John Deere 420 Garden Tractor (1983 – 1991)

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)

John Deere 420 Garden Tractor Weight and Dimensions

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)

John Deere 420 Tractor Tire Sizes

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

John Deere 420 Garden Tractor Specs

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)

John Deere 420 Garden Tractor Rear 3-Point Hitch

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 Garden Tractor Service Refill Capacities

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)

John Deere 420 Tractor Dashboard and Serial Number Plate Location

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.

John Deere 420 Garden Tractor with Mower Deck

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)

John Deere 420 Tractor Mid-Mount Mower Deck

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 Front Loader Specs and Dimensions

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)

John Deere 420 Garden Tractor with Loader 44

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.

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