John Deere tractor · 1934-1952

John Deere A Tractor

Name: John Deere A Tractor
Brand: John Deere

The John Deere A is the larger classic two-cylinder letter-series row-crop tractor, intended for heavier work than the B. Its long production span includes meaningful mechanical changes, so confirm the exact year and specifications with TractorData.com.

Production years

1934-1952

Engine

5.1 L 2-cylinder all-fuel on early models; later specifications varied by production period

Power

Early model: 18 hp claimed drawbar and 24 hp claimed belt

Weight

About 1,715 kg for the early model; varies by year and configuration

John Deere A specifications

Production years	1934-1952
Built in	Waterloo, Iowa, USA
Engine	5.1 L 2-cylinder all-fuel on early models; later specifications varied by production period
Power	Early model: 18 hp claimed drawbar and 24 hp claimed belt
Transmission	4-speed unsynchronized gear on early models; later versions varied
Drive	2WD
Fuel type	All-fuel on early models; fuel options varied by year
Weight	About 1,715 kg for the early model; varies by year and configuration

What the A is used for

The A suits light-to-medium tillage, two-bottom ploughing in its early specification, belt work, and vintage-farm demonstrations. It was John Deere's first true row-crop tractor and replaced the GP.

Use it as a period machine, not as a substitute for a modern utility tractor. Manual steering, mechanical brakes, an open operator station, and a transmission-driven PTO shape both its capability and safe operating practice.

Why the John Deere A stands out

The A is one of the defining Deere two-cylinder tractors, with about 300,000 built and numerous row-crop, standard, orchard, narrow-front, wide-front, and high-crop variants. It was also the first Deere tractor offered from the factory with rubber tyres.

Buying a used John Deere A

Verify the tractor is an A rather than an AR, AO, AN, AW, or high-crop variant, as chassis and parts details differ. Inspect the flywheel and clutch, crankshaft end play, cooling system, governor response, transmission and final-drive noise, brakes, and PTO; an accurate serial-number check is essential because the general A specifications changed over 1934-1952.

John Deere A frequently asked questions

What years was the John Deere A built?

The John Deere A was built from 1934 through 1952.

How much horsepower does a John Deere A have?

For the early all-fuel model, TractorData lists 18 hp claimed drawbar power and 24 hp claimed belt power. Later production details vary.

Does a John Deere A have a three-point hitch?

No factory three-point hitch is listed for the early Model A. It used drawbar-era implement arrangements rather than the later standardized three-point system.

Specifications are commonly cited figures for general reference; exact figures vary by year and serial number, so confirm against TractorData.com and the machine's records. Used tractor values vary by condition and region. Page updated 4 Nov 2026.

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