John Deere A (1934-1938)

The John Deere A was a row crop tractor made from 1934 to 1938. It had a 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that could run on different fuels. The engine was 309 cubic inches, which was above average for tractors of its time. It produced 18 horsepower at 975 rpm, which was on the lower end of power output. This tractor had a 2-wheel drive system and manual steering. It came with a basic transmission that had 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The John Deere A was 123.6 inches long, 86.2 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. It weighed 3,781 pounds, which was lighter than many other tractors. The tractor had an open operator station and needed to be started manually. It also had a transmission PTO that could run at 540 rpm, which was useful for powering other farm equipment.

ManufacturerJohn DeerePower18 hp(13.4 kW)ClassUnder 25 HP tractors →Engine2-cylinderTransmissionUnsynchronized gear with dry disc clutch
Image not recorded

Key specifications

Category
Row Crop
Engine power
18hp
Operating weight
3,781 lb
Transmission
Unsynchronized gear with dry disc clutch
Compare this model

Category comparison

A (1934-1938) compared with its category

vs. Row Crop median

Distribution

Engine Power (hp)

All recorded Row Crop tractors

18 hp · 1st

This model

12
Median 138 hp
283
This modelRow Crop tractorsMediann = 1,206

The A (1934-1938) ranks at the 1st percentile for engine power among recorded row crop tractors.

Overview

About the John Deere A (1934-1938)

The John Deere A was a row crop tractor made from 1934 to 1938. It had a 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that could run on different fuels. The engine was 309 cubic inches, which was above average for tractors of its time. It produced 18 horsepower at 975 rpm, which was on the lower end of power output. This tractor had a 2-wheel drive system and manual steering. It came with a basic transmission that had 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The John Deere A was 123.6 inches long, 86.2 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. It weighed 3,781 pounds, which was lighter than many other tractors. The tractor had an open operator station and needed to be started manually. It also had a transmission PTO that could run at 540 rpm, which was useful for powering other farm equipment.

Full specifications

Recorded specifications

General

ManufacturerJohn Deere
ModelA (1934-1938)
CategoryRow Crop tractor
Type4x2 2WD
Years built1934–1938
Operating weight3,781lb(1,715 kg)

Engine

MakeJohn Deere
ModelJohn Deere
Power18hp(13.42 kW)
Cylinders2
Displacement309ci(5.06 L)
Bore5.51in(140 mm)
Stroke6.5in(165.1 mm)

Transmission

TypeUnsynchronized gear with dry disc clutch
Forward gears4
Reverse gears1

Chassis & drive

Chassis4x2 2WD
Drive2WD
SteeringManual
BrakesDifferential mechanical expanding shoe
CabOpen

Power take-off

Rear PTOTransmission
PTO speed540rpm

Dimensions

Length123.6in(3,139 mm)
Width86.2in(2,189 mm)
Height63.8in(1,621 mm)
Operating weight3,781lb(1,715 kg)

Capacities

Cooling system9.5gal(35.96 L)

Closest alternatives

A (1934-1938) compared with the nearest models by horsepower

Among row crop tractors, the John Deere A (1939-1947) and the Oliver 60 are closest to the John Deere A (1934-1938) in rated horsepower. The John Deere A (1939-1947) matches it on rated power and weighs 820 lb more, so it carries more weight per horsepower, which helps traction in draft work. It entered production in 1939, 5 years after the A (1934-1938). The Oliver 60 matches it on rated power and weighs 1,280 lb less, carrying 139 lb per horsepower against 210 lb. It entered production in 1940, 6 years after the A (1934-1938).

John Deere A (1934-1938) compared with John Deere A (1939-1947) and Oliver 60
SpecJohn Deere A (1934-1938)John Deere A (1939-1947)Oliver 60
Engine power18 hp13.4 kW18 hp13.4 kW18 hp13.4 kW
Operating weight3,781 lb1,715 kg4,597 lb2,085 kg2,502 lb1,135 kg
Weight per hp210 lb/hp128 kg/kW255 lb/hp155 kg/kW139 lb/hp85 kg/kW
Displacement309 ci5.06 L309 ci5.06 L120.6 ci1.98 L
Cylinders224
TransmissionUnsynchronized gear with dry disc clutchUnsynchronized gearGear type
Drive2WD2WD2WD
Years built1934-19381939-19471940-1948

Calculators

Calculators for the A (1934-1938)

Category medians

A (1934-1938) vs. Row Crop median

John Deere A (1934-1938) compared with other Row Crop tractors

SpecThis modelRow Crop medianDifferencePercentile
Engine Power18 hp138 hp-87%1st
Engine Displacement309 ci391 ci-21%33rd
Cylinders26-67%1st
Forward Gears416-75%4th
Operating Weight3,781 lb12,307 lb-69%4th
Length124 in180 in-31%3rd
Width86.2 in91.2 in-5%39th
Height63.8 in114 in-44%4th

Medians and percentiles are calculated from the row crop tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 806–1,417 models).

Same manufacturer

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When was the John Deere A (1934-1938) made?

The John Deere A (1934-1938) was manufactured from 1934 to 1938.

What is the operating weight of the John Deere A (1934-1938)?

The John Deere A (1934-1938) has an operating weight of about 3,781 lb.

Which transmission does the John Deere A (1934-1938) use?

The John Deere A (1934-1938) is equipped with an Unsynchronized gear with dry disc clutch transmission with 4 forward gears.

What is the engine power output of the John Deere A (1934-1938)?

Rated engine output for the John Deere A (1934-1938) is 18 hp, delivered by a 2-cylinder engine. The engine displaces 309 ci.

How do I maintain a John Deere A (1934-1938)?

Routine service for the John Deere A (1934-1938) covers engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic and coolant level checks, air filter cleaning, and scheduled inspections. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for exact intervals.