John Deere G (1937-1941)
The John Deere G (1937-1941) was a row crop tractor built for farmers who needed a reliable machine for their fields. It had a 2WD system with manual steering and a gear transmission that offered 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. This tractor was designed to handle various farm tasks with ease. Under the hood, the John Deere G packed a liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder engine made by John Deere itself. The engine could run on different fuels and had an above-average displacement of 412.5 ci. It produced 20.7 hp, which was on the lower end compared to other tractors of its time. The tractor weighed 5,004 lb and measured 134.6 inches long, 61.4 inches wide, and 83.9 inches tall. It featured agricultural tires, a transmission PTO running at 540 rpm, and an open operator station. One unique feature was its hand crank starter, which was common for tractors of that era.
Key specifications
- Category
- Row Crop
- Engine power
- 21hp
- Operating weight
- 5,004 lb
- Transmission
- Gear
Category comparison
G (1937-1941) compared with its category
vs. Row Crop medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Row Crop tractors
This model
The G (1937-1941) ranks at the 1st percentile for engine power among recorded row crop tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere G (1937-1941)
The John Deere G (1937-1941) was a row crop tractor built for farmers who needed a reliable machine for their fields. It had a 2WD system with manual steering and a gear transmission that offered 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. This tractor was designed to handle various farm tasks with ease. Under the hood, the John Deere G packed a liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder engine made by John Deere itself. The engine could run on different fuels and had an above-average displacement of 412.5 ci. It produced 20.7 hp, which was on the lower end compared to other tractors of its time. The tractor weighed 5,004 lb and measured 134.6 inches long, 61.4 inches wide, and 83.9 inches tall. It featured agricultural tires, a transmission PTO running at 540 rpm, and an open operator station. One unique feature was its hand crank starter, which was common for tractors of that era.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | G (1937-1941) |
| Category | Row Crop tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1937–1941 |
| Operating weight | 5,004lb(2,270 kg) |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | John Deere |
| Power | 20.7hp(15.44 kW) |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 412.5ci(6.76 L) |
| Bore | 6.14in(156 mm) |
| Stroke | 7.01in(178.1 mm) |
Transmission
| Type | Gear |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 4 |
| Reverse gears | 1 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Cab | Open |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Transmission |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 134.6in(3,419 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 61.4in(1,560 mm) |
| Height | 83.9in(2,131 mm) |
| Operating weight | 5,004lb(2,270 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 11gal(41.64 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
G (1937-1941) compared with the nearest models by horsepower
By engine horsepower, the nearest row crop models to the G (1937-1941) are the John Deere G (1942-1948) and the John Deere MT. The John Deere G (1942-1948) matches it on rated power and weighs 290 lb more. It entered production in 1942, 5 years after the G (1937-1941). The John Deere MT matches it on rated power and weighs 1,770 lb less, so it is lighter for its power, which favors PTO and transport work over heavy draft. It entered production in 1949, 12 years after the G (1937-1941).
| Spec | John Deere G (1937-1941) | John Deere G (1942-1948) | John Deere MT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 20.7 hp15.4 kW | 20.7 hp15.4 kW | 20.8 hp15.5 kW |
| Operating weight | 5,004 lb2,270 kg | 5,291 lb2,400 kg | 3,233 lb1,466 kg |
| Weight per hp | 242 lb/hp147 kg/kW | 256 lb/hp155 kg/kW | 156 lb/hp95 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 412.5 ci6.76 L | 412.5 ci6.76 L | 100.5 ci1.65 L |
| Cylinders | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Transmission | Gear | Gear | Unsynchronized Gear |
| Drive | 2WD | 2WD | 2WD |
| Years built | 1937-1941 | 1942-1948 | 1949-1952 |
Calculators
Calculators for the G (1937-1941)
PTO power
About 17 to 19 PTO hp
Estimated from the 20.7 hp engine rating. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 20.7 hp tractor can run
The calculator sizes mowers, tillers, discs, plows and balers for this tractor.
Ballast
281 lb per PTO hp as listed
The calculator gives the target weight and front/rear split for each job.
Units
20.7 hp is 15.4 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
G (1937-1941) vs. Row Crop median
John Deere G (1937-1941) compared with other Row Crop tractors
| Spec | This model | Row Crop median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 20.7 hp | 138 hp | -85% | 1st |
| Engine Displacement | 413 ci | 391 ci | +5% | 64th |
| Cylinders | 2 | 6 | -67% | 1st |
| Forward Gears | 4 | 16 | -75% | 4th |
| Operating Weight | 5,004 lb | 12,307 lb | -59% | 8th |
| Length | 135 in | 180 in | -25% | 9th |
| Width | 61.4 in | 91.2 in | -33% | 3rd |
| Height | 83.9 in | 114 in | -26% | 15th |
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
Other John Deere models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What years was the John Deere G (1937-1941) manufactured?
Production of the John Deere G (1937-1941) ran from 1937 through 1941.
What type of transmission does the John Deere G (1937-1941) have?
The John Deere G (1937-1941) uses a Gear transmission offering 4 forward gears.
How powerful is the John Deere G (1937-1941)?
The John Deere G (1937-1941) has an engine power output of 20.7 hp. It is powered by a 2-cylinder engine displacing 412.5 ci.
What is the working weight of the John Deere G (1937-1941)?
The operating weight of the John Deere G (1937-1941) is approximately 5,004 lb.
What routine service does the John Deere G (1937-1941) need?
Regular maintenance for the John Deere G (1937-1941) 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.






