Compare/John Deere 1010 vs John Deere 303

John Deere 1010 vs John Deere 303

Verdict: John Deere 1010 vs John Deere 303

The John Deere 1010 and the John Deere 303 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 36 hp. John Deere 303 is the lighter machine (1,740 kg vs 3,350 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere 303 is the newer design (1963 vs 1960). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

36 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

Shift lever for the 1010 was originally on the dash. Starting with the 1963 model year (serial number 031001) the shifter was moved to the top of the transmission.Reference

With 10-28 rear tires.Reference

Total built

9,792Reference

—

Steering

powerReference

—

Variants

1010RU

row-crop utilityReference

—

1010C

crawlerReference

—

1010U

utilityReference

—

1010RS

single row-cropReference

—

1010R

row-cropReference

—

1010O

orchardReference

—

1010RUS

special row-crop utilityReference

—

1010W

wheeled industrialReference

—

Engine

Drawbar (claimed)

22.4 kWReference

—

Drawbar (tested)

22.4 kWReference

—

Displacement

1.9 LReference

2.3 LReference

Bore/Stroke

89 x 76 mmReference

84 x 102 mmReference

Compression

8.3:1Reference

21.5:1Reference

Rated RPM

2500Reference

2000Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Coolant capacity

10.4 LReference

10.0 LReference

Power at rated engine speed

26.8 kWReference

—

Max power

21.7 kWReference

—

Fuel Type

DieselReference

—

No of Cylinders

4-cylinder | 4-cylinderReference

—

Rated engine speed

2,500 | 2,500Reference

—

Bore and stroke

3.625x3.50 inchesReference

—

Compression ratio

18:1 | 8.3:1Reference

—

Cooling system

liquid-cooled | 11 qtsReference

—

Engine

—

27.1 kWReference

Power

—

27.1 kWReference

Oil capacity

—

31.0 LReference

Transmission

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

10 forward and 3 reverseReference

Clutch

dry discReference

forward and reverse options

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

—

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

26.9 kWReference

—

PTO (tested)

26.9 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

17.0 LReference

9.8 LReference

Type

sliding gearReference

open centerReference

Capacity

17.0 LReference

9.8 LReference

Rear Type

IReference

IIReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

—

Rear PTO Type

540/1000Reference

540/1000 (1.375)Reference

Power at rated PTO speed

22.1 kWReference

—

Engine RPM

—

540@1850Reference

Capacities

Fuel

45.4 LReference

62.1 LReference

Dimensions

RU Wheelbase

209 cmReference

—

Weight

3350 to 4041 poundsReference

1740 kgReference

Front tire

5.00-15Reference

5.50-16Reference

Rear tire

10-34Reference

10-28Reference

Ag front

6.00-16Reference

10-36Reference

Ag rear

12-28Reference

10-28Reference

1010RU Length

308 cmReference

—

1010RU Height (hood)

141 cmReference

—

1010RU Height (exhaust)

183 cmReference

—

1010RU Front tread

127 to 203 cmReference

—

1010RU Rear tread

142 to 226 cmReference

—

Gasoline Shipping

1519 kgReference

—

Diesel Shipping

1555 kgReference

—

Gas Operating

1779 kgReference

—

Diesel Operating

1832 kgReference

—

Ballasted

2608 kgReference

—

Wheelbase

—

188 cmReference

Length

—

337 cmReference

Width

—

152 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

—

156 cmReference

Ground clearance

—

36 cmReference

Front tread

—

127 to 177 cmReference

Rear tread

—

123 to 195 cmReference

1010 Serial Number Location

1010 Serial Numbers

1960

10001Reference

—

1961

13692Reference

—

1962

23630Reference

—

1963

32188Reference

—

1964

43900Reference

—

1965

53722Reference

—

Final

57312Reference

—

Test results

Fuel use

9.1 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

1658 kgReference

—

General

Make & Model

John DeereReference

—

PTO

Rear PTO Power

AvailableReference

—

Rear PTO RPM

540, 540/1,000Reference

—

Hydraulics

Hydraulics Type

open centerReference

—

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

Category IReference

—

Wheels & tyres

Rear wheel tread range

10-34, 12-28 inchReference

—

Front Wheel tread range

5.00-15, 6.00-16Reference

—

Steering & brakes

Steering type

powerReference

—

Electrical

Ground

—

positiveReference

Battery volts

—

12Reference

Battery AH

—

95Reference

Speeds

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.