I am the proud owner of a 1940 Model B John Deere Tractor. This is an old tractor that was my Dad’s for over 30 years before I acquired it in September, 2008. My Dad was 89 at the time and lived to be 92. This tractor is one of the old 2 cylinder “Johnny Put-Puts” John Deere tractors. This vintage of tractors, have a very distinctive sound. The only way to start this tractor is by turning the big fly wheel on its left side. There is no battery or starter, the ignition depends upon a magneto to provide the spark at the spark plugs. Because of the large pistons and the compression within the cylinders, turning the fly wheel to start it requires a good grasp and strength. At 89 my dad was not able to start the tractor any more so he gave it to me. He used it to disk up his garden but not for much more.
I subscribed to the “Two-Cylinder Club” magazine and obtained some good information on how to restore the tractor. I also sent, through them, and received an “Official Document” showing the production record of my tractor. It seems that based on my Serial Number, my Model B tractor was manufactured and left the factory on May 8th, 1940, and was shipped to a dealer in Syracuse. I also sent to John Deere Co. to obtain a new serial number plate as the old one on the tractor was rusting and about to fall off.
The tractor was in very good operating condition when I received it, however, cosmetically it needed some work. So in the summer and fall of 2013 I decided to restore it and started to disassemble parts of the tractor. My brother-in-law, Roger Graham and his son (my nephew) Roger, helped me start to disassemble parts of the tractor. Then with the help of Carey Fortnam – a former student of mine – we took everything apart except for the engine. I had to buy a new radiator, oil and water gauges, decals, muffler etc. These parts are available from a local John Deere dealer, such as Cazenovia Equipment in New Hartford or a company out of Michigan called STEINER Tractor Parts – Their motto is “New parts for old tractors”. Carey did an excellent job of re-painting the whole tractor before we put it back together. It looks beautiful, just like new. After all that, it even started and it runs very well. My Dad would be very proud to see it being used and the way it looks now.
I used it to pull out old bushes and to remove the old plants in front of the house, to do a new foundation planting. But mostly, I just enjoy taking it for a ride on the trails through the woods behind my house or down through the village. A lot of people come out to see me go buy and give me thumbs up. Lenny and Deloris Pugh make a point to come out and give me a wave when I go buy. One family, last year, makes a point to bring their little boy, who likes tractors, out to see it. I even let him sit on my lap with me for a picture. I decorated it and drove it in the Memorial Day parade last year and plan to do that again this year if we are able to have one.
One day I was driving up through the Yoxall Development area and noticed a car following me so I motioned for it to go by me but it wouldn’t. He kept following me until I reached a section of the road near the cemetery. At that point he passed me and pulled over and stopped. It was the village Policeman. So I stopped behind him. He got out of his car and came back to talk to me. He said he heard the tractor before he saw me and was impressed with the way the tractor looks. He asked if I ever put it in any tractor shows. I told him no as I do not have a trailer to transport it on. He is very interested in vintage tractors. We must have talked for 15-20 minutes.
I said to him what I tell other people, “Some people take their dog for a walk in the evening, I take my John Deere for a ride.” And as they say “Nothing Runs like a Deere.” That’s my big toy. Thank you!
Charles L. Smith
Oriskany, New York
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