Overview
The Waterloo Boy N is a farm tractor produced from 1917 to 1924, notable for being the first model evaluated by the Nebraska Tractor Test program. It is powered by a 7.6L two-cylinder kerosene engine and features a 6,183-pound chassis equipped with steel wheels and a two-speed unsynchronized gear transmission. Production totaled 21,392 units, spanning the period during which the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company was acquired by John Deere.
Ideal Applications
Nebraska Test Performance:
In Nebraska Tractor Test 1, this model achieved a maximum belt power of 25.97 hp and a maximum drawbar pull of 2,900 lbs using its first gear.
Engine and Fuel Specifications:
The 465 cubic inch liquid-cooled engine utilizes a 20-gallon kerosene fuel tank supplemented by a 1-gallon auxiliary tank and a magneto ignition charging system.
Mechanical Drive and Steering:
The tractor is configured with a two-wheel drive system, manual chain and capstan steering, and an unsynchronized transmission providing two forward gears and one reverse gear.
Production
| Description | Standard-tread tractor / Built in Waterloo, Iowa, USA / Original price was $1,050 in 1921 / The "N" was in production at the Waterloo Engine Company when, in 1918, it became the John Deere Tractor Company. When Nebraska created its tractor testing program, the "N" was the first to be tested. |
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| Manufacturer | Waterloo Boy (a part of John Deere) |
| Total built | 21,392 |
Engine
| Aux. fuel | 1 gal (3.8 L) |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company 7.6L 2-cyl kerosene |
| Fuel tank | 20 gal (75.7 L) |
| Bore/Stroke | 6.50x7.00 inches (165 x 178 mm) |
| Compression | 3.91:1 |
| Coolant capacity | 52 qts (49.2 L) |
| Description | Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company / kerosene / 2-cylinder / liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 465 ci (7.6 L) |
| Firing order | 1-2 |
| Oil capacity | 4 qts (3.8 L) |
| Rated RPM | 750 |
| Starter type | hand-crank |
| Belt (claimed) | 25 hp (18.6 kW) |
| Belt (tested) | 25.97 hp (19.4 kW) |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 12 hp (8.9 kW) |
| Drawbar (tested) | 15.98 hp (11.9 kW) |
| Plows | 3 (14-inch) |
Transmission
| Gears | 2 forward and 1 reverse |
|---|---|
| Oil capacity | 12 qts (11.4 L) |
| Oil type | 600W |
| Transmission type | 2-speed unsynchronized gear |
| Type | unsynchronized gear |
Mechanical
| Cab | Open operator station with steel pan seat. Optional steel canopy. |
|---|---|
| Description | Manual brakes |
| Drive type | Two-wheel drive |
| Steering | manual chain and capstan |
Electrical
| Charging system | magneto ignition |
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Dimensions & Tires
| Height | 63 inches (160 cm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 132 inches (335 cm) |
| Weight | 6,183 lbs (2804 kg) |
| Width | 72 inches (182 cm) |
| Front tire | 28 |
| Rear tire | 52 |
| Weight | 6,183 lbs (2804 kg) |
| Ag front | 28 x 6 steel |
| Ag rear | 52 x 12 steel |
N Serial Numbers
| 1917 | 8378 |
|---|---|
| 1918 | 10221 |
| 1919 | 13461 |
| 1920 | 18924 |
| 1921 | 27026 |
| 1922 | 27812 |
| 1923 | 28119 |
| 1924 | 29520 |
| Description | FAQ: How to read a serial number table. |
| Final | 31412 |
Nebraska Tractor Test 1
| Belt fuel use (max) | 3.8 gal/hour (14.4 l/hour) |
|---|---|
| Belt power (max) | 25.97 hp (19.4 kW) |
| Description | Kerosene 2-speed 2WDMarch 31 - April 9, 1920Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1 file / Drawbar performance / Gear 1 used for power test. / Gear 1 used for pull test. |
| Max power | 15.98 hp (11.9 kW) |
| Max pull | 2,900 lbs (1315 kg) |
References
| Description | The John Deere Unstyled Letter Series by J.R. Hobbs / Tractors 1918-1976 published by John Deere* / Waterloo Boy Kerosene Burning Tractor published in 1920, by John Deere / Waterloo Boy Tractor Model "N" Manual of Instruction (15) published in 1929 / *Publication contains known errors. |
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