The John Deere Model 420

This Model 420 belongs to Michael Williams. Mike uses his 420 for the same chores as I use my B's, especially for mowing. Mike said "Here is a picture of John at work with my Dad at age 73, mowing hay. (about the year 2000) The hay was higher and thicker that year than any Dad could ever remember!"

The John Deere 420
     The 420 replaced the Model 40. The styling is basically the same as the 40, but the color scheme is now green AND yellow. Watch OUT, though! The first of the 420's were painted ALL green. You'll really have to look at the serial number plate (Located on the bell housing) to know for sure. ANOTHER thing - some of the LAST of the 420's had a slanted steering shaft like the 430.
     You can see the "inline" engine with vertical cylinders, and you will not see a flywheel and belt pulley on the side as you see on the other two-cylinder tractors. The other prominent feature for quick identification is the battery cover behind the engine and below the hood. Like the Model M and the Model 40, the 420 was available with fixed width front end "Standard" and "Utility models". Find out more about the "Standard", HERE. The 420T was a "rowcrop" tractor that could come in "tricycle" configuration with either one or two front wheels, or it could come with an adjustable width wide front end, including a high version, called a "Hi-Crop". See examples of wheel configurations, HERE. The 420C was the crawler version of the 420.
     You can see some more pictures of Mike's 420 below.

Mike says his grandfather, Fred Williams, bought the 420 in 1968 or 69. "My grandpa used it before his death in 1976, then my dad, R.C. Williams inherited the tractor. Sadly my Dad passed on Feb 27th 2009 at 82 years."

A couple of photos of the 420 hauling hay in the late seventies.

Mike's Dad and Uncle Paul Williams during a start up after rebuilding the engine in the early 2000s.

"We still have the tractor and still use it to turn the garden and cut hay and bush hog weeds. I have enclosed photos of myself and daughter Dana and new grand daughter Brenna Grace. Dana and Brenna will be the fourth and fifth generation of the Williams family to eventually own the John Deere 420."

(Letter Series) (1st Number Series) (2nd Number Series) (3rd Number Series)

Go back to Johnny Popper!!

2/22/12