International Harvester B/BN
Built: 1940–1948 · Series: FARMALL-LETTERS-Baureihe
More machines from model year 1940
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International Harvester Farmall Letters Series (from 1939) - the letter series A to M: offset seat, high-clearance V versions, the MD as the first diesel row-crop tractor, 14 to 27 kW
The Farmall Letters series was International Harvester's reworking of the Farmall line from 1939, styled with input from industrial designer Raymond Loewy and, across the smaller types, featuring the characteristic offset driver's seat. The letters order the ascending power class - A and B as small tractors, H as mid-class and M as the large tractor - the suffix V denotes the high-clearance row-crop versions (AV, HV, MV), N the narrow-tread version (BN), and D the diesel engine: the 1941 Farmall MD was IH's first diesel row-crop tractor, started via a small petrol pony motor.
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The register lists 6 versions with 14 to 27.2 kW from four-cylinder engines of 1,853 to 4,059 cm³ at 1,400 to 1,650 rpm, kerb weights of 830 to 2,404 kg, lengths of 2,699 to 3,381 mm, widths of 1,419 to 2,146 mm and heights of 1,607 to 1,988 mm; the models mostly ran on distillate, kerosene or petrol, one on diesel.
With the Farmall Letters series, IH set the standard for the post-war row-crop tractor in North America - the letter in the model name became synonymous with an entire tractor generation that replaced pre-war narrow-front designs. The A and B were found on smaller farms and in orchards and vineyards, while the H and especially the M ranked among the most widely built American tractors of their era.
On a used example of these petrol/kerosene engines, check the cylinder head and carburettor; on the MD, also the starting system with its petrol pony motor and changeover valve; the belt pulley, steering gear and brakes; and corrosion on sheet metal and the seat mount. Parts supply through collectors and reproduction makers is as good for the Farmall Letters as for almost any other tractor series.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: International Harvester Farmall-Letters-Baureihe
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | Destillat/Kerosin/Benzincorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 19 hp (14 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,400 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 1,853 cm³correct |
| Bore | 76.2 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 101.6 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,740 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,013 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,651 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,848 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 830 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 6.00 x 12correct |
| Rear tyres | 8 x 24correct |
| Top speed | 17 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | offset designcorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 75.241 (BN: 14.967)correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 16.9 kW/t (14 kW / 0.8 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 6% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the International Harvester B/BN have?
The International Harvester B/BN delivers 19 hp.
How much does the International Harvester B/BN weigh?
The unladen weight is 830 kg.
What engine does the International Harvester B/BN have?
4 cylinders, 1,853 cm³ displacement, Destillat/Kerosin/Benzin.
How fast does the International Harvester B/BN go?
Top speed is 17 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the International Harvester B/BN?
2,740 mm × 2,013 mm × 1,651 mm.
When was the International Harvester B/BN built?
Production years: 1940–1948.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 21 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Values adopted and presented in our own form; changes from the source are possible. · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
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