Charlie Story’s nicely unrestored Johnny Popper is apparently a regular at the Foothills Antique Power Association of NC’s annual show, thing is, I didn’t realize it when I started working on this post. I like machines that are left in their original colors so I decided to use some photos from the 2017 show. Problem was there wasn’t any identifying information displayed on the tractor.
No doubt there are plenty of EXPERTS out there who can identify a tractor right down to it’s model, serial number and the day and time it rolled off the assembly line by looking at a single nut or bolt that you’re holding in your hand but I’m not one of them. I have to do it the hard way. With luck you might find a data plate like the one in this photo behind the flywheel. In the original file it can be enlarged on the computer until the numbers are just almost readable. I say almost because I still couldn’t tell for certain if the serial number was 251882 or 254982 but at least it was a start.
The Model A was one of Deere and Co.’s greatest hits with 300,000 units produced during production that that ran from 1934 to 1952. The row crop version was easily the favorite but a number of variants were also available. These include the AR : regular or standard front axle, AO: orchard model, AOS: a narrow orchard version, AW: adjustable wide front, AN: with a single front wheel, AWH: adjustable wide front high crop, ANH: single front wheel high crop, and AI: standard front industrial. No doubt there are other versions but these were the ones I’ve been able to find reference to. This tractor clearly isn’t a row crop or single front but it could be among one of the standard tread versions. Time to look for a serial number list.
List I found at www.yesterdaystractors.com and www.greencollectors.com and both have AO and AR models beginning at 250000 in 1936 and running to 255416 in 1938. While browsing the current issue of Antique Power Magazine I chanced upon an ad for an upcoming Mecum Auction where a 1936 model AI sn 252781 was going on the block. By this point I felt fairly confident that this tractor fell within this bracket but I still wanted to check what should have been the definitive information source.
The number one source for information about Deere products should be visitjohndeere.com . After all, who has better access to company documents? If you’re looking for information a visit is sure to disappoint because you won’t find it here. Really John, is this the best you can do for all your loyal fans?
It was about this point that I remembered that I had seen this tractor before. I opened the file that contained the photos from the FAPA 2015 show and sure enough, there it was, complete with a sign that read 1936 John Deere AR. Ok, now it’s time to go look for some info on the 36 AR.
The standard tread versions: AR, AO and AI were in production from 1935 to 1952 with a total of 34,074 units built. The price tag on the last year model in 52 was $2,400. Physical dimensions: length, 124 inches, width, 83”, height, 60” weight 3783 pounds.
The A row crop version was shipped to Nebraska in 1934 and evaluated in test number 222. It was powered by a John Deere horizontal two cylinder liquid cooled engine with a bore of 5 ½” and a stroke of 6 ½” for 5.1 L or 309 cu in. Maximum horsepower ratings were 16.22 drawbar and 23.52 on the belt at 975 rpm. Valve port dimensions were, inlet: 1 ⅞” , exhaust: 1 ⅝” . It was fed by a Schebler carburetor model DLTX 8. A Fairbanks-Morse mod. DRV2A magneto provided ignition. The air cleaner was a Vortex No. 2071D oil washed wire filter. It rumbled along at 2 ⅓ mph in first, 3 mph in second, 4 ¾ mph in third and 6 ¼ mph in fourth. Reverse was 3 ½ mph.
Additional resources:
University of Nebraska Lincoln Test No. 222
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment or send an email to: stevedritch@gmail.com