Compare/Farmall B vs Farmall D-217

Farmall B vs Farmall D-217

Verdict: Farmall B vs Farmall D-217

The Farmall B 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 B 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

Farmall (a part of International Harvester)Reference

Distillate 4-speed 2WDOctober 9 - 13, 1939Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 332 fileReference

liquid-cooledReference

Factories

Louisville, Kentucky, USAReference

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Total built

75,241Reference

10,145Reference

Original price

$770Reference

—

Steering

—

manualReference

Variants

full widthReference

—

narrow treadReference

—

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)

14.3 kWReference

—

Plows

1Reference

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Drawbar (tested)

12.1 kWReference

—

Belt (tested)

13.7 kWReference

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Displacement

1.9 LReference

1.2 LReference

Bore/Stroke

76 x 102 mmReference

87 x 102 mmReference

Compression

5.33:1Reference

19:1Reference

Rated RPM

1400Reference

1900Reference

Idle RPM

900-1400Reference

—

Firing order

1-3-4-2Reference

—

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

6Reference

12Reference

Oil capacity

4.7 LReference

3.1 LReference

Coolant capacity

12.8 LReference

10.0 LReference

Sparkplug gap

0.635 mmReference

—

Point gap

0.508 mmReference

—

Intake valve clearance

0.356 mmReference

—

Exhaust valve clearance

0.356 mmReference

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Belt power (max)

11.9 kWReference

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Max power

11.0 kWReference

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Engine

—

12.7 kWReference

Power

—

12.7 kWReference

Transmission

International HarvesterReference

—

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

6.00-12Reference

4.50x16Reference

Rear tire

8-24Reference

8x24Reference

Ag front

7.50-10Reference

4.00x19Reference

Ag rear

5-30Reference

8x32Reference

Length

274 cmReference

252 cmReference

Height

165 cmReference

156 cmReference

Rear tread

203/213/223/233 cmReference

125 to 170 cmReference

Ground clearance

—

38 cmReference

Front tread

—

125 to 170 cmReference

B Serial Number Location

B Serial Numbers

1939

FAB3675Reference

—

1940

6744Reference

—

1941

41500Reference

—

1942

80739Reference

—

1944

96390Reference

—

1945

113218Reference

—

1946

146700Reference

—

1947

200001 (Louisville)Reference

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Capacities

Diameter

21 cmReference

24 cmReference

Width

201 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

1117 kgReference

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Fuel use

4.5 l/hourReference

—

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.