The John Deere 1025R with a 120R loader has a published loader capacity of 681 lb, with detailed specs showing up to 803 lb at the pivot pin and 553 lb at 500 mm forward.
John Deere 1025R Loader Lift Capacity
Tractor Model
John Deere 1025R
Machine Type
Sub-compact utility tractor
Common Loader Model
John Deere 120R front loader
Published Loader Capacity
681 lb / 309 kg
Lift Capacity at Full Height – Pivot Pin
803 lb / 364 kg
Lift Capacity at Full Height – 500 mm Forward
553 lb / 251 kg
Lift Capacity at 59 in – Pivot Pin
957 lb / 434 kg
Lift Capacity at 59 in – 500 mm Forward
688 lb / 312 kg
Maximum Lift Height
72 in / 1,820 mm
Loader System
Quik-Park front loader
Compatible Models
John Deere 1023E, 1025R, and 2025R
Best Real-World Number
Use the 553 lb forward rating for forks, logs, pallets, grapples, and forward loads
How Much Can a John Deere 1025R Loader Lift?
The John Deere 1025R with the 120R loader has a published loader capacity of 681 lb / 309 kg. Detailed 120R specs also list 803 lb / 364 kg at the pivot pin and 553 lb / 251 kg at 500 mm forward.
The honest working number is the 553 lb 500 mm forward rating. That is the better number for pallet forks, logs, grapples, bucket loads, and anything that sits forward from the loader pins.
Use the pivot-pin number for specs. Use the 500 mm forward number for real work. Forks and long loads reduce usable lift fast.
Quick Loader Specs Overview
681 lbPublished Lift
803 lbPivot Pin Lift
553 lbForward Lift
72 inLift Height
John Deere 120R Loader Specs
Loader Model
John Deere 120R
Compatible Tractor
John Deere 1025R
Published Loader Capacity
681 lb / 309 kg
Lift Capacity at Full Height – Pivot Pin
803 lb / 364 kg
Lift Capacity at Full Height – 500 mm Forward
553 lb / 251 kg
Lift Capacity at 59 in – Pivot Pin
957 lb / 434 kg
Lift Capacity at 59 in – 500 mm Forward
688 lb / 312 kg
Maximum Lift Height
72 in / 1,820 mm
Loader Type
Quik-Park front loader
Self-Leveling
Mechanical self-leveling available on some configurations
Best Spec to Use for Forks
500 mm forward rating
Loader Capacity Chart
59 in Pivot Lift
957 lb
Full Height Pivot
803 lb
Published Lift
681 lb
59 in Forward
688 lb
Full Height Forward
553 lb
John Deere 1025R Tractor Specs That Affect Loader Performance
Engine
Yanmar 1.3L 3-cylinder diesel
Engine Power
24.2 hp / 18 kW
PTO Power
18 hp / 13.4 kW
Drive
4WD
Transmission
Hydrostatic
Hydraulic Type
Open center
Hydraulic Capacity
3.25 gal / 12.3 L
Hydraulic Pump Flow
3.5 gpm / 13.2 L/min
Rear Hitch
Limited Category I
Rear Lift at 24 in
681 lb / 308 kg
Weight
About 1,556 lb bare tractor
Loader vs Rear Lift Capacity
Full Height Pivot
803 lb
Published Loader Lift
681 lb
Rear 3-Point Lift
681 lb
Full Height Forward
553 lb
Real-World Lifting: What a John Deere 1025R Can Handle
Mulch Bucket
Easy normal use
Loose Topsoil
Good, but wet soil gets heavy fast
Gravel Bucket
Small partial buckets only; gravel gets heavy quickly
Firewood
Good for small residential/property loads
Small Logs
Useful within limits and with rear ballast
Pallet Forks
Very light loads only; use the 500 mm forward rating
Round Bales
Not a good regular job for this size tractor
Snow Removal
Good sub-compact tractor use with bucket or blade
The 1025R is one of the best small property tractors, but it is still a sub-compact. It is not a skid steer, telehandler, or wheel loader.
Best Uses for a John Deere 1025R Loader
Moving mulch, compost, loose dirt, and garden material
Residential landscaping work
Small acreage cleanup
Light driveway and gravel touch-ups
Snow removal with bucket or blade
Small firewood and log handling
Very light pallet fork work with realistic loads
Not Best For
Heavy pallet lifting
Round bale handling
Full buckets of wet gravel or wet clay
Commercial loader work
Using the loader as a crane
Replacing a skid steer, telehandler, or larger tractor
Loader work without proper rear ballast
Ballast: The Part People Ignore
The John Deere 1025R needs rear ballast for safe loader work. Without ballast, the rear end can get light fast, especially with a full bucket, forks, or anything forward of the loader pins.
Best practical setup: loaded rear tires plus a ballast box, backhoe, heavy rear implement, or proper 3-point counterweight when doing loader work.
No Rear Ballast
Bad idea for heavier loader work
Loaded Rear Tires
Good baseline stability
Ballast Box
Best simple counterweight option
Backhoe Attached
Excellent rear counterweight
Pallet Fork Work
Needs extra care because the load sits farther forward
Small Tractor Reality
Keep loads low, slow, and close to the tractor
Common Mistakes
Using the 803 lb pivot-pin rating as the pallet fork rating
Ignoring the 553 lb 500 mm forward rating
Thinking a 1025R can work like a skid steer
Lifting heavy loads without rear ballast
Driving with the loader raised high
Trying to lift full buckets of wet gravel or wet clay
Forgetting that bucket, forks, grapple, or spear weight reduces usable payload
Assuming loader lift capacity is the same at every height and reach
