John Deere 208 lawn tractor

John Deere 208

Power

8 hp

Production

1977-1978

Transmission

Peerless 2300

Weight

673 lbs [305 kg]

Drive

2WD

From the same series:

210

Introduction

John Deere 208 Garden Tractor

The John Deere 208 is a garden tractor produced between 1977 and 1978 in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA. It belongs to the manufacturer's 200 series and was designed for residential lawn care and grounds maintenance tasks.

Engine and Powertrain

The tractor is powered by an air-cooled, horizontal-shaft engine with a displacement of 305 cc (18.64 ci). It generates a gross power output of 8 hp (6.0 kW). The engine utilizes a Champion RJ-8 spark plug with a gap of 0.035 inches (0.889 mm). Maintenance requirements include an oil capacity of 1.2 liters and a recommended oil change interval of 25 hours. The fuel system is supported by a dry replaceable air cleaner.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The 208 model features a Peerless 2300 belt-driven gear transmission, providing 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The transmission system requires SAE 90 gear lubricant with a capacity of 1.7 liters. Power delivery to attachments is managed via a manual clutch and an independent mid-power take-off (PTO). The unit is configured with two-wheel drive and manual steering.

Dimensions and Chassis

This tractor has a wheelbase of 46 inches (116 cm) and an overall weight of 673 lbs (305 kg). Its physical dimensions are 67.5 inches (171 cm) in length, 41.5 inches (105 cm) in width, and 42 inches (106 cm) in height. It is equipped with an open operator station and utilizes lawn and turf tires, with standard front sizes of 4.80x4.00-8 or 16x6.50-8 and rear sizes of 23x8.50-12 or 23x10.50-12.

Electrical System

The electrical system operates on 12 volts, utilizing a negative ground. The battery is rated at 135 cold cranking amps (CCA) to ensure reliable starting performance.

Conclusion

The John Deere 208 serves as a compact, manual-steer garden tractor intended for light-duty landscaping and lawn maintenance. Its simple gear-driven transmission and straightforward design make it a functional machine for small-scale property owners.

Production Information of John Deere, 208

  • Garden tractor
  • Built in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA
ManufacturerJohn Deere

Dimension and Tires Information of John Deere, 208

Wheelbase46 inches [116 cm]
Weight673 lbs [305 kg]
Height42 inches [106 cm]
Length67.5 inches [171 cm]
Width41.5 inches [105 cm]
Lawn/turf front4.80x4.00-8
Lawn/turf rear23x10.50-12
Lawn/turf rear23x8.50-12
Lawn/turf front16x6.50-8

Engine Specifications of John Deere, 208

  • Air-cooled horizontal-shaft
SparkplugChampion RJ-8
Displacement305 cc [18.64 ci]
Oil capacity1.25 qts [1.2 L]
Air cleanerDry replaceable
Bore/Stroke2.9375x2.75 inches [75 x 70 mm]
Oil change25 h
Point gap0.020 inches [0.508 mm]
Sparkplug gap0.035 inches [0.889 mm]
Starter volts12
Idle RPM1700-3500
Power (gross)8 hp [6.0 kW]

Transmission Information of John Deere, 208

Transmission variants 1

TransmissionPeerless 2300
Oil typeSAE 90 Gear Lubricant
Oil capacity1.75 qts [1.7 L]
TypeBelt-driven gear
Type(optional)SAE 90 Gear Lubricant
Gears4 forward and 1 reverse

Mechanical Specs of John Deere, 208

  • Two-wheel drive
  • Manual steering
  • Open operator station.

Power Information of John Deere, 208

Mid PTOIndependent
ClutchManual

Electrical System of John Deere, 208

GroundNegative
Battery GroupU1
Battery CCA135
Battery volts12

Where it sits

With 8 HP, the John Deere 208 sits just below 210 (10 HP) in John Deere's range. Its power puts it in the 52th percentile of 1970s models in our database (1008 machines).

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the John Deere 208 have?

The John Deere 208 delivers 8 HP.

What years was the John Deere 208 produced?

The John Deere 208 was produced in 1977-1978.

What transmission does the John Deere 208 use?

The John Deere 208 uses a Peerless 2300 transmission.

How much does the John Deere 208 weigh?

The John Deere 208 weighs 673 lbs [305 kg].

Is the John Deere 208 4WD?

The John Deere 208 is available in 2WD.

Compare the John Deere 208 with another model