TRACTOR TALK

JOHN DEERE 3010

When John Deere introduced four new tractors at its big New Generation of Power extravaganza in Dallas, August 30, 1960, it was soon clear the company had a couple of big hits on its hands with the 3010 and 4010. It was a top-to-bottom redo of the tractor line. Taking cues from IH’S disastrous rush to bring a new line to market, Deere slowed the pace a little so as to not repeat that mistake. It paid off and the new tractors formed the core of a sales explosion that finally put John Deere over archrival International Harvester. The 3010 and 4010 (see Diesel World, November 2017), one four-cylinder-powered and the other with a six, were the rockstars of the group. The two otherwise very similar tractors covered two very important capability levels in the tractor market of that day. Their options lists were comparable and the price difference appropriate. The 3010/4010 engines shared the same basic architecture, with the 254 cubic-inch 3010 delivering a Nebraska-rated 59 PTO horsepower and the 380 cubic-inch 4010 making 84 PTO ponies.

The 3010 was commonly seen as a rowcrop (code 11T) with either the Roll-o-matic narrow front axle or

an adjustable wide front axle. Both had standard adjustable or optional power-adjustable rear wheel track. Less common was a single front wheel option. The Rowcrop Utility model (14T) featured an adjustable-width wide front axle, but the axle was set back like an industrial and the tractor had a shorter wheelbase. The Rowcrop Utility still had adjustable-track rear wheels. A Standard tractor (12T) was available with a fixed tread front and rear and there was a very limited number of 3010 Orchard models built. The basic tractor was equipped very well and a highlight was the Synchro-range 8-speed gearbox. It was divided into four ranges and you could quickly shift within the ranges with the clutch while on the move. Only one lever was used and it operated in a straight line up and down, with reverse detents to the right. You needed to stop or slow way down to shift between the ranges, but Synchro-range was a huge hit in the tractor market. Power steering and brakes were standard and the 10 Series tractors were noted for their seat comfort. The 3010 was built through 1963, after which it was upgraded to the 3020.

The key to Deere tractors’ resounding success was being “just right” at precisely the time when they needed to be. Some 45,222 3010 tractors were sold from 1961 through 1963. More than half of them, 23,675 to be exact, were diesel Rowcrops. For 1964, the updated 3020 debuted… but that’s another story.

 A well-used 3010 Rowcrop ready for another 60 years of work. This one belongs to Don Kunkle, who is one of the organizers of the Alvordton, Ohio, Plowing Days event, a fundraiser for the Alvordton Volunteer Fire Department. It’s a wide front Rowcrop with a few non-stock alterations. Most visible here is the later “John Deere” hood striping rather than the original stamped aluminum badges on the leading edges of the hood.

 In the notorious clay of Northwest Ohio, Kunkle’s 3010 could pull this three-bottom pull-behind JD plow at the 2017 Alvordton Plowing Days.

 The 3010 was one of the more comfortable tractors of the day, with a cushy seat, power steering and brakes and a nice control layout.

 The Synchro-range transmission was one of the secrets to the 3010/4010 success. The ability to shift between gears in the range on the move was a boon to farming. You had to stop to shift between the ranges, though finessful owners say they can shift while moving. The shifting was convenient too, with only one lever inline.