What tire size does the John Deere 4020 use?
The common John Deere 4020 row-crop tire size is 6.00-16 front and 15.5-38 rear. Some standard-model 4020 listings show 7.50-18 front and 18.4-34 rear. Before buying tires, check the rims already fitted to your tractor because many 4020 tractors have been changed, restored, converted, or fitted with different wheels over time.
John Deere 4020 Tire Size Specs
| Tire Spec | John Deere 4020 |
|---|---|
| Common Row-Crop Front Tire | 6.00-16 |
| Common Row-Crop Rear Tire | 15.5-38 |
| Standard / Alternate Front Tire | 7.50-18 |
| Standard / Alternate Rear Tire | 18.4-34 |
| Common Rear Tread Type | R-1 agricultural lug tire |
| Common Front Tread Type | Ribbed tractor front tire |
| Drive Tires | Rear tires on most 2WD John Deere 4020 tractors |
| Front Tire Role | Steering tires |
| Front Tread Width Range | 48.5 to 82.25 inches |
| Rear Tread Width Range | 60 to 91 inches, with wider settings possible on long or extra-long axles |
John Deere 4020 Row-Crop Tire Size
The common John Deere 4020 row-crop tire setup is 6.00-16 front and 15.5-38 rear. This is the main setup to target for a typical 4020 row-crop tractor, especially when the tractor still has its original-style 38 inch rear rims.
| Row-Crop Tire Position | Correct Size | Owner Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Tires | 6.00-16 | Common row-crop steering tire size. |
| Rear Tires | 15.5-38 | Common row-crop rear drive tire size. |
| Rear Rim Diameter | 38 inches | A 15.5-38 tire requires a 38 inch rear rim. |
| Best Use | Row-crop and general field work | Good fit for cultivation, planting, spraying, and general farm use. |
John Deere 4020 Standard Tire Size
Some John Deere 4020 standard-model listings show 7.50-18 front and 18.4-34 rear. This setup uses a larger 18 inch front rim and a 34 inch rear rim instead of the common row-crop 38 inch rear rim.
| Standard Tire Position | Listed Size | Owner Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Tires | 7.50-18 | Standard / alternate front tire size listed for some 4020 standard tractors. |
| Rear Tires | 18.4-34 | Standard / alternate rear tire size listed for some 4020 standard tractors. |
| Rear Rim Diameter | 34 inches | An 18.4-34 tire requires a 34 inch rear rim. |
| Best Use | General farm and utility work | Wider rear footprint than the 15.5-38 row-crop tire. |
How to Read John Deere 4020 Tire Sizes
Older tractor sizes such as 15.5-38 and 18.4-34 use traditional agricultural tire sizing. The first number is the approximate tire width in inches. The last number is the rim diameter in inches.
| Tire Size | Meaning | Common 4020 Use |
|---|---|---|
| 6.00-16 | About 6 inches wide, fits a 16 inch rim | Row-crop front tire |
| 15.5-38 | About 15.5 inches wide, fits a 38 inch rim | Row-crop rear tire |
| 7.50-18 | About 7.5 inches wide, fits an 18 inch rim | Standard / alternate front tire |
| 18.4-34 | About 18.4 inches wide, fits a 34 inch rim | Standard / alternate rear tire |
Best Replacement Tires for a John Deere 4020
The best replacement tires for a John Deere 4020 depend on the tractor version, rim diameter, and use. For a common row-crop 4020, use 6.00-16 front ribbed tires and 15.5-38 R-1 rear agricultural tires. For a standard or converted tractor, verify whether it uses 7.50-18 and 18.4-34 instead.
| Replacement Target | Recommended Spec | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Row-crop front tires | 6.00-16 ribbed front tractor tires | Maintains common row-crop front tire fitment and steering height. |
| Row-crop rear tires | 15.5-38 R-1 agricultural tires | Matches common row-crop rear rim size and field traction needs. |
| Standard / alternate front tires | 7.50-18 front tractor tires | Fits tractors equipped with 18 inch front rims. |
| Standard / alternate rear tires | 18.4-34 R-1 agricultural tires | Fits tractors equipped with 34 inch rear rims. |
| Rear tread type | R-1 agricultural lug | Best normal choice for field traction and farm work. |
| Front tread type | Ribbed tractor front | Best normal choice for steering control and field use. |
John Deere 4020 Tire Pressure
There is no single correct tire pressure for every John Deere 4020. Tire pressure depends on tire size, ply rating, bias vs radial construction, axle load, loader use, ballast, duals, road travel, and field conditions. Use the tire manufacturer’s load-inflation chart and never exceed the tire sidewall maximum.
| Use Case | Pressure Guidance | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Light field work | Use tire maker load chart for your tire size and axle weight | Improves traction and reduces soil compaction. |
| Loader work | Front tires may need higher pressure within tire limits | Loader weight puts extra load on the front axle. |
| Road travel | Use pressure suitable for speed, load, and tire rating | Reduces heat buildup, squirm, and tire wear. |
| Fluid ballast or wheel weights | Recheck inflation after adding weight | More weight changes the load carried by the tire. |
John Deere 4020 Rim Size and Fitment
The tire size tells you the rim diameter. A 15.5-38 rear tire fits a 38 inch rear rim. An 18.4-34 rear tire fits a 34 inch rear rim. These are not interchangeable without changing rims.
| Tire Size | Rim Diameter | Fitment Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6.00-16 | 16 inch front rim | Common row-crop front fitment. |
| 15.5-38 | 38 inch rear rim | Common row-crop rear fitment. |
| 7.50-18 | 18 inch front rim | Standard / alternate front fitment. |
| 18.4-34 | 34 inch rear rim | Standard / alternate rear fitment. |
Row-Crop vs Standard Tire Setup
The most common 4020 search result and the main original-style setup for row-crop tractors.
