John Deere 40 tractor

John Deere 40

Power

23 hp[B] hp

Production

1953-1955

Engine

2-cylinder 4-valve

Transmission

Gear

Drive

2WD

From the same series:

50

Introduction

John Deere 40 Utility Tractor

The John Deere 40 was a utility tractor manufactured in Dubuque, Iowa, between 1953 and 1955. Serving as the successor to the John Deere M, this model was produced in various configurations, including standard (40S), utility, high-crop, and crawler (40C) variants, with a total production run of 18,000 units.

Engine and Performance

The tractor is powered by a liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-valve all-fuel engine with a displacement of 100.5 cubic inches (1.6 liters). It operates at a rated speed of 1850 RPM and features a compression ratio of 6.5:1. The engine design incorporates an oil bath air cleaner for durability in dusty agricultural conditions.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The drivetrain utilizes a two-wheel drive configuration paired with a manual gear-type transmission. It offers four forward gears and one reverse gear, controlled by a dry disc clutch. This setup provides the necessary mechanical leverage for standard utility tasks of the era.

Operating Systems and PTO

The machine features manual steering and an open operator station. Power take-off (PTO) is provided via a transmission-driven rear shaft operating at a standard 540 RPM, allowing for the operation of various mounted and trailed implements. The tractor utilizes a 6-volt electrical system with a positive ground.

Dimensions and Adjustability

The John Deere 40 offers significant adjustability for row-crop applications. The front tread is adjustable from 39.125 to 54 inches, while the rear tread can be varied between 47.25 and 96 inches depending on the specific model variant. The tractor has an overall length of 130.625 inches and a width of 89.75 inches.

Conclusion

The John Deere 40 remains a notable utility tractor of the mid-1950s, valued for its versatility across different agricultural and light industrial applications. Its combination of a simple 2-cylinder engine and adjustable tread widths made it a practical choice for farmers during its production years.

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Production Information of John Deere, 40

  • Original price was $1,500 in 1954
  • Utility tractor
  • The John Deere model 40 was the replacement for the M. The 40 variants included the 40S standard, utility, high-crop, 2-row utility, and a crawler model (the 40C). The 40C and the utility were used as industrial models, although there was no official John Deere designation for 40 industrial models.
  • Built in Dubuque, Iowa, USA
ManufacturerJohn Deere
Total built18,000

Dimension and Tires Information of John Deere, 40

Front tread39.125 to 54 inches [99 to 137 cm (40S)]
Length130.625 inches [331 cm]
Height58.75 inches [149 cm]
Height(optional)55.5 inches (40S) [140 cm]
Height(optional)114.75 inches (40S) [291 cm]
Rear tread47.25 to 96 inches [120 to 243 cm (40T)]
Rear tread(optional)56 inches (40S) [142 cm]
Width89.75 inches [227 cm]
Rear tread38.75 to 54.128 inches [98 to 137 cm (40S)]
Ag front5.00-15
Ag front(optional)11-24 (40S/U)
Ag front(optional)10-24 (40S/U)
Ag front(optional)6.00x16
Ag front(optional)9-34 (40W/T/V)
Ag front(optional)11-26 (40U)
Ag rear9-24 (40S)
Ag rear(optional)10-38 (40H)
Ag rear(optional)10-34 (40W/V/T)
Ag rear(optional)13-26 (40U)

Engine Specifications of John Deere, 40

  • John Deere
  • Liquid-cooled
  • 2-cylinder 4-valve
  • All-fuel
Exhaust valve clearance0.012 inches (cold) [0.305 mm]
Intake valve clearance0.012 inches (cold) [0.305 mm]
Compression6.5:1
Starter volts6
Firing order1-2
Displacement100.5 ci [1.6 L]
Air cleanerOil bath
Rated RPM1850
Bore/Stroke4.00x4.00 inches [102 x 102 mm]
Point gap0.022 inches [0.559 mm]
Sparkplug gap0.025 inches [0.635 mm]
Oil capacity5 qts [4.7 L]

Transmission Information of John Deere, 40

Transmission variants 1

ManufacturerJohn Deere
ClutchDry disc
TypeGear
Gears4 forward and 1 reverse

Mechanical Specs of John Deere, 40

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

Power Information of John Deere, 40

Rear PTOTransmission
Rear PTO Type540

Three-Point Hitch of John Deere, 40

Rear TypeI

Electrical System of John Deere, 40

GroundPositive
Battery volts6

Where it sits

With 23 hp[B] HP, the John Deere 40 sits between M (22 HP) and 50 (31 HP) in John Deere's range. Its power puts it in the 17th percentile of 1950s models in our database (592 machines).

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the John Deere 40 have?

The John Deere 40 delivers 23 hp[B] HP.

What years was the John Deere 40 produced?

The John Deere 40 was produced in 1953-1955.

What engine does the John Deere 40 have?

The John Deere 40 is powered by a 2-cylinder 4-valve engine.

What transmission does the John Deere 40 use?

The John Deere 40 uses a Gear transmission.

Is the John Deere 40 4WD?

The John Deere 40 is available in 2WD.

Compare the John Deere 40 with another model