John Deere 40
Built: 1952–1956 · Series: Number Series
← Predecessor: M · Successor: 420 →
More machines from model year 1952
John Deere 40 and 60 – the 1950s Number Series as the last two-cylinder generation: petrol, all-fuel or LPG, 17.1 to 27.5 kW
The Number Series replaced John Deere's Letter Series (models such as the A, B, G or H) as the type designation in the early 1950s and comprised the two-cylinder 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 models, before it was replaced in 1960 by the New Generation of Power with multi-cylinder engines. The Model 60 was available, besides petrol and all-fuel versions, also as an LPG version – a genuine option John Deere offered at the time.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 2 versions of 17.1 to 27.5 kW (23 to 37.4 hp) from two-cylinder engines of 1,647 to 5,256 cm³ at 975 to 1,850 rpm, torque from 208 to 340 Nm, unladen weights from 1,886 to 2,680 kg, lengths from 2,915 to 3,531 mm, widths from 1,410 to 2,200 mm and heights from 1,422 to 1,665 mm; the engine comes from John Deere itself.
As the last generation of the classic John Deere two-cylinder tractors, the 40 and 60 close out a design that had shaped the brand since the 1920s, before modern multi-cylinder engines took over; among collectors, the two-cylinder tractors nicknamed Johnny Poppers still stand as the brand's hallmark today.
On a used example of these two-cylinder machines, what counts above all is the condition of ignition and compression characteristic of this design, the state of clutch and gearbox, and, on the LPG version, the condition of tank and gas system; parts come through the well-organised North American Two-Cylinder collector market.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: John Deere Number Series, John Deere (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Engine make | John Deerecorrect |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Benzin, Vielstoffcorrect |
| Power | 23.2 hp (17.1 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,850 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 208 Nmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 2correct |
| Displacement | 1,647 cm³ (100.5 cu in)correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,915 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,410 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,422 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,781 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 533 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,886 kg (2,900 to 4,553 lbs)correct |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 4correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 5.00 x 15correct |
| Rear tyres | 10 x 24correct |
| Top speed | 20 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 39.7 l (10.5 gal)correct |
|---|
Origin and approval
| Plant | Dubuque, Iowa, USAcorrect |
|---|---|
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
| Units built | ca. 54.000correct |
Other data
| PTO speed | 540correct |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | John Deere Mcorrect |
| Successor | John Deere 420correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 9.1 kW/t (17 kW / 1.9 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 10% 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 40 have?
The John Deere 40 delivers 23.2 hp.
How much does the John Deere 40 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,886 kg.
What engine does the John Deere 40 have?
2 cylinders, 1,647 cm³ displacement, Benzin, Vielstoff.
How fast does the John Deere 40 go?
Top speed is 20 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the John Deere 40?
2,915 mm × 1,410 mm × 1,422 mm.
When was the John Deere 40 built?
Production years: 1952–1956.
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.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
Request a quote →
We ask the suppliers and come back with price and lead time.
Request spare parts →
This page carries 35 individual figures for this model. They come from 3 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
Missing a figure you were looking for? Report it →
Know this machine better? Have a photo, a manual, or know that a figure is wrong? Add it to the register →
Other models in this series
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.