John Deere 720

The John Deere 720 is a tractor produced by John Deere. It is equipped with a 376 ci 6.2 L engine. The rated power output is 44.13 hp 32.9 kW. Transmission: 6 forward and 1 reverse. Operating weight: 6790 lbs 3079 kg.

Overview

	1956 - 1958 Two-Cylinder 20 SeriesRow-Crop tractor
1956 - 1958
Two-Cylinder 20 Series
Row-Crop tractor

Production
Manufacturer	John Deere
Row-Crop tractor
Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA
Total built	22,925 (total row-crop)
	13,930 (diesel)
	4,917 (gasoline)
	3,670 (LP-gas)
	408 (all-fuel)
Original price was $3,700 in 1958
The John Deere model 720 was available in row-crop, standard, or high-crop versions.

Variants
720	row-crop chassis
720S	standard-tread
720HC	high-crop

John Deere 720 Transmission
6-speed unsynchronized gear
Transmission details ...

John Deere 720 Power
Drawbar (claimed)	53 hp 39.5 kW
PTO (claimed)	59 hp 44.0 kW
Belt (claimed)	50.67 hp 37.8 kW
Drawbar (tested)	53.41 hp 39.8 kW
Belt (tested)	57.77 hp 43.1 kW
Performance test details ...

Mechanical
Two-wheel drive
Steering	manual
	power OptOptional
Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes
Open operator station.

Hydraulics
Type	open center
Valves	1

Tractor hitch
Rear Type	II

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO	live
Rear PTO Type	540 (1.375)

Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase	93.7 inches 237 cm
Weight	6790 lbs 3079 kg
Front tire	6.00-16
Rear tire	12-38
Full dimensions and tires ...

Electrical
Ground	positive *Positive ground for the 6V and 12V systems.
	floating *The 24V electric-start diesel is not chassis grounded, with both sides of the battery system connected to the starter. The lights and gauges are split on two 12V systems.
Charging system	generator
Batteries	1 (diesel pony)
	2 (gas/LP)
	4 (diesel electric)
Battery volts	6

References
The John Deere 20 series Two Cylinder Tractors by Benjamin Hain
Tractors 1918-1976 published by John Deere*
The 1957 John Deere Tractors are here!
Facts about horsepower and fuel economy published in 1957, by John Deere
*Publication contains known errors.
Operator's Manual 720 (OM-R2055) published in 1956
Operator's Manual 720 Diesel (OM-R2057) published in 1956
Operator's Manual 720 (OM-R2082) published in 1957

Engine

Engine options
John Deere 5.9L 2-cyl gasoline
John Deere 5.9L 2-cyl all-fuel
John Deere 5.9L 2-cyl LP gas
John Deere 6.2L 2-cyl diesel

Engine Detail — 360.5 ci / 5.9 L Gasoline

Manufacturer	John Deere
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Configuration	2-cylinder 4-valve, liquid-cooled
Displacement	360.5 ci 5.9 L
Bore/Stroke	6.00x6.375 inches 152 x 162 mm
Air cleaner	oil bath
Compression	6.14:1
Rated RPM	1125
Firing order	1-2
Starter type	electric
Oil capacity	12 qts (early) 11.4 L
	10 qts (late)*Lower capacity specified beginning at tractor SN 7214900. 9.5 L
Coolant capacity	29 qts 27.4 L

Engine Detail — 360.5 ci / 5.9 L

Manufacturer	John Deere
Configuration	2-cylinder 4-valve, liquid-cooled
all-fuel
Displacement	360.5 ci 5.9 L
Bore/Stroke	6.00x6.375 inches 152 x 162 mm
Air cleaner	oil bath
Compression	4.91:1
Rated RPM	1125
Firing order	1-2
Starter type	electric
Oil capacity	12 qts (early) 11.4 L
	10 qts (late)*Lower capacity specified beginning at tractor SN 7214900. 9.5 L

Engine Detail — 360.5 ci / 5.9 L LP Gas

Manufacturer	John Deere
Fuel Type	LP gas
Configuration	2-cylinder 4-valve, liquid-cooled
Displacement	360.5 ci 5.9 L
Bore/Stroke	6.00x6.375 inches 152 x 162 mm
Air cleaner	oil bath
Compression	7.94:1
Rated RPM	1125
Firing order	1-2
Starter	electric
Starter volts	12

Engine Detail — 376 ci / 6.2 L Diesel

Manufacturer	John Deere
Fuel Type	Diesel
Configuration	2-cylinder 4-valve, liquid-cooled
Displacement	376 ci 6.2 L
Bore/Stroke	6.125x6.375 inches 156 x 162 mm
Compression	16:1
Rated RPM	1125
Firing order	1-2
Starter	pony motor *Four-cylinder 6V electric-start gasoline pony power used to warm and start the diesel engine.
	electric *Electric start became available as an option on the 720 Diesel in 1958.
Starter volts	6 (diesel pony)
	24 (diesel electric)
Oil capacity	11 qts (diesel) 10.4 L
	1 qts (pony) 0.9 L

Transmission

Transmission — 6 forward and 1 reverse unsynchronized gear

Manufacturer	John Deere
Type	unsynchronized gear
Gears	6 forward and 1 reverse
Clutch	dry
Oil capacity	30 qts 28.4 L
Oil type	0oF [-17oC]↑ : SAE 90 0oF [-17oC]↓ : SAE 80	0oF [-17oC]↑	: SAE 90	0oF [-17oC]↓	: SAE 80
0oF [-17oC]↑	: SAE 90
0oF [-17oC]↓	: SAE 80
0oF [-17oC]↑	: SAE 90
0oF [-17oC]↓	: SAE 80
With 13.6-38 rear tires.

720 Transmission Controls
1	gear shift
2	pony motor clutch
3	decompression
4	diesel throttle
5	clutch
6	pony motor throttle

Dimensions

John Deere 720 Tires
Ag front	6.00-16
Ag rear	12-38

Dimensions
Wheelbase	93.7 inches 237 cm
Length	135.25 inches 343 cm
Width	86.625 inches 220 cm
Height	88.25 inches 224 cm
Weight	6790 lbs 3079 kg

Tests

Tractor Tests
NTTL 593: LP gas 6-speed 2WD
NTTL 594: diesel 6-speed 2WD
NTTL 605: gasoline 6-speed 2WD
NTTL 606: tractor fuel 6-speed 2WD

Nebraska Tractor Test 593
LP gas 6-speed 2WD September 17 - 19, 1956 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 593 file
Belt power (max)	57.33 hp 42.8 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	6.3 gal/hour 23.8 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	52.38 hp 39.1 kW
Gear 4 used for power test.
Max pull	6,697 lbs 3037 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 594
Diesel 6-speed 2WD September 18 - 22, 1956 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 594 file
Belt power (max)	56.66 hp 42.3 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	3.2 gal/hour 12.1 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	51.83 hp 38.6 kW
Gear 4 used for power test.
Max pull	6,547 lbs 2969 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 605
Gasoline 6-speed 2WD November 6 - 12, 1956 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 605 file
Belt power (max)	57.77 hp 43.1 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	5.2 gal/hour 19.7 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	53.41 hp 39.8 kW
Gear 4 used for power test.
Max pull	6,647 lbs 3015 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 606
Tractor fuel 6-speed 2WD November 12 - 19, 1956 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 606 file
Belt power (max)	44.13 hp 32.9 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	4.4 gal/hour 16.7 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	40.78 hp 30.4 kW
Gear 4 used for power test.
Max pull	6,608 lbs 2997 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.