John Deere Modell-Y
Built: 1936 · Series: LETTERS-SERIE
More machines from model year 1936
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
John Deere Letters series – the A to H range from Waterloo, Iowa: two-cylinder tractors from 1923 to 1960, here with the C, L/LA and Y models, 10.7 to 18.6 kW, petrol and petrol/kerosene operation
In 1918 John Deere took over the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company in Iowa and from 1923, with the Model D, launched its first tractor range under its own name; the following letters A, B, G, H, L, M and R ordered the size classes of the so-called Letters series until 1960, when the new generation with four- and six-cylinder engines replaced it. The hallmark of the range was the horizontal two-cylinder engine, whose distinctive exhaust beat earned the nickname 'Johnny Popper'. This page carries the Model C as an early version ahead of the later General Purpose range, the compact Model L/LA and the small Model Y, from which the L range descended.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 3 versions with 10.7 to 18.6 kW output at 950 to 1,850 rpm, from horizontal two-cylinders of 1,261 to 5,110 cm³. Unladen weights range from 609 to 1,935 kg, lengths from 2,311 to 2,845 mm, widths from 1,194 to 1,524 mm and heights from 1,270 to 1,524 mm; two of the three models ran on petrol, one on a dual-fuel setup with petrol for starting and kerosene for continuous running.
The Letters series made John Deere one of North America's leading tractor brands through the 1920s to 1950s; the simple, rugged two-cylinder with its distinctive engine note became a brand hallmark that still delights collectors and vintage-tractor enthusiasts today.
On a used purchase, the condition of cylinder liners and crankshaft counts, the tightness of the fuel changeover and carburettor on the petrol/kerosene models, the pulley and clutch, and rust on sheet metal and the radiator; parts for the Letters series now run mainly through vintage-tractor specialists and Deere collector clubs.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: John Deere Letters-Serie, John Deere (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | petrolcorrect |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 2correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,311 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,245 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,270 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 445 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 609 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 3 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 4.00 x 15correct |
| Rear tyres | 6.00 X 22correct |
Origin and approval
| Construction | frame constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 26correct |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the John Deere Modell-Y weigh?
The unladen weight is 609 kg.
What engine does the John Deere Modell-Y have?
2 cylinders, Benzin.
What are the dimensions of the John Deere Modell-Y?
2,311 mm × 1,245 mm × 1,270 mm.
When was the John Deere Modell-Y built?
Production years: 1936.
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 14 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: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.