Pulling Test!! How Much Can Deere 1025R Pull?? 

I find videos like this very interesting. Good job on it Tim. You're always thinking of ways to present new and useful info for the viewers. 👍

"Cheeseburger ballast" - a critical element for use in scientific research to ensure accurate results !! Informative video as always, Tim - thanks !!

Enjoyed the testing Tim . You've convinced me to change my hydraulic fluid before winter arrives. I'm at 95 hrs now. It has to be difficult to keep coming up with new ideas for videos but you never cease to amaze .

By the way Tim. Your videos are the main reason that got me to buy the 1025r. Sure I really needed to get a lot of work done on my property, but wasn't quite sure how to do it. Had only heard that this tractor was very good so I researched it and found "Tractor Time with Tim" videos to steer me in the right direction. Thanks Tim!

Anything you guy's do is good, and like the variety too. Thanks TTWT

Tim, very interesting. I agree with everything you said in your video. You covered it very well. Thanks, Larry

That was a very interesting and informative video, Tim, Your interest in showing us the fairest testing possible without the aid of terribly expensive laboratory equipment is much appreciated. We changed our oil and filter this summer, the tractor is a 1991 model 855 and has the same power it had the day the tractor was delivered 28 years ago, and still has no leaks or seepage anywhere on the tractor, which I believe is because the oil is always clean and free from dirt. In Vietnam, we had sandy conditions. sometimes times due to sand getting into a seal on a flight control servo on one of our choppers the seal would seep. To to fix the problem we would fill a 3 gallon? hand pump water fire extinguisher with cleaning solvent and have a crewmember sit in the helicopter's pilot seat and move the aircraft's flight controls while we flushed the servo with solvent, the solvent at times would allow the dirt to be worked out of the seal and the servo not have to changed out. So I know for a fact clean is important for hydraulic anything.

Most be a old video, trees are green in Nov. and you have Different rear tire on the 1025r, very informative video Tim, Thanks

I’m not sure how that equates to rolling weight but I use my 1025r to move boats around at my shop. My driveway has about a 7% grade and I’ve never had a problem pulling boats up it. The heaviest was about 10k lbs. I enjoy your videos and appreciate the time you put into it.

That is an interesting test. Now let's see some comparisons to other tractors! Glad to see Katriel made it back home for a visit!

Good video Tim. I totally agree that changing the fluid/filter can make a big difference.

You guys are killing it with this channel.... Love it

REALLY informative vid Tim - thanks!

Thank you for doing this testing in my opinion your test are real world test

Poor mans science is good enough science for me. Actual footage and actual real time testing and numbers to boot. Good enough for me and you got a subbie.

Good test, I think you proved that a Hyd Oil change and filter does make a difference. I'll make sure to clean and replace oil and filter 100 Hrs. on my JD 1023E that is for sure. Thanks for showing us, Tim. You the man!!

Tim, I always enjoy the videos. The viscosity of oil varies with temperature, so without knowing the temperature of each test you can actually draw no sound conclusion, especially with regard to the filter as the oil is filtered on the way back to the tank, not on it way to the pump. If the filter can't pass enough oil (dirty etc) pressure will rise and eventually the filter bypass will trip and excess flow will not be filtered at all, allowing unfiltered oil back to the tank then to the pump. (this same process happens with the engine filter and is based on the idea, it's better to have enough oil flow regardless of it's cleanliness). Also oils breakdown over use and time gaining moisture and dirt. Hence oil and filter change interval. Hope this helps and God Bless

Interesting test. Thanks Tim!

Very interesting. I found your test extremely interesting and surprising. Not a lot of difference between idle and full throttle. Again, great job!!!

I've been looking at the 1025R and found you video very helpful. Thank you.

Very informative video! Would be really interesting if you could do a load cell test on the loader at the pins with the load cell anchored at different lift heights just to compare to what JD sets the specs at... Kinda like you did with the weights in the bucket

Great insight. Thanks for this!

