A John Deere Failure? - Story Of The Model 2010 New Generation Tractor - Classic Tractor Fever

When the John Deere 2010 was released in 1960, it had several problems which gave the tractor the reputation of being a lemon. Over the years that perception continued and few collectors want anything to do with the model.
Charles Stodden from Illinois read the history of the John Deere 2010 and was intrigued by its failure. When he had a change to buy a 2010 LP Gas version, he decided to buy it. After a few years of working on the tractor, he sent it to the Jansen Brothers Garage to finish the restoration. Charles shares the story of his 1963 John Deere Row-Crop LP Gas Tractor.
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[@ClassicTractorFever]

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[@jimsteele7108]

Hats off to you for following through with the resto.

[@ronaldday5856]

great looking tractor, I have had a 2010 diesel for 43 years and it is a love-hate relationship for sure!

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

As in love to hate it? Very few 2010 diesels ever made to your level of use.

[@speeddensity9543]

My dad had a 2010. He traded in on a new 574 International when I was about 4.

[@TheRobertralph]

I met this guy, Charles, a few weekends ago. He is an interesting guy and I was surprised to see this video. What a great video it was!! Fun stuff.

[@KubotaBXathome]

Turned out fantastic!

[@Natethanastysnake666]

Beautiful restoration

[@robertclark9220]

Had a 63 2010 gas utility with short WB front axle and a 46A loader. One of the best utility loader tractors I ever operated.

[@dalejohns2758]

Growing up in the 60s 70s, my neighbor had 2 JD 2010s. I moved in the 80s, but I stopped by to visit him about 6 months ago. Both his 2010s and still doing work on the farm.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I used to do a lot of mowing with a John Deere 1010 for a neighbor .. when I was about 10-12 years old

[@darrenfischer181]

I also did a ground up restoration on a 2010.mine was a 1962 gas model.lots of work but worth it.

[@jtoddjb]

there was a 2010 with a loader around here for sale forever. Restored, great shape, $6500 and he couldn't find a buyer for several years and finally he reported in stolen this summer. I thought that was kinda odd. I thought about buying it myself, but needed something much bigger

[@turbodiesel4709]

@ToddtheWadd : Wayyyy overpriced at $6,500. It's no wonder noone would buy it. But, it's the same 'ole b.s. though. Some people think their polished turd is a golden nugget. It's simply not so. Makes ya wonder what he really did with it, when it was supposedly "stolen"? I don't believe it. Doesn't matter how shiny it may be, nobody steals a JD 2010... they just don't.

[@donoien3059]

I have a 1964 John Deere 2010 gas industrial with 7 ft bucket and 5 tooth ripper in back. It has been very dependable. Always starts in the winter. Great tractor.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

You have the one in every thousand or so that was actually a good tractor.

[@theranger7924]

My grandfather owns 2 2010s and one of them is used nearly every month to mow the grass when it gets to tall, and it runs quite well. The other has sadly sat for many years and hasn't run since I was about 5

[@guiterman6263]

I love tractors. My dad run one for a living so i learned to drive when i was very young .he stay busy on one because back then didin many people have a tractor. And he was good at working one

[@turbodiesel4709]

The 2010's were really not as terrible as people have made them out to be over the years. Also by 1963, Deere had most of the 1st "New Generation series" bugs all worked out. Now, were they the greatest tractors? No. But the worst? No. Furthermore, there are still plenty out there in operation. Another thing I've learned about nearly any vintage tractor found in this smaller Hp range, is that most of the owners of these tractors are also those who are the least likely to take proper care of them. Age, wear, & a general lack of adequate care & maintenance always leads to plenty of additional problems over time.

[@robertclark9220]

Yes, had a 63 2010 and it was a great tractor. No, had a 630 and a G and later a 4010 for the heavy work, it was not used for that on our farm.

[@hicntrydrftr1]

2010 replaced the 530 , not the 630

[@johnwappes5152]

You are correct on the 2010 replacing the 530

[@farmerbill6855]

Actually, the 420.

