JD G

[CGID]

In the '50's, as a small town, grade schooler, I remember visits to my Mom's cousin's farm. From old photos, I can identify the farm's tractor as a G. I remember it as a huge, smelly, green machine. The controls and operating levers were inscrutable. The sound of the engine remains in my mind, especially since he didn't shut it off when he came to the house for lunch. I've learned it probably didn't have an electric starter, so he only started it once a day. I would be interested in hearing anything about G's: traits or characteristics, how did they compare in size to other machines of that time, what were their typical problems? Any information about or experiences with them.

 

[coonie minnie]

The Deere G was the largest of the Deere row crop line in its day... being produced from 1937 til 53. The early ones (37-41) were unstyled, which meant they did not have the stylish sheet metal of the later ones. The G was usually updated later than the smaller A and B, for what ever reason... probably because it had the poorest sales. Having the rest of the line updated (but not the G) probably didn't help sales either. For example, the A and B were "styled" in '39... G had to wait til the 42 model year.

G production in WWII was very limited, and was called the "GM" as the styling update required a new model name to meet wartime production standards. Production was suspended for nearly a year during the worst of WWII.

After the war, the A and B were again updated ('47) with new gasoline engines instead of the "all fuel" low compression engines, as well as other changes. For whatever reason, the G never got the gas engine update during production, but kits were available after production ceased to upgrade a G to gas-burning. The G also never got all the 47 upgrades the A and B did either, like a covered flywheel, different throttle control, etc. This meant the new A burning gas nearly equalled the G burning "all fuel" in power. That didn't help sales either.

G's were built very heavily, and were tough as nails. Many have been heavily modified for tractor pulling.

There is much more to tell, but I'm out of time....

 

[MSD]

Go to Youtube and type in G John Deere. You will find lots of stuff on them including those at tractor pulls. Some of those are making in the 150-175 hp range with new modifications.

 

[JOCCO]

They were for bigger farms of the times. One saying was something like twice the work of the a or b on 1/3 more fuel. I am trying to restore mine this winter.

 

[MSD]

Found this link for you. These are some pretty well restored tractors. They talk a little about the history of them.
Mecum Auction

 

[coonie minnie]

One other thing... G's biggest competitor was the Farmall M. The M when introduced in 39 was styled, could have electric start, could burn regular gas, and had 5 sppeds as compared to the G's 4.

THe G had a tougher rear end, but the M was a more refined tractor, and had the gas option that set it ahead in horsepower. Unlike the G, the M was a flagship of the line, while Deere marketed the G as more of an afterthought, with the small A being the flagship. If a G was modified to run on gas, it was a much more able competitor to the M.

THe M outsold the G at least 3 to 1, probably more like 4 to 1.

 

[CGID]

Thanks for all the replies. The narrow-set, front wheels on my uncle's G were completely "wrong" to me and in my mind their angulation indicated a serious problem. Not wanting to insult my uncle, I remembering whispering to my Dad if Uncle Norman knew of the wheel problem and if we should offer our help to fix them.

 

[GreenEnvy]

The G series was probably the most overbuilt tractor for hp output there were ever was. Probably to a fault. I have a GM and a Farmall M that I sold to a friend of mine. When he comes to get it we are going to take a picture of them side by side. JD stretched the G all the way into the 720/30 series with no problems. However, when IH tried to stretch the M up to the 560 it was disastrous.

 

[Kent Petersen]

A G with Gas pistons would plow an M in the ground

 

[Kent Petersen]

A G with Gas pistons would plow an M in under

 

[coonie minnie]

Agree completely. The point I was trying to make was out of the factory, they were only all-fuel, which probably hurt sales. I have a gas-converted G here, and it will easily beat an M.