Need help choosing a Johnny Popper

[Tony in SD]

Im grew up with Minneapolis Molines and Fords but now I want to buy a Johnny Popper. So Im asking for opinions on which Popper would be best for parades and ease of maintaining.

 

[2002sliverado]

I am a fan of 2 cylinder tractors myself. You will probably get a variety of responses, but in my opinion, for what you are looking for, I tend to go along with a style B or A John Deere. They are common, as are their parts. They are probably going to be the easiest to maintain and the least expensive to keep up. I tend to have an attraction towards the later styled models with the steel side frame, but there is nothing wrong with the earlier styled models either. If you want something newer, the 50 or 60 will be good choices, too.

 

[Patsdeere]

Agreed. A B or an A is an easy to work on, easy to transport and just fun.

 

[Mitch D]

I agree also with the styled A's and B's. They are cheaper to buy than the newer series, and as long as its a "for fun" tractor you will not miss the live pto and Hydraulics. And not sure of you age but if need be a float ride seat can even be bolted on for a smoother ride.

 

[MrMark]

Tony, I have a John Deere B that is one example of a great parade tractor. Just look thru the photo ads for, John Deere B 1937, in Illinois. I posted it a week or so ago.

 

[FBH44]

I run my Farmall in lots of Christmas parades, and I have to keep a sharp eye out for little children darting back and forth for the tossed candy, and wandering out in the right-of-way. Sometimes I have to STOP!!! QUICK!!! I'd be careful with that hand clutch, if you weren't familiar with one. Other thing is, lots of times you run up onto the next tractor or the next float full of kids, and you have to STOP!!!! I think a person would have to be used to that clutch, very familiar, be VERY familiar with how to use it in an emergency. I know I would.

 

[leon]

Or a JD Model H. It looks like an A or B, two horizontal cylinders, sounds like an old Johnny Popper should, etc., but smaller, lighter and easier to store and transport than an A or B. They are more of a curiosity than an A or B since less of them were made, and make great parade tractors partly for that reason. Now I just happen to know where there's a pretty one only 75 years old, electric start, that seems to be becoming surplus to it's aging owner and it's not too far from MSP. Shoot me an e-mail and I can tell you more.

 

[FBH44]

Leon, you oughta write advertising. you're good at it.

 

[leon]

Thank you.

 

[Galen Houk]

If I were only going to have one it would be a 630. A's and B's are often shot. We have parted out many and a lot of the parts go right in the scrap. Older B's will often run and drive but if you have to fix something, you find there is no end to the repairs. 630s are a great tractor and have many improvements over the older ones. They are pretty common so you don't pay a premium like a 530. As far as the hand clutch goes, it won't be a big deal. I am no fan of the hand clutch but I have never had a problem with getting confused. Everything is different on a 2 cyl so you are more aware when you drive one. They have excellent brakes if you did get confused. I don't have one for sale.

 

[buickanddeere]

Something with live Pto, a real three point hitch, live hydraulics a SCV and optional power steering . May as well have something that is useful as well as for driving in parades .
First Choices would be a slant steer 420, 430, 435, 440 and 520/530.

 

[coonie minnie]

The comments below are all good... but it kind of depends on what you are looking for. An A or B would be very affordable, a G would be nice (but more spendy) and a 50, 60 or 70 would have live hydraulics and PTO, for not much if any more $. I like the A and G we have around here for chores- they have aftermarket power steering that works as good as anything you could buy new today. The unstyled models are cool as well, but lack the road speeds that would be nice to get to and from the parade.

The 20 or 30 series are nice, too. And more money. They are also a bit more cumbersome to get on or off with a 3 point on there, and I'm not a big fan of the foot pedal PTO control. Too me, that is much more awkward than the hand clutch.

As for the hand clutch, if you grew up on an old Minnie Mo, you know about those!

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Tony, these are all good comments. I prefer the later styled letter series. I have an A that I use regularly and an H currently in pieces. About the brakes, never liked them on the A. Hard to get a foot up on to the pedal, but the H brakes are in an ideal spot. Keep in mind for parades, the H is slow in third gear. For your needs I'd say a B and it would take up less room if storage is a premium.

 

[David G]

John Deere B, nice simple tractor.

 

[Tony in SD]

Thanks for the safety reminder. Im 60 years old and grew up with hand clutches and no brakes. I already drive a MM ZA with hand clutch and working brakes in parades.

 

[Tony in SD]

Thank All for the comments

 

[Frank 41]

Just buy one of each, letter and number series.

My collection is US Bs, some low production numbers. Also I have some 2 cylinder 30 series, again some with low production numbers. I have a 720D standard with a low production number. Hopefully some will hold their value better but it is all fun especially when they start and run.

 

[buickanddeere]

Good point about the numbered series tractors being low houred. Many were parked or only used as peak season tractors once the four and six cylinder Deere's were released .
The letter series tractors tended to be used until there was nothing left.
As for retained value ? Most collections are being sold off now than being assembled. A tractor that is useful is worth far more to a rural estate owner or hobby farmer than a tractor with no three point, no scv, no live Pto and no live hydraulics .

 

[wilson ind]

Why don't you buy a John Deere??

 

[unc]

Im going to throw a curve in here, just for interests sake. I too have minnies with hand clutches. I like the JDs already mentioned, but my favourite parade tractor is my 1937 D. Its not hard to trailer, and around our area, some of the old guys get a little misty-eyed when you hand start the big boomer. My D sits from one year to the next, sometimes only getting moved once or twice a season- there are no rad hoses, belts, or batteries to worry about. Keep reasonably fresh gas in it, and it will start and run reliably. The concern about pulleys and flywheels is noted, and one should have a kill switch mounted in easy reach. Have fun. unc