John Deere A
The John Deere A is a tractor produced by John Deere. It is equipped with a 309 ci 5.1 L engine. The listed engine power is 23.63 hp 17.6 kW. Transmission: 4 forward and 1 reverse. Operating weight: 3783 lbs 1715 kg.
Engine Power
23.63 hp
17.6 kW
Fuel & Capacities
14 gal
53.0 L
Transmission
4 forward and 1 reverse
Operating Weight
3783 lbs
1715 kg
Overview
 | 1934 - 1952
Model year 1934-19381939-19471947-1952
Two-Cylinder Letter SeriesRow-Crop tractor
Two-Cylinder Letter Series
Row-Crop tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | John Deere |
Row-Crop tractor | |
Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA | |
Total built | 300,000 |
The A was John Deere's first true row-crop tractor, replacing the GP. There were several variants of the A. The A was the row-crop model. The AR was a standard (or fixed) tread model. The AO was an orchard model, with no exhaust stack and shielded fenders. There was also the AI industrial model, the AN with narrow front, the AW wide front, and the high-crop ANH and AWH. The model A was the first Deere tractor to come from the factory with rubber tires. | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
A | Row-crop |
AR | Standard front axle |
AO | Orchard |
AOS | narrow orchard |
AW | Adjustable wide-front |
AN | Single front wheel |
AWH | High-crop, adjustable wide-front |
ANH | High-crop, single-front wheel |
John Deere A Engine | |
|---|---|
John Deere 5.1L 2-cyl all fuel | |
Fuel tank | 14 gal
53.0 L |
Aux. fuel | 1 gal
3.8 L |
Engine details ...  | |
John Deere A Transmission | |
|---|---|
4-speed unsynchronized gear | |
Transmission details ...  |
John Deere A Power | |
|---|---|
Drawbar (claimed) | 18 hp
13.4 kW |
Belt (claimed) | 24 hp
17.9 kW |
Plows | 2 *14-inch |
Drawbar (tested) | 18.72 hp
14.0 kW |
PTO (tested) | 23.63 hp
17.6 kW |
Belt (tested) | 24.71 hp
18.4 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Manual steering | |
Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes | |
Open operator station with steel pan seat. |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | transmission |
Rear PTO Type | 540 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3783 lbs
1715 kg |
Front tire | 24x4 |
Rear tire | 50x6 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
The John Deere Unstyled Letter Series by J.R. Hobbs | |
Instructions for General Purpose Tractor Model A (DIR 103) published in 1934 | |
Tractors 1918-1976 published by John Deere* | |
Models A & B General Purpose Tractors published in 1936, by John Deere | |
*Publication contains known errors. |
Engine
Engine Detail — 309 ci / 5.1 L
Manufacturer | John Deere |
Configuration | 2-cylinder 4-valve, liquid-cooled horizontal |
all fuel | |
Displacement | 309 ci
5.1 L |
Bore/Stroke | 5.50x6.50 inches
140 x 165 mm |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Compression | 4.45:1 |
Rated RPM | 975 |
Firing order | 1-2 |
Starter type | manual *Hand-crank of tractor flywheel. |
Oil capacity | 9.25 qts
8.8 L |
Coolant capacity | 38 qts
36.0 L |
Sparkplug gap | .030 inches
0.762 mm |
Point gap | 0.021 inches
0.533 mm |
Intake valve clearance | 0.020 inches*Hot
0.508 mm |
Exhaust valve clearance | 0.020 inches*Hot
0.508 mm |
Transmission
Transmission — 4 forward and 1 reverse unsynchronized gear
Manufacturer | John Deere |
Type | unsynchronized gear |
Gears | 4 forward and 1 reverse |
Clutch | dry disc |
 | |
Dimensions
John Deere A Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 24x4 steel |
Ag rear | 50x6 steel |
Ag front | 5.50x16 |
Ag rear | 9/10/11.25x36 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Length | 124 inches
314 cm |
Width | 83 inches
210 cm |
86.325 inches
219 cm | |
Height | 60 inches
152 cm |
63.875 inches
162 cm | |
Weight | 3783 lbs
1715 kg |
Tests
Nebraska Tractor Test 222 | |
|---|---|
Distillate 4-speed 2WD
April 19 - 27, 1934
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 222 file | |
Belt power (max) | 24.71 hp
18.4 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.4 gal/hour
9.1 l/hour |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 23.63 hp
17.6 kW |
Fuel use | 2.3 gal/hour
8.7 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 18.72 hp
14.0 kW |
Gear 1 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 2,923 lbs
1325 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for John Deere A based on its 23.63 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 1 to 2 Bottom (12")1 - 2 铧 (30 cm) | Light Duty | Ideal for garden plots and light sandy soil. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 4 ft (48 in)1.2 m | Light Duty | Pasture clipping and light brush under 1" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 42 to 48 in105 - 120 cm | Light Duty | Covers compact tractor tire width. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 5 to 6 ft (16-18" discs)1.5 - 1.8 m (40-45 cm 耙片) | Light Duty | Small acreage soil break-up and secondary aeration. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for John Deere A.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 11.4 hrs
Approximately 11.4 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (14 gal / 53 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1.2 gal/hr (4.7 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
John Deere A Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for John Deere A.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)23.6 hp
Kilowatts (kW)17.6 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)24 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare John Deere A against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
John Deere
John Deere A
Engine Power:23.63 hp
17.6 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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