John Deere M
The John Deere M is a utility tractor that was made from 1947 to 1952. It's a small, simple tractor that's good for basic farm work. The M has a 2-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 20.4 horsepower. This engine is below average in size compared to other tractors, but it's enough power for many jobs. The John Deere M is a 2-wheel drive tractor with manual steering. It has a basic transmission with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The tractor is 110 inches long, 51 inches wide, and 66 inches tall. It weighs 2,600 pounds, which is lighter than many other tractors. This makes it easy to move around the farm. The M has an open operator station, which means there's no cab to protect the driver from weather. This tractor has some useful features for farm work. It has a PTO (power take-off) that runs at 550 rpm, which can power other farm tools. The M also has a "Touch-O-Matic" hydraulic system and a "Quik-Tatch" hitch for attaching equipment. It uses about 1.6 gallons of fuel per hour when working hard. The John Deere M is a simple, reliable tractor that was popular with small farmers in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Key specifications
- Category
- Utility
- Engine power
- 20hp
- Operating weight
- 2,600 lb
- Transmission
- Unsynchronized gear
Category comparison
M compared with its category
vs. Utility medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Utility tractors
This model
The M ranks at the 9th percentile for engine power among recorded utility tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere M
The John Deere M is a utility tractor that was made from 1947 to 1952. It's a small, simple tractor that's good for basic farm work. The M has a 2-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 20.4 horsepower. This engine is below average in size compared to other tractors, but it's enough power for many jobs. The John Deere M is a 2-wheel drive tractor with manual steering. It has a basic transmission with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The tractor is 110 inches long, 51 inches wide, and 66 inches tall. It weighs 2,600 pounds, which is lighter than many other tractors. This makes it easy to move around the farm. The M has an open operator station, which means there's no cab to protect the driver from weather. This tractor has some useful features for farm work. It has a PTO (power take-off) that runs at 550 rpm, which can power other farm tools. The M also has a "Touch-O-Matic" hydraulic system and a "Quik-Tatch" hitch for attaching equipment. It uses about 1.6 gallons of fuel per hour when working hard. The John Deere M is a simple, reliable tractor that was popular with small farmers in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | M |
| Category | Utility tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1947–1952 |
| Operating weight | 2,600lb(1,179 kg) |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Power | 20.4hp(15.21 kW) |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 100.5ci(1.65 L) |
| Bore | 4.02in(102.1 mm) |
| Stroke | 4.02in(102.1 mm) |
Transmission
| Type | Unsynchronized gear |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 4 |
| Reverse gears | 1 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Brakes | Differential mechanical disc |
| Cab | Open |
Hydraulics
| Type | Touch-O-Matic |
|---|
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Transmission |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 550rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 110in(2,794 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 51in(1,295 mm) |
| Height | 66in(1,676 mm) |
| Operating weight | 2,600lb(1,179 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 3.5gal(13.25 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
M compared with the nearest models by horsepower
By engine horsepower, the nearest utility models to the M are the Kubota KB205 and the Ford Golden Jubilee NAA. The Kubota KB205 matches it on rated power. It entered production in 2008, 61 years after the M. The Ford Golden Jubilee NAA matches it on rated power and weighs 210 lb more, at 139 lb per horsepower against 127 lb. It entered production in 1953, 6 years after the M.
| Spec | John Deere M | Kubota KB205 | Ford Golden Jubilee NAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 20.4 hp15.2 kW | 20.3 hp15.1 kW | 20.2 hp15.1 kW |
| Operating weight | 2,600 lb1,179 kg | - | 2,814 lb1,276 kg |
| Weight per hp | 127 lb/hp78 kg/kW | - | 139 lb/hp85 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 100.5 ci1.65 L | 68.5 ci1.12 L | 134 ci2.2 L |
| Cylinders | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Transmission | Unsynchronized gear | Power shift (Glideshift) | Gear type with dry disc clutch |
| Drive | 2WD | 4WD | 2WD |
| Years built | 1947-1952 | 2008-2009 | 1953-1954 |
Calculators
Calculators for the M
PTO power
About 17 to 18 PTO hp
Estimated from the 20.4 hp engine rating. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 20.4 hp tractor can run
The calculator sizes mowers, tillers, discs, plows and balers for this tractor.
Ballast
148 lb per PTO hp as listed
The calculator gives the target weight and front/rear split for each job.
Units
20.4 hp is 15.2 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
M vs. Utility median
John Deere M compared with other Utility tractors
| Spec | This model | Utility median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 20.4 hp | 55 hp | -63% | 9th |
| Engine Displacement | 101 ci | 183 ci | -45% | 23rd |
| Cylinders | 2 | 4 | -50% | 3rd |
| Forward Gears | 4 | 12 | -67% | 4th |
| Operating Weight | 2,600 lb | 5,303 lb | -51% | 18th |
| Length | 110 in | 137 in | -19% | 16th |
| Width | 51 in | 66 in | -23% | 19th |
| Height | 66 in | 94.1 in | -30% | 13th |
Medians and percentiles are calculated from the utility tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 3,933–5,720 models).
Same manufacturer
Other John Deere models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
Gallery
John Deere M photos

FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What years was the John Deere M manufactured?
Production of the John Deere M ran from 1947 through 1952.
What is the working weight of the John Deere M?
The operating weight of the John Deere M is approximately 2,600 lb.
What type of transmission does the John Deere M have?
The John Deere M uses an Unsynchronized gear transmission offering 4 forward gears.
What type of hydraulic system does the John Deere M use?
Hydraulics on the John Deere M are Touch-O-Matic.
How powerful is the John Deere M?
The John Deere M has an engine power output of 20.4 hp. It is powered by a 2-cylinder engine displacing 100.5 ci.
What routine service does the John Deere M need?
Regular maintenance for the John Deere M 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.

