EVOLUTION of the JOHN DEERE Sound-Gard Tractor 1973-1994

In this video viewers will follow the evolution of the John Deere Sound-Gard tractor design seeing each large horse power row crop model produced from 1973-1994 working in the field. The video shows how the tractors gained horse power, design changes with headlight and muffler upgrades as well as the addition of front wheel assist over a 21 year period. Watch for the John Deere 4630, 4840, 4850, 4955 and 4960.
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[@andersonbagents2963]

We own a 4960 ourselves and we personally love it. Never had any problems with it and it has over 8,000 hrs. One of the best tractors ever made

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@Stfa029]

We have a 4560 that has 16487 hours on one engine and tranny. John Deere’s are undefeated🤙🤙

[@bradfordsmith5942]

4040 - 4240 - 4440 - 4640 - 4840's were always my favorite! All-time classics, loved to run em!! 🇺🇸

[@jankotze1959]

The big Greens are talking, for the time these machines were the top of the crop, thanks so much for an all old big tractor video, that was very nice

[@praveenpal2039]

Tell

[@dougbarber4209]

I love the sound guard era of John Deere tractors. They were what I grew up on. We never had anything bigger then a 4440 but our neighbors did and still do run a 4955 as the main tillage and planting tractor. Great video, thanks for posting it

[@troyadamswaymarfarm5224]

Hi Mate...🇦🇺 I remember when we had the 4960's front wheel assist on the farm.... These tractors were legendary for reliability and durability...👍👍👍

[@juku619]

We still have our valmet 502 from the 70s and use it almost daily

[@troyadamswaymarfarm5224]

@@juku619 that's amazing..👍 We still have our old John Deere 8770's running on the farm for moving our mother bins around...

[@chasesblog]

We ran a 4960 for around 2 decades before we updated to a newer tractor to do more jobs on the farm but I loved the tractor. Mostly a tillage tractor. We still own a 4640 and 4440 but they don’t see much use anymore since we shut down our feedlot operation

[@eternalthread7846]

The 4960 will always be my favorite tractor of all time

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@darrelstinson4737]

I worked at JD from the 50 series on. I loved the new smell. We put each tractor on the Dino and did a breaking procedure. Even the smell from the paint burning off the manifold is a great memory for me.

[@jameswest673]

I remember the smells as well it's weird how smells trigger memories. It's also weird how all John Deere' s smell the same New. Wether it's Ag or construction or forestry. The all had the same smell when New.

[@ramshackleshack751]

The dairy farm I worked at was all sound guard. 4430.4440.4450.4850.4255. All had like 9000 hours. 4450 was the best of all of them. Just an animal .

[@DABFarmPartnership]

Love the soundguards and will always have one on our farm. I remember growing up in the 90s here in the delta knowing planting season was in full effect because you could hear them all throughout the county. Just not the same with the newer quiet tractors.

[@michaelaudy6415]

We had a 4630 and 4850. Great horses and very reliable.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Those tractors have left a huge impression on me even though I never drove one, It was a Time when JD dominated, thanks for sharing

[@samueljoejr5191]

You've out done yourself again. Great video.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Great video! The Generation II (Sound-Gard) tractors were arguably the toughest tractors Deere ever built, and best-looking, in my opinion. I've wanted a 4430/4440 since I was a little kid, maybe I'll find a good deal one of these days.

[@peteparker7396]

60 series are still my favorite!

[@markstengel7680]

Many fond memories John Deere🚜🎅🎄🇺🇸👍

[@markreetz1001]

Great video. I can't believe the prices on the tractors when they came out. The first one was $27K? Doesn't seem possible that anything was that inexpensive--but at the time, that was pretty pricey. Thanks for the look back!

[@camkenimer5279]

Great video, Jason! I have a 4840 that I love and it will be around a long time!

