John Deere 1520
The John Deere 1520 is a utility tractor that was made from 1968 to 1972. It has a 2WD drive system and power steering to help farmers work their fields easily. The tractor uses a 3-cylinder diesel engine made by John Deere. This engine has average power for its size, producing about 29.54 hp. The 1520 has a versatile transmission with 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears. This gives farmers many options for different tasks. It has a strong rear hitch that can lift up to 2,300 pounds, which is above average for tractors like this. The tractor weighs 5,855 pounds, making it sturdy enough for most farm jobs. It also has a PTO (power take-off) system that runs at 540 rpm, letting farmers use various tools with their tractor.

Key specifications
- Category
- Utility
- Engine power
- 30hp
- PTO horsepower
- 29.54
- Operating weight
- 5,855 lb
- Transmission
- Collar shift, Two-speed power shift, Power shuttle
Category comparison
1520 compared with its category
vs. Utility medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Utility tractors
This model
The 1520 ranks at the 21st percentile for engine power among recorded utility tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere 1520
The John Deere 1520 is a utility tractor that was made from 1968 to 1972. It has a 2WD drive system and power steering to help farmers work their fields easily. The tractor uses a 3-cylinder diesel engine made by John Deere. This engine has average power for its size, producing about 29.54 hp. The 1520 has a versatile transmission with 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears. This gives farmers many options for different tasks. It has a strong rear hitch that can lift up to 2,300 pounds, which is above average for tractors like this. The tractor weighs 5,855 pounds, making it sturdy enough for most farm jobs. It also has a PTO (power take-off) system that runs at 540 rpm, letting farmers use various tools with their tractor.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | 1520 |
| Category | Utility tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1968–1972 |
| Operating weight | 5,855lb(2,656 kg) |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | 3164G (Diesel) |
| Power | 29.54hp(22.03 kW) |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Displacement | 164.9ci(2.7 L) |
| Bore | 4.02in(102.1 mm) |
| Stroke | 4.33in(110 mm) |
Transmission
| Type | Collar shift, Two-speed power shift, Power shuttle |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 16 |
| Reverse gears | 8 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Power assist |
| Brakes | Differential hydraulic wet disc |
| Cab | Open operator station |
Hydraulics
| Type | Closed center |
|---|
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Independent |
|---|---|
| PTO power | 29.54hp(22.03 kW) |
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 124in(3,150 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 69.25in(1,759 mm) |
| Height | 53in(1,346 mm) |
| Operating weight | 5,855lb(2,656 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 3gal(11.36 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
1520 compared with the nearest models by horsepower
By engine horsepower, the nearest utility models to the 1520 are the John Deere 3120 and the Kubota L2550. The John Deere 3120 matches it on rated power and weighs 2,860 lb less, carrying 102 lb per horsepower against 198 lb. The Kubota L2550 matches it on rated power and weighs 3,610 lb less, so it is lighter for its power, which favors PTO and transport work over heavy draft. It entered production in 1985, 17 years after the 1520. Of the 3 models, the 1520 has the highest weight per horsepower at 198 lb per hp.
| Spec | John Deere 1520 | John Deere 3120 | Kubota L2550 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 29.5 hp22 kW | 29.5 hp22 kW | 29.5 hp22 kW |
| Operating weight | 5,855 lb2,656 kg | 2,998 lb1,360 kg | 2,250 lb1,021 kg |
| Weight per hp | 198 lb/hp121 kg/kW | 102 lb/hp62 kg/kW | 76 lb/hp46 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 164.9 ci2.7 L | 91.5 ci1.5 L | 85.1 ci1.39 L |
| Cylinders | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Transmission | Collar shift, Two-speed power shift, Power shuttle | Hydrostatic | Mechanical shuttle, partially synchronized |
| Drive | 2WD | 4WD | 2WD |
| Years built | 1968-1972 | - | 1985-1991 |
Calculators
Calculators for the 1520
PTO power
About 25 to 27 PTO hp
Rated PTO power is 29.54 hp. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 29.54 hp tractor can run
The calculator sizes mowers, tillers, discs, plows and balers for this tractor.
Ballast
230 lb per PTO hp as listed
The calculator gives the target weight and front/rear split for each job.
Units
29.54 hp is 22.0 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
1520 vs. Utility median
John Deere 1520 compared with other Utility tractors
| Spec | This model | Utility median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 29.5 hp | 55 hp | -46% | 21st |
| Engine Displacement | 165 ci | 183 ci | -10% | 44th |
| Cylinders | 3 | 4 | -25% | 23rd |
| Forward Gears | 16 | 12 | +33% | 73rd |
| Operating Weight | 5,855 lb | 5,303 lb | +10% | 55th |
| Length | 124 in | 137 in | -9% | 33rd |
| Width | 69.3 in | 66 in | +5% | 58th |
| Height | 53 in | 94.1 in | -44% | 4th |
| 3-Point Hitch Capacity | 2,300 lb | 3,197 lb | -28% | 29th |
Medians and percentiles are calculated from the utility tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 1,083–5,720 models).
Same manufacturer
Other John Deere models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
Gallery
John Deere 1520 photos





FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When was the John Deere 1520 made?
The John Deere 1520 was manufactured from 1968 to 1972.
What hydraulics does the John Deere 1520 have?
The John Deere 1520 uses a Closed center hydraulic system.
What three-point hitch category does the John Deere 1520 use?
The John Deere 1520 has a Category Category 3 three-point hitch rated to lift 2,300 lb.
What is the engine power output of the John Deere 1520?
Rated engine output for the John Deere 1520 is 29.54 hp, delivered by a 3-cylinder engine. The engine displaces 164.9 ci.
What is the power take-off (PTO) output of the John Deere 1520?
The John Deere 1520 has a PTO power rating of 29.54 hp.
What is the operating weight of the John Deere 1520?
The John Deere 1520 has an operating weight of about 5,855 lb.
Which transmission does the John Deere 1520 use?
The John Deere 1520 is equipped with a Collar shift, Two-speed power shift, Power shuttle transmission with 16 forward gears.
How do I maintain a John Deere 1520?
Routine service for the John Deere 1520 covers engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic and coolant level checks, air filter cleaning, and scheduled inspections. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for exact intervals.




