread (Narrow) |
32 in (818 mm) |
Rear Tread (Wide) |
38.6 in (980 mm) |
Turning Radius (Inside Rear Wheel) |
26 in (660 mm) |
Turning Radius (Outside Front Wheel) |
86 in (2184 mm) |

Weights
Operating Weight |
993 lb (450 kg) |
Shipping Weight |
913 lb (408 kg) |
Quick-Tach Suitcase Weight, UC13263 (each) |
42 lb (20 kg) |
Rear Cast Iron Wheel Weight, M11028 (each) |
48.6 lb (22 kg) |
Rear Cast Iron Wheel Weight, AM104097 (each) |
77.4 lb (35 kg) |

Tire Sizes
John Deere 420 |
Tire Size |
Pressure |
Front Tire, Turf (Standard) |
18 x 8.50-8, 4 PR |
6-22 psi (41-152 kPa) |
Rear Tire, Turf (Standard) |
26 x 12.00-12, 2 PR |
5-10 psi (34-69 kPa) |
Front Tire, Ag (Optional) |
4.80×4.00-8 |
6-22 psi (41-152 kPa) |
Rear Tire, Ag (Optional) |
23×10.50-12 |
5-10 psi (34-69 kPa) |
Engine Details
Engine Model |
Onan B48G (Early) |
Onan P220G (Later) |
Number of Cylinders |
2 |
2 |
Fuel Type |
Gasoline |
Gasoline |
Displacement |
47.7 cu in (0.782 L) |
47.7 cu in (0.782 L) |
Bore |
3.25 in (82.55 mm) |
3.25 in (82.55 mm) |
Stroke |
2.87 in (73 mm) |
2.87 in (73 mm) |
Horsepower |
20 hp (14.9 kw) |
20 hp (14.9 kw) |
Power Measured @ |
3600 rpm |
3600 rpm |
Peak Torque |
31.8 lb ft (43.1 Nm) |
31.8 lb ft (43.1 Nm) |
Torque Measured @ |
2200 rpm |
2200 rpm |
Slow Idle Speed |
1350 rpm |
1350 rpm |
Fast Idle Speed |
3450 rpm |
3450 rpm |
Compression Ratio |
7.0:1 |
7.0:1 |
Sparkplug |
NGK BPR5EFS or Champion RS14YC |
NGK BPR5EFS or Champion RS14YC |
Sparkplug Gap |
0.025 in (0.635 mm) |
0.025 in (0.635 mm) |
Fuel System |
Fixed Jet Carburetor |
Fixed Jet Carburetor |
Fuel Pump Type |
Pulse |
Pulse |
Lubrication System |
Full pressure w/ filter |
Full pressure w/ filter |
Cooling System |
Forced air cooling |
Forced air cooling |
Air Cleaner |
Dry filter with pre-cleaner (foam and paper) |
Dry filter with pre-cleaner (foam and paper) |
Aspiration |
Naturally aspirated |
Naturally aspirated |

Operational Specs
Operating Weight |
993 lb (450 kg) |
Operating Voltage |
12 V |
Alternator |
20 amps |
Battery |
12 V, CCA 491, RC: 102 min, BCI Group 22F |
Starter |
12 V, Solenoid |
Operator Station |
Open Operator Station |
Operator Seat |
2 spring suspension high-back seat. Slide rail adjustment |
Light System |
Headlights, rear reflector / tail lights, dash indicator lights |
Transmission
Type |
2 Range Hydrostatic Transmission |
Number of Gears |
Infinite forward and reverse |
Max Forward Speed, Low |
5.80 mph (9.35 km/h) |
Max Forward Speed, High |
9.35 mph (15.04 km/h) |
Max Reverse Speed, Low |
2.90 mph (4.66 km/h) |
Max Reverse Speed, High |
4.67 mph (7.52 km/h) |
Steering |
Power, Hydrostatic |
Drive |
2WD |
Differential Lock |
Standard |
Service Brakes |
Shoe and drum brakes on rear wheels |
Return-to-Neutral Braking |
Standard |
Parking Brake |
Standard |
Hydraulic System
Type |
Three-Function hydraulic system (One w/ float) |
Hydraulic Couplers |
Two Sets |
Charge Pump Flow |
3 gal/min (11 L/min) |
Steering Valve Pressure (in Neutral Position) |
90 – 180 psi (620 – 1240 kPa) |
Implement Relief Valve Pressure |
850 – 975 psi (5861 – 6722 kPa) |

3-Point Hitch (Optional)
Control |
Directional control |
3 Point Hitch Type |
Category 0 |
3 Point Hitch Lift Capacity @ 24 in |
640 lb (290 kg) |
PTO (Power Take-Off)
Front PTO (Standard) |
Independent, pulley type |
Front PTO Clutch |
Electric |
Front PTO Speed |
3450 rpm |
Rear PTO (Optional) |
Independent |
Rear PTO Clutch |
Electric |
Rear PTO Speed |
2000 rpm |
PTO Control |
Electric Switch on Dashboard |
Service Refill Capacities
Fuel Tank Capacity |
6.5 gal (25 L) |
Engine Oil Capacity (w/o filter) |
0.37 gal (1.4 L) |
Engine Oil Capacity (w/ filter) |
0.42 gal (1.6 L) |
Cooling System Capacity |
Air-cooled |
Transmission Oil Capacity (w/ filter) |
1.88 gal (7.1 L) |
Hydraulic System Capacity |
1.24 gal (4.7 L) |

