John Deere 8020

JD/Wagner WA14-17 Owners Group

Welcome to all fans of these rare John Deere tractors. Developed in the late '50s, the 8010/8020 was ahead of it's time in many ways. A lack of big equipment to harness the horsepower, and the high price tag of $32,000 in 1960 made the tractors a difficult sell. Amazingly, of the 100 units built, 70 have survived to be registered in the owners directory, and there are leads on at least one more. With a 238 hp Detroit Diesel, there was no lack of power in these tractors. Several were sold as construction/industrial units dressed in yellow. Although factory records do not indicate any were painted yellow on the line, at least one has been found with no trace of green under the yellow. Sold from 1960 to 1964, it is believed that all the tractors were built in the same production run, and sold over the 4 year span. Nearly 50 years after it's introduction, the 8020 still holds up well, both in appearance and mechanically. It must have been quite an experience to ride behind that screaming Detroit all day on the open seat. The 8010/8020 is a John Deere designed and built product, over the years, the assumption had flourished that the tractor was a Wagner built product, but it was not. Deere engineers were inspired by a number of machines, both commercial and farmer built or modified that were in use at the time as farmers began looking for higher horsepower than was available. Developed at the same time as the New Generation series - 5010, 4010, 3010, 2010, and 1010, the 8010 was an even bigger leap in technical innovation than the smaller tractors. Articulated steering, BIG diesel power, four wheel drive, and other features made this a tractor to be reckoned with. Mechanical problems with the early 8010 tractors, led to a total recall of the machines and all were updated and renumbered as 8020's.

The John Deere WA-14 and WA-17 were built by Wagner and sold from 1968 to 1971. A total of 65 of these rare units were sold on special order basis. They held Deere's place in the developing 4WD market until the 7020 and 7520 tractors were ready for introduction. Near identical machines in a different paint scheme were sold under the Wagner name as well.

Case (John Deere) RTX547

This one of a kind experimental tractor was assembled by Deere using a Case LA chassis and a Detroit Diesel engine to test the upper limits of horsepower farmers would be able to use. This test program led directly to the development of the 8010/8020 tractor. During field trials, it became apparent that as horsepower levels increased beyond a certain point, two wheel drive was not able to put the power to the ground in an efficient manner, initiating the four wheel drive design program. Darrel Fischer of Watseka, Illinois is the owner of this piece of agricultural history.

When this tractor was found, it was painted Case orange, but detailed inspection revealed that it had been painted olive drab during it's use as an experimental unit. Several of the engineers on the original test project have examined it and located features that confirm it's identity as the actual RTX547.

Ten Year Reunion

Ten years after the 8020/Wagner Collectors first gathering, a reunion was planned for 2006 at Historic Farm Days in Penfield, Illinois. Eleven 8020's were on hand, the most many people have ever seen in one place. Also on display was a very rare fully mounted 8 bottom plow especially built for the 8020. Eleven of these plows were sold, and 8 are accounted for today.

Serial Number	Owner
8020 Tractors at the 2006 Reunion
25	Mike Stoneman Payette, Idaho
40	Niel Kopke Edgar, Wisconsin
23	Gus Rinker Grand Ridge, Illinois
9	Ed Schmale Emerson, Nebraska
93	Roger Hayenga Kings, Illinois
37	Jerry Wettstein Minonk, Illinois
81 & 76	Bob Gabeline Morning Sun, Iowa
6	William & Billy Donner Three Oaks Michigan
92	Darrel Fischer Watseka, Illinois
71	Jim Gillan Pakenham, Ontario, Canada
Mounted 8 Bottom Plow	Ken Glanville Walton, Ontario, Canada

The organizers of the reunion, and the I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club who hosted the event would like to thank all the tractor owners who attended, and a special thanks to those who brought their tractors, some for hundred of miles and across international borders.

There was one "accidental" attendee, Mike Stoneman of Payette, Idaho was unaware of the Reunion when he loaded the 8020 on his immaculately refurbished 1951 GMC semi to compete at the large truck show in Walcott, Iowa the same weekend. After several people commented on his 8020 and asked if he was going on to Penfield, he was able to contact Darrel Fischer, one of the organizers, and came to Penfield on Saturday where he was escorted onto the grounds by a fire truck. It was pure serendipity that caused him to bring the 8020, he had planned to load a couple of his restored two cylinder Deeres, in part for ballast to make the trailer ride better, and at the last minute changed his mind.

The fully integral 8 bottom plow is impressive by any standards, even 47 years after it appeared at the 8020's intrduction.

This Construction 8020 nicely illustrates one feature that was a puzzle to many over the years. The round hole below the step was for mounting a dozer blade. A large shaft could be inserted through there to push the blade, and the front of the tractor was reinforced to mount the lifting cylinders. The prototypes underwent extensive testing in dozer operation. All 8020's had these provisions built in. When the current owner found this tractor, it was a mixture of original John Deere green, and peeling industrial yellow.

More to come!