John Deere 2940
The John Deere 2940 is a utility tractor made from 1980 to 1982. It's a 2WD tractor with power steering and a partial power shift transmission. This tractor has 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears, giving it a total of 24 gears to choose from. Under the hood, the 2940 has a John Deere diesel engine with 6 cylinders. The engine is very powerful for its class, with 81.6 hp at 2200 rpm. It has a very high engine displacement of 359 ci, which helps it perform well in tough jobs. The tractor is quite heavy, weighing 9435 lb, which gives it good stability. It has a three-point hitch at the back that can lift up to 2400 lb, which is above average for similar tractors. The 2940 also has two PTO speeds: 540 rpm and 1000 rpm, making it versatile for different farm tools.

Key specifications
- Category
- Utility
- Engine power
- 82hp
- Operating weight
- 9,435 lb
- Transmission
- Partial power shift
Category comparison
2940 compared with its category
vs. Utility medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Utility tractors
This model
The 2940 ranks at the 72nd percentile for engine power among recorded utility tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere 2940
The John Deere 2940 is a utility tractor made from 1980 to 1982. It's a 2WD tractor with power steering and a partial power shift transmission. This tractor has 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears, giving it a total of 24 gears to choose from. Under the hood, the 2940 has a John Deere diesel engine with 6 cylinders. The engine is very powerful for its class, with 81.6 hp at 2200 rpm. It has a very high engine displacement of 359 ci, which helps it perform well in tough jobs. The tractor is quite heavy, weighing 9435 lb, which gives it good stability. It has a three-point hitch at the back that can lift up to 2400 lb, which is above average for similar tractors. The 2940 also has two PTO speeds: 540 rpm and 1000 rpm, making it versatile for different farm tools.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | 2940 |
| Category | Utility tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1980–1982 |
| Operating weight | 9,435lb(4,280 kg) |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Power | 81.6hp(60.85 kW) |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement | 359ci(5.88 L) |
| Bore | 4.19in(106.4 mm) |
| Stroke | 4.33in(110 mm) |
Transmission
| Type | Partial power shift |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 16 |
| Reverse gears | 8 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Power |
| Brakes | Differential hydraulic wet disc |
| Cab | Open |
Hydraulics
| Type | Closed Center |
|---|
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Independent |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 164.9in(4,188 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 90.3in(2,294 mm) |
| Height | 113in(2,870 mm) |
| Operating weight | 9,435lb(4,280 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 5gal(18.93 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
2940 compared with the nearest models by horsepower
By engine horsepower, the nearest utility models to the 2940 are the McCormick Intl C85 Max and the John Deere 5080M. The McCormick Intl C85 Max matches it on rated power and weighs 2,620 lb less, so it is lighter for its power, which favors PTO and transport work over heavy draft. The John Deere 5080M matches it on rated power and weighs 1,280 lb less, carrying 100 lb per horsepower against 116 lb. Of the 3 models, the 2940 has the highest weight per horsepower at 116 lb per hp.
| Spec | John Deere 2940 | McCormick Intl C85 Max | John Deere 5080M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 81.6 hp60.8 kW | 81.6 hp60.8 kW | 81.5 hp60.8 kW |
| Operating weight | 9,435 lb4,280 kg | 6,813 lb3,090 kg | 8,157 lb3,700 kg |
| Weight per hp | 116 lb/hp70 kg/kW | 83 lb/hp51 kg/kW | 100 lb/hp61 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 359 ci5.88 L | 268 ci4.39 L | 276 ci4.52 L |
| Cylinders | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission | Partial power shift | Synchro Shuttle | Two-speed power shift / power shuttle / partially synchronized |
| Drive | 2WD | 2WD | 2WD |
Calculators
Calculators for the 2940
PTO power
About 68 to 73 PTO hp
Estimated from the 81.6 hp engine rating. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 81.6 hp tractor can run
Maximum size is about a 9.5 ft rotary cutter or a 8.5 ft tiller. The calculator also sizes discs, plows and balers.
Ballast
134 lb per PTO hp as listed
The calculator gives the target weight and front/rear split for each job.
Units
81.6 hp is 60.8 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
2940 vs. Utility median
John Deere 2940 compared with other Utility tractors
| Spec | This model | Utility median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 81.6 hp | 55 hp | +48% | 72nd |
| Engine Displacement | 359 ci | 183 ci | +96% | 87th |
| Cylinders | 6 | 4 | +50% | 93rd |
| Forward Gears | 16 | 12 | +33% | 73rd |
| Operating Weight | 9,435 lb | 5,303 lb | +78% | 84th |
| Length | 165 in | 137 in | +21% | 83rd |
| Width | 90.3 in | 66 in | +37% | 92nd |
| Height | 113 in | 94.1 in | +20% | 91st |
| 3-Point Hitch Capacity | 2,400 lb | 3,197 lb | -25% | 30th |
Medians and percentiles are calculated from the utility tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 1,083–5,720 models).
Same manufacturer
Other John Deere models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
Gallery
John Deere 2940 photos





FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When was the John Deere 2940 in production?
John Deere 2940 production started in 1980 and ended in 1982.
How much horsepower does the John Deere 2940 have?
The John Deere 2940 produces 81.6 hp from its 6-cylinder engine. Engine displacement is 359 ci.
How much does the John Deere 2940 weigh?
The John Deere 2940 weighs about 9,435 lb in operating condition.
What transmission is in the John Deere 2940?
Transmission on the John Deere 2940 is Partial power shift, with 16 forward speeds.
What type of hydraulic system does the John Deere 2940 use?
Hydraulics on the John Deere 2940 are Closed Center.
What hitch category is the John Deere 2940?
The John Deere 2940 uses a Category II hitch with a lift capacity of 2,400 lb.
What maintenance does the John Deere 2940 require?
The John Deere 2940 needs periodic engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic fluid checks, and regular greasing and inspection. The owner's manual lists the manufacturer's recommended service intervals.





