JD B overdrive

[matthies]

Friend called and said he found a b that might be going to scrap and wondered if the overdrive is worth keeping. Acreage is being leveled and this tractor was in the trees. NE Nebraska

 

[UnstyledB]

Friend called and said he found a b that might be going to scrap and wondered if the overdrive is worth keeping. Acreage is being leveled and this tractor was in the trees. NE Nebraska

Yes it is worth keeping. If you are looking to just save the overdrive it is quite labor intensive to remove. You have to take pulley, flywheel, first reduction gear cover, and transmission cover off and pull both shafts out of the transmission. Not at all impossible but it is a job to remove.

 

[matthies]

Yes it is worth keeping. If you are looking to just save the overdrive it is quite labor intensive to remove. You have to take pulley, flywheel, first reduction gear cover, and transmission cover off and pull both shafts out of the transmission. Not at all impossible but it is a job to remove.

So best to try and sell the tractor whole as not to forget or miss anything.

 

[UnstyledB]

So best to try and sell the tractor whole as not to forget or miss anything.

Yes would be best to sell the whole tractor and let someone else remove it if all they really want is the overdrive. In my opinion the overdrive should make the tractor sell for a premium but you never know.

 

[ss55]

Friend called and said he found a b that might be going to scrap and wondered if the overdrive is worth keeping. Acreage is being leveled and this tractor was in the trees. NE Nebraska

I an not sure there is much demand for the overdrive kit, but it might bring a few $100 from the right buyer. Check the YT archives for info about the overdrive kits:
https://forums.yesterdaystractors.c...-overdrive-for-jd-b-unbelievable-find.442665/

Current scrap metal value of a complete 2800 pound could be maybe $200, less hauling costs. Collector value of a running 1935 to 1940 four speed JD B might be under $1,000 to maybe $2,000 depending on condition, paint, options and of course the tires.

Unstyled 1935 to 1938 years were not available with electric start. I have read that some overdrive kits need the flywheel spaced out for finger clearance around the flywheel or knuckles could accidentally get crushed against some bolt heads while turning the flywheel by hand. Electric start became an option in 1939 when the tractors were styled. Later 1941 to 1952 B tractors are not much more expensive and all have six speed transmissions, eliminating the need for overdrive kits.

 

[Mark Poss]

I just sold one from a 1936 B for $800 with the gears and spacer.