John Deere Model A

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John Deere Model A
John Deere Modell A.jpg
Unstyled John Deere Model A
TypeRow-crop agricultural tractor
ManufacturerJohn Deere
Production1934-1952
Length124 inches (310 cm)
Width83 inches (210 cm)
Height60 inches (150 cm)
Weight3,783 pounds (1,716 kg)
PropulsionRear wheels
Engine modelJD 2-cylinder all-fuel
Gross power26 horsepower (19 kW)
Drawbar pull2,923 pounds (1,326 kg)
Succeeded byJohn Deere 60

The John Deere Model A is a row crop tractor manufactured by Deere & Company. The A was produced in a wide variety of versions for special-purpose cultivation. It received styling upgrades in 1938 and 1947 that substantially changed its appearance. With the advent of John Deere's numerical model numbering system, the A became the John Deere 60, and later the 620 and 630.

Description and production[]

The Model A was intended to directly compete with McCormick's Farmall tractors. With over 320,000 sold by the end of its original production in 1952, it was a popular tractor that used Deere & Company's two cylinder design.[1][2][3]

Early tractors burnt distillate, a petroleum byproduct similar to kerosene,[4] which became a selling point owing to the fuel's low price. Deere & Company's two cylinder design made a very distinctive sound giving them the nickname "Johnny Poppers"

In 1938, the tractors received styled engine housings and radiator grilles, designed by Henry Dreyfuss. Tractors from 1938 to 1946 were known as "early styled", and tractors from 1947 to 1952 were termed "late styled." Pre-1938 tractors were termed "unstyled."[1]

Variants on the A included the AO (for use in orchards), AI (for industrial use), AN (with a single front wheel), AW (with a wide front). The AN and AW further varied into models with high crop applications, the ANH and AWH, respectively.[5] The AR was the non-row-crop version.[1][5]

All As were manufactured at the John Deere factory in Waterloo, Iowa, where 65,031 were built, selling for about $2,400.[6]

John Deere 60[]

The A was succeeded with minimal changes by the John Deere 60 in 1952 when Deere changed to using numbers instead of letters. The engine was upgraded for more power, and LP gas was a fuel option, as well as an optional 3-point hitch and a live power take-off. "Low-seat" 60s were equivalent to the AR, and "high-seat" 60s were the row-crop version. The Orchard 60 was an additional variant for fruit growers, using the A powertrain. Only 530 "All-Fuel" 60-O's were made, 285 gasoline 60-O's, and only 45 LP Gas 60-O's.[1][7]

John Deere 620[]

The next version of the A was the John Deere 620, in 1956. Engine power was increased again. The Orchard 620 or 620-O used the new 620 engine and remained in production after the 630 was introduced. It was the only "20" series tractor in production after 1958.[1][8]

John Deere 630[]

John Deere 630

The John Deere 630 followed in 1958, with no mechanical changes, but had operator comfort improvements and four headlights. Production ended in 1960.[1][9] The 630 was replaced by the four-cylinder .[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Pripps, Robert N. (2020). The Field Guide to Classic Farm Tractors. Motorbooks. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-0-7603-6844-2.
  2. ^ Mowitz, Dave (26 March 2018). "Deere's Watershed Tractor". Successful Farming. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  3. ^ Larsen, Lester F.; Walters, F. C. (1 December 1991). "Brief History Of The John Deere Two-Cylinder Tractors". Gas Engine Magazine. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  4. ^ Lyons, Chuck (14 May 2013). "Alternative Fuels in Early Farm Tractors". Farm Collector. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b "John Deere A". TractorData. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  6. ^ MacMillan, p. 47
  7. ^ "John Deere 60". TractorData. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  8. ^ "John Deere 620". TractorData. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  9. ^ "John Deere 630". TractorData. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. ^ Pripps, p. 66

External links[]

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