
John Deere 40
Power
23 hp[B] hp
Production
1953-1955
Engine
2-cylinder 4-valve
Transmission
Gear
Drive
2WD
From the same series:
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
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Total built | 18,000 |
Dimension and Tires Information of John Deere, 40
| Front tread | 39.125 to 54 inches [99 to 137 cm (40S)] |
|---|---|
| Length | 130.625 inches [331 cm] |
| Height | 58.75 inches [149 cm] |
| Height(optional) | 55.5 inches (40S) [140 cm] |
| Height(optional) | 114.75 inches (40S) [291 cm] |
| Rear tread | 47.25 to 96 inches [120 to 243 cm (40T)] |
| Rear tread(optional) | 56 inches (40S) [142 cm] |
| Width | 89.75 inches [227 cm] |
| Rear tread | 38.75 to 54.128 inches [98 to 137 cm (40S)] |
| Ag front | 5.00-15 |
|---|---|
| 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 rear | 9-24 (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 clearance | 0.012 inches (cold) [0.305 mm] |
|---|---|
| Intake valve clearance | 0.012 inches (cold) [0.305 mm] |
| Compression | 6.5:1 |
| Starter volts | 6 |
| Firing order | 1-2 |
| Displacement | 100.5 ci [1.6 L] |
| Air cleaner | Oil bath |
| Rated RPM | 1850 |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.00x4.00 inches [102 x 102 mm] |
| Point gap | 0.022 inches [0.559 mm] |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.025 inches [0.635 mm] |
| Oil capacity | 5 qts [4.7 L] |
Transmission Information of John Deere, 40
Transmission variants 1
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Clutch | Dry disc |
| Type | Gear |
| Gears | 4 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 PTO | Transmission |
|---|---|
| Rear PTO Type | 540 |
Three-Point Hitch of John Deere, 40
| Rear Type | I |
|---|
Electrical System of John Deere, 40
| Ground | Positive |
|---|---|
| Battery volts | 6 |
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.