Tractor Stories – 1944 John Deere LA

The 1944 John Deere LA pictured here is the tractor I have been watching in the neighborhood for about five years. I had talked to the owner then, who moved it from California. At that time it was not running, and the exhaust was a straight pipe. Well six months ago I drove over to the open stored tractor. I asked the owner if he thought about selling the tractor or was he still going to restore it.  He said Dave I’ve been looking for you, cause I bought a house in Alaska and I’m going hunting and fishing, we’re moving and I’m selling the tractor. That was it. I purchased the tractor on the spot. Now the problem was it didn’t run or even move. The rear wheels, and engine was stuck. The only thing good about this LA was it still had it’s tag, and also had new tires. We towed it home, and six months later with long hours it is running.

Dave Fohr
Pine, Arizona

PS— most of my parts were purchased at Steiners.