Compare/Farmall A vs Farmall D-217

Farmall A vs Farmall D-217

Verdict: Farmall A vs Farmall D-217

The Farmall A and the Farmall D-217 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 17 hp. Farmall D-217 is the lighter machine (1,065 kg vs 1,088 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Farmall A holds more fuel (37.9 L vs 26.9 L) for longer stints between fills. Farmall D-217 is the newer design (1956 vs 1939). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Farmall

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Farmall

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

17 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

International HarvesterReference

Farmall (a part of International Harvester)Reference

Distillate 4-speed 2WDOctober 9 - 16, 1939Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 330 fileReference

liquid-cooledReference

Factories

Louisville, Kentucky, USAReference

—

Total built

117,552Reference

10,145Reference

Steering

—

manualReference

Variants

Vegetable cropReference

—

International industrialReference

—

IH D-217

—

standard chassisReference

Farmall D-217

—

row-crop chassisReference

Engine

Fuel tank

37.9 LReference

26.9 LReference

Aux. fuel

3.8 LReference

—

Drawbar (claimed)

12.9 kWReference

—

Belt (claimed)

14.2 kWReference

—

Plows

1Reference

—

Drawbar (tested)

12.2 kWReference

—

Belt (tested)

13.7 kWReference

—

Displacement

1.9 LReference

1.2 LReference

Bore/Stroke

76 x 102 mmReference

87 x 102 mmReference

Compression

6.0:1Reference

19:1Reference

Rated RPM

1400Reference

1900Reference

Idle RPM

900-1400Reference

—

Firing order

1-3-4-2Reference

—

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

6Reference

12Reference

Coolant capacity

12.3 LReference

10.0 LReference

Oil capacity

4.7 LReference

3.1 LReference

Oil change

120 hReference

—

Belt power (max)

12.3 kWReference

—

Max power

11.3 kWReference

—

Engine

—

12.7 kWReference

Power

—

12.7 kWReference

Transmission

Gears

4 forward and 1 reverseReference

6 forward and 1 reverseReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Type

gearReference

Rear PTO

transmissionReference

—

Rear PTO Type

540 (1.125)Reference

540 (1.375)Reference

Rear Type

—

IReference

Dimensions

Weight

1088 kgReference

1065 kgReference

Front tire

4.00-15Reference

4.50x16Reference

Rear tire

8-24Reference

8x24Reference

Ag front

5-30Reference

4.00x19Reference

Ag rear

8-24Reference

8x32Reference

Length

270 cmReference

252 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

160 cmReference

—

Ballasted weight

1564 kgReference

—

Clearance (front axle)

55 cmReference

—

Clearance (rear axle)

53 cmReference

—

Front tread

111 to 162 cmReference

125 to 170 cmReference

Rear tread

101 to 172 cmReference

125 to 170 cmReference

Height

—

156 cmReference

Ground clearance

—

38 cmReference

A Serial Number Location

A Serial Numbers

1939

FAA501Reference

—

1940

FAA6744Reference

—

1941

FAA41500Reference

—

1942

FAA80739Reference

—

1944

FAA96390Reference

—

1945

FAA113218Reference

—

1946

FAA146700Reference

—

1947

FAA200001 (Louisville)Reference

—

Final

FAA220829 (Louisville)Reference

—

Capacities

Diameter

21 cmReference

24 cmReference

Width

195 cmReference

158 cmReference

RPM

1157Reference

1395Reference

Speed

784.56 meters/minReference

—

Electrical

Ground

positiveReference

—

Charging system

generatorReference

—

Battery volts

6Reference

—

Test results

Belt fuel use (max)

5.3 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

1070 kgReference

—

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.