John Deere MC
The John Deere MC is a compact crawler tractor built from 1949 to 1952. It's designed for agricultural work and features a track drive system for better traction in tough conditions. This tractor has a small but capable 2-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 20.33 horsepower. The engine is liquid-cooled and naturally aspirated, which means it doesn't use a turbocharger. The MC has a simple 4-speed transmission with one reverse gear. It's equipped with a rear PTO that spins at 550 rpm and can deliver 20.37 horsepower. The tractor weighs 4,145 pounds and has a fuel tank that holds 13.5 gallons. It's relatively small, measuring 102 inches long, 66.9 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. The John Deere MC has an open operator station and uses an electric starter. Its engine displacement and power output are below average compared to other tractors, making it suitable for lighter farm tasks.
Key specifications
- Category
- Crawler
- Engine power
- 20hp
- PTO horsepower
- 20.37
- Operating weight
- 4,145 lb
- Transmission
- Unsynchronized gear
Category comparison
MC compared with its category
vs. Crawler medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Crawler tractors
This model
The MC ranks at the 4th percentile for engine power among recorded crawler tractors.
Overview
About the John Deere MC
The John Deere MC is a compact crawler tractor built from 1949 to 1952. It's designed for agricultural work and features a track drive system for better traction in tough conditions. This tractor has a small but capable 2-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 20.33 horsepower. The engine is liquid-cooled and naturally aspirated, which means it doesn't use a turbocharger. The MC has a simple 4-speed transmission with one reverse gear. It's equipped with a rear PTO that spins at 550 rpm and can deliver 20.37 horsepower. The tractor weighs 4,145 pounds and has a fuel tank that holds 13.5 gallons. It's relatively small, measuring 102 inches long, 66.9 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall. The John Deere MC has an open operator station and uses an electric starter. Its engine displacement and power output are below average compared to other tractors, making it suitable for lighter farm tasks.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | MC |
| Category | Crawler tractor |
| Type | Crawler |
| Years built | 1949–1952 |
| Operating weight | 4,145lb(1,880 kg) |
Engine
| Make | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Model | John Deere |
| Power | 20.33hp(15.16 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 | Crawler |
|---|---|
| Drive | Track |
| Brakes | Differential mechanical disc |
| Cab | Open |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Rear |
|---|---|
| PTO power | 20.37hp(15.19 kW) |
| PTO speed | 550rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 102in(2,591 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 66.9in(1,699 mm) |
| Height | 63.8in(1,621 mm) |
| Operating weight | 4,145lb(1,880 kg) |
Capacities
| Fuel tank | 13.5gal(51.1 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
MC compared with the nearest models by horsepower
Among crawler tractors, the Fate-Root-Heath Plymouth and the Fate-Root-Heath Silver King are closest to the John Deere MC in rated horsepower. The Fate-Root-Heath Plymouth matches it on rated power and weighs 1,980 lb less, carrying 106 lb per horsepower against 204 lb. The Fate-Root-Heath Silver King matches it on rated power and weighs 2,050 lb less, so it is lighter for its power, which favors PTO and transport work over heavy draft. Of the 3 models, the MC has the highest weight per horsepower at 204 lb per hp.
| Spec | John Deere MC | Fate-Root-Heath Plymouth | Fate-Root-Heath Silver King |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 20.3 hp15.2 kW | 20.5 hp15.3 kW | 20.5 hp15.3 kW |
| Operating weight | 4,145 lb1,880 kg | 2,170 lb984 kg | 2,100 lb953 kg |
| Weight per hp | 204 lb/hp124 kg/kW | 106 lb/hp64 kg/kW | 102 lb/hp62 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 100.5 ci1.65 L | 113 ci1.85 L | 113 ci1.85 L |
| Cylinders | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission | Unsynchronized gear | Gear | Gear |
| Drive | Track | 2WD | 2WD |
Calculators
Calculators for the MC
PTO power
About 17 to 18 PTO hp
Rated PTO power is 20.37 hp. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 20.33 hp tractor can run
The calculator sizes mowers, tillers, discs, plows and balers for this tractor.
Ballast
237 lb per PTO hp as listed
The calculator gives the target weight and front/rear split for each job.
Units
20.33 hp is 15.2 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
MC vs. Crawler median
John Deere MC compared with other Crawler tractors
| Spec | This model | Crawler median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 20.3 hp | 200 hp | -90% | 4th |
| Engine Displacement | 101 ci | 468 ci | -79% | 8th |
| Cylinders | 2 | 6 | -67% | 1st |
| Forward Gears | 4 | 10 | -60% | 16th |
| Operating Weight | 4,145 lb | 23,320 lb | -82% | 12th |
| Length | 102 in | 146 in | -30% | 6th |
| Width | 66.9 in | 79.5 in | -16% | 43rd |
| Height | 63.8 in | 90.6 in | -30% | 17th |
Medians and percentiles are calculated from the crawler tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 134–192 models).
Same manufacturer
Other John Deere models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What years was the John Deere MC manufactured?
Production of the John Deere MC ran from 1949 through 1952.
How powerful is the John Deere MC?
The John Deere MC has an engine power output of 20.33 hp. It is powered by a 2-cylinder engine displacing 100.5 ci.
What is the PTO power rating of the John Deere MC?
The John Deere MC delivers 20.37 hp at the power take-off.
What is the working weight of the John Deere MC?
The operating weight of the John Deere MC is approximately 4,145 lb.
How much fuel does the John Deere MC hold?
The John Deere MC has a fuel capacity of 13.5 gal.
What type of transmission does the John Deere MC have?
The John Deere MC uses an Unsynchronized gear transmission offering 4 forward gears.
What routine service does the John Deere MC need?
Regular maintenance for the John Deere MC 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.




