This John Deere 40 is the tractor my grandfather started out farming with when he was 22 years old in 1955. My dad and aunt used while growing up in Woodford County, Kentucky.
The last time it was running was the late 1980s or early 90s. It’s always been one of those “we’ll fix it up one of these days” types of projects. My Dad turned 70 on January 20th this year and I took it upon myself back at the end of October 2021 to restore it as a surprise for him for his birthday with some help from my 2 sisters Kari and Stefani. And lots of questions of my aunt and uncle, Jeff and Judy Adams.
(Above) My Great grandfather driving, my grandfather, on the left, and my uncle, on the right setting tobacco. My dad, Carl, and I with the restored John Deere.
I finished it a couple weeks early and couldn’t wait to give it to him. Here are a few before, during, and after pictures.
The video of when we surprised Dad.
Kyle Whalen
Versailles, Kentucky
ken carter says
very beautiful story!!!
thanks, KC
David E Vaughn says
The story of the old John Deere 40 brother back memories of me growing up on a farm in the same time. My grandpa had a tractor just like it . We used this tractor mostly for planting and any other thing. I still remember to this day trying to plow with a two breaker plow with no trips, and hit a stump, plowing to fast. This sudden stop through me over the steering wheel. The tractor wouldn’t chock down and started climbing straight back. I managed to get back in the seat and get it clutched. That was the last time I did this.
Thanks for the story
David from Gleason, Tennessee
Sean says
Truly Amazing. I am in the process of restoring my dads 40 now. He passed in 96 and I now I have the opportunity to finally do the restoration. Spent my childhood on it.