[@CheeseMiser]

@@farmerbill6855 no

[@berniemarkley]

I pulled a 4 row cultivator with a 2010 gas very similar to that tractor in the 70's. It was a decent little tractor. We had a 1010, 2010, 4010, 3020, and 4020.

[@tomreisinger6220]

Purchased a 2010ru diesel off a neighbor back in the 2000s,it had coolant and fuel in the crankcase, once repaired and glow plugs working it was a economical tractor to rake and ted hay with, even my dad got along with it (he was used to glow plugs on a 1970 Peterbilt/cat 1693) the only reason I bought it was up till then I hadn't seen a 2010 diesel that ran , once I started buying parts it was obvious, not to mention the bizarre linerplate assy , and the iron valve cover housed the intake and coolant porting,fuel pump and injectors on opposite sides of the engine and a very strange PTO clutch assy. Another neighbor had a 55 diesel combine with a 6cyl version of that engine, I'm guessing quite rare.

[@deanbarr5740]

What a remarkable story. And young Timothy is lucky sprout to inherit a great looking tractor. I have 5 granddaughters and my youngest loves my John Deere 3025 and helps me drive it. She wants me to paint it pink for her. LoL

[@georgepruitt637]

Yes,there is a in-between!I would buy them scrapped,repair/paint them/use them awhile,then sell them.Never regretted owning a 2010 Deere.

[@52SuperC]

Great looking machine

[@radamson1]

I had the gas-powered 2010. I loved that tractor. It never gave me a minute's trouble other than the carburetor.

[@keithmiller9798]

I enjoyed the story. John Deere 2010 like any machine does need good care and Maintenance.

[@theranger7924]

I love propane tractors, and have the luxury of having a 4020 in propane and it runs beautifully, never had any issues with it, and we also have an old international 350 in propane. Aside from some overheating issues, it doesn't matter how long it's been since it ran it always starts right up

[@user-gy1rk1dl7w]

I have both the row crop and the utility with a loader. I use my row crop all the time.

[@stevencovington4715]

We had a John Deere 2010 Grow-till Gasoline tractor. You had to take the tractor serial number and engine serial number to the dealer to get the correct parts. it was converted from 6volts to 12 volts, used a GM alternator. The PTO was locked engaged, and the water pump had to be rebuilt it seemed like every year. The radiator kept springing leaks ; it developed an ice plug in the lower coolant pipe one year around 2003, and the block cracked between each cylinder and the oil passage. I had a nearby junkyard haul it off for scrap value. He sold the transmission and rear wheels several years later. At least it went on to save some other tractor(s).

[@ericthatcher3462]

I was around and farming with my dad when the new generation tractors came out. We were told that the 2010 was the 530's replacement and the 3010 was the 630's replacement with the 4010 the replacement for the 730.

[@tapertim]

We had a 2010 back in the 60s trans problems and hydraulic problems all the Time we barley used it traded in 72 for a 454 ih

[@RustyZipper]

Gorgeous job. I’d own one just so that I could brag that I own a John Deere that even the Fan Boy’s consider is junk.

[@jeffsnider3588]

I had a 2010 Diesel Dozer it was Ok, used it 35 years and understood some of the issues. Main issue I had was the fuel injection pump would need rebuild often but otherwise no real problems.

[@ricksadler797]

Great work 👍

[@robertmusselman4488]

I've heard the reputation of these but to add to it that the gas ones weren't bad just the diesels had most of the issues. I'm sure there are exceptions but thats what I've heard.

[@davidgregg2778]

I used to have a 2010 diesel with a Westendorf loader . Handy little tractor , however I would think twice about moving large round bales with the 3 point . I did and the 3point isn't heavy enough for it . If l remember correctly , it would blow the seals in it .

[@davidmorse8432]

My dad had a 2010 diesel. I did not like that tractor. Very hard to start in cold weather. Not much get up and go when it did start. He finally traded it in and I was glad to see it go.

[@kerriwilson7732]

Beautiful part of the country. What community & state?

[@curtisdowling3773]

Awesome choice !!

