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John Deere 520 Specs ( 1956-1958 )

Name: John Deere 520
Brand: John Deere

Overview

The John Deere 520 is a row-crop farm tractor manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa, between 1956 and 1958, with a total production of 13,048 units. It is equipped with a 189.8 ci two-cylinder engine available in gasoline, all-fuel, and LP gas configurations, paired with a six-speed unsynchronized gear transmission. The tractor features an open operator station, a 90-inch wheelbase, and was originally priced at 2,300 dollars in 1958.

Ideal Applications

Engine and Fuel Configuration: The 520 is powered by a 3.1L two-cylinder engine offered in three fuel variants—gasoline, LP gas, and all-fuel—all rated at 1325 RPM.

Tested Performance Metrics: According to Nebraska Tractor Test 597, the gasoline configuration achieved a maximum belt power of 37.52 hp and a maximum drawbar pull of 4,723 lbs.

Chassis and Mechanical Design: The tractor is built with a 90-inch wheelbase, manual steering, and a rear independent 540 RPM PTO, with an optional Category II rear hitch.

Production

Description	Row-Crop tractor / Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA
Manufacturer	John Deere
Original price	$2,300 (1958)
Total built	13,048 (total)

Engine

Air cleaner	oil bath / oil bath
Bore/Stroke	4.6875x5.50 inches (119 x 140 mm) / 4.6875x5.50 inches (119 x 140 mm) / 4.6875x5.50 inches (119 x 140 mm)
Compression	7:1
Coolant capacity	18 qts (17.0 L)
Description	John Deere / gasoline / 2-cylinder 4-valve / liquid-cooled / John Deere / all-fuel / 2-cylinder 4-valve / liquid-cooled / John Deere / LP gas / 2-cylinder 4-valve / liquid-cooled
Displacement	189.8 ci (3.1 L) / 189.8 ci (3.1 L) / 189.8 ci (3.1 L)
Firing order	1-2 / 1-2 / 1-2
Oil capacity	7 qts (6.6 L) / 7 qts (6.6 L)
Point gap	0.022 inches (0.559 mm) / 0.022 inches (0.559 mm)
Rated RPM	1325 / 1325 / 1325
Sparkplug gap	0.030 inches (0.762 mm) / 0.030 inches (0.762 mm)
Starter volts	12 / 12 / 12
Engine type	John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl gasoline / John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl all-fuel / John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl LP gas
Engine type	John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl gasoline / John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl all-fuel / John Deere 3.1L 2-cyl LP gas
Belt (tested)	37.52 hp (28.0 kW)
Drawbar (tested)	33.30 hp (24.8 kW)
Plows	3 *14-inch

Transmission

Clutch	dry disc
Gears	6 forward and 1 reverse
Manufacturer	John Deere
Transmission type	6-speed unsynchronized gear
Type	unsynchronized gear

Mechanical

Cab	Open operator station.
Description	Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes
Drive type	Two-wheel drive
Steering	manual

Capacity

Aux. fuel	2 gal (7.6 L)
Fuel	15.5 gal (all-fuel) (58.7 L)
Hydraulic system	2.5 gal (9.5 L)

Hydraulics

Capacity	2.5 gal (9.5 L)

Hitch

Rear Type	II OptOptional

PTO

Rear PTO	independent
Rear PTO Type	540

Electrical

Batteries	2
Battery volts	6
Ground	positive

Dimensions & Tires

Ballasted weight	6,600 lbs (2993 kg)
Ground clearance	24.75 inches (62 cm)
Height	83.325 inches (211 cm)
Length	132.75 inches (337 cm)
Weight	4,960 lbs (2249 kg)
Wheelbase	90 inches (228 cm)
Width	86.625 inches (220 cm)
Front tire	5.50-16
Rear tire	12.4-36
Weight	4,960 lbs (2249 kg)
Wheelbase	90 inches (228 cm)
Ag front	5.50-16
Ag rear	12.4-36

