New Yellow (and Green) Toy...

[WeirdDeere]

It took me long enough, but I finally broke down and joined the ranks of the little Dubuque two cylinder owners!

I just bought an M!

Err, well if you know me enough, you know I didn't really buy an M...

I bought an MI, #10035!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another addition to the industrial fleet! (I have one, my gramps has the DI)

Sweet.

I was bored last week, and randomly decided to check the local Cleveland Craigslist for Deere stuff. I almost NEVER do that, but ran across an ad for a "John Deere MI 1947 - $3000" The description was "1947 John Deere MI in fair condition. Original color yellow. Wide front end. Delivery option possible. Contact XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Woah. Wait. WHAT?

I sent an email immediately (and since it was 3AM Sunday) I decided I would call in the later morning. The guy called ME first! I immediately woke up and dressed as quickly as I could to head in that direction (I didn't ACT too enthused with him though). We ended up having conflicting schedules, but I was able to check out the tractor when he wasn't there. The owner's father was there, and, while he didn't know a whole lot about it, he confirmed that it had run about a year ago, and the general condition suggested about the same.

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After looking at it, I decided to call him again, and make an offer. He guaranteed that it would run easily, and I said I wanted to at least jump it...cranking it over to be sure it wasn't stuck. I noted that it did have some issues, and offered $2300. He accepted over the phone, and I had to wait until this Saturday to get it. I was certainly nervous that it would get sold out from under me, but that didn't happen, and he seemed to be an honest fellow. He didn't even count the money I handed to him. But it is nice that there is still trust out there.

He said that the tractor had been for sale for a while, other people had stopped, but had wanted to use the tractor for brushhog work, and I assume since it lacks a three point, no one was interested. He was a Ford collector, who had bought an N series tractor in Pennsylvania, but the Ford was a "package deal" with the MI and he had to take both. After my offer, he said he also paid $2300? Shrug. Apparently it had been used in PA with a homemade snowplow, which was also my first guess by looking at the brackets. He had to leave the plow there, which from the condition of the homemade brackets, I don't consider a great loss. He also suggested that it had been used pretty lightly throughout it's life, by some GM executive to plow his drive or pull kids around or something. Yeah, that does sound like a bit of BS, but who knows. That's what he was told.

I guess I was a bit mean, 'cause he knew he had an MI, but he didn't know how rare they are (1032 made). Apparently he had looked at a normal M serial number list, since he thought it was a '47, and MIs started in '50. This was #10035. So he probably thought it was one of 40,000 Ms instead of 1000 MIs. I guess I win this one?

Anyway, got it home today (err Saturday) in a heavy rainstorm! After studying it further, while the sheetmetal is REALLY banged up in places, mechanically, it seems to be unmolested in any obvious way (which is the main reason I bought it).

The first order of business was to get it running. Taking the sediment bowl off, I found that there was NO flow out of the tank. I took the bowl assembly off and cleaned out a LITTLE rust, but some of the nastiest gunk I've seen yet in a fuel tank. Now it had good flow. I started cranking, and got lots of white smoke, but no popping. Found there was no spark, and LOTS of fuel dumping out the carb. Washing all the water out of the distributor helped (did I mention rain?) and tightening the ground for the points got 'er sparking hot. I tore the rusty carb apart, and found the needle valve was WELL worn. I made a quick call to a local TSC, and lo and behold, they had one M carb rebuild kit ON THE SHELF. Believe me, I was shocked to hear that just as much as you, and got it for less than $30. I ripped the carb completely apart, blasted all the rust off, blew it out, and slapped it back on.

I hit the starter and the choke and she fired up without much effort at all! Sweet!

Haven't moved it under it's own power yet, that's for tomorrow. Here's more pics and comments. I'm excited.

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About the first thing was to yank the hood off. While the grill looks horrible, and the hood not so great? It's yellow.

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Mechanically it looks solid. Even kept the generator. I never paid attention to the heat shield on the manifold. How many times is this little shield rotted off and tossed? My guess is nearly every time!

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The hastily rebuilt carb

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Both rear rims look soft. The right one NEEDS replaced, this is the left. Note the tire, both are the same, and match. I'd be willing to bet those are original tires, since the size is still 13-24? About 50% wear? Lots of cuts and weatherchecking, but to keep the original tires must mean it wasn't treated TOO hard.