[@hanksfarmvideos]

Have a 4560 and a couple 4055's still here on our farm that we use almost daily. Solid, easy to work on tractors

[@dakotaswanson5488]

We’ve got a 4030 and a 4230 love them easily my favorite tractors I’ve ever run

[@xxkrazykrewxxl6254]

We have a 4020 and 4320

[@dakotaswanson5488]

@@xxkrazykrewxxl6254 nice they are great tractors

[@caleboverman8961]

I farm my own part time and work full time for a good friends of mine who are larger farmers. we run 7730's 84 and 8230's, have had some R series deeres and we even have 2 late model fendts. a 720 and 930. I wouldnt lie and say that there not as good overall as the sound guard queens in this video but i will say that nothing will ever beat the soundguards in just being a timeless tractor. I love these tractors so much that i volunteer my spare time to friends of mine who still run some of these just to scratch that itch of wanting to be on one of these from time to time

[@Leo123j.]

Yup- instant 'BIG LIKE!

[@larry4082]

Love the older big iron! We were an IH farm, but I appreciate all colors. Would love to see the high power AC’s and Masseys too.

[@bigtractorpower]

I am always looking for Allis and Massey. I just don’t have enough footage at this time to make those videos but it is a long term goal.

[@ginggur17]

Total heaven. Loved this from start to finish. Thankyou. All my favourites

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@danielaguirre2516]

Always loved how these tractors sounded with those engines

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@marks_sparks1]

Growing up as a boy in Ireland, that John Deere engine is so distinctive

[@justinburnett1436]

Such a great generation of fine tractors. One of your best videos I think. Thanks

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@brad5750]

Love the video !!

[@littlerougue]

I do love the look of the soundguards but them being a classic is making me feel old

[@bigtractorpower]

I hear you. Every one of these tractors was a new model in my life time. The 4630 had been out a few years when I was born but I remember the 4850 being a big new cool tractor.

[@littlerougue]

@@bigtractorpower just saw something on facebook 2019 is as close to 1990 as 1990 was as close to 1961

[@bigtractorpower]

It’s amazing these tractors still look new to me but now they are more like the 4010 and 4020 were like back then.

[@user-ov4od1xt9p]

I love John Deere tractors!

[@bigtractorpower]

The 4960 is one of the most popular. 👍👍

[@ivanmoreau1798]

What a great video. Keep on making them . You do a great job.

[@oukvantha]

Always great work!

[@Budd56]

Thank you for sharing this👍👍. I would like to see more of this type of comparison on the model numbers. IH and John Deere. Thanks again Sir 👍👍✌️

[@jessicacrawford2011]

We have had a 4630 since 1977 and it still runs just fine

[@rivierstad3817]

BTP - another great look at yesterday's big iron. I remember when these were the big tractors in the field. Now, our Magnum MX315 is considered a medium tractor. My son loved the video too while he was playing the Welker mod on Farm Sim 19. Keep 'em coming!

[@joesteel1261]

I'm a caseih fan but the sound guard cab changed peanut harvest in my area forever.The air conditioner was the most reliable and the engine ran cooler than other brands in peanut dust.

[@scottrayhons2537]

Air conditioner I had in the different JD tractors always needed freon...every year it would leak out.

[@joesteel1261]

We had the 30 series 50 series and 60 series,and we very seldom had to recharge them,we had to replace compressors but they remained very cool.

[@wrightfarmshoffman8663]

Best tractors of there time , 4960 , I drove two twins , dairy farm I worked on , one got traded in but kept one , was sad when it left ,

[@timwestendorf8303]

We had an 8300 and a 4960 in the early 2000's.... we could plant half the world in a day it seemed like with that pair! I think the 4960 would out pull the 8300 but the 8000 series had much better hydraulic capability. Both were fun to run and drive! Love the video @bigtractorpower would like to see the CaseIH line up from the merger to the mx series!

[@SteveHolsten]

The 4960 became my favorite classic JD tractor after watching One Lonely Farmer work with & work on his.

[@bigtractorpower]

Go 4960. 😁👍👍

[@eddiebalentine7938]

Love the video, big green.

[@gonerydin4225]

My first job at John Deere in July 1972 was installing the SoundGard cabs on the 4030 and 4230 tractors. They were initially shipped out covered in cardboard so no one could see them.

