John Deere G (1942-1948)
The John Deere G was a row crop tractor made from 1942 to 1948. It had a 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that could run on different fuels. The engine was big for its time, with 412.5 cubic inches of space inside. It wasn't very powerful though, making only 20.7 horsepower. This tractor was built to work in fields with rows of crops. It had two big wheels in the back and two smaller ones in front. The driver sat in an open seat with no roof. The G was pretty big, measuring 137.4 inches long and 84.6 inches tall. It weighed 5,291 pounds, which was average for tractors back then. Farmers could start it with a hand crank or an electric starter. It had six gears for going forward and one for backing up.
Key specifications
- Category
- Row Crop
- Engine power
- 21hp
- Operating weight
- 5,291 lb
- Transmission
- Gear
Category comparison
G (1942-1948) compared with its category
vs. Row Crop medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Row Crop tractors
This model
The G (1942-1948) ranks at the 1st percentile for engine power among recorded row crop tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere G (1942-1948)
The John Deere G was a row crop tractor made from 1942 to 1948. It had a 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that could run on different fuels. The engine was big for its time, with 412.5 cubic inches of space inside. It wasn't very powerful though, making only 20.7 horsepower. This tractor was built to work in fields with rows of crops. It had two big wheels in the back and two smaller ones in front. The driver sat in an open seat with no roof. The G was pretty big, measuring 137.4 inches long and 84.6 inches tall. It weighed 5,291 pounds, which was average for tractors back then. Farmers could start it with a hand crank or an electric starter. It had six gears for going forward and one for backing up.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | G (1942-1948) |
| Category | Row Crop tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1942–1948 |
| Operating weight | 5,291lb(2,400 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 | 6 |
| Reverse gears | 1 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Cab | Open |
Hydraulics
| Type | Open center |
|---|
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Transmission |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 137.4in(3,490 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 65.7in(1,669 mm) |
| Height | 84.6in(2,149 mm) |
| Operating weight | 5,291lb(2,400 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 11gal(41.64 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
G (1942-1948) compared with the nearest models by horsepower
By engine horsepower, the nearest row crop models to the G (1942-1948) are the John Deere G (1937-1941) and the John Deere MT. The John Deere G (1937-1941) matches it on rated power and weighs 290 lb less. It entered production in 1937, 5 years before the G (1942-1948). The John Deere MT matches it on rated power and weighs 2,060 lb less, carrying 156 lb per horsepower against 256 lb. It entered production in 1949, 7 years after the G (1942-1948). Of the 3 models, the G (1942-1948) has the highest weight per horsepower at 256 lb per hp.
| Spec | John Deere G (1942-1948) | John Deere G (1937-1941) | John Deere MT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 20.7 hp15.4 kW | 20.7 hp15.4 kW | 20.8 hp15.5 kW |
| Operating weight | 5,291 lb2,400 kg | 5,004 lb2,270 kg | 3,233 lb1,466 kg |
| Weight per hp | 256 lb/hp155 kg/kW | 242 lb/hp147 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 | 1942-1948 | 1937-1941 | 1949-1952 |
Calculators
Calculators for the G (1942-1948)
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
297 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 (1942-1948) vs. Row Crop median
John Deere G (1942-1948) 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 | 6 | 16 | -62% | 11th |
| Operating Weight | 5,291 lb | 12,307 lb | -57% | 9th |
| Length | 137 in | 180 in | -23% | 10th |
| Width | 65.7 in | 91.2 in | -28% | 4th |
| Height | 84.6 in | 114 in | -25% | 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 (1942-1948) manufactured?
Production of the John Deere G (1942-1948) ran from 1942 through 1948.
What type of hydraulic system does the John Deere G (1942-1948) use?
Hydraulics on the John Deere G (1942-1948) are Open center.
How powerful is the John Deere G (1942-1948)?
The John Deere G (1942-1948) 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 (1942-1948)?
The operating weight of the John Deere G (1942-1948) is approximately 5,291 lb.
What type of transmission does the John Deere G (1942-1948) have?
The John Deere G (1942-1948) uses a Gear transmission offering 6 forward gears.
What routine service does the John Deere G (1942-1948) need?
Regular maintenance for the John Deere G (1942-1948) 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.






