Looking for a JD B or A

[Lfdfireman]

Good morning all....had a question for folks here. I am not familiar w/different John Deere antique tractor channels and wanted to get some input on any good internet groups, auction sites or options to look
into buying or trading for an old B or A. Have been clearing some room and have a possible trade option to include a 1953 Farmall Super H I have towards getting my hands on one. I would like to eventually do
a resto for my Dad who grew up w/a B and an A at the farm. Not familiar with the old green tractors so this will be a new venture for me. If anyone has something for sale or trade, I am located between
Kansas City and Topeka. Thanks a lot!

 

[DR. EVIL]

OH MY! Why on Earth would you NOT want to fix the Super H up for your Dad? I've had my '54 Stage 2 Super H for 55 years, since May 8th, 1968 and NO WAY would I part with it. Dad bought a 1940 Deere B to do one job that the Super H was too wide to do, pull our manure spreader down the narrow center aisle of our hog house. And that one job was ALL it did. Thank goodness it was cheap, only $90.
A little elbow grease to polish and shine up the paint on the Super H would increase it's eye appeal, and fix any little problems like lights that don't work, leaks, broken or missing parts. Lots of common parts between an H that they made 400,000 of and a Super H.

 

[Sleufoot]

Because I was either bored or curious I went through craigslist farm & garden for both Kansas City and Topeka and saw only one listing for either a John Deere B or A. I only went back one week. Seems like up in my area there are alot more for sale. They very in the state of repair they need so of course price varies with that. I would say that it should be easy to find either one of those models just depends on how far you want to travel to haul one back. You could like online at Tractorhouse or if you are on facebook you can look there also. Tom in Mn.

 

[Lfdfireman]

Well, I have had several Super Hs myself that I have fixed up/restored. My dad never grew up on a Super H, he did on John Deere As and Bs, thus my interest in finding one. I sold my last Super H, never used it and this one just sits as well and I don't see sense in that.

 

[Gwiz]

My dad has a JD B in Burlingame, KS. Hasn't set a price yet, because it hasn't ran in a number of years. He thought last time he tried, the mag did not fire. I intend to get it going and sell it. The price will be fair. I guarantee it will run. Sitting in his barn. Needs restored, but in usable condition.
James
(913)645-7775 send me a text if you're interested.

 

[FBH1939]

Is yours a stage 1 or 2 super H?

 

[Lfdfireman]

It is a late production number, 17809, stage 1.

 

[FBH1939]

Nice machine. There would be someone who would do a swap. I have a 1939 Farmall H and a 1939 Deere B. No comparison between them. H has electric start lights and hydraulic lift from the factory. Deere has none of that! There is no wonder why IHC was king back then. Im a Deere guy but my GG Pa was on the line at Farmall works when mine was built so I like em both

So there are three eras of As and Bs. What one are you looking for? Unstyled Mid Styled or Late? Hand or electric start? Hydraulics or not?

 

[Lfdfireman]

I grew up around the red mostly and always liked the old Farmalls, even though there was a JD A and B when I was little. I am looking for one mid or late styled, electric start preferably but no hydraulics needed since it will be more of a parade and hay wagon puller.

 

[buickanddeere]

Why an A or B when a 60 or 50 could be had ?
Live hydraulics and duplex carburation . Optional live PTO and optional power steering .

 

[Lfdfireman]

Good thoughts but my dad didnt grow up with one of those, he
did with both an A and B.

 

[Kansas4010]

There was some on Purple Wave in Topeka. I assume they've sold by now. They occasionally get listed there once in a while. Just a warning, if you buy from Purple Wave you'll pay dearly. Also keep an eye out on Kansas auctions. net.

 

[FBH1939]

I have a 49 that is great for that. The only model of the B I dont have is a mid styled electric start. Someday Ill fill that gap.

 

[David from Kansas]

Look on craigslist or Nex-tech.com as there are often some listed on there in your area. I have both electric start and hand crank model JD A and like both of them. No B but they are very similar to the A, just a little bigger, like the difference between an H and M IHC.

 

[Leroy]

Late styled was only avaible with starter and hydrolics. Very early styled no electricity system and probably no hydrolics Later styled A or B 1941 to early 1947 could have been had with no starter or hydrolics but in A still a 29 Horse engine for kerosine, Late styled A would be gas and 38 HP And 6 speed, the 41-early 47 could be either 4 speed or 6 speed..
I had a 38 A, 51 A 45 B and 49 B. Plus a 50 AR.

 

[Kansas4010]

I just found this JD A at an antique store in Topeka. Probably not quite what you're looking for.

 

[Lfdfireman]

Nice! I hope you bought it and gave it a new home. lol

 

[Lfdfireman]

Gotcha.....sent you a text last night!

 

[Leroy]

Sounds like your Dad is not a kid any more but in the upper years so you want a starter for ease of starting, not having him over due himself trying to start a flywheel start tractor
And if you get an A for him look for one with the battery under the seat, that will be a 12 volt electrical system and have enough power to starter to start it. The ones with the battery under the hood are only a 6 volt system and without the power unless you plan to do a 6 to 12 conversion. Then possibly not enough if it has high compression pistons installed as those tractors were lower compression dur to fuell they were made for and that is why the lower Horse power.The A up untill early 47 was to compete with the Farmal M but was more in size of a H powerwise and the B Deere at that tie would be competing with a Farmall C, Not the H Deere was trying to compete with. The late Deere B would compete with the H and the late A would compete with the M

 

[Kansas4010]

No I didn't. Just don't have any wall space. I just saw it today and I'm more of a new generation tractor fan.