[@bigtractorpower]

Very cool. It would have been neat to see a card board intro model.

[@SebastianWarth]

Awesome Video I Liked!!

[@JEDI-MAQUINAS]

Muito bom gostei tratores em pleno funcionamento

[@deeredrengen]

We did have 2 x 2850 on our farm in Denmark. Really some Small giants. Utility and Versatile. We just love Them. 🥰

[@parchechuletaovero9507]

Were they efficient on diesel?

[@deeredrengen]

@@parchechuletaovero9507 as i remember yes they were.

[@jospi2]

I think you mixed up the video description.

[@robthebank9453]

This is an awesome channel!! From 1987 to 1990, I worked on a farm near home. High school summers and weekends, and many nights after school. How I miss thos3 days. John Deere 1830, 4040 and 4wd 4450, loved those old tractors! To this day they still have the 4450 and say I put more hours on it than they did when it was new back in 1988! Keep up the channel

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching. Great time in farming. I saw a 1530 still in use on a farm last Saturday while filming a new 8RX 370 seeding wheat.

[@steveneckel8840]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. My favorite is the 4630. My dad has one along with 50 and 55 series tractors

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@Zero01k]

In the beginning I see they have a guy following right behind 750 drills to catch all the parts they throw off constantly

[@4gauge10]

These are all great machines still doing their job over 40 years later in some cases.(30 series)

[@chuckwilliams8015]

👍thanks

[@timnichols9015]

4850 and 4430 here….. still valuable part of my operation

[@johnwestman2501]

USED TO DRIVE A 4555 FWA TOPPING SUGARBEETS. IT WAS AWSOME!!!!!

[@bigtractorpower]

Very nice. The 4555 is one of my favorite John Deere tractors. I hope to film a 2wd 4 post ROPS 4555 in 2023.

[@oldfarmer3001]

Great film, thanks a lot !

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@MienTayTiVi]

very excited

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@deere7227]

The great thing about these 5 series, besides refinements every generation - you could step into anyone in the dark and all the controls were in the same place. In today's stuff, that is difficult in broad daylight

[@markpflugmacher2248]

I remember when I was younger I had a poster of a 4960 that said “New breed of Power” I dreamed every night and asked Dad every day about owning one. It’s just wasn’t meant to be the farm economy was not good and we just couldn’t afford one. I still would love to have one they are iconic tractors right up there with the 4020

[@bigtractorpower]

The 4020, 6030, 4440, 4960 and 7810 all seem to be icons of the last 50 years solid machines.

[@parchechuletaovero9507]

Do You still want to own one?

[@sharpshooter7127]

Some of the best tractors ever built by John Deere 🚜👍

[@MrLuckytrucker21]

My grandparents had a 4640 with a chrome straight pipe, and boy you knew how good the cab was when you closed the door! The 466 sounded great! The only drawback was it was an either baby when cold starting!

[@heavyhauler79]

My most favorite is the 4850 MFWD, and have operated one with the power shift, loved it.

[@bigtractorpower]

The 4850 is one of the greats.

[@sadflandnav]

Hey BTP I believe the description is from a previous upload, thanks for sharing

[@mrourcanada8964]

That was an awesome video showing all the different generations of that tractor I really appreciate that it brings back so many good memories from for me from when I was on the family farm

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@piperdoug428]

The big 50/60/70 series 4wd's used the same cab but with the side door and one piece windshield, i run a 1995 8970 with that cab and i know it was still the same in 1996 models

[@strawberryroan1941]

PIPER DOUG We run a 1996 8870 for seeding and fertilizing. Really good tractor.

[@dustinlowry9075]

Great video Jason I'm big fan of big tractor power

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching and your kind comment.

[@randykroells8049]

My favorite was a 4555, never seen one ever since.

[@bigtractorpower]

I grew up watching a 4555 bought new in the town I grew up in. The 4555 is high on my filming wish list. A farm I film at just bought one. It’s a ROPS model so it’s pretty rare.

