Nebraska Tractor Test Results

TEST NO. 406

Model: John Deere R Diesel

John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works, Waterloo, Iowa

DATE TESTED: April 19 to April 28, 1949

Deere's first diesel tractor opened the 1949 testing season at the Tractor Test Laboratory.

Featuring a two-cylinder horizontal, I-head engine, this tractor was rated at 1,000 rpm and carried a 5.75 x 8 inch bore and stroke.
Also featured was a Deere-built two-cylinder starting engine with a 2-6/10 x 2-5/16 inch bore and stroke and a rated
speed of 4000 rpm. A glass sediment bowl broke during the limber-up run, otherwise no repairs or adjustments were
noted during 57 hours of engine operating time. Bare weight was 7,603 pounds. Standard equipment included 14-34
rear and 7.50-18 front tires. Advertised speeds of 2-1/8, 3-1/3, 4-1/4, 5-1/3 and 11-1/2 mph were provided. Third
gear was used for Test H. Results indicated a fuel economy of 15.19 horsepower hours per gallon of diesel fuel, along
with a rated output of 34.45 drawbar horsepower, a pull of 3140 pounds 4.11 mph and slippage of 4.7%. A Test G
maximum pull in low gear tallied 6,644 pounds at 1.88 mph with slippage of 15.01%. Tests B & C at 100% maximum
belt load indicated an economy of 17.35 horsepower hours per gallon at 48.58 horsepower, while Test D at a rated load
of 43.52 belt horsepower produced an economy of 17.63 horsepower hours per gallon of fuel.