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Gotta love hidden yellow paint.

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This tag is on top of the front axle. I have NO IDEA what it means. Anyone else seen something like this?

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The serial tag

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Service instructions on the battery door!

Well, I think I'm very happy with what I found! If anyone disagrees, you can tell me, but I might not listen. Ha ha.

Brandon

 

[jd b puller]

Well, if you have to get a Dubuque tractor, at least it's something "weird"

I never could get past the sound of the Dubuque's. Only ever owned one and it was a real PITA to get on and off. No offense to the guys that like Dubuques, I just don't.

 

[bruster]

Nice find!!
Looks like the tin is in good shape and won't need tons of straightening or filler.

I also enjoyed the pics of your shop!
(Wish mine looked that neat!)

 

[Anonymous-0]

Nice find Brandon. Those that get what they want in life have the ability to recognize an oportunity when they see it and the courage to act on it. Looks like you have those qualities. Have fun.

 

[d. coleman]

thanks for pics., cant wait to here my 48"M" fire for first time after engine rebuild. your sheetmetal looks great compaired to mine. waiting for funds to get a new radiator. good luck on your "green fever therpey". d. coleman (48"M"& 51"B")

 

[Stan - Florida]

Brandon,

I've heard the saying, "If you continue to do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always gotten".

I do believe that, and it seems that you're continuing to do the good things you've always done and you're continuing to get the good things you've always gotten.

Best regards,

Stan

 

[WeirdDeere]

Update...a little movie.

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It had been running on one cylinder (the front cylinder), but holding the plug wire away from the plug made it hit on two. Pulled out the offending plug, cleaned and gapped it, and she fires good now. The tractor runs and moves under it's own power! The clutch and brakes seem fine. All the gears work, I don't hear any scary noises. PTO works. Hydraulics seem to work...though I don't know which lever does what yet. :huh: Good oil pressure. Takes a load OK (fourth gear uphill), though I think the carb and possibly governor linkage needs adjusted.

Generator doesn't generate, but I'll figure that one out later. There is a bit of blow by out of the breather under a load, but it doesn't concern me yet. It'd be nice if that'd clear up after running for a while, but I doubt I'll get that lucky.

Brandon

 

[Randy G]

You should submit your story to 2cyl or green mag. A great find story for any JD enthusiast to read and to let them know anything is STILL possible.

 

[beard2452]

very interesting story and a good selection of pics. it looks like you have changed hobbys from drag racing to restoring tractors . if so i know how you feel it is surely a lot cheaper hobby. i have parked my car and bought a tractor.

 

[wilamayb]

I like it!!

 

[WeirdDeere]

That's a funny comment!

You are right about racecars, but you are wrong about who drives one.

My DAD has the racecar.

I, being 25 years old, drive the old junk tractors!

Sort of a role reversal thing.

Brandon

 

[WeirdDeere]

That IS a thought. I've been meaning to write a few things to them.

Maybe I'll combine it with the DI story. <A HREF="http://www.johnnypopper.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13319">here</a>

That one will blow your mind.

Brandon

 

[WeirdDeere]

Great!

 

[WeirdDeere]

Thank you Stan.

 

[WeirdDeere]

Thanks! Hope you get yours running soon. If you look above at the "update" I made a small movie of the MI running!

Brandon

 

[WeirdDeere]

Thanks Dan!

 

[WeirdDeere]

Thanks Bruster! That's the shed that my dad uses, but unfortunately it won't stay there long. Need to keep it clear for vehicle maintenance (which seems to be a CONSTANT thing around here!

I actually can't believe all the good comments about the sheetmetal. I thought it was beat up pretty good, but I'm happy it's not rotted out!

 

[WeirdDeere]

It took me a long time to get used to the Dubuque's. Heck, I still can't pronounce it! I'm still a Waterloo hand clutch man at heart. The D took that a long time ago.

And when you say these Ms are a PITA to get on/off you're not kidding. I'm flexible and I still have issues!

 

[bruster]

Looks like it was kept under cover. Seem like a lot of tractors with that hood style always get pretty rusty where it folds around and meets the flat section (where the decal would go)