Which has more horsepower, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?

They are effectively tied: both machines are rated at 21.5 hp hp for engine hp.

Which has more PTO horsepower, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?

The John Deere 1023E leads on pto hp at 16.2 hp hp, compared to 15.4 hp hp for the Rural King RK21H.

Which is heavier, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?

The Rural King RK21H leads on weight at 1,942 lb lb, compared to 1,446 lb lb for the John Deere 1023E.

Which has more loader lift capacity, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?

The Rural King RK21H leads on loader lift at 617 lb lb, compared to 570 lb lb for the John Deere 1023E.

Which has more three-point hitch lift capacity, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?

The John Deere 1023E leads on 3-pt lift (24 in) at 758 lb lb, compared to 679 lb lb for the Rural King RK21H.

John Deere 1023E vs Rural King RK21H

Every published spec for both machines, side by side. The verdict below is computed straight from the spec sheets, not opinion.

Across 8 measurable specs, the Rural King RK21H leads 4 categories to 3 (1 tied). Machine pages: John Deere 1023E and Rural King RK21H.

Want a third or fourth machine in the mix? Open this matchup in the comparison tool and add up to two more.

Category Verdict

Spec	John Deere 1023E	Rural King RK21H
Engine HP (hp)	21.5 hp	21.5 hp
PTO HP (hp)	▲ 16.2 hp	15.4 hp
Weight (lb)	1,446 lb	▲ 1,942 lb
Loader Lift (lb)	570 lb	▲ 617 lb
3-Pt Lift (24 in) (lb)	▲ 758 lb	679 lb
Lift Height (in)	71.2 in	▲ 72 in
Breakout Force (lbf)	—	1,285 lbf
Hydraulic Flow (gpm)	6.3 gpm	▲ 7 gpm
Travel Speed (mph)	▲ 9.1 mph	7.8 mph

The headline numbers at a glance.

John Deere 1023ERural King RK21H

Engine HPhp

▲21.5 hp

PTO HPhp

▲16.2 hp

15.4 hp

Weightlb

1,446 lb

▲1,942 lb

Loader Liftlb

570 lb

512 lb

▲617 lb

D120H120

3-Pt Lift (24 in)lb

▲758 lb

679 lb

Share↓ Image 𝕏 f ✉

Full Spec Sheet

Every published spec, side by side, including the details the graphs above don't chart.

Spec	John Deere1023E	Rural KingRK21H


PTO Power	16.2 hp	15.4 PTO HP
Alternator	40 A	40 A, 12 V
Air Cleaner	Dual element	Single Dry
Engine Type	Diesel	Yanmar EPA Tier 4 certified 3-cylinder, liquid cooled diesel (natural aspiration)
Fuel System	Indirect injection	Indirect Fuel Injection
Displacement	60.6 in³	60.6 in³
No. of Cylinders	3	3
Rated Engine Speed	3200 rpm	3200 rpm
Cooling System Type	Water pump	Water-cooled
Engine Manufacturer	Yanmar	Yanmar
Engine Power (Gross)	21.5 hp @ 200 rpm	21.5 hp
Engine Emissions Constraints	Tier 4	Tier 4
Engine Model	—	3TNM74F

Tractor Weight (Base)	Open station: 1446 lb	—
Weight with ROPS and Loader	1446 lb	1,942 lb
Weight with Cab and Loader	—	Not Applicable

Warranty Length & Coverage	6-year powertrain warranty (as stated in 2016 review; current terms may vary)	Full-machine: 24 months/2,000 hours; Powertrain: 96 months/3,000 hours (whichever comes first)

Pump Type	Single gear	Single Gear Pump with Flow Divider
Steering Flow	3.5 gpm	2.11 gpm
Implement Flow	3.5 gpm	4.17 gpm
Total Hydraulic Flow	6.3 gpm 23.8 lpm	6.97 gpm
Hydraulic System Type	Open center	Live, independent
System Operating Pressure	2000 PSI	—
Rear Remote Hydraulic Flow	3.5 gpm (13.3 lpm) implement circuit	Not Published
Overall Hydraulic Pump Flow	6.3 gpm total (2.8 gpm steering + 3.5 gpm implement)	6.97 gpm
No. of Optional Remote Valves	1 additional (optional 3rd SCV kit; standard is 2 mid-SCVs)	Not Published
No. of Standard Remote Valves	—	Not Published