[@mikkel1249]

again what nice finds and the history behind , there is a reason why JD is one the of only big companies that hasn't gone bankrupt. have a nice day bigtractorpower

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@JS-1983]

These are one of the best looking tractors ever made, especially when 2wd with row-crop duals on it, doesn't matter what generation. At some point they have to modificate these cabs to have two doors i here Finland because some safety regulations, that caused some problems like weakening cab, water leaking in and doors were hard to open/close. I don't know when it changed, but i think Magnum 7100 series were ok with one door. I don't know is there any 55-or 60-series sold here, i think most common could be 4230 or 4430. Of course most common JD's at 70's and 80's were 2000 and 3000 series models with sg2 cabs.

[@billcoley8520]

The carrier wheels frame is awfully weak , it usually broke 2 times a year. The swing pins that folded it would also break quite often

[@scottrayhons2537]

After 1973 everything turned to high priced junk.

[@LaHaSi4208]

Nice Old Deere! 😍😍😍💪👍

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@chuck7476]

I LOVE TO SEE THESE TRACTORS WORKING GT VIDEO

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@crslyrn]

Lots of nice looking green beasts of their day. Good information about the tractors as always. Hope you & your family have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Stay safe.

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@terrellfarms1]

I always found it interesting that the largest two wheel drive tractor in the 30 series was not the nicest one with the sound guard cab ie the 4630 with 150 hp. It was actually the 6030 at 176 hp which was based on the 20 series tractors.

[@harrimanfox8961]

I've seen pictures of 6030s with Sound gaurd can retrofits, and they are sexy.

[@7120Magnum]

At least they fixed that with the 4840.

[@sepresley1]

i think the 30 ..40...50 and 55 series were the best john deere ever build. these things were meant to work. They are very reliable and durable

[@mksonmor]

What were the options for the cab it's self.

[@JamesTyreeII]

Thank you for capturing real crap cultivation! That’s not some thing I see very often anymore. It seems like most farmers apply herbicide instead. The farmer I help slices in anhydrous which fertilize the corn but also cultivates at the same time so you get two procedures done with one pass which is awesome! The house I moved into had a six row row crop cultivator and I wish I had a tractor and some crap to use it on but it ended up going to The metal scrap yard unfortunately.

[@arelittleranch1360]

Dream tractor right there

[@jeffreystephenson6946]

Here in England we new this cab as the SG2 fit to much smaller tractors as well as 4955 my question is was there an SG1 cab

[@hedydd2]

Wish you showed the development inside these cabs with the gear lever and gearbox variations and even the old mechanical three point hitch changing to electronic on the very last ones [I think].

[@1214101]

Yeah , I loved the 4960. Still not sure the transmission isn’t better than today’s power shifts, it was so smooth and quick. I miss those big Delco radios, had the big buttons and dials.

[@mrnascar9129]

44's were awesome......big hp yet can do small jobs also

[@bigtractorpower]

The 4440 is one of my all time favorites.

[@charlesswhitlock]

I have a soft spot for the 4230 QR. We had one and it was a good tractor. A bit laggy revving up but it held under a load.

[@bigtractorpower]

The 4230 is a nice tractor. I have a video on the way on a 4230 narrow front open station.

[@michaelmartin4114]

Deere was so far ahead of everyone as far as driver comfort

[@bigtractorpower]

Deere has lead the industry in cab comfort for 50 years.

[@franciscogarciasalvo1715]

Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷🇦🇷. We had a 4930 and we trade it to a 4960 JD tractor. Both tractors were spectacular for their time even so far.

[@bigtractorpower]

Very very cool. I have seen a 4930 brochure on eBay. Was a 4930 larger than a 4630 in horse power?

[@franciscogarciasalvo1715]

@@bigtractorpower I have a brochure that says it has 160 HP (SAE) at the flywheel, and 143.15 CV (Din) at the pto. Was this tractor sold in usa? I think they are the same with different number.

