ThreeEdwardsM
New User
Hi everyone,
You can call me Edward, and I'm glad to be here. I recently became the caretaker of a 1948 John Deere Model M that has already become a very special tractor to me and my family. I've come a long way from my Little Tikes green plastic toy tractor!
"Phil" is a 1948 Model M, purchased new by my wife's great-grandfather and still in pretty much original condition. From what I can gather, it was well cared for on the strawberry farm in Massachusetts, and then her uncle, an auto mechanic, acquired it and went through it pretty meticulously in Nebraska, not too far from where it was made in Dubuque. We recently hauled it home here, to Colorado. I am unclear on whether or not it was repainted or polished, but most of the parts I've found going through it appear original. One of the details I’ve been learning about recently is that my tractor has the single-lever Touch-O-Matic and single headlight on the "passenger" side of the tractor, which seems to match other early Model M examples I’ve found, even though some MI/MT examples and manuals show dual levers, and I've seen examples of M variants with anywhere from 0 to four lights on them.
I’ve begun gathering manuals and references and scouring forums so I can learn this machine properly rather than just start working on things blindly. I’m trying to better understand what is original, what, if anything, is missing, what is optional, and what can be improved while still respecting the tractor’s design.
So far, I’ve been working through the basics: fuel, ignition, points, plugs, wiring, cooling, tire pressures, Touch-O-Matic function, drawbar/hitch parts, and general safe operation. I got it running recently after it had been sitting, which was a pretty wonderful moment. It only took me an afternoon to haul it out of the barn, get it running, and clean it up a little. Like any old tractor, though, every little success seems to reveal the next project. The muffler just rusted off, and the manifold/stack are very rusty, so period-correct exhaust replacement is now high on the list.
My intended use is mostly light and family-oriented: puttering around, pulling a small trailer, hayrides for my kids, parades, trick-or-treating, and light utility work around the yard. I’m not trying to turn it into a modern compact tractor, but I am interested in tasteful, reversible improvements that make it more useful and safer.
A few topics I’m especially interested in learning more about:
I’d be grateful for any advice, photos, part numbers, old implement literature, or hard-earned experience you’re willing to share. I’m especially interested in seeing how other owners have their Model M rear hitch/drawbar assemblies configured, what parts I may be missing, and what maintenance, repairs or upgrades you’d prioritize before using the tractor around kids and in public.
Thanks for letting me join. I’m excited to learn from people who know these old Deeres far better than I do, and I’m looking forward to keeping Phil running, useful, and appreciated for another generation.
You can call me Edward, and I'm glad to be here. I recently became the caretaker of a 1948 John Deere Model M that has already become a very special tractor to me and my family. I've come a long way from my Little Tikes green plastic toy tractor!
"Phil" is a 1948 Model M, purchased new by my wife's great-grandfather and still in pretty much original condition. From what I can gather, it was well cared for on the strawberry farm in Massachusetts, and then her uncle, an auto mechanic, acquired it and went through it pretty meticulously in Nebraska, not too far from where it was made in Dubuque. We recently hauled it home here, to Colorado. I am unclear on whether or not it was repainted or polished, but most of the parts I've found going through it appear original. One of the details I’ve been learning about recently is that my tractor has the single-lever Touch-O-Matic and single headlight on the "passenger" side of the tractor, which seems to match other early Model M examples I’ve found, even though some MI/MT examples and manuals show dual levers, and I've seen examples of M variants with anywhere from 0 to four lights on them.
I’ve begun gathering manuals and references and scouring forums so I can learn this machine properly rather than just start working on things blindly. I’m trying to better understand what is original, what, if anything, is missing, what is optional, and what can be improved while still respecting the tractor’s design.
So far, I’ve been working through the basics: fuel, ignition, points, plugs, wiring, cooling, tire pressures, Touch-O-Matic function, drawbar/hitch parts, and general safe operation. I got it running recently after it had been sitting, which was a pretty wonderful moment. It only took me an afternoon to haul it out of the barn, get it running, and clean it up a little. Like any old tractor, though, every little success seems to reveal the next project. The muffler just rusted off, and the manifold/stack are very rusty, so period-correct exhaust replacement is now high on the list.
My intended use is mostly light and family-oriented: puttering around, pulling a small trailer, hayrides for my kids, parades, trick-or-treating, and light utility work around the yard. I’m not trying to turn it into a modern compact tractor, but I am interested in tasteful, reversible improvements that make it more useful and safer.
A few topics I’m especially interested in learning more about:
- Correct Model M rear drawbar / Touch-O-Matic lift carrier parts
- Single vs. dual Touch-O-Matic setups on early M tractors
- Original or period-correct lighting options
- Front weights, bumpers, brush guards, and practical front ballast
- Exhaust manifold and muffler replacement options
- Wiring diagrams and correct 6V positive-ground lighting setup
- Safe trailer/hayride setup using the proper drawbar
- Original M implements and Quick-Tatch equipment, especially snow plows, front-end loaders, dirt scoops, etc
- Reversible ways to adapt modern utility attachments or light Cat 1 implements
I’d be grateful for any advice, photos, part numbers, old implement literature, or hard-earned experience you’re willing to share. I’m especially interested in seeing how other owners have their Model M rear hitch/drawbar assemblies configured, what parts I may be missing, and what maintenance, repairs or upgrades you’d prioritize before using the tractor around kids and in public.
Thanks for letting me join. I’m excited to learn from people who know these old Deeres far better than I do, and I’m looking forward to keeping Phil running, useful, and appreciated for another generation.