PTO Rear	540 rpm	540 rpm
PTO Type	independent	Independent
Lift Control Type	Position control (rockshaft lever)	Position
Hitch Lift Capacity	1,433 lbs 1,433 lb	1,100 lb
Mid-PTO Availability	2100 rpm	Optional (2,500 rpm)
Category, 3-Point Hitch	Limited Category 1	Category I
Hitch Lift Capacity (at 24”)	758 lb	679 lb

R3 Turf - Rear	26x12-12	16X12.00-12
R3 Turf - Front	18x8.50-10	16X7.50-8
R4 Industrial - Rear	26x12-12	Not Published
R4 Industrial - Front	18x8.5-10	Not Published
R1 Agricultural - Rear	26x12-12	BAR R 24X12.00-12
R1 Agricultural - Front	18x8.5-10	BAR F 16X7.50-9
Tire Size & Options	—	R4 Industrial (Std), R3 Turf (Opt), Goodyear R14 (Opt)

Coolant Capacity	0.98 gal	3.7 qt
Crankcase Capacity	0.71 gal	2.1 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity	5.6 gal	6.6 gal
Front Axle Fluid Capacity	0.74 gal	2.6 qt
Transmission / Hydraulic System Capacity	3.3 gal	3.6 gal

Loader Lift Height	71.2 in (D120 and H120 loaders)	72 in
Quick Attach Loader System	Quik-Park Loader System	Skid-Steer Compatible Quick-Attach
Loader Lift Capacity (Full Height)	D120: 570 lb; H120: 512 lb (at full height, 71.2 in)	617 lb
Loader Breakout Force	—	1,285 lb

Clutch	Wet disk	Not Published
No. of Speeds	Infinite (hydrostatic, 2-range)	2 Range
Transmission Type	Hydrostatic - two range	Hydrostatic
Max Travel Speed (Forward)	9.1 mph	7.8 mph
Max Travel Speed (Reverse)	9.1 mph	Not Published
Differential Lock & Limited Slip Options	Differential lock Yes; Limited slip differential No	Differential lock

Brakes	Wet disc (left-hand pedal)	Wet Disc
Steering	Power	Hydrostatic
Frame Type	Open center frame with two-post foldable ROPS	Not Published
Front Axle Type	MFWD (Mechanical Front-Wheel Drive) 4WD	center-pivot, reverse Eliot type
Front Axle Rating	1349 lb	Not Published
Seat Suspension & Adjustability	Spring suspension seat, adjusts fore/aft	Suspension seat with armrests & retractable seat belt
Drawbar Capacity	—	Not Published

Wheelbase	57.1 in.	53.1 in
Overall Width	47.2 in with R3 tires; 47.3 in with R4 tires	44.5 in
Ground Clearance	7.7 in.	F/A 8.3 in
Height to Top of ROPS	78.6 in	86.6 in
Min. Turn Radius without Brakes	2.51 m 8.2 ft	86.6 in
Overall Length with 3-Point Hitch	87.6 in	94.2 in
Height to Top of Cab Model	—	Not Applicable
Height to Top of ROPS (folded)	—	Not Published

John Deere 1023E vs Rural King RK21H: Quick Answers

Which has more horsepower, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?: They are effectively tied: both machines are rated at 21.5 hp hp for engine hp.
Which has more PTO horsepower, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?: The John Deere 1023E leads on pto hp at 16.2 hp hp, compared to 15.4 hp hp for the Rural King RK21H.
Which is heavier, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?: The Rural King RK21H leads on weight at 1,942 lb lb, compared to 1,446 lb lb for the John Deere 1023E.
Which has more loader lift capacity, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?: The Rural King RK21H leads on loader lift at 617 lb lb, compared to 570 lb lb for the John Deere 1023E.
Which has more three-point hitch lift capacity, the John Deere 1023E or the Rural King RK21H?: The John Deere 1023E leads on 3-pt lift (24 in) at 758 lb lb, compared to 679 lb lb for the Rural King RK21H.