[@bigtractorpower]

That sounds a turned up 4630. The 4630 is 150 hp. The 4930 was not sold in the US. There was a 4930 sprayer on the market here about 10 years ago. It’s neat to see tractor variations around the world.

[@franciscogarciasalvo1715]

@@bigtractorpowerYeaah, it's very cool to see tractors and machinery as they work hard until these days, anywhere in the world. By the way, congratulations on the channel!! 👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@chadleys5783]

I dunno what it is about them 4960 being one of my top favorites! Especially onelonelyfarmers

[@bigtractorpower]

They are a cool tractor.

[@Ticky66MN]

Wow, what a great video! Thank you!

[@edcrego396]

Not much on JD but these were real work horses as always nice video

[@bigtractorpower]

Thank you for watching.

[@nickvlogs7609]

Dang we have John Deere 4240, 4440, 4960, 3020, and a 4630, these old tractors are great lol

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@Dale37]

I grew up in a 4630,4840 and a 4755, my dad ran a rented 4960 for a few weeks, to this day haven't ever stepped foot inside a 50 series tractor.

[@bigtractorpower]

Nice line up.

[@xuser48]

My favourite JD look.

[@deangelopack8405]

The 4850 was the best to me. We had a roaring beast

[@christophergoodman404]

Nothing better than the Iron Horse Series

[@Ghostrider304]

4955 is my favorite of the bunch. I know why they move the intake and exhaust for the 60 series, but they don’t look as good.

[@matthewschofield9330]

I totally agree with you . The intake and exhaust look a lot better on the bonnet of the 4955 than they do on the side of the cab on the 4960 ☺️👍

[@joshmckinney1831]

I feel this generation of tractors set a standard for what John Deere tractors should be. These guys were tanks.

[@bigtractorpower]

👍👍

[@jimmystrain5943]

I like the 50 series tractors

[@bobbijo306]

Great video! Part 2 could be an in depth visit with BLACK EARTH EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING, LLC in Iowa. He’s got a great (working) collection and seems to know a ton about engines and interiors, etc.

[@bigtractorpower]

I enjoy watching his channel.

[@jameswest673]

Always loved the 50 series when I was a field tech. Maybe because they where the rarest.

[@bigtractorpower]

The 50 series were a big modern jump forward.

[@Okiefarmer]

50 series came out during the farm crisis of the 80’s. Not as many new units sold in that era

[@jameswest673]

Yes I understood that

[@jimpustejovsky3655]

My favorite tractors, they were some real work horses! we ran the 55 series...

[@bigtractorpower]

😁👍👍

[@thegraintruckguy4345]

We have a 4255 we bought new in 89, 2wd with ps trans, been an excellent tractor, very efficient, starts well in the cold, just turned 2600hrs, I have zero complaints about it

[@jimpustejovsky3655]

2600 hours! That's awesome. Don't let that one go, but if you do decide to look me up down Texas way.

[@thegraintruckguy4345]

@@jimpustejovsky3655 I have two 4020's that are both diesel powershifts and a 3020 utility gas powershift we purchased new as well, don't plan on letting any of them get away, thanks for the comment

[@GMdieselman]

You should do a video on the SoundGard series, but do it about how the cab changed over the years. Like the dash, door handle, interior color, and other luxury’s.

[@bigtractorpower]

I will see what I can do on the cab. It might might a good review on the 44 models from 30 to 55

[@GMdieselman]

bigtractorpower yeah I can’t remember if there was any big differences between the 55 and 60 or not. Which one did they add the ability to shut the tractor off with the key instead of the fuel stop?

[@michaelemanuels5250]

I can remember those tractors were the big tractor on the farm.

[@bigtractorpower]

Me too. They are solid machines.

[@clayegolf56]

All this green still can’t beat the box car magnum 😂😂

[@CoalChrome]

*me at the beginning hoping he didn't forget the 6030*

[@bigtractorpower]

I did not forget the 6030. It’s an icon but it is not a Sound Gard.

[@MultiTurbospeed]

I think the 60 series tractors sound louder than the rest of the models