Compare/John Deere 520 vs John Deere 970

John Deere 520 vs John Deere 970

Verdict: John Deere 520 vs John Deere 970

The John Deere 520 and the John Deere 970 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 33 hp. John Deere 520 is the lighter machine (2,249 kg vs 2,670 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere 970 is the newer design (1989 vs 1956). 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

33 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

YanmarReference

Gear 2 used for pull test.Reference

Three speeds, plus reverse, in three ranges. Speeds may be shifted on the move. Tractor must be stopped to shift ranges.Reference

Total built

244 (all-fuel)Reference

—

Original price

$2,300 (1958)Reference

—

Steering

power optionalReference

powerReference

Distributor

—

John DeereReference

Final drives

—

planetaryReference

Differential lock

—

mechanical rearReference

Engine

Plows

3Reference

—

Drawbar (tested)

24.8 kWReference

—

Belt (tested)

28.0 kWReference

—

Displacement

3.1 LReference

1.8 LReference

Bore/Stroke

119 x 140 mmReference

82 x 86 mmReference

Air cleaner

oil bathReference

dryReference

Compression

7:1Reference

18.1:1Reference

Rated RPM

1325Reference

2600Reference

Firing order

1-2Reference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

6.6 LReference

20.8 LReference

Coolant capacity

17.0 LReference

5.8 LReference

Sparkplug gap

0.762 mmReference

—

Point gap

0.559 mmReference

—

Belt power (max)

28.0 kWReference

—

Max power

24.8 kWReference

—

Engine (net)

—

24.6 kWReference

Power (net)

—

24.6 kWReference

Fuel system

—

direct injectionReference

Pre-heating

—

air intake heaterReference

Operating RPM

—

800-2775Reference

Oil change

—

200 hReference

Transmission

Type

unsynchronized gearReference

partially synchronizedReference

Gears

6 forward and 1 reverseReference

9 forward and 3 reverseReference

Clutch

dry discReference

225mm dry discReference

Capacities

Fuel

124.9 LReference

32.2 LReference

Aux. fuel

7.6 LReference

—

Front axle

—

8.0 LReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Hydraulic system

9.5 LReference

20.8 LReference

Capacity

9.5 LReference

20.8 LReference

Rear Type

IIReference

IReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

liveReference

Rear PTO Type

540Reference

540 (1.375)Reference

PTO (claimed)

—

22.4 kWReference

Pressure

—

155.1 barReference

Rear valves

—

2Reference

Mid valves

—

2Reference

Pump flow

—

32.9 lpmReference

Total flow

—

49.2 lpmReference

Steering flow

—

16.3 lpmReference

Control

—

position controlReference

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

—

916 kgReference

Engine RPM

—

2100@2600Reference

Mid PTO

—

liveReference

Mid PTO Type

—

2100Reference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

228 cmReference

175 cmReference

Weight

2249 kgReference

571 kgReference

Front tire

5.50-16Reference

Rear tire

12.4-36Reference

—

Ag front

5.50-16Reference

—

Ag rear

12.4-36Reference

—

Length

337 cmReference

312 cmReference

Width

220 cmReference

—

Height

211 cmReference

—

Ballasted weight

2993 kgReference

—

Ground clearance

62 cmReference

—

2WD Rear tire

—

12.4-28Reference

2WD Standard tires (ag)

—

Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 12.4-28Reference

4WD Standard tires (ag)

—

Front: 7-16. Rear: 13.6-24Reference

2WD Optional tires (ag)

—

Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 13.6-24Reference

4WD Optional tires (ag)

—

Front: 7-16. Rear: 12.4-28Reference

Lawn/turf front

—

27x8.50-15Reference

Lawn/turf rear

—

44x18.00-20Reference

2WD Width

—

146 cmReference

4WD Width

—

151 cmReference

2WD Weight

—

1211 kgReference

4WD Weight

—

1381 kgReference

2WD Clearance (front axle)

—

37 cmReference

4WD Clearance (front axle)

—

34 cmReference

2WD Front tread

—

121 to 165 cmReference

4WD Front tread

—

127 to 157 cmReference

Rear tread

—

115 to 149 cmReference

John Deere 520 attachments

520 Serial Number Location

520 Serial Numbers

1956

5200000Reference

—

1957

5202982Reference

—

1958

5209029Reference

—

Final

5213189Reference

—

Electrical

Ground

positiveReference

negativeReference

Batteries

2Reference

—

Battery volts

6Reference

12Reference

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Charging amps

—

20Reference

Battery CCA

—

550Reference

Test results

Belt fuel use (max)

12.5 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

2142 kgReference

—

John Deere 970 attachments

970 Serial Number Location

970 Serial Numbers

1989

—

1001Reference

1990

—

2242 (Power steer)Reference

1991

—

100001Reference

1992

—

110001Reference

1993

—

120001Reference

1994

—

130001Reference

1995

—

140001Reference

1996

—

150001Reference

1997

—

160001Reference

1998

—

170001Reference

Attachment overview

72.8" Mower deck

Cutting width

—

184 cmReference

Overall width

—

215 cmReference

Cut height

—

3 to 21 cmReference

John Deere 8A Backhoe

Backhoe type

—

John Deere 8B BackhoeReference

Transport height

—

205 cmReference

Bucket width

—

91 cmReference

2-Foot flat digging depth

—

259 cmReference

Reach from pivot

—

337 cmReference

Loading height

—

208 cmReference

Bucket Rotation

—

180°Reference

Swing Arc

—

180°Reference

Bucket force

—

1537 kgReference

Dipperstick force

—

1003 kgReference

John Deere 8B Backhoe

John Deere 970 Height

2WD Hood

—

135 cmReference

4WD Hood

—

132 cmReference

2WD ROPS

—

215 cmReference

4WD ROPS

—

212 cmReference

2WD Exhaust

—

196 cmReference

4WD Exhaust

—

197 cmReference

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.