Happy 70th Birthday to this John Deere 70 Diesel

I bought this 1956 John Deere 70 Diesel at a local farm auction in September of 2024. As you can see, it was a basket case. Both the diesel engine and the pony motor were seized up tight, the brakes were seized up, and it came home to my place on a rollback tow truck. 

In the spring of 2025, I sent the serial number to The Two Cylinder Club in Iowa, and got the surprise of my life when their research information came back to me! The shipping date for this tractor was June 12, 1956. I was born on June 12, 1981. Needless to say, this tractor instantly became a very special project for me, and I was determined to have it done by June 12, 2026.

These finished project photos were taken on June 12, 2026. The tractor is celebrating it’s 70th birthday, and I am celebrating my 45th birthday. This tractor now occupies a very special place in my world. Thank you to Steiner Tractor Parts for the countless parts I’ve been able to find through their amazing selection of old tractor parts! I recommend STP to anyone looking for parts to make their old special iron run like new again. Thank you Steiner Tractor Parts!!

Delvin Steiner
Greentop, Missouri

If you would like to send in a story with photo(s) about an experience with your tractor, interesting facts about its history, or a restoration project,  please go to Tractor Story Submissions. If your story is picked to appear on the blog you will receive a FREE Steiner hat.* Some stories will also go on to be published in our quarterly magazine. We look forward to hearing your story!

• Stories outside the US will be published, but due to shipping cost, hats will only be shipped inside the US.