John Deere A (1939-1947)
The John Deere A is a row crop tractor made from 1939 to 1947. It's a 2-wheel drive tractor with a 4x2 chassis and manual steering. This tractor has a 2-cylinder engine that can run on different fuels. The engine is liquid-cooled and has 309 cubic inches of displacement, which is about average for tractors. It makes 18 horsepower at 975 rpm, which is on the lower end for power. This tractor has 6 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. It has a transmission PTO that runs at 540 rpm. The John Deere A weighs 4,597 pounds and is 133.9 inches long, 86.2 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. It has steel front tires and agricultural rear tires. The tractor has an open operator station and manual starter. John Deere is known for making reliable farm equipment, and this model was part of their popular Two-Cylinder Letter Series.
Quick specs
- Category
- Row Crop
- Engine Power Output
- 18hp
- Operating Weight
- 4,597 lb
- Transmission
- Unsynchronized gear
At a glance
How the A (1939-1947) compares
vs. Row Crop medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Row Crop tractors
This model
The A (1939-1947) ranks at the 1st percentile for engine power among recorded row crop tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere A (1939-1947)
The John Deere A is a row crop tractor made from 1939 to 1947. It's a 2-wheel drive tractor with a 4x2 chassis and manual steering. This tractor has a 2-cylinder engine that can run on different fuels. The engine is liquid-cooled and has 309 cubic inches of displacement, which is about average for tractors. It makes 18 horsepower at 975 rpm, which is on the lower end for power. This tractor has 6 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. It has a transmission PTO that runs at 540 rpm. The John Deere A weighs 4,597 pounds and is 133.9 inches long, 86.2 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. It has steel front tires and agricultural rear tires. The tractor has an open operator station and manual starter. John Deere is known for making reliable farm equipment, and this model was part of their popular Two-Cylinder Letter Series.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | A (1939-1947) |
| Category | Row Crop tractor |
| Type | 4x2 |
| Years built | 1939–1947 |
| Operating weight | 4,597lb |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | John Deere |
| Power | 18hp |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 309ci |
| Bore | 5.51in |
| Stroke | 6.5in |
Transmission
| Type | Unsynchronized gear |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 6 |
| Reverse gears | 1 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Brakes | Differential mechanical expanding shoe |
| Cab | Open |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Transmission PTO |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 133.9in |
|---|---|
| Width | 86.2in |
| Height | 63.8in |
| Operating weight | 4,597lb |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 9.5gal |
|---|
Head to head
A (1939-1947) vs. Row Crop median
How the John Deere A (1939-1947) compares to other Row Crop tractors
| Spec | This model | Row Crop median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 18 hp | 138 hp | -87% | 1st |
| Engine Displacement | 309 ci | 391 ci | -21% | 33rd |
| Cylinders | 2 | 6 | -67% | 1st |
| Forward Gears | 6 | 16 | -62% | 11th |
| Operating Weight | 4,597 lb | 12,307 lb | -63% | 7th |
| Length | 134 in | 180 in | -25% | 8th |
| Width | 86.2 in | 91.2 in | -5% | 39th |
| Height | 63.8 in | 114 in | -44% | 4th |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the row crop tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 806–1,417 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared John Deere tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Deere A (1934-1938) | 18 hp | 3,781 lb | 1934–1938 | Compare → |
| John Deere B | 16.1 hp | 3,723 lb | 1938–1946 | Compare → |
| John Deere G (1937-1941) | 20.7 hp | 5,004 lb | 1937–1941 | Compare → |
| John Deere G (1942-1948) | 20.7 hp | 5,291 lb | 1942–1948 | Compare → |
| John Deere MT | 20.78 hp | 3,233 lb | 1949–1952 | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allis Chalmers 5015 | 18 hp | 1,278 lb | 1982–1985 | Compare → |
| Allis Chalmers WC (1938-1948) | 18 hp | 3,792 lb | 1938–1948 | Compare → |
| Bolens 1886 | 18 hp | — | 1971–1972 | Compare → |
| CaseIH 235 | 18 hp | 1,350 lb | — | Compare → |
| CaseIH Farmall DX18E | 18 hp | 1,314 lb | — | Compare → |
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FAQ
Common questions
What years was the John Deere A (1939-1947) manufactured?
Production of the John Deere A (1939-1947) ran from 1939 through 1947.
What type of transmission does the John Deere A (1939-1947) have?
The John Deere A (1939-1947) uses an Unsynchronized gear transmission offering 6 forward gears.
How powerful is the John Deere A (1939-1947)?
The John Deere A (1939-1947) has an engine power output of 18 hp. It is powered by a 2-cylinder engine displacing 309 ci.
What is the working weight of the John Deere A (1939-1947)?
The operating weight of the John Deere A (1939-1947) is approximately 4,597 lb.
What routine service does the John Deere A (1939-1947) need?
Regular maintenance for the John Deere A (1939-1947) includes checking and changing engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and filters, plus routine inspections as recommended in the owner's manual. Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for specific intervals and procedures.
