John Deere L

Last Updated: July 2024

Overview

The John Deere Model L tractor, a staple in the Two-Cylinder Letter series, was a workhorse of its time, primarily used for utility purposes. Manufactured between 1937 and 1946 in Moline, Illinois, this tractor featured a 4x2 2WD chassis paired with manual steering and was commonly found in an open operator station setup. The Model L could be equipped with either a John Deere or Hercules gasoline engine, with variations including 0.9L and 1.1L displacement engines and either one or two cylinders across different versions. It utilized an unsynchronized gear transmission with a modest array of 3 forward and 1 reverse gears. Despite its age, the classic design of the L series remains noteworthy, and the tractor's specifications, such as its 10 quarts coolant capacity and tire sizes, reflect the era's agricultural machinery requirements. The tractor's maximum power output was 10.17 HP at 1950 RPM, as verified by Nebraska Tractor Test results. The physical dimensions of the tractor are concise, allowing it to perform well in a variety of farm tasks without excessive bulk.

Key Specifications

Category: Utility

Transmission: Unsynchronized gear

Drive Type: 2WD

Operating Weight: 1,515

Fuel Type: Gasoline

John Deere L vs. Similar Tractors

Operating Weight

Poor

Greater than 0% of similar tractors.

Technical Specifications

Engine

Manufacturer: Multiple (John Deere, Hercules)
Model: Multiple (John Deere, Hercules NXA, Hercules NXB)
Cooling Type: Liquid-cooled
Cylinder Orientation: Inline
Valve Configuration: -
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Induction Type: Naturally aspirated
Cylinders: 2 and 1 (different versions)
Displacement (ci): Multiple (56.5, 66.4)
Bore (in): Multiple (2.99, 3.27)
Stroke (in): 4.02
Rated RPM: 1950
Power Output (hp): -

Transmission

Type: Unsynchronized gear
Forward Gears: 3
Reverse Gears: 1
Total Gears: -

Dimensions

Length (in): 91
Width (in): 49
Height (in): 57
Operating Weight (lb): 1,515

Power Take-Off (PTO)

PTO Type: -
PTO Speed 1 (rpm): -
PTO Speed 2 (rpm): -
PTO Speed 3 (rpm): -

Miscellaneous

Chassis: 4x2 2WD
Drive Type: 2WD
Steering Type: Manual
Coolant Capacity (qts): 10
Front Tire Diameter (in): 15
Front Tire Width (in): 4
Rear Tire Diameter (in): 22
Rear Tire Width (in): 6
Front/Rear Rim Diameter (in): -
Tire Type: Ag
Manufacture - End Year: 1946
Hitch Type: -
Hitch Category: -
Hitch Position: -
Hitch Capacity (lb): -
Operator Station Type: Open
Starter Type: -
Brake Type: -
Hydraulic System Type: -

Test Results

Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory - Test Date: January 1938

Maximum Power and Fuel Consumption

Maximum Power: 10.17 HP (7.58 kW) at 1950 rpm
Fuel Consumption at Maximum Power: 1.125 Gal/hr (4.26 l/h) with a fuel efficiency of 0.471 lb/hp.hr (0.286 kg/kW.h)

Drawbar Performance

Power at Rated Engine Speed: 8.40 HP (6.26 kW) with a drawbar pull of 1160 lbs (5.16 kN) and a speed of 2.77 mph (4.46 km/h)
Fuel Consumption at Rated Speed: 0.548 lb/hp.hr (0.334 kg/kW.h) with a fuel efficiency of 13.41 Hp.hr/gal (2.64 kW.h/l)

Torque and Engine Performance

Maximum Torque: 25.0 lb.-ft. (33.9 Nm) at 1200 rpm
Torque Rise: Not specified in the provided results.

Hydraulic Performance

Pump Delivery Rate: Not specified in the provided results.

Overall Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency at Standard PTO Speed (1000 rpm): Not specified in the provided results.
Fuel Consumption: Not specified in the provided results.

Recommended Citation Format: Nebraska Tractor Test Lab. (1938). Test 313: John Deere L. Nebraska Tractor Tests, 49. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tractormuseumlit/49