[@wayneebelhar1253]

Nice restoration...remember having a 2010 diesel for feeding cattle in the winter....couldn't start it if it was below 60 degrees....got rid of it for a Massey 50...that would start in the snow and zero outside.

[@yoimalex]

I have a 2010 diesel 1964. Its a good tractor. I have videos of it on my KZbin page. Never fails to start in all weather.

[@jtoddjb]

I'm sure by 64 they got a lot of the bugs worked out

[@daleferber2096]

I grew up in WI, I never saw a propane model, The gas model may have been OK but it seemed like they sold a lot more of the diesels which were mostly lemons because people were replacing 530 and 630 diesels , Coolant in the oil was common problem, I knew I guy that had two of them, always something, Most people eventual traded them in and got a 2520 which never seemed to have any issues

[@nauticalsandwich9003]

My grandpa said he had a 2010 and he said it was definitely not the greatest thing he ever owned.

[@erkettner]

Dad had a 2010, engine kept grinding out the rings. Then got the 3010, it was disappointing as not the dependability of the two lungs.

[@jamesstratz4326]

630 was replaced by 3010, not 2010. 630 and 3010 were the 2nd largest row-crops at the time.

[@Appalachiankids]

Can any tell me the year of 2010 with serial 23678

[@stande-man3976]

I do have one but I wish I had the money to restore it. Maybe some day.

[@ashorttag-8238]

From what ive heard, the 2010, 3010, and 4010 were basically tests for the platform

[@randyneirynck5517]

I love mine. I make 20 acres of hay with it and farm another 25 also.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

It should not break driving it in Parades...

[@jimbeamed5076]

Anyone have problems with the 2010 detonating bad on the from 2 cylinders? Has craters on exhaust side top of pistons. Just bought it seized up bad, had to remove the head bc of 1 cyl too rusted to turn over.

[@oliviahentges2890]

Dad had a 2010 gas tractor. No major problems other than the distributor cap would draw moisture in wet weather making it hard to start during wet weather. Otherwise it was a great tractor.

[@petebusch9069]

Cool tractor

[@luispadilla7519]

Con GLP linda máquina 💪🇦🇷

[@patmcgeough8448]

growing up in iowa we had jd tractors 3020 530 50 my dad bought a 2010 3 years old at a farm sale was a total lemon we spent a lot on the little sob

[@docmirror8009]

Very nice looking tractor. It should be used for show, and parades. Don't try to do much real work with the 2010. Trans problems, shifter bad, PS came apart, PTO drive failed. In the 4 years of ownership, I may have gotten 6 months of work out of it. Plus being it was green, repair cost was always 50% more than any red tractor.

[@richardpickell8062]

There's something that has Cadillac style and class when you drive and operate at John-Deere.

[@jamesm9766]

Good for small farm

[@Fugginfullsend]

Love it I just bought a 1010

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

1010 gas was ok. Diesels not so much but either compared to it's 2010 counterpart was a vastly better machine........barely.

[@randymagnum143]

sLeEvE dEcK The mechanics at the dealership always cautioned to stay away from the 10 series if you were looking for a working tractor.

[@Tornado_the_Skywing]

Hay you know what’s funny is that 2010 is the year I was born and I never knew even tho I have been a John Deere lover for over 10 years

[@kenmorford6156]

I have used a 2010RU diesel with a loader for 30 years, it's a 1965 with all the factory extras I guess you would call them, it's always been dependable and a great 45 HP tractor on the farm, I have changed a few things on it such as it now has LED lights, added a oil pressure gauge and AMP meter, ROPS with a canopy, and alternator. never understood the bad rep these tractors got

[@tomreisinger6220]

Also had a 2010ru diesel, bought it with engine problems, fixed it got it running in the year 2010, Dad was 75 by then added an extra step and grab handle and he raked and tedded hay for me with it, they got along well even with the glow plugs (he drove a 1970 Peterbilt/1693 cat which also had glow plugs).

[@farmerbill6855]

The problem with these is they were rushed through R&D with no time to upgrade the transmission. So JD hooked a 4 cylinder engine to the transaxle of a 420/440 with very little improvement. If you worked it too hard (which most farmers do), it would come apart. Engine issues were entirely because of lack of maintenance. Hydraulics were powered by a small engine mounted gear pump in a time when more and more equipment was relying on hydraulic power.

