Hobbies And Interests
First Applications
The John Deere model D tractor used the two-cylinder engine from 1924 to 1953. Over the course of the 20-year production of this tractor, several engine improvements were made, including increased horsepower and improved safety features. The 1923 hand-cranked engine was rated at 27 belt horsepower. Belt horsepower is determined by measuring the torque produced when the tractor engine turns a drum with a flat belt. Many of the early implement attachments were powered by a large flat belt driven by the tractor engine.
Early Engine Specifications
The first two-cylinder engines had a bore and stroke of 6.5-by-7.0 inches. Bore is the measure of the cylinder diameter, and stroke is the distance the piston travels within the cylinder. The engine bore was later changed to 6.75 inches. Engines manufactured for the 1925 model D Industrial tractor had a 465-cubic-inch engine, with a bore and stroke of 6.5-by-7.0 inches.
Engine Variations
By 1930, John Deere was producing 50 different tractor models designed to meet a full range of agricultural and industrial applications. An example of an engine variation was a 501-cubic-inch engine rated at 42 horsepower. Another variation was the 1934 model C, equipped with a 312-cubic-inch engine rated at 20 horsepower. In 1938, John Deere tractors went through a major restyling to give them a modern look. Other improvements included four- and six-speed transmissions for more efficient use of the increased horsepower.
Johnny Poppers
Two-cylinder John Deere tractors were affectionately known as "Johnny Poppers" because of the distinctive sound created by the engine and emitted through the exhaust. The distinctive sound of these tractors were a familiar and friendly sound all across the nation for nearly 40 years. Beginning in 1957, John Deere began producing the 20-series model line. The 820 had the most powerful two-cylinder engine John Deere produced, at 70 horsepower. The 1958 through 1961 30-series tractors were the last tractors manufactured with the two-cylinder engine.
Diesel Engine
The Model R was introduced in 1949 with John Deere's first true diesel two-cylinder engine. This early engine produced 34 horsepower, but later versions produced up to 55 horsepower. The diesel engine made the tractor very heavy, providing excellent pulling capacity. The two-cylinder diesel engine had a distinctive sound, similar to its gasoline counterpart. By the time John Deere finished producing two-cylinder tractor engines, over 1 million tractors were manufactured and in use in every part of the world.