Name/Title
Tractor - John Deere, Model H, Year 1941Entry/Object ID
1974.083.1Description
The John Deere Model H was manufactured to "meet the demands of small-acreage farmers everywhere for a tractor that will handle all power jobs at rock-bottom cost, and meet the demands of the large-acreage farmers who have always wanted and needed economical auxiliary power to handle lighter farm jobs, John Deere offers the new one-two plow Model H". Quoted from a 1939 sales brochure introducing the new tractor.
The main goals of the Model H design were to lower the operating costs by the use of low-cost distillate fuels, lower the purchase price through simplified design, and improve the usability via a 3-speed transmission and adjustable wheel spacing. The Model H is unique among the General Purpose tractors because power was taken off the camshaft instead of the crankshaft. This reduced the output speed of the engine, and the usual bull gears at each axle were no longer required.
Four versions of the Model H were produced: The Model H (a dual narrow-front row crop), the Model HN (same as the Model H but with a single front wheel), the Model HWH (same as the Model H but had 8-38 rear tires and an adjustable wide front axle), and the Model HNH (same as the HWH except with a single front wheel).
Approximately 60,000 of the Model H were built. New (in 1940) the tractor cost around $650.00
