John Deere R
Built: 1949–1954 · Series: Letter Series
More machines from model year 1949
John Deere Letter Series (1923–1954) – the two-cylinder era: Model D as Deere's first own tractor, GP, A, B, G, H, L, M and R, the letter as model type, kerosene, petrol and the first diesel, all with two cylinders
The letter models are the tractors that made John Deere a tractor maker: the Model D of 1923 was the first tractor Deere designed itself in Waterloo after the company had bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and its Waterloo Boy in 1918, and it stayed in production for thirty years until 1953. The General Purpose of 1928 was the company's first row-crop tractor, the Model A of 1934 and Model B of 1935 the pre-war best sellers, the G of 1937 the large row-crop tractor, the H of 1939 the small one, the L of 1937 and M of 1947 the small tractors for vegetable growing and yard work, the R of 1949 Deere's first diesel, started with a petrol pony motor. At Deere the letter is not a size code but the model identifier – A is bigger than B, but G bigger than both. Common to all is the horizontal two-cylinder engine Deere stayed loyal to until 1960 and to which the tractors owe their nickname Johnny Popper; rated speeds lie between 800 and 1,550 rpm, fuels range from kerosene and distillate through petrol to the diesel of the R.
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The register lists 9 versions with 7.8 to 36.3 kW from two-cylinders of 927 to 7,613 cm³, unladen weights from 989 to 3,357 kg, lengths from 2,311 to 3,734 mm, widths from 1,245 to 2,150 mm and heights from 1,270 to 1,984 mm.
The letter models are North America's most-collected tractors; the Model A was built in over 300,000 units, the Model B in even more.
On used tractors, originality, compression and carburettor, ignition (magneto), clutch (hand clutch via flywheel), gearbox and sheet metal count; parts and reproductions are widely available through collector dealers.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: John Deere Letter Series, John Deere Model D (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 49.3 hp (36.3 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,000 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 2correct |
| Displacement | 6,808 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,734 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,019 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,984 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,162 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 3,357 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 5correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 7.50 x 18correct |
| Rear tyres | 14 x 34correct |
| Top speed | 18 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 83.3 lcorrect |
|---|
Origin and approval
| Units built | 21,293correct |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 10.8 kW/t (36 kW / 3.4 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 33% 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 John Deere R have?
The John Deere R delivers 49.3 hp.
How much does the John Deere R weigh?
The unladen weight is 3,357 kg.
What engine does the John Deere R have?
2 cylinders, 6,808 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the John Deere R go?
Top speed is 18 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the John Deere R?
3,734 mm × 2,019 mm × 1,984 mm.
When was the John Deere R built?
Production years: 1949–1954.
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 22 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; 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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Tractor in 3D section
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