The Industrial 820
1956-1958
Actually there was no offical "Industrial" version of the 820. However some were used to pull graders, and fitted with industrial options.
There are actually a couple versions of the "Industrial" 820. One looks much like the agricultural version. The other version has an offset driver's position and looks very much like the later 840. The 820 was usually used to pull a scraper, and many of the options and modifications (offset driver) were tailored for that job.
See some industrial 820 pictures, here!
Normal Version
To tell an industrial apart from an agricultural version, you have to look at options. Of course not all these options may be on a tractor:
- Industrial Yellow Paint (obvious, but should be mentioned)
- 18.00x26 rear tires with grader tread (most ag versions had 15.00x34)
- Weight package that added 1600 pounds (listed for industrial use)
- Drawbar extension-recommended for use with a Hancock scraper
- Foot throttle (also an ag option, but designed for scraper operator)
- Heavy Duty drawbar supports
- Heavy Duty front axle (Straight, instead of curved on ag tractors)
- Auxillary hydraulic reservior
Offset Version
It seems that the 820 was the tractor that tested many of the features for the later 840. One of these features was the offset driver's postion. The offset tractors could (and did) have many of the above options.
Why do this?, you ask? Pulling a scraper is no easy job, and the more traction the tractor has, the better. However, scrapers don't transfer their weight to the tractor very well. One of the best places to hitch a scraper would be right over the rear axle. However, there is a minor problem with most tractors-that is where the operator sits! So Hancock moved the driver forward and to the left. This allowed the scrapers to be hitched on the center of the rear axle.
The first offset 820 was converted in 1957-58 by Hancock. Deere liked the idea, and supplied Hancock with eight stripped 820s for conversion.
| Serial Number |
Shipped to: |
| 8205287 |
Lubbock, Texas |
| 8205288 |
Lubbock, Texas |
| 8205686 |
Sidney, Montana |
| 8205697 |
Sidney, Montana |
| 8205698 |
Mondovi, Minnesota |
| 8205782 |
Sidney, Montana |
| 8205783 |
Conrad, Minnesota |
| 8205890 |
Great Falls, Montana |
820 #RX796 was also converted to the offset version. It was an experimental tractor that was retained by Deere. It was originally built as #8202468.
Later, in July 1959, Deere started a modification program to bring the offset Hancock-built 820s up to the "New Style" standards. This was a great deal for the 820 owners, it only cost $500, plus frieght!! Most, if not all were converted. By then, the 820 had been replaced by the 840.
Most of the information for this page came from the Green Magazine article on the 840, which was given to me by a viewer of this website.
Other information came from the owner of an industrial 820.
I wouldn't have anything without their help! Thanks! Can you help too? Email me at moparwhs@hotmail.com.