Noticed the Good Works decal, another good source of information

Very good test thanks

Very interesting results. Certainly the end results are nothing to sneeze at. Robust little tractor. Would be nice to see some comparisons. Thanks for taking your time to demonstrate the pulling power of the 1025R!

Love these tests

Great episode. It would be investing to see the new tires repeat this test

Clever thinking very useful information Tim!!! Enjoyed

Excellent test Tim! This is the stuff I like to see most. Having those shavings in the screen certainly has an affect on hydraulic flow in the Transmisson at least that’s what I’m gonna say. The first time I heard you say Deere suggests a longer interval for the first oil change I said in my head no no no do it at 50 lol. Great video and this just proves the point; also, who wants all that metal sitting in there transaxle for all them extra hours? I know I don’t. Great job!

I believe this test. I hadn’t noticed much while building my pond with my 2720 that over the hours the tractor was losing a little power as I also slowly got used to the difference. However, after completing the pond and then changing the air, fuel, oil, and hydro fluids and filters there was a noticeable change in the sound of the tractor (quieter) and the power was back to when it was new. It now has just under 400 hours and runs like new again!

That's an incredible amount of weight when you consider the loader, bucket and ballast that you're also pulling. It's also stunning to see the difference between high and low range! I'm not sure about the hydraulic oil change giving the tractor more pulling power, maybe the cooler temp in the evening gave the engine a few more ponies? This was a very interesting video

Excellent, well done. 👍

very interesting! I will prob be chainging mine at 100 hours for that reason as well... why not! I am at 80H now. so getting close! thanks! very cool!

Keep it up Tim!!!!

💥 You’re going to have some interesting new videos with that load cell. Good investment! I bought a new toy recently as well. Mavic Air. I’m having fun. 👍 Keep on tractoring!

Tim u should make a video of all your tractors and implements. Keep up the good work Tim love

Shoot yeah man I loved it in some Situations you can only pull from reverse try pulling with the bucket to see what we come up with keep them videos Rolling

Interesting. Great video Tim.

Pretty good pulling power with Johnny! Changing the oil makes quite a bit of difference!

I just shared this video with a forum member who is considering purchase a light weight box blade for his 1025R. I reference this video, the max pull at 6:42 and the specifications for the light weight box blade, which were under the max pull number. Thats as far as I’m going as I ‘m spent due to any answer I gave seemed to be rebutted. I decided I don’t care if he buys the wrong attachment and pulls it apart. How you are able to read some of the comments I see on some of your videos and not get phased by it has me respecting you in yet another way. I guess your skin is simply thickener then mine. Thank you for continuing to produce and share your content. Both of you Tim and Chrissy do an amazing job.

Very interesting test. Air temp does impact diesel combustion more than most people would think, and I for one, would be interested in the atmospheric conditions for each test (but I'm that kind of combustion nerd). I am sure fresh oil and maybe more important fresh filter, had a large(er) impact than the air, but great work given your budget and resources - Job well done. Thanks!

Funny you should post this today Tim. I had to pull my stuck Ram 2500 diesel with a partially full dump trailer up a slight slope today with my BX23s. The combo In total weighed at least 10,000 lbs. I know it was rolling weight but I was still impressed. In an earlier comment someone stated that they wished Tim still had the BX he used to run the comparative tests on. If your looking for specs on BX pulling power, Messick's did a pull test comparing Turf and R4 tires. Search for "Messicks Turf Tires VS. R4 Tires". Most of the results were reasonably close to the 1025R with the one exception being low range, 4wd, R4 tire pulled more than his load cell could measure (3000 lbs load cell). Could have been an anomaly but I suspect that having cold or cool hydraulic fluid as I believe Kobotas did will make some difference. What sub-compacts can pull is really quite remarkable!

I like it Tim! Very interesting.

Wow, the stable of equipment in the background with the US flag waving is awesome! Enjoyed the video. I had no idea the 1025R was such a beast!

