The John Deere 4020 loader lift capacity is about 3,100 lb with a 148 loader, 3,800 lb with a 158 loader, or 2,400 lb with a 48 loader, measured at full height at the pivot pin.
John Deere 4020 Loader Lift Capacity
Tractor Model
John Deere 4020
Machine Type
Row-crop tractor
Compatible Loader Models
John Deere 48, 148, and 158 loaders
John Deere 48 Loader Lift Capacity
2,400 lb / 1,088 kg at full height at pin
John Deere 148 Loader Lift Capacity
3,100 lb / 1,406 kg at full height at pin
John Deere 158 Loader Lift Capacity
3,800 lb / 1,723 kg at full height at pin
48 Loader Breakout Force
3,600 lb / 1,632 kg
148 Loader Breakout Force
4,700 lb / 2,131 kg
158 Loader Breakout Force
5,000 lb / 2,268 kg
48 Loader Lift Height
126 in / 320 cm
148 Loader Lift Height
126 in / 320 cm
158 Loader Lift Height
156 in / 396 cm
Best Real-World Number
Use less than the pin rating for forks, bales, logs, pallets, and forward loads
Hydraulic System
Closed-center
Hydraulic Pressure
2,250 psi / 155.1 bar
SCV Flow
6 gpm / 22.7 L/min
Total Hydraulic Flow
18 gpm / 68.1 L/min early models
Rear 3-Point Lift
3,790 lb / 1,719 kg
How Much Can a John Deere 4020 Loader Lift?
The John Deere 4020 can lift about 3,100 lb / 1,406 kg at full height at the pivot pin with a John Deere 148 loader. With the larger John Deere 158 loader, it can lift about 3,800 lb / 1,723 kg at full height at the pivot pin. With the smaller John Deere 48 loader, it can lift about 2,400 lb / 1,088 kg at full height at the pivot pin.
The honest working number is lower than the pin rating when using pallet forks, bale spears, grapples, or long loads. The farther the weight sits forward from the loader pins, the less the tractor can safely lift.
Use the loader’s pin rating as the headline spec, not the guaranteed pallet fork rating. Real loads sit forward, and that cuts usable lift fast.
Quick Loader Specs Overview
2,400 lb48 Loader Lift
3,100 lb148 Loader Lift
3,800 lb158 Loader Lift
5,000 lbMax Breakout
John Deere 48 vs 148 vs 158 Loader Specs
Loader Model
Best Published Lift Capacity
John Deere 48 Loader
2,400 lb / 1,088 kg at full height at pin
John Deere 148 Loader
3,100 lb / 1,406 kg at full height at pin
John Deere 158 Loader
3,800 lb / 1,723 kg at full height at pin
Best For Lift Capacity
John Deere 158 loader
Best For Height
John Deere 158 loader
Best Lighter Setup
John Deere 48 or 148 loader
Main Difference
The 158 is taller and stronger, while the 48 and 148 are shorter
John Deere 48 Loader Specs
Lift Capacity at Full Height
2,400 lb / 1,088 kg at pin
Breakout Force
3,600 lb / 1,632 kg
Lift Height at Pin
126 in / 320 cm
Clearance with Bucket Dumped
104 in / 264 cm
Reach Dumped
26 in / 66 cm
Reach at Ground
68 in / 172 cm
Dump Angle
39 degrees
Rollback Angle at Ground
9 degrees
Loader Weight
1,220 lb / 553 kg
Bucket Widths
60 or 72 in
John Deere 148 Loader Specs
Lift Capacity at Full Height
3,100 lb / 1,406 kg at pin
Breakout Force
4,700 lb / 2,131 kg
Lift Height at Pin
126 in / 320 cm
Clearance with Bucket Dumped
102 in / 259 cm
Clearance with Bucket Level
121 in / 307 cm
Reach Dumped
32 in / 81 cm
Dump Angle
38 degrees
Rollback Angle
11 degrees
Boom Cylinder Diameter
2.5 in
Bucket Cylinder Diameter
2.5 in
Loader Weight
1,350 lb / 612 kg
Bucket Widths
60, 72, 84, or 96 in
Bucket Capacity
0.5 to 0.9 cu yd / 0.4 to 0.7 cu m
John Deere 158 Loader Specs
Lift Capacity at Full Height
3,800 lb / 1,723 kg at pin
Breakout Force
5,000 lb / 2,268 kg
Lift Height at Pin
156 in / 396 cm
Clearance with Bucket Dumped
132 in / 335 cm
Clearance with Bucket Level
151 in / 383 cm
Reach Dumped
32 in / 81 cm
Dump Angle
37 degrees
Rollback Angle
12 degrees
Boom Cylinder Diameter
2.75 in
Bucket Cylinder Diameter
2.5 in
Loader Weight
1,771 lb / 803 kg
Bucket Widths
60, 72, 84, or 96 in
Bucket Capacity
0.5 to 0.9 cu yd / 0.4 to 0.7 cu m
Loader Capacity Chart
158 Loader Lift
3,800 lb
158 Breakout
5,000 lb
148 Loader Lift
3,100 lb
48 Loader Lift
2,400 lb
John Deere 4020 Tractor Specs That Affect Loader Performance
Engine Options
John Deere 6-cylinder diesel, gasoline, or LP-gas engines depending on model
