1948 John Deere Model A Tractor
This Model A is pictured hitched to a John Deere Model 52 “rope trip” 2 bottom trailer plow with optional rubber tires on steel rims.
The Two-Cylinder Letter Series Model A John Deere tractors were produced from 1934 to 1952 at the Waterloo, Iowa factory. Total built: 300,000
The John Deere Model A Tractor was the first true row-crop tractor and is one of the most beloved tractors in John Deere’s 175 year history. The first Model A was manufactured in April of 1934 and came equipped with an impressive 25 horsepower engine and a 4-speed transmission.
The John Deere Model A Tractor was the first tractor that had adjustable wheel treads, which gave it a wider range of utility and adaptability than other models on the market at that time. Having the ability to change the space between rear wheels gave the operator more control, ultimately making it easier to steer the tractor.
The year 1940 marked the beginning of two changes meant to improve the functionality of the John Deere Model A. During this time, the size of the engine was increased from 309 cubic inches to 321 cubic inches in an effort to make it more powerful. One year later, in 1941, the Model A boasted a new transmission, and it went from four forward speeds to six.
The “slant dash” Model A tractor was produced between 1939 and 1947, and it featured an electric start option in which a special hood piece was used to cover the battery. By 1947, the battery was moved under the seat.
In 1952, the production of the John Deere Model A finally came to an end, marking an impressive nearly 20-year manufacturing lifetime. The John Deere Model A Tractor was a revolutionary tractor, spawning an entire line of two-cylinder tractors that included the B, G, L, LA, H, and M. Today, these tractors are collected rather than used, which is a credit to not only their reliability at the time they were used, but also to how they are still revered by John Deere collectors and enthusiasts.