The John Deere Model A was the first actual row-crop tractor of the company, and was produced from 1934 to 1952. The A had a few new features, including an adjustable rear axle on most versions, a completely hydraulic power lift system, and a center-line hitch. It also had two 14-inch plows. Not only was the Model A the first technical row-crop tractor for John Deere, but it was the first John Deere released with rubber tires.
Over the years, the two-wheel drive Model A had multiple upgrades, such as an optional electric start, a six-speed transmission, and more powerful engines. When the A was first released, it was 3,783 pounds, 10.33 feet long, 6.92 feet wide, and five feet tall. At the end of the Model A’s run, the weight had been increased to 5,228 pounds. The length had gained ten inches, making it 11.17 feet long.
The original engine, used until 1940, was a horizontal, distillate-fuel engine with two cylinders and four valves. The A had a bore and stroke of 5.50×6.50 inches, a compression ratio of 4.45:1, and a displacement of 309ci. It had a manual starter at the flywheel until the new engine was released with an optional electric start. After the engine upgrades, the Model A had a twin-cylinder gasoline engine that had a bore and stroke of 5.50×6.75 inches, a compression ratio of 5.60:1, and a displacement of 321ci.
When the John Deere A was first on the market, it had a four forward-speed transmission with one reverse speed. In 1941, however, the transmission got upgraded to a six forward-speed transmission with one reverse speed. In 1934, the A was tested and had a Belt power of 24.71hp, PTO power of 23.63hp, max Drawbar power of 18.72hp, and a maximum Drawbar pull of 2,923 pounds. Later in 1947, with the six-speed transmission, the A had a maximum Belt power of 38.02hp, PTO power of 33.8hp, maximum Drawbar power of 34.14hp, and a maximum Drawbar pull of 4,045 pounds.