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John Deere R

The John Deere R is a tractor produced by John Deere. It is equipped with a 415.5 ci 6.8 L engine. Transmission: 5 forward and 1 reverse. Operating weight: 7400 to 7603 pounds.

Fuel & Capacities
22 gal 83.3 L
Transmission
5 forward and 1 reverse
Operating Weight
7603 lbs 3448 kg

Overview

John Deere R tractor photo
1949 - 1954 Two-Cylinder Letter SeriesStandard-tread tractor Two-Cylinder Letter Series Standard-tread tractor
Production
Manufacturer
John Deere
Standard-tread tractor
Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA
Total built
21,293
Original price was $3,650 in 1954
The model R was John Deere's first diesel tractor. The R was the first John Deere tractor with a live PTO, which used a separate clutch.
John Deere R Engine
John Deere 6.8L 2-cyl diesel
Fuel tank
22 gal 83.3 L
Aux. fuel
1 gal 3.8 L
Engine details ...
John Deere R Transmission
5-speed gear
Transmission details ...
John Deere R Power
Drawbar (claimed)
35 hp 26.1 kW
Belt (claimed)
43 hp 32.1 kW
Plows
4 (14-inch)
Drawbar (tested)
43.15 hp 32.2 kW
Belt (tested)
48.58 hp 36.2 kW
Performance test details ...
Mechanical
Two-wheel drive
Manual steering
Mechanical drum brakes
Open operator station.
Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO
live
Rear PTO Type
540
Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase
85.5 inches 217 cm
Weight
7400 to 7603 pounds
Front tire
7.50-18
Rear tire
14-34
Full dimensions and tires ...
Electrical
Ground
positive
Battery volts
6
References
R references literature
The John Deere Styled "Letter" Series by J.R. Hobbs
Tractors 1918-1976 published by John Deere*
The New Model R Diesel published in 1949, by John Deere
Operator's Manual Model R Diesel Tractor (OM-R2012)
*Publication contains known errors.

Engine

Engine Detail — 415.5 ci / 6.8 L Diesel

Manufacturer
John Deere
Fuel Type
Diesel
Configuration
2-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement
415.5 ci 6.8 L
Bore/Stroke
5.75x8.00 inches 146 x 203 mm
Air cleaner
oil bath
Compression
16:1
Rated RPM
1000
Firing order
1-2
Starter type
2-cylinder pony motor
Coolant capacity
54.5 qts 51.6 L
Oil capacity
13 qts 12.3 L

Transmission

Transmission — 5 forward and 1 reverse gear

Type
gear
Gears
5 forward and 1 reverse
Clutch
dry disc
Oil capacity
9.5 qts 9.0 L
Oil type
SAE 90
The tractor must be stopped and clutch used to shift gears.
R gear speeds

Dimensions

John Deere R Tires
Ag front
7.50-18
Ag rear
14-34
15-34
Ag front
30x6 steel
Ag rear
54x12 steel
Dimensions
Wheelbase
85.5 inches 217 cm
Length
147 inches 373 cm
Width
79.5 inches 201 cm
Height
78.125 inches 198 cm
Shipping weight
7400 lbs 3356 kg
Operating weight
7603 lbs 3448 kg

Tests

Nebraska Tractor Test 406
Diesel 5-speed 2WD April 19 - 28, 1949 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 406 file
Belt power (max)
48.58 hp 36.2 kW
Belt fuel use (max)
2.8 gal/hour 10.6 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power
43.15 hp 32.2 kW
Gear 3 used for power test.
Max pull
6644 lbs 3013 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy

Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for John Deere R.

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 R Specification Unit Converter

Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for John Deere R.

Converted Equivalents:

Horsepower (HP)0 hp
Kilowatts (kW)0 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)0 PS

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