520 Serial Number Location

Description	Right side of tractor frame near pulley

520 Serial Numbers

1956	5200000
1957	5202982
1958	5209029
Description	FAQ: How to read a serial number table.
Final	5213189

John Deere 520 attachments

Description	front-end loader

Nebraska Tractor Test 590

Belt fuel use (max)	3.9 gal/hour (14.8 l/hour)
Belt power (max)	37.24 hp (27.8 kW)
Description	LP gas 6-speed 2WDSeptember 5 - 11, 1956Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 590 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 4 used for power test. / Gear 1 used for pull test.
Max power	33.30 hp (24.8 kW)
Max pull	4,659 lbs (2113 kg)

Nebraska Tractor Test 592

Belt fuel use (max)	2.5 gal/hour (9.5 l/hour)
Belt power (max)	25.41 hp (18.9 kW)
Description	Tractor fuel 6-speed 2WDSeptember 13 - 17, 1956Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 592 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 3 used for power test. / Gear 1 used for pull test.
Max power	23.98 hp (17.9 kW)
Max pull	4,660 lbs (2113 kg)

Nebraska Tractor Test 597

Belt fuel use (max)	3.3 gal/hour (12.5 l/hour)
Belt power (max)	37.52 hp (28.0 kW)
Description	Gasoline 6-speed 2WDOctober 61956, - October 10, 1956Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 597 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 4 used for power test. / Gear 2 used for pull test.
Max power	33.27 hp (24.8 kW)
Max pull	4,723 lbs (2142 kg)

References

Description

The John Deere 20 series Two Cylinder Tractors by Benjamin Hain / Operator's Manual 3150 (OML57483) published in 1985 / Operator's Manual 520 (OM-R2074R) published in 1957 / Tractors 1918-1976 published by John Deere* / The 1957 John Deere Tractors are here! / Facts About John Deere Tractor Wholesale Prices 1935-1961 / Facts about horsepower and fuel economy published in 1957, by John Deere / *Publication contains known errors.

Tractor Tests

Description	NTTL 590: LP gas 6-speed 2WD / NTTL 592: tractor fuel 6-speed 2WD / NTTL 597: gasoline 6-speed 2WD

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

Test #2249

Download PDF

Test Date: May 11 - 19, 2022

Location: Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0832

This section is compiled from original Nebraska Tractor Test PDFs using AI-assisted extraction and human review. For full verification, download the source PDF above. Differences between reports, incomplete source data, and occasional extraction or data entry mistakes can occur.

PTO Drawbar Hydraulics Technical Sound Tires & Weight

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption

Max Power (1 Hour)

357.68 hp

@ 1749 rpm

Rated Engine Speed

304.35 hp

N/A lb/hp·hr

Standard PTO Speed

352.24 hp

@ N/A rpm PTO

Torque Statistics

Maximum Torque	1,152 lb-ft (1,561 Nm)
Torque Rise	51.2%
At Engine RPM	1550 rpm

PTO Power Curve

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption Details

Condition	HP	kW	RPM
Maximum Power (1 Hour)	357.68	266.72	1749

Varying Power & Fuel Consumption

Click column headers to sort

Power	RPM	gal/hr	lb/hp·hr	hp·hr/gal	DEF gal/hr
304.35	2099	18.59	0.43	N/A	0.79
264.86	2150	17.00	0.45	N/A	0.83
198.73	2150	13.95	0.50	N/A	0.62
132.51	2150	11.54	0.61	N/A	0.55
66.48	2150	8.78	0.93	N/A	0.34
1.44	2150	6.05	29.59	N/A	0.38

Fuel Consumption Characteristics

Click column headers to sort

Condition	Power	Pull (lbs)	Speed	Slip	Air °F	Cool °F
Power at Rated Engine Speed—7th Gear- Ma...	403.15	29,223	5.17	1.90	58	206
75% of Pull at Rated Engine Speed—7th Ge...	313.41	21,876	5.37	1.30	73	206
50% of Pull at Rated Engine Speed—7th Ge...	212.41	14,613	5.45	0.80	73	205
75% of Pull at Reduced Engine Speed— 5.3...	313.53	22,006	5.34	1.30	73	205
50% of Pull at Reduced Engine Speed— 5.5...	212.81	14,524	5.50	0.80	74	205

