John Deere 4020 tractor values rising

Greg Peterson - Successful Farming

I've been doing this a long time now. Collecting auction sale prices I mean. Almost 18 years. So it really takes something big to stop me in my tracks. Well, some data I crunched this morning did just that, stopped me in my tracks. John Deere 4020 tractors are worth more now than at any time in my almost 18 years of tracking sale prices. Check out the facts.

John Deere 4020 tractor values Calendar Year Average Auction Sale Price Average Dealer Ad Price 2007 $8,732 $9,539 2006 $8,412 $9,513 2005 $8,541 $9,598 2004 $7,502 $9,427 2003 $8,341 $9,317 2002 $7,814 $9,187 2001 $8,637 $9,240 2000 $7,881 - 1999 $7,628 - 1998 $7,984 - 1997 $7,958 - Data compiled by www.machinerypete.com. Copyright 2007.

So 4020s are selling for 9.7% more now at auction than they were 10 years ago (1997) and 3.8% more this year over last year. Deere made 4020s from 1964 to 1972. I've written about them many times over the years with those columns never failing to produce a high volume of feedback from readers. It seems the old green 4020 carries a strong emotional bond to our recent farming past. Some folks think its silly how much 4020s can sell for these days. Others explain away their rising values with the inflation argument. Me? I guess I just find it highly interesting how a tractor like a 4020 that's 35 to 43 years old now continues to be worth more and more money. Sure, the cherry condition 4020s that pop up at auction attract tremendous crowds and tons of bidders. The 4020s like the 1971 model with 4,800 hours in excellent condition that sold March 31, 2007, at an auction in southeast Iowa for $22,100. Nothing new there. This trend has been going on for the last 5 to 10 years. But what's driving the continued rising values are 4020s like the 1968 model sold this past Sunday on a small farm auction in northeast Nebraska. It was a narrow front, diesel model with 18.4R-34 rear tires and 7,704 hours on the tach. Nothing special, just a decent 4020. It sold for $9,250. A few years back that same 1968 JD 4020 tractor would have sold for $6,500 to $8,500. Simply worth more today, that's all there is to it. Click on the link below to see what other items sold for on the June 3, 2007, auction in northeast Nebraska. You'll find a link there you can click on to pull up all of the JD 4020 tractor auction prices we've compiled in 2006 and 2007, plus links to a few other selected pieces of equipment. Check out the 1975 JD 4630 tractor with 6,375 hours that sold for $17,500.

• Auction sale prices from June 3, 2007, auction in northeast Nebraska. >>