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The John Deere
Model "D" Tractors
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The John Deere Model "D"
It is 1923 and the times are changing. No more Waterloo boy tractors are being built by John Deere but successful testing on the model "D" prototypes are over and production can now begin.
The central and western plains are becoming the bread basket that is starting to produce the world's food. More and bigger power are being required to turn the sod and plant and harvest the crops that can grow in these rich and fertile lands.
The John Deere Company has built an entirely new tractor from stem to stern. A new side by side two cylinder motor is developed for this new model and the chain drive system, that is sealed and runs in oil, is a left over from the last Waterloo Boys built. The last Waterloo Boy had a serial number of 30400 and the first production model "D" sold, started with 30401.
The first 50, built in 1923, could be exacted apart by the "ladder" side radiator and fabracated front axle. All 1923 - 1925 models had a spoked flywheel, and became known as the "spoker D's". The first thicker and smaller spoked flywheel model, to be the same weight, was shipped to California on October, 8, 1924, number 31280, to allow a PTO to be installed on the side of the transmission. The installation of the PTO also required some modifications to the steering to accomodate this feature. The first "D" with a solid flywheel left the factory on Jan. 2, 1926. Two speed transmission was introduced in 1926. Splined flywheel and crankshaft in 1927. Also in 1927, the bore was increased to 6.75, which remained the same to their end of production in 1953. In 1928 a three speed transmission, improvements to the platform, fenders and an enclosed PTO were being tested. The three speed never found an adoption in the unstyled models of 1929 but all other improvements did.
Some experimenting was done with, "half track" type rear drives and three power units with transmissions were shipped to Washington State, to Lindeman Power Company, to be outfitted with full length tracks. Sure would like to get my hands on one of those. Go good with my standard "Lindie" .
The Depression had it's effect on the company and sales were bad for a couple years. However things got back to normal about 1934 and again the company was in full production. The first (Depression "D") was serial #115300, produced in 1931, and the last one built was # 116272, in 1934. The three speed was adopted at this time and rubber tires were becoming more popular.
The "D" could always be used as an industrial tractor but in 1935 there was a line of "D's" produced, and painted yellow, and given the designation of "DI". the "I" stood for Industrial. The only changes that depicted it from other model "D's" was the paint, frame and seat. It had a cushion seat with a back rest that was situated at right angle to the tractor's mainframe. Only 100 were built through 1941, even after the regular unstyled model "D" ended in 1938, the industrial model remained an unstlyed until 1941
1939 brought styling along with many other advancements such as electric starting and lights. Along came another war, WW11, that clamped off the rubber tires, anything copper and any price increases during the war. The Deere "D" continued to advance with individual brakes that could be operated either by foot or hand. These brakes were optional only and had to be ordered. Different size drive chain sprockets could be ordered for faster or slower speeds. So! All you "D" people out there. Be sure you know the tooth count when ordering from your supplier.
The Model "D" was in production longer than any other tractor model, including all other make models. (1923 to 1953)
The demand was so great for the Model "D", that even after they had officially ceased building them, they found that there were enough spare parts in inventory to build another 92 tractors. Because of the orders still pouring in, even after production had ceased, these parts were moved to the alley (street) between two of the buildings that were used to build the model "D" tractors, that were now renovating for other production. These 92 tractors were assembled in the street with regular hand tools, thus these tractors were and still are called, (streeter D's).
Data
- 1923-1927 (unstyled)
Cubic inch--465
Serial numbers --30401-53387
Bore & Stroke---6.50 x 7.00
RPM --------------800
HP--Drawbar---22.53--------- Nebraska Testing-- ------PTO------30.40
Price 1924----$1000
Weight--------4,403 pounds- 1927 - 1953 (1939 to 1953 were styled)
Cubic inch--501
Serial numbers --53388 - 191670
Bore & Stroke---6.75 x 7.00
RPM --------------800
HP--Drawbar---28.53--------- Nebraska Testing-- ------PTO------36.98
Price 1946----$1445
Weight--------4,917 pounds