Tested Drawbar Power
83.79 hp / 62.5 kW
Tested PTO Power
95.83 hp / 71.5 kW
Hydraulic Type
Closed-center
Hydraulic Pressure
2,250 psi / 155.1 bar
SCV Flow
6 gpm / 22.7 L/min
Total Hydraulic Flow
18 gpm / 68.1 L/min early models
Rear Hitch
Category II
Rear Lift
3,790 lb / 1,719 kg
Transmission Options
8-speed Syncro-Range or 8-speed Power Shift
Production Years
1963 to 1972
Weight
8,225 to 9,560 lb depending on configuration
Loader vs Rear Lift Capacity
158 Breakout
5,000 lb
148 Breakout
4,700 lb
Rear 3-Point Lift
3,790 lb
158 Loader Lift
3,800 lb
148 Loader Lift
3,100 lb
48 Loader Lift
2,400 lb
Real-World Lifting: What a 4020 Loader Can Handle
Round Bales
Yes, usually fine with the right spear and rear ballast
Large Square Bales
Possible depending on bale weight, loader model, and ballast
Loose Hay / Straw
Easy work
Manure
Good loader job with proper bucket
Gravel
Yes, but full buckets get heavy fast
Wet Clay / Wet Soil
Use partial buckets; weight adds up fast
Pallet Fork Loads
Useful, but capacity drops because the load sits forward
Logs
Good for many farm logs, but long wet logs can overload the front end
The 4020 is a strong classic tractor, but it was not designed like a modern dedicated loader tractor. Loader work is useful, but front axle condition, ballast, steering, mounts, and operator care matter a lot.
Best Uses for a John Deere 4020 Loader
Feeding hay and moving round bales
Manure handling
Loading loose material
Moving dirt, gravel, and farm materials
Handling pallets carefully with forks
General farm cleanup
Snow pushing and snow loading
Not Best For
High-cycle commercial loader work
Repeated heavy pallet handling at full reach
Using the loader as a crane
Operating without enough rear ballast
Trying to replace a telehandler, wheel loader, or skid steer
Abusing the front axle with oversized bucket loads
Ballast and Front Axle Reality
The John Deere 4020 has enough hydraulic power to run a loader well, but ballast and front-end condition matter. A loader puts big stress on the front axle, steering components, tires, mounts, and frame.
Best practical setup: rear wheel weights, fluid ballast, heavy rear implement, or proper rear counterweight when doing serious loader work.
No Rear Ballast
Bad idea for heavy loader work
Loaded Rear Tires
Good baseline stability
Rear Wheel Weights
Very useful for loader balance
Heavy Rear Implement
Good counterweight if mounted safely
Front Axle Care
Avoid shock loading, high-speed turns, and oversized loads
Older Tractor Reality
Inspect pivots, bushings, steering, loader mounts, and hydraulic hoses
48 vs 148 vs 158 Loader: Which Is Better?
Best For Maximum Lift
John Deere 158 loader
Best For Maximum Height
John Deere 158 loader
Best For Lighter Farm Chores
John Deere 48 or 148 loader
Best For Heavy Hay / Taller Loading
John Deere 158 loader
Main Warning
The bigger loader adds more front-end stress if the tractor is worn, poorly mounted, or poorly ballasted
Common Mistakes
Thinking every John Deere 4020 has the same loader lift capacity
Ignoring the loader model fitted to the tractor
Using the pivot-pin rating as the safe pallet fork rating
Handling heavy loads without rear ballast
Overloading the front axle with wet dirt, gravel, or logs
Using a worn-out front end for heavy loader work
Replacing a wheel loader or telehandler with a farm tractor loader
Running worn loader pins, loose mounts, or weak hydraulic hoses
Summary
The John Deere 4020 loader lift capacity depends on the loader fitted. With a John Deere 48 loader, it can lift about 2,400 lb at full height at the pivot pin. With a John Deere 148 loader, it can lift about 3,100 lb at full height at the pivot pin. With a John Deere 158 loader, it can lift about 3,800 lb at full height at the pivot pin. The 4020 has closed-center hydraulics, 2,250 psi pressure, 6 gpm SCV flow, 18 gpm total hydraulic flow on early models, and 3,790 lb rear lift capacity. It can be a very useful classic loader tractor, but real-world lift depends on loader model, ballast, front axle condition, attachment type, and load position.