Tim thanks great test all your comparison are so great God Bless PaK

Loved the video!

Thanks Tim!

I saw a big Casey in the background I think also you need to do the same test with different tractors

I bought used & went from burnt engine oil to synthetic & gained just over 100 RPMs under load. It was dropping ~200 RPMs when engaging the mower on engine oil with 100hrs.

Like you, I always thought that letting up a little on the go pedal gives you a bit more pulling power versus having it all the way down. Maybe having the tires stationary instead of turning changes the how the hydro system reacts to pulling a load?

Fluid dynamics. I'm a woodworker and my dust collector works best after I clean it as that filter clogs dynamic pressure is impacted reducing the capability. Be interested for yo to retest at 25 hr increments to see when it drops.

Awesome video

I recently found your channel and as a subcompact tractor owner I enjoy your videos. I wonder if ud be able to get a higher number without the weight? If maybe holding up the 500lbs could be using some of the available hydro pressure. It's amazing what these little tractors and do. I know what I've towed with mine 10ftdump trailer filled with manure, all the trailers around the farm, and my 6000lbs hurricane deck boat. Its very impressive.

You did the first test in 2wheel drive and the second test in 4wheel drive. I feel that may have skewed the results. I do like these kind of test. Thanks and keep up the great video’s!

The internal relief is set by pressure (usually a spring), by pressing the pedal more it allows for more flow. So you might gain more pressure by increasing the flow. Kinda like how your loader lifts weight. Anytime you hear the engine being pulled down more, you should be using more psi to turn the wheels. It all really depends on how Deer have their hydro system setup.

This is good to know thanks again. wonder what the others will do?

What I learned, have a cheesburger ready if it's getting slippery it will create traction ?! :D Definitely surprising results after the oil change, I would not have expected such a noticable difference ! For the pulling force against pedal way - actuall that one did not surprise me, you have to understand how a hydrostatic drive is working. You are always "pumping" as long as the engine is turning, what you do with your footpedal is just tilting a slide plate inside the pump of the hydrostatic drive. Stand still means actually no flow of oil. By tilting you create a wedge where the pistons slide on, either forward or reverse. So the more tilt of that control plate the more flow the pump will create, the more flow the more engine power you need and the more flow you have combined with some kind of viscosity of the fluid you are pumping you get to a point where either the engine will stall or the pressure relief valve will open and let the over pressure out. So the sweet spot is basically reight before the valve opens and the engine is not stalling out - in an ideal world this is not connected to the engine rpm. In the real world we have viscosity and therefore the oil could not get away fast enough through that pressure relief valve and it simply create a slightly higher pressure that the pressure relieve valve is rated for. There you get the additional pulling force. BTW: It's the same why your FE loader is able to lift more on high RPM than in idle - you already had a video on that some time ago. Note : For my 2036r ( yeah, living in germany :) ) it will definitely stall the motor in high gear range if the pedal is full way down. Max. pulling force in high gear range I get around half of the pedal way. (Just tested that by accident some time ago when I had to pull my little excavator on the trailer up a hill - nope I did not overload the pulling capacity, was still a few kg below the rated 2500kg of the tractor :) ... ). In low range it seems to be unstoppable, it even bend the trailer hinge on the tractor "slughtly" - I had the connecting ball mounted, by the dealer, on the upper, thin, thing of the tractors pulling bar. Fortunately the dealer replaced it on warranty and I created a more ridgid connecting design.

