John Deere Tractor Roll-O-Matic Front End

You might have seen a sticker or what remains of a sticker between the front wheels of your John Deere tractor saying Roll-O-Matic and wondered what it is? Below is a link to a video we have put together demonstrating Roll-O-Matic, but here is just a little back ground on this John Deere feature.

In 1947 John Deere introduced Roll-O-Matic to its narrow front end tractors. The two front wheels now could move independently to each other which therefore allowed wheels to go over bumps, rocks, plowed fields without forcing the wheels to turn side to side where the operator would have to fight the steering wheel.

Below is the A, B and G tractor brochure from 1947 explaining the Roll-O-Matic system.

The Roll-O-Matic would also deliver a smoother ride and the front end of the tractor would only rise half the distance when one wheel would go over a rock or uneven ground. 

Each wheel is attached to a knuckle that is geared to each other inside the lower steering pedestal housing. This automatically equalisers the force between each wheel. 

When released in 1947 it was optional on the model A B and G tractors. This feature continued to the number, 20 and 30 series tractors and was also fitted to the new generation tricycle configuration tractors.

We had some fun in doing this video and demonstrating how the Roll-O-Matic works. Hope you enjoy.