John Deere 1025R vs 1026R: What's Actually Different?
By Rob· I design & make every part · June 20, 2026 · 2 min read
I get this question a lot from folks shopping for parts: "I've got a 1026R — will your 1025R stuff fit?" Short answer: almost always yes. Here's the longer one.
They're nearly the same tractor
The 1026R was essentially a 1025R with a couple of features that were optional on the 1025R made standard. Same frame, same dimensions, same weight, same loader, same 3-point hitch. John Deere later folded the lineup back to just the 1025R.
The headline spec difference is tiny — about a single horsepower on paper. In the seat, doing real work, you won't feel it.
Side by side
| Spec | John Deere 1025R | John Deere 1026R |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3-cyl Yanmar diesel | 3-cyl Yanmar diesel |
| Gross engine HP | ~24.2 hp | ~25.2 hp |
| Drive | 4WD + diff lock | 4WD + diff lock |
| Turning radius | 7.4 ft | 7.4 ft |
| 3-point hitch | Position control | Position control |
| Dimensions & weight | Same | Same |
| Parts & accessories | Same | Same |
What that means for parts
Because the chassis, controls, loader, and hitch are shared, accessories interchange between the two. The parts on my 1025R page and my 1026R page are the same parts — the vented dipstick, hood latch button, diff-lock pedal, floor caps, and 3pt lock clasp all fit both.
Shopping for parts? Treat a 1026R exactly like a 1025R. If a part fits one, it fits the other.
One thing to watch: the 1023E is different
If you're cross-shopping the cheaper 1023E, note that it uses a different (select-control) 3-point hitch than the R-models' position-control setup — so a few R-model parts, like the 3pt clasp, don't apply to it. That's why I keep a separate 1023E parts page and a 1023E-specific bundle.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 1025R loader or implement fit a 1026R?
Yes — the frame and loader mounts are the same, so loaders and implements swap between them.
Is the 1026R "better" than the 1025R?
Only marginally — about a horsepower and a couple of standard features. For most owners they're interchangeable, and the 1025R is the one Deere kept selling.
Which one should I buy parts for?
Whichever you own — pick your exact model at checkout and it's guaranteed to fit. Not sure? Send a photo to sales@rob-makes.com and I'll sort it.
Set yours up
Either way, here's where to start: the best 1025R / 1026R upgrades.
— Rob
Parts made to fit your tractor
I design and make every part myself, to order, in the USA — and back the fit with a replacement-or-refund guarantee.
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