Two Cylinder Magazine

JOHN DEERE ORCHARD TRACTORS

Cover of sales literature
Ba-251-1341.

Orchard tractors, as a group, are the second-most sought after configuration in vintage tractor collecting. Hi-Crop tractors are in the top position in that category. However, neither the orchard tractor or the Hi-Crop are even a contender for being the most popular; that title goes to row-crop tractors by a huge margin.

There are four basic configurations of vintage John Deere agricultural wheel tractors: Row-Crop, Standard, Orchard, and Hi-Crop. Hi-Crops are variations of row-crop tractors, and orchard tractors are variations of standards. If Hi-Crops were the most common tractor produced, and row-crop tractors were rare and seldom seen except at shows, people would be paying the big premium for the row-crop tractors (also known as general-purpose tractors). But that’s not the way it is. Collectors are drawn to the unusual; something that has a different look. Sure, they want a tractor...or two...or ten that reminds them of the good old days on the farm, or recaptures the look in that old photograph of Grandpa, but most anyone, whether they admit it or not, would jump at the chance to have an unusual tractor at a bargain price. Unfortunately, the two seldom go hand in hand. Scarce tractors usually cost more; as the production numbers go down, the price goes up.

Readers may be quick to point out that there are other variations of certain configurations, citing the Utility, Row-Crop Utility, and Special from Dubuque; and they are right to do so. However, these tractors are closely related to the Standard and Tricycle (Dubuque’s row-crop designation). And Waterloo tractor enthusiasts who own the narrow, wide, and/or high versions of the general-purpose models have a prize as well — some of them brilliantly rare — but they are part of the row-crop lineup.

The orchard tractors, also known as grove and orchard tractors, have what it takes to be noticed. They’re low and squatty, and are quite the contrast to the tall and lanky Hi-Crops. Many of them left the factory with citrus fenders, and this adds just that much more to their unique appearance. A list of options available on no other models provides challenges for restorers and the opportunity of individuality for collectors. Their low-down profile and generous fenders provide safety and security for operators. As far as production goes, orchard tractors rank a distant third behind row-crop and standard tractors. Some of them are among the rarest of all tractors, and none of them are plentiful. Individuals having an orchard tractor can be proud of their possession, as they are certainly in a league estimated to represent less than ten percent of all vintage John Deere tractor collectors.This article reviews — through the use of images, expanded captions, and the reproduction of rare original sales literature — orchard tractors from the Waterloo Boy and Two-Cylinder Era through the New Generation. The reader will discover that not all tractors used in orchards were orchard tractors by description, and that not all true orchard tractors saw service in a grove or orchard. It’s an interesting mix. Let’s get started…

Not much is known about the Waterloo Boy “California Special,” a single-front-wheel version of the Model “R”, other than what was written in a 1917 sales brochure, “This tractor is specially adapted to the requirements of orchardists and fruit growers.” Available images suggest that perhaps the “California Special” was made in two wheelbase lengths, the shorter (above right) of them seeming to make more sense for applications when tighter turns would have been an advantage.

Although rumors persisted for awhile about a decade ago that one of these tractors had been discovered in California or Oregon, none of this materialized. The 39 “California Specials” built were clearly noted in the Serial Number Register, and the discovery of one would likely rival the significance of the most valuable vintage tractors in existence.


Above Left and Right: Following the Waterloo Boy “California Special,” the Model “D” with orchard equipment options struggled to be an effective tractor for orchardists and fruit growers. Among the options were Citrus Fenders (referred to as “citrous grove fenders” in early documents) that shielded the upper half of the drive wheels from branches, and the California Drawbar that provided flexibility in offsetting drawn equipment, most often disk harrows.

The No. 3 Orchard Cultivator was developed early on, shown here behind a 24-inch (1925) spoke-flywheel “D”. The cultivator was in process of being tested at University Farm, Davis, California. Adjustability of the shovel standards up and down or sideways, proper spacing of standards, and the high frame, were features that made it possible for the No. 3 to succeed where curved-shank-type cultivators failed.

Left: Things started to brighten up for orchard owners in 1929, when the Lindeman brothers of Lindeman Power Equipment Company, Yakima, Washington, began to modify a John Deere “GP” Tractor for improved performance in nearby orchards. The “GP” was “lowered” several inches, and fenders were extended. Deere officials looked it over and were impressed. By 1931, John Deere had created a half-dozen “GPO” (“GP” Orchard) Tractors by using unsold 1930 “GP” Wide-Tread Tractors with the “crossover” manifold system; in other words, the first six-inch-bore “GPs”. The tractors were advertised, they were well accepted, and production officially (and finally) began at serial number O-15000 in March 1931.

Note that the introductory ad also showed one of the six experimental (crossover manifold) “GPO” Tractors, incorporating a line drawing of the photo shown.

Right: Even though “GPOs” were in production for almost a year by the time sales literature was published, the cover photographs showed the experimental crossover-manifold version, as did two interior shots. One photo used in the literature dated clear back to 1929, a retouched shot of Lindeman’s first conversion.

	Upper and Lower Left: Both the left and right side of quite possibly the first production “GPO”, one photo without and one with the optional citrus fenders. Note also the cast iron AC830R Front Wheels, designed to shed low-lying branches. The more common C2021R Wheel Enclosure Disk was also available to cover the spokes of the regular front wheels.

....continnues