The John Deere 650 features a 16-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine. The engine is a 2-cylinder and is rated to 2,600 RPM. It offers a displacement of 52.1 cubic inches. The tractor features a 14.5 horsepower power take-off (PTO). The fuel tank holds 6.2 gallons.
The tractor offers a range of speeds. It features eight forward gears and two reverse gears. The drive train came standard as two-wheel drive. A manual four-wheel drive was optional.
The John Deere 650 features a rear three-point hitch for attachments. The tractor also works with the John Deere 60 front-end loader attachment, which features a 48-inch bucket.