Maximum Power In Selected Gears Manual Mode 2100 RPM

Click column headers to sort

Gear	Power	Pull (lbs)	Speed	Slip	DEF lb/hp	inHg	Engine RPM	Fuel Hp Hr Gal	Fuel Lb Hp Hr	Temp Air F	Temp Cool F
1st Gear	301.80	50,969	2.23	13.70	0.02	28.72	2121	13.57	0.52	60	207
2nd Gear	339.31	42,906	2.97	5.60	0.02	28.73	2100	15.10	0.47	61	206
3rd Gear	366.11	41,848	3.28	5.30	0.02	28.76	2100	15.45	0.46	62	206
4th Gear	389.20	39,280	3.72	4.30	0.02	28.76	2100	15.62	0.45	64	205
5th Gear	391.62	35,583	4.13	3.30	0.02	28.77	2099	15.73	0.45	68	205
6th Gear	398.52	31,965	4.68	2.50	0.02	28.79	2100	16.00	0.44	55	206
7th Gear	403.15	29,223	5.17	1.90	0.02	28.80	2100	16.21	0.44	58	206
8th Gear	401.49	26,071	5.78	1.60	0.02	28.80	2099	16.14	0.44	62	205
9th Gear	390.87	22,792	6.43	1.30	0.02	28.74	2099	15.66	0.45	77	207
10th Gear	387.50	20,273	7.17	1.00	0.02	28.74	2099	15.56	0.45	77	208
11th Gear	386.83	18,353	7.91	0.90	0.02	28.74	2099	15.57	0.45	78	208
12th Gear	386.06	16,644	8.70	0.80	0.02	28.74	2097	15.54	0.45	79	208

Maximum Power In Selected Gears Manual Mode 1800 RPM

Click column headers to sort

Gear	Power	Pull (lbs)	Speed	Slip	DEF lb/hp	inHg	Engine RPM	Fuel Hp Hr Gal	Fuel Lb Hp Hr	Temp Air F	Temp Cool F
1st Gear	303.15	50,952	2.24	13.30	0.02	28.73	2121	13.62	0.52	60	207
2nd Gear	349.97	46,486	2.83	7.80	0.02	28.74	2045	14.95	0.47	61	206
3rd Gear	377.53	45,569	3.11	7.60	0.02	28.77	2038	15.31	0.46	63	205
4th Gear	403.62	43,486	3.48	7.00	0.02	28.77	2024	15.57	0.45	67	206
5th Gear	420.43	41,966	3.76	6.30	0.02	28.76	1970	16.03	0.44	69	206
6th Gear	441.14	40,431	4.10	4.60	0.02	28.80	1879	16.79	0.42	57	206
7th Gear	451.43	38,930	4.35	3.90	0.02	28.80	1800	17.35	0.41	59	205
8th Gear	455.54	35,025	4.88	3.10	0.02	28.80	1800	17.47	0.40	62	205
9th Gear	453.49	31,187	5.45	2.40	0.02	28.80	1801	17.42	0.40	66	205
10th Gear	452.49	27,835	6.10	2.00	0.02	28.80	1802	17.41	0.41	67	206
11th Gear	452.94	25,231	6.73	1.60	0.02	28.80	1800	17.42	0.40	69	205
12th Gear	454.54	22,959	7.42	1.40	0.02	28.80	1800	17.48	0.40	69	206
13th Gear	446.11	20,062	8.34	1.10	0.02	28.80	1798	17.11	0.41	71	206

