Compare/Waterloo Boy N vs Waterloo Boy R California Special

Waterloo Boy N vs Waterloo Boy R California Special

Verdict: Waterloo Boy N vs Waterloo Boy R California Special

The Waterloo Boy N and the Waterloo Boy R California Special are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 12 hp. Waterloo Boy N is the lighter machine (2,804 kg vs 2,812 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Waterloo Boy N is the newer design (1917 vs 1914). 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

Waterloo Boy

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Waterloo Boy

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

12 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Waterloo Boy (a part of John Deere)Reference

Waterloo BoyReference

Gear 1 used for pull test.Reference

The final Waterloo Boy model R engine, used from 1917 to the end of production. This engine size continued to be used in the Waterloo Boy model N and the early John Deere model D.Reference

Total built

21,392Reference

9,310Reference

Steering

manualReference

—

Original price

—

$850 (1917)Reference

Drive

—

3x2 2WDReference

Engine

Fuel tank

75.7 LReference

Aux. fuel

3.8 LReference

Drawbar (claimed)

8.9 kWReference

Belt (claimed)

18.6 kWReference

Plows

3 (14-inch)Reference

Drawbar (tested)

11.9 kWReference

—

Belt (tested)

19.4 kWReference

—

Displacement

7.6 LReference

Bore/Stroke

165 x 178 mmReference

Compression

3.91:1Reference

Rated RPM

750Reference

Firing order

1-2Reference

Starter type

hand-crankReference

Oil capacity

11.4 LReference

—

Coolant capacity

49.2 LReference

32.2 LReference

Belt power (max)

19.4 kWReference

—

Max power

11.9 kWReference

—

Transmission

Type

unsynchronized gearReference

Gears

2 forward and 1 reverseReference

1 forward and reverseReference

Oil type

600WReference

—

Dimensions

Weight

2804 kgReference

2812 kgReference

Front tire

28Reference

Rear tire

52Reference

Ag front

28 x 6 steelReference

Ag rear

52 x 12 steelReference

52 x 10 steelReference

Length

335 cmReference

363 cmReference

Width

182 cmReference

Height

160 cmReference

N Serial Numbers

1917

8378Reference

4892Reference

1918

10221Reference

—

1919

13461Reference

—

1920

18924Reference

—

1921

27026Reference

—

1922

27812Reference

—

1923

28119Reference

—

1924

29520Reference

—

Final

31412Reference

7312Reference

Electrical

Charging system

magneto ignitionReference

—

Test results

Belt fuel use (max)

14.4 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

1315 kgReference

—

R California Special Serial Numbers

1914

—

1071Reference

1915

—

1556Reference

1916

—

2627Reference

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.