[@robertclark9220]

the 2010 transmission was nothing like the 420 or 440 or any other John Deere for that matter. Some of the concepts were like the 3010. Had a 2010 utility and had NO issues with transmission. Only problem we ever had was with the hydralics was if you blew a cylinder packing it would eventually plug the pump inlet screen. A 20 minute fix once you figured it out.

[@tomreisinger6220]

The engine mounted pump only handled the power steering, the main pump was in the front of the transmission, with the clutch cover off one can see it.

[@XbotJoker]

Nice Content Keep it up Bro

[@Prairiedrifter1]

In 2022. If you find a working 2010 gas or diesel. Does that mean you found a good one? The way I see it in time the bad ones would just become spare parts for the good ones that are still running

[@jamesolson9423]

The 2010 replaced the JD 530, not the model 630.

[@MaclearieFarms]

I love my bosses 3010 I’m a red guy but the 3010 has to be in my top 10

[@GabrielMartinez-fg8dg]

JOHN DEERE🥇👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@hank5655]

Speaking of LP being clean burning is just a an old wives tale LP is still a carbon based fuel and they get dirty inside the engine just like the gas ones I've done a lot of major engine repair over the years.. I always liked the 2010 I have two neighbors with them and there diesel, haven't seen any trouble with either one, You have a very nice looking tractor I would be proud to drive that in any parade.

[@samhungerford2440]

You should do a farmall 560

[@samhungerford2440]

Jesse W thanks

[@samhungerford2440]

Jesse W I have a 560 gas

[@CheeseMiser]

@@samhungerford2440 same

[@jamesolson9423]

The 2010 replace the JD 530, not the JD 630,

[@robertbohlinger3851]

Good enough -- but not good enough to lead, like the 3010 - 4010

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

A 3010 gas was not a stellar performer either. Drop the plow, pull the throttle and watch a sundial waiting on the RPMs to come up. A 3010 Diesel was a better story. The 4010 gas was waaaaay too thirsty but a 4010 Diesel was the go getter.

[@hilledairy4712]

Thats sigel il I go to that school in the background

[@CheeseMiser]

I live in Pontiac Il. How close is that

[@hilledairy4712]

Only god knows

[@trystanfarms]

#Coconut TV I live in reddick or you can say near Herscher IL

[@CheeseMiser]

@@hilledairy4712 or you if you looked it up.

[@CheeseMiser]

@@hilledairy4712 2hours 9minutes. South of me. Sigel is South of Champaign (I've heard of it and have been there) and the closest largish town near by if Effingham which you are north of

[@cabbyhubby]

I've told people over the years, dont buy a JD that ends in 10

[@randymagnum143]

Mechanic at the deere dealership told me that. Hydraulics were all garbage.

[@jtoddjb]

I've heard that alot too. it's typical of the first model of anything following major changes.

[@farmerbill6855]

Nothing wrong with a 4010 or a 3010.

[@jtoddjb]

@@farmerbill6855 well JD must have felt there was because after their big release of this new generation of tractors to revolutionize farming they sure made some changes in a hurry. Most companies do it. Roll out a new model and then notice some stuff didn't work out like you planned. Look at what wonderful machines they evolved into all the way to the 4960. They got there because of the 4010. Also I feel it depends a lot on what part of the run of 3010 or 4010's you got. The later the better.

[@farmerbill6855]

@@jtoddjb oh I agree. Speaking from experience though, I have had two 4010s, a gas and a diesel. They both performed exceptionally well for me Interesting tidbit (at least to me), the rollout of the new generation tractors at the Astrodome was the best kept industrial secret in history. JD going to four and six cylinders caught everyone by surprise.

[@evanb2679]

The 3020 gas john deere is a lemon if I ever saw one.

