Two Cylinder Magazine

The Two-Cylinder
“Unstyled” Era

From the start of tractor production in 1923, until the introduction of the “styled” general-purpose Models “A” and “B” Tractors in mid-1938, all John Deere Tractors were unstyled. That is to say that they did not have much sheet metal (other than a hood, and sometimes fenders) and the radiator was exposed.

The mid-1938 introduction still left one general-purpose John Deere unstyled, the Model “G”, and it stayed that way through 1941. Beyond that point in time, only the standard-tread Models “AR”, “AO”, “BR”, and “BO” remained unstyled. The Model “D” had received its new sheet-metal look in April 1939, and the Model “H” began production life as a styled tractor that same year. The Model “L” of the John Deere Moline Tractor Works was also styled for the 1939 model year. No unstyled tractors were ever built at the John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works, which began operations in March 1947.

Fact is, six out of the nine basic “Lettered” Series Tractors had a go at being unstyled for at least awhile. One of them, the “GP” Series of 1928 to 1935, never even made it out of the Unstyled Era. But, in recent years, interest in unstyled tractors appears to be declining. Despite the fact that they’re smaller, easier to haul, and not nearly as prone to suffer sheet metal damage, the numbers of them at most tractor shows are diminishing. There is only so much room on the trailer, and perhaps the exhibitor would like to show a more recent project.

These days, it’s difficult to see a single good representative example of each regular production model at any one event. There was a time, two decades ago, that shows had an abundance of unstyled tractors on display. Even the legendary “D” of 1923 through 1938 has nearly faded from the scene. It would be nothing less than a darn shame if these tractors became all but forgotten over the next decade, but that’s the direction it seems to be going.

Some early tractor collectors had no interest (that’s putting it mildly) in styled tractors, and many more certainly did not believe that “Numbered” models should or would ever be part of the sport. Not only are numbered models eagerly sought after these days, they have become the primary focus of the majority of collectors. Add to that the increasing interest in New Generation Tractors with each passing year, and the focus on unstyled tractors dims even further.

Certainly, the scope of the hobby has broadened. Participants can now choose from the Waterloo Boys of the teens to the Generation II Tractors of the late 1970s, all the while staying within that 30-year standard that defines “vintage.” However, the important thing is that no gaps are left in the historical lineup. The Unstyled Era is so important to the legacy of John Deere, it might not be a bad idea to include at least one nice example in collections of later tractors.

Over the following thirteen pages is a brief pictorial review of the John Deere Tractors that made up the 25-year-long Unstyled Era. Hopefully, the article will spur renewed attention to them, as they were the beginning of what has now become a subject of worldwide interest.

Long-time readers will notice that several of the photographs used in this article have been published previously over the past 20 years. The reason is simply because the number of photos suitable for publication is limited. Like good farmland, there is only so much available. That’s why the feature articles in Two-Cylinder have, in recent years, headed in other directions. Rather than recycle images and information, we have chosen to go beyond tractors when seeking subject matter. That doesn’t mean the supply of vintage tractor photos has been exhausted; it’s just that several used here seemed to be the best for representing specific models.

So then, what about all of those comprehensive Feature Articles of the past; the ones that provided in-depth details on every basic model? Since they were published, there have been thousands of new enthusiasts enter the realm of vintage John Deere, and the information is as crucial to them as it was to earlier readers. Perhaps even more so, because the lineup of unmodified original tractors parked along fencerows and in the back corner of farm sheds has certainly dwindled, and newcomers to the hobby are just as interested as seasoned collectors when it comes to getting their restorations correct.

We’re working on a solution… Efforts are being made now to reproduce all of the Feature Articles of past issues, back through 1985, to make them available on two or three sets of CDs. Hopefully, the first ten-year set will be available by the end of this year, and at a very attractive low price. We’ll keep readers informed as to the progress of this project, which is now in the stage of reviewing each of the articles for the purpose of making updates and corrections. Meanwhile, we’ll continue our efforts of attempting to provide truly useful and informative articles that are an asset to the hobby. While it is recognized that not all subjects appeal to all readers, we nonetheless also believe that we have an obligation to do a thorough job of covering a wide range of subjects, all the while staying within the vintage John Deere product focus of this magazine.

The cutaway line art (above) with several parts identified, makes a good companion to the cutaway drawing below. While many key parts are not identified, or even seen in these right-hand views, they nonetheless help in visualizing the operation of the drive train. Both drawings were used in 1924 advertising material.

Top: Look carefully, and the top of the 26-inch flywheel (on the opposite side of the tractor) can be seen just to the right of the parts display board in this photo taken on May 28, 1924. Such displays would be of immense interest to spectators viewing exhibits at Two-Cylinder Expos. Exhibitors are welcomed and encouraged to be creative, even if they choose to use worn or damaged parts in such displays. Obviously, free-standing displays would need to be designed and constructed in a very stable and sturdy manner.

Left: This Perry, Minnesota, farmer managed to get his 1924 “D” caught in a stump hole, and even had a photo taken of the event. Not fully satisfied, he managed to tear the fenders off a short time later.