I know this is an older video Tim but I can explain the reason you are seeing a slight increase in drawbar pull when you continue to push the pedal down further. Since you are continuing to increase displacement of the propel pump, and its dumping all of its flow over relief, the further you push the pedal the more oil you dump over the cross port relief. The relief valve has a pressure rise rate that is affected by the amount of oil being dumped over the relief. So, you are saturating the relief valve and its taking more upstream pressure to push the oil over the relief valve. That increases the loop high pressure to the piston motor in the transaxle, which bumps up your drawbar pull a little. If you repeated this test by doing a pulldown (get the towed vehicle rolling, then slowly apply brakes until you stall the 1025R) you'll also get a much higher max drawbar. Stalled piston motors have a much lower starting torque than a piston motor that is spinning over 100rpm's, due to efficiencies and the design of axial piston pumps & motors. In fact, on the same ground I bet if you are doing a pulldown you can end up spinning the tires in low range and/or stalling the engine. Love your videos! Keep them coming!!

*"cheeseburger ballast"* ... oh man Tim ! you just cracked me up ! LOL Happy Friday ! 😁

The racket is hard to get used to it sounds like it is about to explode. I wear ear muff for mine .The local rental yard only rents these and they get the crap kicked out of them and seem to keep taking it. I love mine. Nice job on your videos. Thank you.

The oil change surprised me that there was that much difference. It would be interesting to see the values with a tow rope vs the chain. I bet they are higher. I pulled a two ton honey wagon out that was sunk clear to the axles with my 5740 Kubota and a two inch rope.

Been looking at buying one of those. got some testing I wanna do on a much bigger tractor😀

That was neat. It would be interesting to see what the pulling power would be in reverse because in my experience, the reverse pedal doesn't have as much travel as it does going forward. I'd be curious to see which direction has more pulling power.

Love the scripture Tim. God is good!

Very impressive Tim. I was just wondering how much they pull.

Tim keep up the good work.! Enjoy what I see on your vidios.!!! ✔⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍

Curious to see this test run again after the turbo install.

Thats another real world test it would have been cool to do that to the Kubota thanks for always expanding your testing

Tim cleaning the filter gave you more flow and if you filter the fine material from old oil it's still good oil

Tim, I have enjoyed your videos about the John Deere tractors but due to the cost of a Deere I just could not afford one. I had to go with a used Kubota with a used snow blower. I did buy a new rear blade for my BX at a local farm store. Would have liked to seen a BX and a Deere do the test over with no weights. By the way I don't use mine like you use your tractor. Snow and some blade work along with little mowing is all I'm planning on doing with it. Thank you and keep the videos coming. Maybe we will get enough snow so you could do a test between Deere and Kubota snow blowers

Tuff little Tractor!

This just made me want to test my old Cub.

Tim, very informative! I have a 2038r, are you planning on performing this test with that tractor? I think it would be interesting to see the difference between the two tractors for those trying to determine if they want to purchase a 1 series vs a 2 series tractor.

I am glad to see that Casey has been returned to the homestead!

Wow! I didn’t the the oil change would have any/much impact but it seems it did. Looks like now you have to do the lift test videos all over again 😂

Your test would be great as an example of you pulling a stump out of the ground. Pull to your max and if it doesn't move, get a bigger tractor. It however is a poor example of towing. If towing on a flat grade for example, your highest reading would likely be just before the trailer moves. After that the force would decrease. If you gradually push the throttle after that, I think you would find the force to remain similar but the speed would increase. Obviously uphill the force would be a little higher and downhill you might read zero. Short answer is your test was valid for certain conditions and not others but still neat to see the limit for our small tractors! Love the content. Keep up the work.

Yes, very interesing. Courtney did a demo & his 1025R pulled his F-350 & gooseneck (about 11-12k lb.) up the driveway/hill from his shop. W/just the truck, it did it w/ease. W/the trailer too it strained a bit bit still did it. I suspect it would've pulled a couple thousand more pounds. Was very impressive.

I was able to pull a John Deere model A (1950s) out of the ruts it had sunken into and moved it with my 1025R in 4wd in low, also moved a 2000 GMC jimmy with all four tires flat, sideways in my yard. It is a tough little tractor to say the least.

Tim I just want to say thank you! Your videos helped me tremendously and because of you I purchased a JD 1025r and just love it! I did see on your ROPS there looks like some hooks or loops of some sort. What are they?

Awesome!