Drawbar Power At Selected Travel Speeds Auto Mode

Click column headers to sort

Power	Pull (lbs)	Speed	Slip	DEF lb/hp	inHg	Engine RPM	Fuel Hp Hr Gal	Fuel Lb Hp Hr	Target Speed	Temp Air F	Temp Cool F
389.25	39,255	3.72	4.40	0.03	28.77	1547	17.80	0.40	3.9 mph (6.2 km/h)	66	205
391.92	35,528	4.14	3.10	0.03	28.80	1526	18.22	0.39	4.2 mph (6.8 km/h)	60	205
397.07	31,937	4.66	2.40	0.03	28.80	1540	18.18	0.39	4.7 mph (7.6 km/h)	58	205
402.75	29,159	5.18	2.00	0.03	28.80	1532	18.19	0.39	5.2 mph (8.4 km/h)	59	205
401.87	25,902	5.82	1.60	0.02	28.80	1714	17.59	0.40	5.8 mph (9.4 km/h)	65	205
390.37	22,652	6.47	1.30	0.02	28.74	1897	16.52	0.43	6.5 mph (10.4 km/h)	77	207
386.24	20,108	7.20	1.00	0.02	28.74	1914	16.42	0.43	7.2 mph (11.6 km/h)	77	207
386.27	18,409	7.87	0.90	0.02	28.74	1899	16.39	0.43	8.0 mph (12.8 km/h)	79	207
386.37	16,592	8.73	0.80	0.02	28.74	1877	16.31	0.43	8.7 mph (14.0 km/h)	79	207

Category: 4N/4 Quick Attach: Yes

Lift Capacity

Three Outlet Sets Combined

Sustained Pressure	2,900 psi
Delivery Pressure	2,294 psi
Flow Rate (min press)	58.10 gpm
Max Power	78.20 hp

Engine

Make	John Deere Diesel
Type	six cylinder vertical with two turbochargers, air to air aftercooler and D.E.F.(diesel exhaust fluid) exhaust treatment
Displacement	826 cu in (13548 ml)
Compression Ratio	15.9 to 1
Rated Engine Speed	2100 rpm
Air Cleaner	two paper elements and aspirator
Exhaust	DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst) and SCR (selective catalyst reduction) integrated within a vertical muffler
Crankshaft	lengthwise

Chassis

Type	tracklayer-rubber tracked
Steering	electro-hydraulic differential steering controlled by steering wheel
Transmission	selective gear fixed ratio with full range operator controlled power shift
Speeds	24 forward (24.84 mph max)
Brakes	wet multiple disc hydraulically actuated by foot pedal
Hydraulic Control	direct engine drive
Unladen Tractor Mass	21,546 kg

Consumables

Fuel	No. 2 Diesel
DEF Fluid	32% aqueous urea solution
Engine Oil	SAE 10W-30 API CK-4

Sound Levels

Bystander	91.60 dB(A)
At No Load In 6th Gear	71.40 dB(A)
Transport Speed No Load 18th Gear	74.90 dB(A)

Tires & Tracks

Track Width	30.00 in (762 mm)
Height of Drawbar	21.00 in (535 mm)

Static Weight

Rear	N/A lbs
Front	N/A lbs
Total	47,675 lbs

John Deere 520 Specs ( 1956-1958 )

Overview

Ideal Applications

Production

Engine

Transmission

Mechanical

Capacity

Hydraulics

Hitch

PTO

Electrical

Dimensions & Tires

520 Serial Number Location

520 Serial Numbers

John Deere 520 attachments

Nebraska Tractor Test 590

Nebraska Tractor Test 592

Nebraska Tractor Test 597

References

Tractor Tests

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

PTO Performance

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption

Torque Statistics

PTO Power Curve

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption Details

Varying Power & Fuel Consumption

Drawbar Performance

Fuel Consumption Characteristics

Maximum Power In Selected Gears Manual Mode 2100 RPM

Maximum Power In Selected Gears Manual Mode 1800 RPM

Drawbar Power At Selected Travel Speeds Auto Mode

Hydraulic Performance

Lift Capacity

Three Outlet Sets Combined

Technical Specifications

Engine

Chassis

Consumables

Sound Levels

Sound Levels

Tires & Weight

Tires & Tracks

Static Weight

Test Remarks