Bottom: By 1926, the spoke flywheel had been replaced with what is known as the “nickel-hole” flywheel, referring to its 5-cent-piece-sized stress-relief holes. The holes were later increased in size to two inches, but there were actually fewer nickel-hole “Ds” built than with the spoke flywheel. Other than the flywheel, the “D” continued on for awhile virtually unchanged. The front view of this 1926 model clearly shows the D776R Front Axle that was replaced and eventually superseded by the D1026R. Note that the fenders do not quite extend over the full width of the rear wheels.

Late in the 1928 production year, plenty of design changes were incorporated into the Model “D”: A deeper hood, wider fenders with narrower “ribs” set further apart, and a lip on the outside edge of the fenders instead of a wire bead. Also note the front wheels, with flat spokes set at an angle; and the new front-end support that moved the front axle forward several inches.

The AD243R Radiator Guard was an option through the end of 1930; designed to prevent corn stalks and brush from bending fins, and chaff or leaves from clogging air passages. Without the guard, only the simple AD619R Radiator Curtain was correct original equipment on pre-1931 models.

The lack of soil buildup between the lugs of the rear wheel and extension rim is due to the optional (and out-of-view) AD250R Drive Wheel Scrapers and AD251R Extension Rim Scrapers.

Collecting Model “D” Tractors has been a long-term passion for some notable collectors in this hobby, but is unfortunately now fading from the scene. These tractors are legendary, and a resurgence in interest would be of benefit to the overall knowledge of John Deere vintage product enthusiasts.

Beginning with the 1931 model year, the “D” got two stacks; intake on the right, exhaust on the left. For 1935, the spark-arrester muffler was replaced by the AD1203R Muffler Assembly shown here, and the transmission finally got its third forward speed. Rubber tires were becoming more popular and, early in 1935, the steering wheel finally was changed from all steel to rubber covered.

The implement shown is a No. 751 Five-Row Damming Lister designed to form pockets in the soil to collect winter snow and thus increase the moisture level for spring planting.

The last unstyled “D” was serial number 143568, built March 28, 1939.

Awhile after the 1937 “D” was in production, a “running change” was made to replace the radiator guard and curtain with a radiator shutter. The control handle can be seen at the left. Note the placement of the “Model-D” stencil.

Those not familiar with the “D” are typically surprised by the seemingly awkward operator’s position and lack of visibility, but then these tractors weren’t intended for row-crop cultivating. However, earlier Model “D” Tractors could be equipped with wheel and axle equipment to cultivate listed crops.

In 1929, the year the Great Depression began, almost 24,000 Model “D” Tractors were produced, making it the biggest year ever for the legendary machine. In 1933, total John Deere Tractor production, including the “GP” Series, was just 765.

Deere’s first general-purpose tractor got off to a slow start. After three years of development and many attempts in arriving at a satisfactory tractor, including a name change from “All-Crop” to Model “C”, production officially began at serial number 200111 on March 15, 1928. Recognizing that a number of design changes still needed to be made, the “C” was short lived. Production stopped on April 20, 1928, at serial number 200202. It was to be replaced by the very similar looking Model “GP”, meaning “General Purpose,” the following August.

One of the design peculiarities of the “C” was the “pogo-stick” seat suspension, complete with a mostly ineffective spring in the telescoping assembly. Due to their rarity, Model “C” Tractors are among the most valuable collectibles in the John Deere Tractor lineup. Fewer than 20 are known to exist.

The Standard-Tread “GP” was also a row-crop tractor intended for cultivating; one row centered under the tractor, and one at each side. Many design changes tend to divide the eight-year production run into three groups: 1928–1929, 1930, 1931–1935. While the early “D” was also known as the “15-27” (15 drawbar horsepower, 27 belt horsepower), the “C” and “GP” were also known as the “10-20”.

The “GP” shown here fits the early group, and it is having no problem at all saving the farmer a lot of time and effort by handling both the No. 10 Corn Picker and a wagon.

For most of 1930, the intake stack passed through a hole in the “GP” hood and a bail wire held the radiator cap in place. For whatever reason, even though over ten thousand “GP” Standards were built in 1930, they tend to be rather scarce.

Towards the end of 1930 production, a six-inch bore was adopted and the water-injection system was dropped. The first of the six-inch-bore “GPs” are of the rare “crossover”-style manifold version. The implement is a GP301 Series Cultivator.

The “GP” Series Tractors were designed with a “flathead” (valve-in-block) engine to keep the tractor short and compact. Ironically, the original air-intake system was so much of a problem that it was moved from behind the radiator to a stack, so an overhead-valve engine could have fit in the first place. Perhaps this and other design problems were a good thing, because Deere engineers sure scrambled to develop the superb “A” and “B” Series to replace the “GPs” in 1934 and 1935. Despite the problematic reputation of the tractors, “GP” enthusiasts are among the most devoted of all John Deere collectors.

....continnues