List of John Deere Tractors - 1980s

1980s

John Deere introduced at least 38 new tractors during the 1980s during a time when at least 3 other competitors merged, were sold or went out of business altogether:

• Two new small compact diesel tractors were added in 1981. These were the 14.5 hp 650 and 18 hp 750. Three new 4WDs came to market in the fall of 1981. These were the 225 hp 8450, 290 hp 8650, and big 370 hp 8850. The 8850 came with the company's biggest engine, the 955-cubic-inch V-8.

• Besides the 8850 the JD844 wheel loader and 990 hydraulic excavator were the only other John Deere products to get this V-8. Also according to Wayne Broehl's 1984 book, about the John Deere's Company, a larger 4WD tractor than the 8850 was supposed to appear but never did.

• In 1982 11 new 50 series tractors from 40 up to 192.99 hp. The 40 hp 1250, 25 hp 2150, 55 hp 2350, 65 hp 2550, 75 hp 2750, 85 hp 2950, 100 hp 4050, 120 hp 4250, 140 hp 4450, 165 hp 4650 and 192.99 hp 4850. From the 2150 to the 4850 got another industry leading innovation in the use of Castor Action mechanical front-wheel drive which provided 20 percent more pulling power. Like the front tires of a motor grader this Castor/Action Mechanical Front Wheel Drive (MFWD) had the front tires lean to give a shorter turning radius. When tested in Nebraska the 4850 was the most fuel efficient tractor ever tested over 60 hp.

• The following year 1983 brought in the final two 50 Series tractors namely the 50 hp 1450 and 60 hp 1650. When tested in Nebraska the 1650 proved to be the most fuel efficient tractor ever tested. A 4020 shadow namely the 95 hp 3150 came about in 1985. This was the first John Deere row crop tractor to have MFWD as standard equipment.

• Three new diesel compacts came to light in 1986. These were the 16 hp 655, 20 hp 755, 24 hp 855 and 900HC. The 900HC was offset like the 2-cylinder M and was for niche markets. The 655, 755 and 855 all had a hydrostatic drive transmission. The 2355, 2555, 2755 and 2955 were featured as price fighter (Economy) tractors in 1986 with less features.

• The following year 1987 John Deere brought out six new models in the 45 hp 2155, 55 hp 2355, 65 hp 2555, 75 hp 2755, 85 hp 2955, and 96 hp 3155.

• In an October 1988 at the dealer meeting in Denver, Colorado the new 235 hp 8560, 300 hp 8760, and 370 hp 8960 were introduced.

• In early 1989 in Palm Springs, California six new 55 Series tractors were shown to dealers. These were the 105 hp 4055, 120 hp 4255, 140 hp 4455, 156 hp 4555, 177 hp 4755, and 202 hp 4955. The 4555 was an entirely new model which was the same size as the 4640.

• This year also brought the 70 Series gear driven compact diesels. These were the 18 hp 670, 24 hp 770, 28 hp 870, 33 hp 970, and 38 hp 1070.