New York State Two Cylinder Expo
Feature Tractors 2027
High Crop & Snowmobiles
In 1935, prior to the introduction of the Model G, John Deere produce experimental units, known as the "KX". In 1937 John Deere officially introduced the Model G (un-styled) tractor. The Model G featured a higher clearance design, allowing it to pass over crops such as corn and sugar beets without damaging them. It also offered greater power at the belt and drawbar compared to earlier models. The design philosophy of the High-Crop Model G led to the introduction of the Model A and B High-Crops.
Introduced in July of 1950, the Model A High-Crop was a significant step in American agricultural history, offering a versatile, cost-effective tractor for high-crop operations. Teh Model A High-Crop had a 33-inch vertical clearance at the axles, 7:70-20 front wheels and a choice of cane or choice tires. The tractor was advertised as the "Famous Model A" on stilts. 246 gasoline and 181 all-fuel A High-Crops were built.
The styled B tractors were introduced in July of 1938 as 1939 models. This included the narrow front B (BNH) and the wide front B (BWH). The BNH had a single front wheel and high clearance and the BWH had an adjustable front end and high clearance. The BWH-40 was also available as a variation of the BWH. A special narrow tread rear axle housing was used on the BWH-40. This enabled the rear wheels to be spaced as closely as 42 inches. It was intended for vegetable growers that planted crops on 40-inch beds or 20-inch rows. Fenders were standard equipment on the BWH-40 to protect the operator when the rear wheels were in the narrowest position. Only rubber tires were available on the BHN, BWH, and BWH-40. Also, the hydraulic power lift was standard the BNH and the BWH. To give the BHN and BWH more traction and floatation, and slightly more clearance under the rear axle, 11-38 rear tires mounted on cast wheels was an option. According to records, 136,863 Model B tractors were produced. Of these 446 were BNH, 259 were BWH, and 12 were BWH-40. The BWH-40 was produced from 1939-1941 making them among the most limited production John Deere tractors ever built.
The HWH and the HNH were introduced in March 1941.They were built for vegetable growers in California who grew crops on beds. Only a handful of these tractors were shipped elsewhere. A wide adjustable front axle with a tread range of 40-52 inches were featured on the HWH. An axle which provided a tread width of 52-68 inches was an option. To offset operations knee extensions were available. To accommodate 38-inch rear wheels with a nine-bolt pattern a new hub was designed. Ground clearance increased 6 inches due to these modifications. Teh same rear wheels were used on the Model HNH, however the 6:00-12 front wheel was retained. This gave the tractor a nose-down appearance. Production these tractors was interrupted several times during World War II due to steel and rubber shortages and did not resume until after the war. A total of 58,591 Model H tractors were built. of those, HNH accounted for 37 models built and the HWH accounted for 126 models built.
The G High-Crop was introduced in the 1951 model year. It was the last model of the G family introduced. After World War II development of the G High-Crop began. Although the A High-Crop tractor was the right size for many vegetable and specialty crop producers, it didn't meet the needs of the sugarcane farmers in Louisiana and Florida. They needed a 40-horsepower tractor that could burn heavier fuels. Since most of the development work on the Model A was completed, John Deere used parts in common to both tractors to convert the G to a High-Crop tractor. These parts included front axles, final drives, and drop housings. The GH had a pressed steel wheel for 7.50 x20 tire and a cast wheel for 38" rims. From 1947-1958, 40,908 Model G tractors were produced. Of them 235 were High-Crops.
Introduced in the mid-1950's, the High-Crop models offered at least 32 inches of clearance under both front and rear axles and a minimum 48-inch gap between the final drive housings. The 60 and 70 High-Crop tractors were part of John Deere's strategy to expand into specialized crop production. The Model 60 was a mid-sized, reliable row-crop tractor, while the70 offered more power for heavier-duty work. The High-Crop versions filled a niche for farmers who needed to work crops taller than standard tractors could handle without damage. The Model 60 High-Crop was produced from 1952-1956. Production included 61 gasoline engines, 136 all-fuel engines and 15 LP-gas engines. To improve stability and clearance, the 60 High-Crop's wheelbase was extended to 98.2 inches, and its weight increased to 6,468 lbs. The Model 70 High-Crop was produced from 1953-156. Production included 16 gasoline engines, 69 all-fuel engines, 28 LP-gasoline engines and 44 diesel engines. These tractors featured a 6-speed unsynchronized gear transmission, two-wheel drive, and a high clearance chassis.
In the mid 1940's farmers needed a smaller more maneuverable tractor for high-bed row crop farming of bushy, vegetable and sugarcane crops and general utility work. The 420 High-Crop met this need. Sales literature for the 420 series stated that LP-gas engines were not available on the 420 High-Crop. However, the Dubuque factory where the 420 series were made was known to have built some "special" tractors. There a four LP-gas 420 High-Crop tractors built. Their bult codes indicate that they were a special order. The other 47 420 High-Crops models produced were all-fuel.
The John Deere 620 and 720 were part of the company's 20-series two-cylinder tractors produced in Waterloo, Iowa, between 1956 and 1958. The goal of the 20 series was to increase power by 20%. This required a complete engine redesign to give higher compression and higher engine speeds. With more power and engine speeds changes were made to the transmission and final drive. The PTO system was changed to a foot pedal. The major change was the Custom Powr-Trol hydraulic system. According to J.R. Hobbs the power steering and the float ride seat were not standard on these tractors, they were an option.24 gasoline, 16 all-fuel, and 8LP-gas 620 High-Crops were produced. Production of the 720 High-Crop included 5 gasoline, 12 all-fuel, 22 LP-gas, 77 pony start diesels, and 9 electric start diesels.
The John 630 was manufactured from 1958-1960 and the 730 was manufacture from 1958-1961. The major reason for the introduction of the 630 and 730 was styling and market-positioning while keeping the proven mechanicals of the 620 and 720. The styling refresh included "streamlined" sheet metal, a redesigned hood and grill, and a different paint scheme. The updated styling also included dual headlight fenders and an angled steering wheel. Production of the 630 High-Crop included 10 gasoline, 3 all-fuel, and 3 LP-gas engines. Production of the 730 High-Crop included 6 gasoline, 4 all-fuel, 28 LP-gas, 7 pony start diesels and 78 electric start diesel engines.
Manufacturing the 30 series tractors allowed John Deere to offer a "new" tractor to dealerships and customers while developing the New Generation tractors. John Deere continues to produce High-Crop tractors for the New Generation I and II models.
HIGH CROP HISTORY