[@billklassen3512]

We had 2010 Gas on our Farm , a real good tractor , in those years it handled like no other colour did , Dad bought if off an estate in 1972 with 900 hrs, , put a small loader on it and it was a hard working machine, we cared for just like the other tractors , and this 2010 delivered the service , just like the rest of the JD.S

[@7891ph]

Dad bought a 2010 used... My great uncles never let him live it down, because it apparently had every problem they were notorious for having. That was before I was born (1969); it was a little over 40 years before another green weenee managed to sneek onto the place, but it's now gone as well.....

[@maxdamron4020]

Too bad he painted the axles yellow 😑

[@RustyCarnahan]

I'm here to prove that even though a 2010 was supposed to be the "replacement" for the 630, it failed miserably at it. A good running 60 would out-work a 2010 like it was nothing. 2010 was more like a replacement for the 50, 520, 530 in terms of work output. Remember folks, Horsepower is a calculated, somewhat imaginary number. Torque is a measured value, and that's what really counts. The 630 was a 302 CID Two Cylinder rated at 1125 RPM. The 2010?? 145 CID four cylinder rated at 1900 for PTO work, and 2500 for drawbar work. So, less than half the cubic inches, and twice the RPM to achieve the same horsepower...

[@tomreisinger6220]

Not sure what you mean by imaginary ,any tractor or engine I ever tested that lacked RPM/torque didn't add up to rated HP, anyway a family member swears grandad's 36-d would out work the 3020 diesel, even if it did I know which one I would rather drive, and it had 4 cylinders.

[@jeremyfreeman717]

Wtf. Professional restoration. Why is the manifold green

[@tomreisinger6220]

Really, all the time and money it takes to restore a 60 yr old tractor and all you can see is the green exhaust manifold, don't worry about 5 minutes pulling a plow will take care of the paint.

[@zimmhollowfarm8414]

Me are in 2020

[@hershellinnenbringer4058]

Dad traded a 620 in on 2010 would pull as much it went in for a 4010 still using it.

[@larryesmith5060]

Had a 3010 Gas It Was Junk

[@danw6014]

Yep they corrected a lot of the problem with the 2010 when they called it a 2020.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

They didn't just rename it, it was totally redesigned.

[@danw6014]

@@thegreenerthemeaner yes I know. And the 1020 and 2020 tractors were great.

[@dustineiffler7145]

A 1010 and 2010 are green farmalls.

[@interman7715]

Jds are shit ,Farmalls were the best.

[@billcallaway5736]

Wrong.!!!!

[@dustineiffler7145]

@@billcallaway5736 1010 and 2010 are considered the worst john deeres made.

[@billcallaway5736]

@@dustineiffler7145 yep. I drove one for another farmer back in the late seventies early eighties a green one 4020 ? it's again became very popular selling for like 7 to $9,000 now if you can find one over here on Delaware and Maryland area.

[@dustineiffler7145]

@@billcallaway5736 a 4020 was the best tractor ever made.

[@Oliver-kv2mm]

The JD 2010 Deere’s attempt to build aFarmall

[@tomreisinger6220]

With a synchronized transmission,shifted better.

[@johndeere3325]

630 is better

[@robertclark9220]

Had a 630, great tractor and no the 2010 would not do the work of a 630.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

This is not really much of a story about the failures of the 2010 but about one guy restoring one. Disappointed.

[@Lfig012]

wrong type of paint used.....they were never that shiny....

[@tomreisinger6220]

It's called clear coat,adds shine.

[@robertpayne2717]

The worst about the Generation 1 John Deeres were putting the hydraulic and fuel tanks at the front of the tractor.. restricted the airflow to the Radiator.. any oil seepage was a sure way to make tje the radiator air vanes stop up also fuel spillage when filling especially on the diesels was bad

[@turbodiesel4709]

@Robert Payne : Might not have been the greatest design, but it was adequate if you properly maintain your equipment. Blow out screens & radiators periodically with compressed air. Pressure wash your entire tractor at least once a year, at the very minimum. It has always amazed me how so many farmers don't take proper care of the very machines that they rely on to make their lives easier to make a living with.

[@robertclark9220]

That problem was a "State of Mind" problem, keep it clean and it worked fine.