I have a 2025r and routinely pull a 4500 lb. personnel lift around my yard. I realize I’m not pulling the whole weight as it’s a rolling load but I estimate it’s at least half. I tried it with a 1025r but couldn’t get enough traction not to spin. I tried the 2025r and it had the traction it needed. I’m very pleased with ny 2025r.

Hi Tim, I had quite the chuckle regarding the "Cheeseburger ballast! Ok, now that you have everyone"s attention, how about using a large tree for an anchor, and then test Johnny 2 & 5 as well as Vinny!

Just awesome

When I changed the hyd. fluid for the first time on my Kubota 2650 at 50 hrs. I cut the filter in half to see the inside and was amazed at how dirty it was . ( Filters doing their job )

Changing the Hydraulic Oil erly mad the difference. One of my Parts guy said to change the Oil erly. First Oil Change is important. Do erly if Posable. I will do mine at 100 hrs. Thanks for the Testing. God Bless. I am not using my Johny this Winter. To much Salt in Canada.

very interesting

This is interesting. I have 94 hours on my 2018 and it seemed to me when I got to 50-60 hours the loader operated different like the flow was restricted a little. I plan to change the fluid around 100 hours.

I suspect the viscosity difference between the used oil and new is what really made the difference. Oil, regardless of type will break down (looses viscosity) to some degree from heat/usage over time.

I wanna see the f250 in low range do a pull test.

The atmospheric conditions could offer a slight performance advantage due to the density of the charge. I suspect it would be slight though.

Good test Tim, wonder what effect the clean oil and filter would have on hyd lift power

That’s a lot of power for a small tractor. I would have thought the numbers would have been lower.

Is that a new Rhino cutter in the background? Looks like there are 3 there now. I love the cutting videos let's see it shred some stuff.

I wish you would have had the load cell while you had the Kubota Bx to do a side by side comparison on those machines

You could use that load cell to do lift testing, etc.

"Cheeseburger ballast", I've got that piece of equipment myself LOL!

That sounds very healthy :O

Long story short, i went to pul my 14' dump trailer (3500 pounds) out of the snow in the backyard with my F250 and buried it in the snow. For the heck of it, I then took the 1025r and yanked it out no problem. I was shocked. This little tractor is incredible.

im pretty sure the hydrostatic transmissions have like a bypass valve that under a certain PSI it opens up to keep from fully stalling the machine.. ive messed with alot of hydro machines an you have to an it sure seems like that last inch of pedal travel does the most lol then it opens an lets off some as the scale you have showed.

Cool testing! Great stuff! So sounds like people are confused about the premise behind hydrostatic vs a gear transmission, and how they generate power to the ground differently. A gear transmission gets its power directly from the engine via gear ratios. Higher gears give you higher speed but less power and vice versa (Lugging a car in tip gear low rpm you have no acceleration, but in first you can take off quick but can’t go fast). With hydrostatic your uncoupling the engine from the wheels by using a pump to build pressure against a valve body that can be opened or closed. Pressure is based on rpm of the engine and flow based on how open or closed the valve is. In neutral the flow is bypassed at a lower pressure to recirculate fluid does it doesn’t overheat and cool the pump. When you open the valve (press either pedal) the flow is redirected to a maximum flow based on how open the valve is. Consequently when the valve is partially open you are building more pressure in the valve body than in the circuit your calling flow to until you hit stall pressure, (which is the relief / maximum allowed pressure the system was designed set at) at which time the valve is limiting your force through the transmission. With the valve all the way open the flow can be unrestricted to pressurize the entire load on the transmission giving you the most power until you reach stall pressure again. When you’ve stalled the transmission with the valve all the way open all excess flow and pressure is re directed through the bypass circuit again to keep fluid moving through the pump so it won’t be damaged from cavitation or overheat. So of course clean filter and fluid will help keep maximum flow and keep pressure restriction to a minimum for the most power to the ground. Hope that’s understandable lol.