My heart aches tonight

[55 50 Ron]

Saw this machine sell today for $350 to a scrapper.

It's a 1947 or 1948. I couldn't find the serial number.

I may get the engine for a display as I talked to the buyer and told him I was interested.

Would have been interested in the whole machine if I had a shed to keep it in.

It had manual ground speed control and left side gas tank making it an early one.

Anyone know for sure what year the gas tank went to the right side?

 

[55 50 Ron]

I should have added that it's a model 55 and I drove one just like it in the harvest season of 1962. Good memories!!

 

[john deere haverstor guy]

The first 55's didnt have a serial number on a plate. It was stamped in the frame somewhere. So its my guess you got a first year 55.

 

[55 50 Ron]

Yes I know it is stamped in the frame. The one I drove as a young fellow was a 1948 because I know what it's serial number was and it was stamped in the frame on a heavy angle iron near the left drive wheel. However, when I tried to find that area on this one at auction today, I wasn't successful in finding it - too much grease to clear away and too dark where it was parked!!

 

[55 50 Ron]

the first year for the 55s was 1947

 

[1206SWMO]

Ron,thats easily a $1000 combine..You just dont find an early shedded 55 JD that nice every day...Its horrible that it will be scrapped..Someone on here needs to save it..

Wheres our Brad at from Minnesota that used to buy every early 55 JD that he could find..I havent seen him on here in a long time..

 

[Dick2]

My uncle had one of those. It couldn't eat windrows any better than his two 21A Massey Harris combines.

He traded it and the two Masseys in on 3 new JD 55's with hydraulic variable speed and overhead valve engines, folding unloading auger, etc.

 

[Ralph Bauer]

Ron, offer him double the money as is where it is.... "we" here on YT can always find a good home for it for 700, I would come and get it depending on where it is even possibly offer a little more. Call the buyer right away, even better also put note on the combine to not scrap ,that there's a $$ offer waiting for him to entertain. There is no need to go to salvage for this one!!email is open, 580-706-1315 (don't go to church today, so anytime!)
Ralph in OK.

 

[55 50 Ron]

1206,

I'm in Minnesota too and have visited Brad. I called him Friday and told him of this machine. He said he already has one like it and wouldn't be able to make the sale.

 

[DeltaRed]

"not haveing a shed" is a p!$$ poor excuse!!!If you had bought the machine you could always find a shed somewhere!It wouldnt hurt it to set outside for a while.Like someelse said offer 700 or more and SAVE IT!!!!Could be the last one left.Then they're all gone-forever.Someone will pay GOOD money for that thing.

 

[R Wyler]

The day is coming when we will be needing machinery of this VERY TYPE in the WORST way. it is durable, less to go wrong and is practical. Farming is absolutely paramount to survival. And without machines that land is next to useless. One reason third world countries are starving is because they have no machinery. I know it is not the only reason but it is indeed part of it.