Classic John Deere Tractors: The First 100 Years Book

MODELS A, AN, AW, ANH, AND AWH, 1935–1938

In 1935, the AN, a single-front-wheel version of the Model A, was introduced, followed shortly by the AW with a wide-adjustable front axle. Both models were available with either steel wheels or rubber tires.

In 1937, the Hi-Crop ANH and AWH were added to the lineup, featuring rubber tires only, and were built after the change from ten- to twelve-spline rear axles at number 460000. These tractors provided greater clearance for special crops such as bedded crops. The rear wheels had 40-inch (100-cm) centers instead of the standard 36 inches (90 cm).

MODELS BN, BW, AND BW-40 SHORT FRAME, 1935–1937

Shortly after the production of the four-bolt B, a BN option was introduced and marketed as the B Garden Tractor in advertising literature. It was designed for beet, lettuce, and vegetable growers, for crops grown in 28-inch (70-cm)-wide rows or less.

In February 1935, a third alternative to the basic B, the wide-front axle BW, was offered, along with the use of eight-bolt pedestal fixing. In 1936, six special wide-front-axle models were built with narrower axles, now known as the BW-40.

MODELS B, BN, BW, BNH, BWH, AND BWH-40 FOUR- AND SIX-SPEED, 1938–1946

The B model was used for styling experiments, and both the restyled A and B were announced at the same time. The B's power was increased by adding an extra 0.25 inch (6.25 mm) to both bore and stroke, resulting in increased power on steels from 11.84 to 14.03 drawbar hp and 16.01 to 18.53 belt hp or 16.44 drawbar hp on rubber tires.

Twelve-spline rear axles, as fitted to the unstyled BNH and BWH, replaced the ten-spline of the earlier models, and the whole back end was strengthened. The B series was offered in 1940 with electric starting and lighting and a long hood. It was also changed from 36- to 38-inch (90- to 95-cm) rear wheels.

The 1941 model had an extension to its muffler, and rubber-tired versions received a six-speed transmission like the A. Material shortages during the war made the fitting of pressure radiators necessary from numbers 148500 to 166999. The PTO on the B was increased to 13/8 inches (84.375 mm) from number 149700 to remain in line with the competition, but war conditions resulted in no further changes.

The styled B was available as a twin-front B, single-front BN, normal wide-axle BW, BNH and BWH Hi-Crops, and a special BWH-40 with 42-inch (105-cm) rear tread for 40-inch (100-cm) bed crops; only twelve BWH-40 tractors were built. The rear tires were officially 36 inches (90 cm) on standard models and 40 inches (100 cm) on the Hi-Crops, all of which were rubber tired. Powr-Trol became an option from October 1945.

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