John Deere B safety

[W.Bjork]

I am considering the purchase of a 1945 John Deere B and having it restored. I have heard that that particular tractor was a dangerous piece of machinery. Apparently metal parts are known to fly off the tractor when it is being used. Is there any truth to the stories? The tractor was found in the barn of the family farm and has not been in use for 10 to 15 tears. The engine is not frozen but the tractor will need considerable restoration to get it ready for use again. If it is unsafe I would like to know that before investing a lot of money in its restoration. Thank you, Woody

 

[wilamayb]

I think you may have heard some old geezers stretching the truth with their stories. Nothing is going to "fly" off the tractor if it is in sound mechanical condition, and not likley to send anything flying even if it is not in great condition.

 

[RobMD]

The source which you have retrieved your information is hardly correct. In fact, it's more than likely from senile old farts who have long been International Harvester fans.

When a tractor has been sitting in a barn for 10-15 years, this does not automatically label it dangerous.

Danger comes to those who PRACTICE dangerous things. Probably 95% of dangerous acts are at human will. An exposed PTO shaft is dangerous, but who's fault is that? It's the operators for not covering the shaft.

On the other hand, it is apparent you have not spent ANY time at the wheel of a nicely restored model "B" tractor.

Lesson above all: do not take senile old fart's advice.

 

[Pat-CT]

They are safe with safe use just like handguns, get careless and a accident is more likely to hapeen,a restored tractor is a beautiful thing and you should definitly do it

 

[cogger]

Nah, nothing is going to fly off the tractor unless there is some sort of defect, either in the parts or the operator!

But it does remind me of the time I went to look at a nice 39 H. The owner was there, but said we had to wait for his brother to show up before we could start it. After 15 minutes of waiting for his brother, I asked him why we were waiting. He said well, I need my brother to drive the other tractor to tow it and start it. I asked him why we just didnt hand start it the way it was supposed to. He said no way am I getting near that flywheel! He was also convinced it was going to tip over on the slightest angle. Of course they had been handicapped for many years with Ford tractors!

 

[ericlb]

i agree ive been around tractors all my life ive never seen or heard of parts flying off a john deere B, or any other brand either unless something was very wrong with the tractor in the first place, when discussing jd's, never ask the farmall or allis guys and vise verse, the most dangerous thing on any old tractor is the nut behind the steering wheel

 

[Anonymous-0]

If he thinks it is about to "BLOW APART", tell him that you will take it to the junk yard for 50.00 so he won't get hurt!

 

[Ben.So.Tex.]

I have my father's 45B and have be driving and working it for the last 50 years of my life and have never had anything fly off of it. Restore it and you will be very proud of it, and then shed it when not in use. Scrap it and you will regret it the rest of your life.
Good luck Ben

 

[fixerupper]

The only time you'll have anything flying at you is if you drive an open flywheel Deere through standing ripe oats while making the opening pass while swathing, or driving through a canadian thistle patch when the seeds are budding. Feels like being shot in the face with a BB gun. You quickly learn how to stretch your left leg out toward the flywheel to use your foot as a shield. Jim

 

[PJH]

Are you getting these stories from another person who might also be interested in the same tractor?

Sounds like it could be a ploy to diminish your interest in the tractor.

Paul

 

[PBrowning]

All farm machinery can be dangerous. You can bet the bank that if there were a problem with this tractor, Deere would have made a "fix" long ago. Roughly 300,000 "B" tractors were made! Lots of them are (today) makng their owners proud and happy, espcecially during Summertime - in parades and the various shows.

When someone tells you a tale such as you have reported, ask for back-up facts. And if the story-teller begins to back-peddle, you will have your answer! (PatB)

 

[Dave 2N]

I'm 66 and have been around tractors all my life too. Fords, Johnnies, Farmalls. Drove a JDB for years and have an A, B, and 70 now. Never heard of any such thing as you are telling. Sounds like some kind of a abundant "spin" so that the government can go about formulating legislation to ban 2 cylinder John Deere tractors.

 

[Fred from MO]

That is funny! Don't B's have Weapons of Mass Distruction hidden in them as well...

 

[teddy52food]

What ever is going to fly off is gone already!

 

[S.Crum]

That's hilarious (and scary). I take my life in my own hands on a regular basis...getting out of bed for starters. Things only go down hill from there. I see the wife and the dog is usually under foot. It gets worse! I have to get in my truck and drive to work! Luckly OSHA looks out for my sorry butt so I don't have to. What's the upside to all this risk? I guess I can say THANK GOD I've lived another fruitful day!
Think I'll go out on the porch and have a smoke! Have a good day!

 

[[email protected]]

The only model I had ever heard of anything "flying" off was the spoker D. IF the flywheel cracked, it could fly apart causing injury. That was the reason for the later models to have solid flywheels. Never anything on the B models though. Been driving one around for some time here and its been in the family for 58 years.

 

[NY 986]

That tractor is not inherently dangerous at all. If you have been away from the farm or not from a farm a tractor safety course (4H) is highly recommended for you or anyone to operate it. This should reduce injury due to fueling while engine is warm, individual brakes, high center of gravity compared to most autos among other issues. If you are in an urban area this info may be found on-line.
Many sources exist for parts and information to restore that tractor. Among those would the nearest John Deere dealer, a farm supply store such as Tractor Supply, auto parts stores, the boards on this website, and others.
Again, armed with information there should be no surprises in owning that tractor.

 

[MEANJDK]

Yup. Metal parts do fly off tractors.
Untitled Audio Video
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIbpiihHQ-g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIbpiihHQ-g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[alabamafrog]

I’m a believer in the only thing truly dangerous in this world is a dumb human (and/or a abundant). As with many other things, farm equipment has a way of helping to cleanse the gene pool of undesirables. Hopefully it will happen before they have time to procreate. That said the B is no more or no less dangerous than just about any other man made machine.

 

[n2deep]

Damm right that tractor is unsafe,, it's a good thing you shared the information. If would call me at 018-1222 and give me the address of the person trying to sell this dangerious rat trap I will dispose of it immeiately.. Please call collect ASAP, day or night.

Thanks

Art

 

[Mike M]

On that peticular tractor maybe someone had the flywheel off and forgot to tighten it up ? Not a common problem , but it has happened before. I chalk this kinda thing up to operator error.

 

[Pmer]

Naugas, yep naugas. I haven't herd of metal parts flying off but if the seat is covered in naugahyde and has not been used for a while, the vinyl will come apart and the naugas will take off like a bunch of seniors in a Old Country Buffet. Especially if you have gas, happens to me alot.

 

[Buckeye]

I had an early styled A throw a home made hand crank past my head once. I don't think I ever tried to start it that way again. Best to keep the battery charged up.

 

[Randy G]

Reminds of a joke...you know why Farmalls are painted red? So when the parts fall off they"re easier to find in the grass.

 

[RandyB(MI)]

Right oonnnnn , Bamafrog! Especially the part about dumb human and/ or abundant. People just don't seem to get it how dangerous "liberals" really are to our country. AS for the "B" in question here , 'tis more dangerous to get out of bed in the morning!