As identified in this link, John Deere Green Paint, there are two shades of John Deere Green paint sold at John Deere dealers.  John Deere green paint shades have changed (unintentionally) down through the years due to different vendors, chemicals and ingredients, such as lead in earlier years.  John Deere sells a Classic Green and the Agriculture Green.  The Classic Green (actually the newest color) was developed to meet the request of those restoring older John Deere tractors. 

 JAM Recommendations

 Our comments and recommendations (2011 - ) for those restoring and painting tractors for the San Antonio Junior Agricultural Mechanics (JAM) show.  Please refer to the Authentic Section of Tractor Check Sheet 1 for additional recommendations regarding tractor painting.  

1. We will accept John Deere Agriculture Green on all John Deere tractors, styled and unstyled.
2. We recommend John Deere Antique Green on unstyled John Deere tractors.
3. We recommend using authentic John Deere paint – its color ages differently than other brands.  We suggest using a paint hardener that is compatible with the John Deere paint
4. We do not recommend clear coating but will accept it.

 Please address any concerns or questions regarding these recommendations to tractor@lonshell.com 

John Deere Tractor Model Names and Horsepower

 There is confusion in identifying John Deere tractors by model names and horsepower (Hp).  Some of this confusion had been caused by John Deere and other manufacturers using model names on their new tractors that have been used previously on tractors made in earlier years. 

 John Deere Tractor Reference List identifies all John Deere tractor models, years manufactured and published Horsepower.

Horsepower (Hp) - Engine vs PTO Hp

 Engine instead of PTO Hp may be provided for the smaller yard and garden tractors.  (Some of the smaller tractors do not have a PTO shaft.)  This has caused confusion and misunderstanding when comparing and interpreting the horsepower of different makes and models of tractors. PTO Hp, used almost exclusively on larger tractors, is measured from the PTO shaft at a rated engine or PTO rpm.  PTO Hp and Belt Hp (similar to PTO Hp) is usable rotary power where engine Hp measured at the engine flywheel must be transmitted through gears and/or drive train resulting in lower usable real power.

 Be careful when comparing tractor makes, one with Engine Hp listed and the other PTO Hp. The tractor that has a published Engine HP will have significantly less usable horsepower when compared to a tractor make identified with equal Hp but measured at the PTO. It is difficult to convert Engine PTO Hp to PTO Hp due to different measurement techniques and variables.

 A technical paper Power Measurement identifies components of power, work, torque etc and how power is defined and measured. Example problems are presented for calculating Power and Horsepower. The history of Horsepower and how it was developed is presented.

 The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory Web site list the Horsepower of all Makes and Models of Tractors tested. Their reports show PTO and Drawbar Horsepower’s at different loads.  Fuel efficiencies at different loads are also reported. There is an interesting link located on this site to the Lester Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum.