Introduction
John Deere 520 Row-Crop Tractor
The John Deere 520 is a row-crop tractor manufactured between 1956 and 1958 at the company's facility in Waterloo, Iowa. Part of the John Deere 500 series, this model was designed as a versatile, two-wheel-drive machine for general agricultural tasks.
Engine and Performance
The tractor is powered by a liquid-cooled, two-cylinder, four-valve engine with a displacement of 189.8 cubic inches (3.1 liters). It operates at a rated speed of 1325 RPM and produces 41 horsepower. The engine configuration utilizes a firing order of 1-2 and features specific maintenance intervals for its point gap of 0.022 inches and spark plug gap of 0.030 inches.
Transmission and Drivetrain
Power is transferred through an unsynchronized gear transmission providing six forward speeds and one reverse speed, managed by a dry disc clutch. The tractor utilizes a two-wheel-drive system. Steering is manual, with optional power steering available for improved maneuverability during field operations.
Hydraulics and PTO
The machine is equipped with an independent rear power take-off (PTO) operating at 540 RPM, allowing for the consistent operation of implements. The hydraulic system has a total fluid capacity of 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters). A Category II rear hitch was available as an optional feature to facilitate implement attachment.
Dimensions and Chassis
The John Deere 520 features a wheelbase of 90 inches and a ground clearance of 24.75 inches. Its base weight is 4,960 lbs, which can be increased to 6,600 lbs with ballasting. The chassis is configured with an open operator station and uses differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes.
Conclusion
With 13,048 units produced in various fuel configurations—including gasoline, LP-gas, and all-fuel—the John Deere 520 served as a reliable utility tractor for mid-century farms. Its combination of structural weight and mechanical simplicity makes it a representative example of 1950s American tractor engineering.
Production Information of John Deere, 520
- Row-Crop tractor
- Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer(optional) | 12,040 (gasoline) |
| Total built | 13,048 (total) |
| Original price | $2,300 (1958) |
| Original price(optional) | 764 (LP-gas) |
Dimension and Tires Information of John Deere, 520
| Ground clearance | 24.75 inches [62 cm] |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 90 inches [228 cm] |
| Weight | 4,960 lbs [2249 kg] |
| Height | 83.325 inches [211 cm] |
| Length | 132.75 inches [337 cm] |
| Ballasted weight | 6,600 lbs [2993 kg] |
| Width | 86.625 inches [220 cm] |
| Ag front | 5.50-16 |
|---|---|
| Ag rear | 12.4-36 |
Engine Specifications of John Deere, 520
- John Deere
- Liquid-cooled
- LP gas
- 2-cylinder 4-valve
| Point gap | 0.022 inches [0.559 mm] |
|---|---|
| Firing order | 1-2 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 7 qts [6.6 L] |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Displacement | 189.8 ci [3.1 L] |
| Rated RPM | 1325 |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.6875x5.50 inches [119 x 140 mm] |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.030 inches [0.762 mm] |
| Point gap | 0.022 inches [0.559 mm] |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.030 inches [0.762 mm] |
Transmission Information of John Deere, 520
Transmission variants 1
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
|---|---|
| Clutch | Dry disc |
| Type | Unsynchronized gear |
| Gears | 6 forward and 1 reverse |
Mechanical Specs of John Deere, 520
- Two-wheel drive
- Open operator station.
- Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes
| Steering | Manual |
|---|---|
| Steering(optional) | Power optional |
Power Information of John Deere, 520
| Rear PTO | Independent |
|---|---|
| Rear PTO Type | 540 |
Hydraulics Specifications of John Deere, 520
| Capacity | 2.5 gal [9.5 L] |
|---|
Three-Point Hitch of John Deere, 520
| Rear Type(optional) | II |
|---|
Electrical System of John Deere, 520
| Ground | Positive |
|---|---|
| Batteries | 2 |
| Battery volts | 6 |
Where it sits
With 41 hp[B] HP, the John Deere 520 sits between 420 (31 HP) and 620 (53 HP) in John Deere's range. Its power puts it in the 58th percentile of 1950s models in our database (592 machines).
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the John Deere 520 have?
The John Deere 520 delivers 41 hp[B] HP.
What years was the John Deere 520 produced?
The John Deere 520 was produced in 1956-1958.
What engine does the John Deere 520 have?
The John Deere 520 is powered by a LP gas, 2-cylinder 4-valve engine.
What transmission does the John Deere 520 use?
The John Deere 520 uses a Unsynchronized gear transmission.
How much does the John Deere 520 weigh?
The John Deere 520 weighs 4,960 lbs [2249 kg].
Is the John Deere 520 4WD?
The John Deere 520 is available in 2WD.