John Deere 420 Filters
Primary Air Filter Element |
HE1401496 |
Secondary Air Filter Element |
AM101812 |
Inline Fuel Filter |
AM116304 |
Engine Oil Filter |
AM101207 |
Transaxle / Hydraulic Oil Filter |
AM39653 |
Transmission / Hydraulic Oil |
Low Viscosity Hy-Gard, ISO 32 (Deere TY22000) |
Engine Oil |
Torq Gard Oil (Deere TY22072) |

Serial Numbers & PIN Location
Serial number plate below steering column of the John Deere 420 tractor.
Year |
Serial Number |
1983 |
M00420X222001 |
1984 |
M00420X285001 |
1985 |
M00420X315001 |
1986 |
M00420X360001 |
1987 |
M00420X420001 |
1988 |
M00420X475001 |
1989 |
M00420X595001 |
1990 |
M00420X010001 |
1991 |
M00420X100001 |
John Deere 420 Attachments
The John Deere 420 garden tractor was engineered for versatility, and its wide range of compatible attachments turned it into a true all-season workhorse. For mowing tasks, owners could equip the tractor with a 50-inch Mower Deck (JD 1012M) or the larger 60-inch Mower Deck (JD 0272M), delivering clean and efficient cuts across lawns of all sizes.

Mower Decks for John Deere 420
Model |
50″ Mower Deck JD 1012M |
60″ Mower Deck JD 0272M |
Mount Type |
Mid-mount |
Mid-mount |
Overall Width |
68 in (1727 mm) |
72.5 in (1842 mm) |
Cutting Width |
50 in (1270 mm) |
60 in (1524 mm) |
Cutting Height |
1.5 to 6 in (38 to 152 mm) |
2 to 6 in (51 to 152 mm) |
Lift Type |
Hydraulic lift |
Hydraulic lift |
Blades |
3 |
3 |
Mower Deck Weight |
226 lb (102 kg) |
300 lb (136 kg) |

When it came to snow removal, the 46-inch Snow Thrower (JD 0062M) and 47-inch Snow Blower (JD 2753M) provided powerful solutions for clearing driveways and paths, while the 54-inch Front Blade added further capability for pushing snow or light material.
Snow Blowers for John Deere 420
Model |
46″ Snow Thrower JD 0062M |
47″ Snow Blower JD 2753M |
Mount Type |
Front-mount |
Front-mount |
Clearing Width |
46 in (1168 mm) |
47 in (1194 mm) |
Clear Height |
12 in (305 mm) |
23 in (584 mm) |
Lift Type |
Hydraulic Lift |
Hydraulic Lift |
Stage |
Dual-stage |
Dual-stage |
Weight |
200 lb (90 kg) |
400 lb (181 kg) |

John Deere 44 Loader
For heavier-duty material handling, the John Deere 44 Loader (0461TY) transformed the 420 into a compact loader, capable of lifting, hauling, and moving dirt, gravel, or other materials with ease.
A. Maximum Lift Height |
73 in (1854 mm) |
B. Reach at Maximum Height (Bucket Dumped) |
22 in (558 mm) |
C. Maximum Clearance (Bucket Dumped) |
53.5 in (1358 mm) |
D. Reach with Bucket on Ground |
44.5 in (1130 mm) |
E. Bucket Roll-Back Angle |
20° |
F. Maximum Dump Angle (ASAE) |
50° |
G. Digging Depth Below Ground Level (ASAE) |
4 in (100 mm) |
H. Mast (Upright) Pivot Height |
42.5 in (1080 mm) |
I. Front Hub Center Line to Bucket Pivot |
25 in (635 mm) |
J. Mast (Upright) Pivot to Front Hub Center Line |
23 in (584 mm) |
K. Tractor Wheelbase |
52 in (1320 mm) |
Lift Capacity to Full Height at Pivot Pin |
500 lb (226 kg) |
Breakout Force (Bucket cylinders) |
725 lbf (3.22 kN) |
Loader Bucket Width (Standard) |
48 in (1220 mm) |
Loader Bucket Capacity, Struck (Standard) |
0.21 yd3 (0.16 m3) |
Loader Bucket Width (Optional) |
54 in (1372 mm) |
Loader Bucket Capacity, Struck (Optional) |
0.24 yd3 (0.18 m3) |
Front Loader Weight |
500 lb (226 kg) |

54″ Front Blade
Model |
John Deere 0042M Hydraulic Blade |
Mount Type |
Front-mount |
Clearing Width |
54 in (1372 mm) |
Blade Height |
18 in (457 mm) |
Lift Height |
12 in (305 mm) |
Cut |
3.5 in (89 mm) |
Lift Type |
Hydraulic lift |
Angle Type |
Hydraulic angle |
Angling |
30° each side |
Blade Weight |
184 lb (83 kg) |
Shoes |
Two adjustable skid shoes |
With this lineup of mowing, snow-clearing, and material-handling attachments, the John Deere 420 proved itself as one of the most versatile tractors of its era, capable of handling year-round property maintenance with efficiency and reliability.