Used on some standard-model listings or tractors equipped with different wheel/rim setups.
John Deere 4020 Front Tire Options
The common row-crop front tire is 6.00-16. A standard or alternate setup may use 7.50-18. Loader tractors may need a stronger ply rating or a more suitable front tire based on axle load.
| Search Term | Likely Answer |
|---|---|
| John Deere 4020 front tire size | Usually 6.00-16 on row-crop tractors. |
| John Deere 4020 wide front tire size | Often 6.00-16, but check your actual front rim. |
| John Deere 4020 standard front tire | Often listed as 7.50-18. |
| John Deere 4020 loader front tires | Use correct size plus adequate ply/load rating for loader work. |
John Deere 4020 Rear Tire Options
The common row-crop rear tire is 15.5-38. A standard or alternate setup may use 18.4-34. Many old 4020 tractors have had tire and rim changes, so the current rim diameter matters more than the original brochure spec.
| Search Term | Likely Answer |
|---|---|
| John Deere 4020 rear tire size | Usually 15.5-38 for row-crop tractors. |
| John Deere 4020 row crop rear tire | 15.5-38. |
| John Deere 4020 standard rear tire | Often listed as 18.4-34. |
| John Deere 4020 18.4-34 tires | Used on standard or converted setups with 34 inch rear rims. |
| John Deere 4020 15.5-38 tires | Used on common row-crop setups with 38 inch rear rims. |
Tube, Tubeless, Ballast, and Duals
Many John Deere 4020 tractors use tubes in the rear tires, especially if the rims are older, rusty, or have been exposed to calcium chloride ballast. Tubeless can work on suitable rims and tires, but old tractor rims often make tubes the practical choice.
Match the original row-crop or standard tire size that fits your current rim diameter.
R-1 rear tires, fluid ballast, cast weights, or duals can help traction if pressure and axle load are correct.
Wrong rim diameter, mismatched rear tires, dry-rotted tires, weak ply rating, and loader work on underrated front tires.
Common John Deere 4020 Tire Problems
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tires spin too easily | Worn lugs, wrong pressure, not enough ballast, or poor soil conditions | Check tread depth, pressure, ballast, and tire type. |
| Front tires fail with loader | Underrated front tires, low pressure, or overload | Use correct ply/load rating and proper inflation. |
| Tractor sits nose-high or nose-low | Wrong front/rear tire combination | Check tire sizes against rim diameter and tractor version. |
| Rear tire leaks slowly | Old tube, rim corrosion, valve stem, calcium chloride damage, or bead issue | Inspect rim and tube; repair rim before installing a new tire. |
| Uneven rear tire wear | Road travel, wrong pressure, misalignment, or mismatched tires | Match tires, set pressure correctly, and inspect steering/axle setup. |
| Poor steering | Wrong front tire pressure, worn front tires, loader weight, or steering wear | Check front tires before blaming steering parts. |
John Deere 4020 Tire Size Comparison
Replacement Buying Checklist
| Check This | Correct 4020 Target |
|---|---|
| Current front tire size | Read the size on your actual tire before ordering |
| Current rear tire size | Read the size on your actual rear tire and confirm rim diameter |
| Common row-crop front tire | 6.00-16 |
| Common row-crop rear tire | 15.5-38 |
| Standard / alternate front tire | 7.50-18 |
| Standard / alternate rear tire | 18.4-34 |
| Rear rim diameter | 38 inch for 15.5-38, 34 inch for 18.4-34 |
| Rear tread type | R-1 agricultural lug for normal farm work |
| Front tread type | Ribbed tractor front tire for steering |
| Ballast | Check whether tires are fluid-filled or weighted before removal |
| Inflation pressure | Use tire sidewall and tire manufacturer load chart |
John Deere 4020 Tire Size Questions
The common row-crop John Deere 4020 front tire size is 6.00-16. Some standard or alternate setups use 7.50-18.
The common row-crop John Deere 4020 rear tire size is 15.5-38. Some standard or alternate setups use 18.4-34.
The common row-crop setup is 6.00-16 front and 15.5-38 rear.
Some standard-model listings show 7.50-18 front and 18.4-34 rear.
Yes, if the tractor has compatible 34 inch rear rims and the tire clears the tractor and fenders.
Yes. 15.5-38 is the common row-crop rear tire size, but it requires 38 inch rear rims.
There is no single universal psi. Use the tire sidewall and the tire manufacturer’s load-inflation chart based on tire size, load, ballast, and use.
Some setups may be tubeless, but many older 4020 tractors use tubes because of old rims, rim corrosion, or ballast damage.
For normal farm work, use R-1 agricultural lug tires in the correct size: 15.5-38 for common row-crop setups or 18.4-34 for compatible standard setups.
Some do, but dual fitment depends on axle length, wheel hardware, spacing, tire size, and the job.
John Deere 4020 Tire Size Summary
- Common row-crop front tire: 6.00-16.
- Common row-crop rear tire: 15.5-38.
- Standard / alternate front tire: 7.50-18.
- Standard / alternate rear tire: 18.4-34.
- Common rear tread: R-1 agricultural lug.
- Common front tread: ribbed tractor front tire.
- Front tread width range: 48.5 to 82.25 inches.
- Rear tread width range: 60 to 91 inches, wider with long or extra-long axles.
- Best owner answer: most row-crop 4020 tractors use 6.00-16 front and 15.5-38 rear tires.
Last checked: John Deere 4020 row-crop tire sizes, standard/alternate tire sizes, tread width ranges, rim fitment, and replacement tire guidance checked against tractor specification references.


