Compare/John Deere 8420T vs John Deere 8R 280

John Deere 8420T vs John Deere 8R 280

Verdict: John Deere 8420T vs John Deere 8R 280

The John Deere 8420T and the John Deere 8R 280 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. John Deere 8420T leads on rated power with 284 hp against 280 hp. John Deere 8R 280 is the lighter machine (12,610 kg vs 25,950 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere 8R 280 is the newer design (2019 vs 2002). In short: choose the John Deere 8420T for outright pulling power, or the John Deere 8R 280 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

284 hp

280 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

Fourth reverse at 1600 RPM.Reference

With Group 48 tires.Reference

Drive

crawlerReference

—

Steering

electro-hydraulic powerReference

—

Final drives

—

inboard planetaryReference

Variants

8420

wheeled tractorReference

—

8420T

crawlerReference

—

Engine

Engine (gross)

211.8 kWReference

208.8 kWReference

Engine (net)

201.3 kWReference

—

Engine (max)

234.1 kWReference

229.7 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

153.5 kWReference

—

Displacement

8.1 LReference

9.0 LReference

Bore/Stroke

116 x 129 mmReference

118 x 136 mmReference

Rated Power (net)

201.3 kWReference

—

Rated Power (gross)

211.8 kWReference

208.8 kWReference

Maximum Power (net)

223.7 kWReference

—

Maximum Power (gross)

234.1 kWReference

229.7 kWReference

Compression

16.5:1Reference

16.0:1Reference

Rated RPM

2200Reference

—

Idle RPM

900-2300Reference

—

Operating RPM

1500-2200Reference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Coolant capacity

34.0 LReference

—

Oil capacity

246.1 LReference

—

Oil change

250 hReference

—

Max power

153.5 kWReference

—

Power at rated engine speed

176.5 kWReference

—

Fuel tank

—

726.7 LReference

Exhaust fluid (DEF)

—

37.1 LReference

Emissions

—

Tier IVReference

Fuel system

—

electronic high-pressure common railReference

Starter

—

electricReference

Fuel Type

—

DieselReference

Emissions compliance

—

Final Tier 4Reference

Engine torque at rated speed

—

Option 1: 2,100 rpm\\nOption 2: 1,311 NmReference

Interval for engine oil change

—

500 hoursReference

Interval for engine coolant change

—

6,000 hoursReference

Cooling system

—

42.3 LReference

Transmission

John Deere PowerShiftReference

e23Reference

Gears

16 forward and 4 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverseReference

Transmission Type

—

PowershiftReference

Wheel Drive

—

MFWDReference

Rear Axle Drive Type

—

Inboard planetary three pinionReference

Interval for hydraulic/transmission oil change

—

1,500 hoursReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

175.2 kWReference

170.0 kWReference

PTO (tested)

201.8 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

246.0 LReference

—

Type

full power shiftReference

infinitely variable transmissionReference

Capacity

246.0 LReference

549 cu. in.Reference

Pressure

200.0 barReference

204.0 barReference

Valves

5Reference

—

Pump flow

113.6 lpmReference

317.9 lpmReference

Total flow

160.9 lpmReference

—

Rear Type

III/IIINReference

IVN/IIIReference

Rear lift

6885 kgReference

—

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

1000 (1-3/4)Reference

1000 (1.75)Reference

Rear valves

—

4 to 6Reference

SCV flow

—

132.5 lpmReference

Control

—

electro-hydraulic draft sensingReference

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

—

9072 kgReference

Front Hitch

—

IIINReference

Front lift (at ends)

—

5200 kgReference

Engine RPM

—

1000E@1596Reference

Capacities

Fuel

492.1 LReference

—

Max capacity

14288 kgReference

—

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank

—

37.2 LReference

Crankcase oil volume

—

6.8 U.S. galReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

304 cmReference

305 cmReference

Weight

25950 to 26380 poundsReference

12610 kgReference

Length

557 cmReference

642 cmReference

Height (cab)

312 cmReference

350 cmReference

Clearance (rear axle)

55 cmReference

80 cmReference

Clearance (drawbar)

44 cmReference

38 cmReference

Shipping

11770 kgReference

—

Operating

11965 kgReference

—

Ballasted

13061 kgReference

—

Front tire

—

420/90R30Reference

Rear tire

—

480/80R46Reference

Standard tires (ag)

—

Front: 420/90R30. Rear: 480/80R46Reference

Rear axle

—

119 by 3009 mmReference

Front tread

—

152 to 365 cmReference

8420T Serial Numbers

Location:

Rear of tractorReference

—

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

Charging amps

150Reference

330Reference

Batteries

2Reference

Battery CCA

925Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery Group

—

31Reference

Alternator size

—

200 ampReference

Battery options

—

12 VReference

Total cold cranking amps

—

1,850 CCAReference

John Deere 8420T Tracks

Width

381 cmReference

—

Length on ground

226 cmReference

—

Area on ground

3.4 m²Reference

—

Test results

Fuel use

51.9 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

12352 kgReference

—

Speeds

General

Make & Model

—

MJDXL09.0,333Reference

SCV control

—

ElectronicReference

Drawbar Maximum vertical load

—

4,050 to 6,000 lbReference

Front Axle Type

—

Standard: 1,300 Series MFWD\\nOptional: 1,500 Series MFWD\\nILSReference

Display

—

Standard: 4,600 Generation 4 CommandCenter™: 25.4 cm\\n10 in.Reference

Country of manufacturer

—

USAReference

Working lights

—

Standard: 18 halogen\\nAvailable: 18 LED\\n22 LEDReference

Type of headlight bulb

—

Standard: halogen, 65 W\\nAvailable: LEDReference

Power

Max Power

—

308 hpReference

Rated Power

—

280 hpReference

Power boost

—

10 percentReference

PTO

PTO Power

—

228 hpReference

PTO torque rise

—

40 percentReference

Rear PTO Power

—

AvailableReference

Rear PTO Control

—

Electrohydraulic with adjustable modulationReference

Front PTO Power

—

AvailableReference

Engine Speed on Front PTO speed

—

2,000 engine rpmReference

Hydraulics

Pump Rated Output (total)

—

318 l/minReference

Remote Valves

—

6Reference

Number of rear selective control valves (SCVs)

—

6Reference

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

—

3/3NReference

Rear Hitch maximum lift capacity

—

6,350.3 kgReference

Rear Hitch Sensing Type

—

ElectrohydraulicReference

Front Hitch category (SAE designation)

—

Category 3NReference

Front Hitch lift capacity beyond lift points

—

Category 3N ground-engaging front hitch: 5,200 kg\\n11,464 lbReference

Dimensions & weight

Drawbar clearance

—

376 mmReference

Turning radius

—

5.7 mReference

Overall weight

—

11,702.7 kgReference

Operator station

Cab Availability

—

AvailableReference

Cab glass area

—

70.18 sq ftReference

Cab space

—

114 cu ftReference

Cab Seat Type

—

ActiveSeat™ IIReference

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.