John Deere's original dealer service manual SM-2020 for the 720 Series diesel tractor, built around a two-cylinder diesel paired with its own gasoline cranking engine for cold starts. It's written specifically for tractors above serial number 7214900, with exceptions called out wherever earlier serials differ, and includes full factory performance specifications including the Nebraska test results.
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This manual (SM-2020, dated 12-57) is written for the John Deere 720 Series Diesel tractor with Serial Numbers above 7214900. The factory notes that most of the content still applies to tractors below that serial number, with exceptions described wherever procedures differ completely.
The main engine is a two-cylinder, cast-in-block, valve-in-head diesel displacing 376 cubic inches, rated at 58.84 belt horsepower per Nebraska Test No. 594. Since diesels of this era needed help starting cold, the 720 Diesel pairs it with a separate 4-cylinder V-type gasoline "cranking engine" (18.85 cu in) used purely to spin the diesel to life. The transmission offers six forward speeds and one reverse, with a hand-operated clutch using six 10-inch dry disks and automotive-type internal-expanding rear wheel brakes.
Power steering detail beyond removal/installation lives in the separate SM-2016 manual; fuel injection pump and nozzle testing in SM-2018; generator and cranking motor testing in SM-2000; and Custom Powr-Trol detail in SM-2022. This is a vintage factory manual reproduced from the original 1957 printing.
| Manual Number | SM-2020 (12-57) |
|---|---|
| Model | 720 Series Diesel |
| Serial Range | Above 7214900 |
| Engine | 2-cyl diesel, 376 cu in |
| Cranking Engine | 4-cyl gasoline, 18.85 cu in |
| Belt HP | 58.84 (Nebraska Test No. 594) |
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