John Deere model D

[Kkbear]

I'm not some stupid girl. When I was 6 my dad bought his first tractor to restore, a 1935 John Deere model D. We spent 3 years restoring it together. Once it was restored we traveled together to shows. My father pasted away almost 5 years ago and I have the tractor but could not bring myself to do anthing with it even though my dad would have killed me for not running it. He never showed me how to do ANYTHING with it. We both just always assumed he'd be around to teach me someday. I am now almost 27 and need to find out as much as I can about this tractor and what I should do to take good care of it. If ANYONE can give me some good advice, please do. This tractor means the world to me. Thanks

 

[JDD]

Where are you located? I am sure someone could show you the ropes. I have an owners manual for mine that would probably give you some help.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I see you're in the Peoria,Ill. area. The best bet is to have a forum member from your area to stop and help you,or perhaps a antique tractor club in your area to help. But you can start by removing the spark plugs and putting a small amount of motor oil in the cylinders and turn the engine over to lub the cylinder walls. While the plugs are out, you can check the spark by turning the flywheel while the plugs are laying on the block. If no spark, you will need to remove the cap on the magneto[where the spark plugs wire come from] and run a piece of paper or dollar bil through the contacts on the points to clean them. Then you will need to verify fuel flow through the lines to the carb. Make sure there is water or anti-freeze in the radiator and oil in the crankcase.There is a horizontal line on the choke lever on the carb that shows the position of the choke butterfly. Horizontal line means it's open,verticle line means it's closed. It would be handy to have an operators manual for your tractor. You may need to pull the the old D to start it after sitting for so long. Lots of things to do before your first start-up after so long.

 

[Duane Larson]

Kkbear,
I'm glad you have the tractor and are interested in keeping it running! If you call Deere publications at 1-800-522-7448 and tell them the year and model of your tractor, ask them if they have an owners manual close to that year. It will be essential for correct operation and maintenance of your D. However, it will probably refer to burning distillate and starting on gasoline - you can just skim that as most folks start and run their tractors on gasoline these days - so you can put gas in both the starting tank (not necessary tho) and the big fuel tank.

At a mininum, once a year remove the spark plugs and squirt some oil in each cylinder, then rotate the flywheel to distribute the oil in the cylinders - that will help keep the engine loose and free. If you are not running it, drain the gasoline from the tank and the carburetor - it turns to a sticky varnish-like substance after a few years. And make sure the radiator has antifreeze, or probably better, is drained if you are not using the tractor. If it is on rubber tires, keep the air pressure up, or jack the tractor up and place it on blocks to keep the tires in good shape.

Good Luck and I hope you get it going and drive it around - lots of good memories will return.

 

[HAPPY DEERE]

best thing to do is goto a local show around your area find some guy running an old deere and ask him questions like hes on 60 minutes. im shure hell be more then glad to help you out.

 

[TravisB]

i'm from just west of peoria, IL. we've got a 1949 rice model D john deere. if there's anything we might be able to do to help you out, let me know. anything to keep an old john deere going and its nice to see one stay in the family.

 

[Walt in Jaxn Tn.]

The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" comes to mind here, Take some (digital)photos of your tractor and post a photo every time you post a message or question especially a close up of the subject. Did you say what year the "D" was built?. I grew up in Peoria, 1950 to 1963, attended Golden Acres grade school and Richwoods High school.
--Walt--