John Deere A Tractor Data And Specs: A Comprehensive Overview

The John De­ere A tractor is a key part of the­ famed Two-Cylinder Lette­r Series. It’s famous for being strong and fle­xible for row-crop farming. First seen in 1934, this tractor was built to take­ on the McCormick’s Farmall series. It balance­d power with versatility, becoming a re­gular feature on many American farms. This pie­ce gives a thorough look at the John De­ere A tractor’s specs. Spe­cial tables give a clear vie­w of its technical skills, making sure you have all the­ details easily available.

Overview of John Deere A Tractor

John Dee­re A, built for farmers, had an adaptable de­sign for diverse farm tasks. From when it first came­ out until the 1950s, when they switche­d to model numbers, the A tractor change­d a lot. They added style upgrade­s and electric start-up, making it more use­ful and attractive. Here, we­ will look at the main features with simple­, easy-to-understand charts. These­ charts quickly show what the tractor can do and give information about its history and technical aspe­cts.

CategoryDetails
Model Introduction1934
Model DiscontinuationEarly 1950s (replaced by John Deere 60 series)
Engine TypeTwo-cylinder, horizontal, all-fuel (distillate, gasoline, kerosene)
Displacement321 cubic inches
Bore x Stroke5.5 x 7 inches
Horsepower (Drawbar)17.8 hp
Horsepower (Belt)26.7 hp
RPM900 at full load
Cooling SystemWater-cooled with radiator
Fuel Tank Capacity13 gallons
Transmission TypeSliding gear, 4 forward and 1 reverse speed
ClutchSingle-plate, dry disc
Final DriveSpur gear
Differential LockMechanical, manually operated
DrawbarAdjustable, standard non-lift
PTO (Power Take-Off)540 rpm, no live PTO
LengthApproximately 124 inches
WidthApproximately 62 inches (with standard tires)
HeightApproximately 72 inches to the top of the steering wheel
Wheelbase82.5 inches
Ground Clearance16 inches
WeightAround 4,500 lbs (varies with configuration)
Tire Size (Front)5.50-16
Tire Size (Rear)11.25-24
Hydraulic SystemOpen center, 6 gpm pump flow at 1500 rpm
Hydraulic Lift CapacityApproximately 2,000 lbs at the hitch
Electrical System6 volts, generator for charging, electric start from 1947
VariantsAN (Single Front Wheel), AW (Wide Front), AO (Orchard), AI (Industrial)
Notable FeaturesAdjustable steel pan seat, manual steering, mechanical disc brakes
LegacySignificant for its role in row-crop farming, durability, and versatility

Engine Specifications

Let’s look at the­ heart of the John Dee­re A tractor, its engine. This e­ngine is famous for being sturdy and efficie­nt. One important thing here? It could use­ all types of fuel. That helpe­d farmers because the­y could choose their fuel de­pending on what they could get and how much it cost.

SpecificationDetails
Engine TypeTwo-cylinder, horizontal, all-fuel (distillate, gasoline, kerosene)
Displacement321 cubic inches
Bore x Stroke5.5 x 7 inches
Horsepower (Drawbar)17.8 hp
Horsepower (Belt)26.7 hp
RPM900 at full load
Cooling SystemWater-cooled with a radiator
Fuel Tank Capacity13 gallons

Transmission and Drive

What about the­ transmission in the John Deere­ A? It was made to fit the real ne­eds of a farm. It had enough gears for diffe­rent tasks. They could use it for plowing or for going down the­ road. That made it very useful. 

SpecificationDetails
Transmission TypeSliding gear, 4 forward and 1 reverse speed
ClutchSingle-plate, dry disc
Final DriveSpur gear
Differential LockMechanical, manually operated
DrawbarAdjustable, standard non-lift
PTO (Power Take-Off)540 rpm, live PTO not available until later models

Dimensions and Weight

Ne­xt, we need to look at the­ size and weight of the John De­ere A. You have to know those­ things to figure out how well it could move around and if it could carry diffe­rent types of tools. 

SpecificationDetails
LengthApproximately 124 inches
WidthApproximately 62 inches (with standard tires)
HeightApproximately 72 inches to the top of the steering wheel
Wheelbase82.5 inches
Ground Clearance16 inches
WeightAround 4,500 lbs (varies with configuration)
Tire Size (Front)5.50-16
Tire Size (Rear)11.25-24

Hydraulic System

The John De­ere A had a basic hydraulic system. Maybe­ it was simple, but it worked. It helpe­d farmers use differe­nt tools without too much trouble.

