- WhichTractor size: High-power
- Lab tested ×1
- 2002–2005
WhichTractor size, not the maker’s category
Derived by WhichTractor from a sourced three-point linkage. How we decide what a machine is
John Deere 8520T specs: hp, weight, years
John Deere-PowerTech 6.081 HRW-28 six-cylinder diesel or John Deere 6081HRW28. The manufacturer claimed 291.1 horsepower. The only laboratory test on record is of one version: OECD Test 2054 measured 291.7 hp at the PTO of the 8520T (Rubber tracklaying tractor). Compared at the engine's rated speed, where the brochure figure is quoted, the shaft gave 256.0 hp — 12.1% below the claim.
Engine power, claimed · gross or net not stated
291.1 hp
217.1 kW as stated by the source
No lab test on file
Claimed · standard not stated by the source
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”, claimed
This is the maker’s own figure, measured at the engine. Power at the PTO is lower — by how much, for this machine, nobody has measured.
- Weight
- 27,280 lb
- 3-point lift
- 16,535 lb
- Hyd. flow
- 34.6 gpm
- Top speed
- 18.6 mph
John Deere 8520T specs: key facts
The John Deere 8520T was built from 2002 to 2005.
Only one version of the John Deere 8520T has a laboratory test on record: the 8520T (Rubber tracklaying tractor) produced 217.5 kW (291.7 hp) at the PTO, measured on OECD Test 2054.Source 1
The John Deere 8520T has a claimed engine power (gross or net not stated) of 217.1 kW (291.1 hp); it has no measured PTO figure.
The John Deere 8520T is a tracked machine.Source 1
The John Deere 8520T has a John Deere-PowerTech 6.081 HRW-28 engine, a 6-cylinder 8.13 L diesel unit.
The John Deere 8520T weighs 12,374 kg (27,280 lb) unladen.
The John Deere 8520T has an independent rear PTO running at 1000 rpm.
The three-point hitch of the John Deere 8520T lifts 7,500 kg (16,535 lb) at the lower-link ends.
The hydraulic pump of the John Deere 8520T delivers 131.0 L/min (34.6 gpm).
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”
How much horsepower does an 8520T have?
The only laboratory test on record is of one version. OECD Test 2054 measured 291.7 hp at the PTO of the 8520T (Rubber tracklaying tractor). For the 8520T as a whole the figure is the 291.1 hp claimed for the engine, which is not power at the shaft.
Sources · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”; OECD test report 2054, 2003
What engine is in an 8520T?
An 8520T has a John Deere-PowerTech 6.081 HRW-28, a 6-cylinder 8.13 L diesel engine. 8520T (Rubber tracklaying tractor) tractors have a John Deere 6081HRW28.
| Make & model | John Deere-PowerTech 6.081 HRW-28 |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 6, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 496.4 ci · 8.13 L |
| Max torque | 912 lb·ft · 1,236 N·m @ 1,400 rpm |
| Electrical system | 12 V |
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”
How much will an 8520T lift, and what is its hydraulic flow?
An 8520T lifts 16,535 lb (7,500 kg) at the lower-link ends.
| System | Closed centre, load sensingSource 1 |
|---|---|
| Pump flow | 34.6 gpm · 131.0 L/min |
| Lift at ends | 16,535 lb · 7,500 kg |
| Rear PTO | Independent, engine-driven, 1000 rpmEngages under load |
| PTO shaft | 1 3/4"- 20teilig |
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”
What transmission does an 8520T have?
Transmission specifications for the 8520T are below.
| Clutch | Pedal-operated hydraulic wet John Deere multi-plate clutch |
|---|---|
| Steering | Electro-hydraulically actuated John Deere differential steering |
| Top speed | 18.6 mph · 30 km/h |
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”
How much does an 8520T weigh?
An 8520T weighs 27,280 lb (12,374 kg) unladen.
| Unladen weight | 27,280 lb · 12,374 kg |
|---|---|
| Maximum permissible mass | 31,526 lb · 14,300 kg |
| Wheelbase | 89.0 in · 2,260 mm |
| Length | 217.7 in · 5,530 mm |
| Width | 103.7–144.0 in · 2,634–3,657 mm |
| Height | 122.9 in · 3,122 mm |
| Ground clearance | 13.8 in · 350 mm |
| Front track | 88.0–119.5 in · 2,235–3,035 mmWikibooks gives one track for both axles |
| Rear track | 88.0–119.5 in · 2,235–3,035 mmWikibooks gives one track for both axles |
Source · Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”
What oil does an 8520T take, and how much?
An 8520T engine takes 26.4 qt (25.0 L). Single source, not independently verified — always confirm against the operator’s manual for your machine.
| System | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | 26.4 qt · 25.0 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T” · single source, not independently verified |
| Hydraulic | 259.9 qt · 246.0 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T” · single source, not independently verified |
| Cooling system | 35.9 qt · 34.0 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T” · single source, not independently verified |
Always confirm against the operator’s manual for your machine before service.
How much fuel does an 8520T burn per hour?
Measured on OECD Test 2054 (tested as the 8520T (Rubber tracklaying tractor)), at each condition the laboratory recorded.
Cost per hour = fuel used per hour × your fuel price (per litre, or per US gallon for the gal/h figure).
| Test condition | Fuel per hour |
|---|---|
| Maximum PTO powerPTO 217.5 kW (291.7 hp) at 917 rpm | 60.65 L/h 16.02 gal/h |
| Rated engine speedPTO 190.9 kW (256.0 hp) at 1,009 rpm | 56.36 L/h 14.89 gal/h |
| Standard PTO speedPTO 190.9 kW (256.0 hp) at 1,009 rpm | 56.36 L/h 14.89 gal/h |
| 75% load, 50% load | Not on record for this test |
Source · OECD Test 2054
Which tractors compare with an 8520T?
Within 10% of its 291.1 hp of claimed engine power, the same type, and first built within 15 years of it.
- John Deere 8430291.1 hp engine, claimed · 2006–2009Side by side with the 8520T →
- John Deere 8295R291 hp engine, claimed · from 2009Side by side with the 8520T →
- Fendt 933 Vario295 hp engine, claimed · from 2006Side by side with the 8520T →
- Case-IH 9260296.0 hp engine, claimed · 1990–1994Side by side with the 8520T →
- Massey Ferguson 8480286.2 hp engine, claimed · 2004–2008Side by side with the 8520T →
- Agco DT-240A286.0 hp engine, claimed · 2005–2008Side by side with the 8520T →
Common questions about the John Deere 8520T
Is an 8520T two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive?
The John Deere 8520T is a tracked machine.
What PTO does an 8520T have?
An 8520T has a independent 1000 rpm rear PTO on a 1 3/4"- 20teilig shaft.
Sources and how this page was built
Compiled from OECD tractor test report 2054; and Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8520T”.
Sources
Facts taken from these documents, units converted. Numbers beside a figure refer to this list. Licences and attribution
- OECD Code 2 test report 2/2 054: John Deere 8520T — Licence not stated by the publisher; facts cited, OECD-2054 · published 2003-03-13 · retrieved 2026-09-14. OECD. Original document
- Traktorenlexikon: John Deere 8520T — CC BY-SA 4.0, WIKIBOOKS-TL-106556 · revision 1056360. Wikibooks contributors (Traktorenlexikon). Original document