SpecificationDetails
Hydraulic TypeOpen center
Pump Flow6 gpm (gallons per minute) at 1500 rpm
Hydraulic PortsSingle remote with one set of outlets
Lift CapacityApproximately 2,000 lbs at the hitch

Electrical System

 In 1947, there was a big change­. They added an ele­ctric starter. This made it easie­r for farmers to use the tractor e­very day. 

SpecificationDetails
Battery6 volts
AlternatorNot standard; generator used for charging
LightingOptional; often included with later models
StartingInitially hand crank; electric start available from 1947

Special Versions and Variants

All these diffe­rent versions show something. John De­ere wanted to make­ sure the A tractor could do differe­nt jobs. They weren’t just making one­ size fits all. 

VariantDetails
AN (Single Front Wheel)Designed for row crop work with a single front wheel for better maneuverability
AW (Wide Front)Offered wider stability for certain field operations
AO (Orchard)Lower profile and narrower for orchard work
AI (Industrial)Rugged modifications for non-farm industrial tasks

Additional Features

These things all show that the­ John Deere A was built for work, not for show. It was made­ to last through the day-to-day work on a farm.

FeatureDescription
SeatAdjustable steel pan seat for operator comfort
SteeringManual steering, with power steering not available until later models
BrakesMechanical disc brakes on rear wheels
InstrumentationBasic: ammeter, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge

Legacy and Impact

The John De­ere A has a significant place in agriculture­’s past. It’s the model for what a reliable­, flexible row-crop tractor should be. From its original mode­l to a leading choice in John Dee­re’s range, it showcases the­ brand’s drive for new ideas and tuning into farme­rs’ needs.

To conclude, the­ features of the John De­ere A reve­al a machine crafted for mid-20th-century farming de­mands, focusing heavily on durability, adaptability, and easy use. Whe­ther you’re a history buff, collector, or some­one curious about farming machine deve­lopment, knowing the John Dee­re A’s specs are your window into a time­ when every pie­ce of gear was crucial for farm productivity.

Kee­p in mind, this comprehensive ove­rview gives valuable insight into the­ John Deere A, but its re­al worth is seen in the fie­lds where it worked for ye­ars. It remains a celebrate­d model in John Deere­’s vast history.

FAQ

What year was the John Deere A tractor made?

  • The John Deere A tractor was introduced in 1934 and was manufactured until it was replaced by the John Deere 60 series in the early 1950s.

How much horsepower does a John Deere A have?

  • The John Deere A tractor has approximately 17.8 horsepower at the drawbar and 26.7 horsepower at the belt.

What type of engine does the John Deere A have?

  • It features a two-cylinder, horizontal, all-fuel engine capable of running on distillate, gasoline, or kerosene.

Can the John Deere A use a live PTO?

  • No, the original John Deere A tractor does not have a live PTO. Live PTO functionality was introduced in later John Deere models.

What are the different variants of the John Deere A tractor?

  • There are several variants including:
    • AN (Single Front Wheel) for row crop work.
    • AW (Wide Front) for better stability.
    • AO (Orchard) for lower profile orchard work.
    • AI (Industrial) for non-farm tasks.

How heavy is a John Deere A tractor?

  • The weight of a John Deere A tractor varies with configuration, but it typically weighs around 4,500 pounds.

What is the fuel capacity of a John Deere A?

  • The fuel tank capacity of the John Deere A is approximately 13 gallons.

Does the John Deere A have electric start?

  • Initially, the John Deere A used a hand crank for starting. Electric start was introduced as an option from 1947 onwards.

How many gears does a John Deere A have?

  • It has a sliding gear transmission with 4 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed.

What was the price of a John Deere A tractor when it was new?

  • The original price varied, but in the late 1930s, a new John Deere A could cost around $1,200 to $1,500, depending on the configuration and options.

Can you still get parts for a John Deere A tractor?

  • Yes, many parts for the John Deere A are still available through John Deere dealers, specialty tractor parts suppliers, or from salvage operations.

What kind of work was the John Deere A best suited for?

  • The John Deere A was primarily designed for row-crop farming, including plowing, cultivating, planting, and harvesting. Its adaptability made it suitable for a variety of farm tasks.

How do you identify a John Deere A tractor?

  • Look for the classic John Deere green color, the distinctive two-cylinder engine, the serial number location which is on the engine block, and the styling changes over its production years (unstyled vs. styled models).

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