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John Deere Tractors Discussion Forum
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starting a 1948 John Deere B

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David Johnson2

10-25-2006 17:40:32




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Hello, Just recently purchased a 1948 JD B. I was wondering if anyone could give me basic starting instructions. I will drain out all the old gas, put in new gas, check oil, and install a new battery. The tractor was running two years ago so hopefully things won't be to bad. Any help or web links appreciated.




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WeirdDeere

10-26-2006 05:51:43




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
The instructions already given will probably get you going.

I just wanted to mention, MAKE SURE it's out of gear!

You should also put a new set of sparkplugs in it, and probably have another new set in case you flood it.

There MIGHT be more than one fuel shutoff. For example, our '46 has a shutoff on the sediment bowl, and a three way valve controlled from the dash. Let me tell you, they are hard to start with one valve open, and one closed! If you have more than one tank, make sure you select the right tank.

To see if it has a kill switch, just pull a sparkplug, lay it on the block, and hit the starter. If it sparks, you're good to go. If not, look for a switch...

To shut it off, shut off the fuel and let it die. Not all are set up to die with the throttle. Owner preferance.

Also, if you just can't get it going with the starter, don't be afraid to pull start! It is often easier to get them going this way the first few times!

A website with lots of B info: www.retiredtractors.com

Brandon
My Industrial John Deere website
John Deere Diesels
The LaGrange Engine Club

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85_Ranger4x4

10-25-2006 20:40:21




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
Of course over the years people have added distributors to tractors, so he could have a dist on his '48. we have them on both our '46 and '48, with kill switches, they work great and I see no reason to go back to mags.

On ours you pull out the choke if cold, or if it didn't catch when warm, whirl it over a couple times and push the choke in, usually they fire right off, at which point we let off the starter. Don't forget to turn the gas on, seems I usually make it about 15-20' before I have to get off and turn it on then restart the whole procedure. If you have problems getting it started there should be petcocks that decrease the compression to save battery power on the bottom of the engine block.

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CLW

10-25-2006 19:42:12




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
Two-Cylinder Mag. May-June 1998 says the Mag. was used through serial number 268819 which was in 1950. The Distributor was used after that. As far as holding the starter after it fires, I myself wouldn't do that. It is no different than starting a car as for as holding the starter down. If it don't start when it fires just let the engine roll to a stop and press the starter again.



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B-maniac

10-25-2006 20:14:08




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to CLW, 10-25-2006 19:42:12  
Thank you CLW. ( I only have one tractor ) Also , I will quit trying to explain my starting procedure.Obviously I don't know how to best word what I'm really trying to say. I've never had starter problems on anything I've owned.Nuf said!



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green49jda

10-25-2006 18:41:22




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
I must tell you David, "B-Maniac" is in some ways wrong. Don't keep the starter going while it starts to fire, it can be very hard on your starter and drive. The 1948 John Deere B's did NOT have a magneto, they had a distributor. There was a ignition switch. That "B-Maniac" who replied is talking more about a early styled B which is not what you have. Try what I said and believe me, I have many many many tractors. Good luck.

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B-maniac

10-25-2006 19:20:00




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to green49jda, 10-25-2006 18:41:22  
Check your facts. They didn't come with a distributor until 1950 , at which time the magneto was considered an option. So you are saying to let off the starter BEFORE you hear it fire? That's the way I read your post."Don't keep the starter going while it starts to fire". Then how do you know IF it is going to fire? If it don't fire at least a couple times,then why would you let off the starter? Dave,please post back on here when you find an on/off or ignition switch on your 48 "B". Also let us know if it has a magneto or a coil and distributor. And also if it is original or been altered by a previous owner. Thank you in advance. "B"

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green49jda

10-25-2006 17:47:35




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
It's really pretty easy, make sure the throttle is about half postion, it should either have a keyed switch or pull knob switch, which ever it has, turn it to on position, pull the choke outward, and push down the lever in the flywheel shield until it starts, when it starts, quickly push the choke back in, make sure it has good oil pressure. Good luck, hope it runs great.



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green49jda

10-25-2006 17:47:28




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to David Johnson2, 10-25-2006 17:40:32  
It's really pretty easy, make sure the throttle is about half postion, it should either have a keyed switch or pull knob switch, which ever it has, turn it to on position, pull the choke outward, and push down the lever in the flywheel shield until it starts, when it starts, quickly push the choke back in, make sure it has good oil pressure. Good luck, hope it runs great.



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B-maniac

10-25-2006 18:14:36




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to green49jda, 10-25-2006 17:47:28  
I don't think a '48 "B" will have any "switch" unless it was added by a previous owner.They came with a magneto only and I've never seen one with any kind of on/off switch. Turn on the gas (lever on sediment bulb),give it half throttle and full choke. Hit starter and hold it on.When you hear first fire,quickly push choke all the way in,but don't let off starter until it fires a few more times,then let off. It should stay running at this point,but it may require slight choke for a little while. They are all a little different in what they want.You will learn what it wants real quickly.Personality! That's what makes the old tractors so great.New tractor people call it "tempermental". If it won't start this way, you probably have some work to do.Good Luck. Oh! Almost forgot to tell you how to shut it off! Pull throttle lever all the way back. If that don't shut it off then shut off the gas and let it die of starvation.That also means you have some work to do,because it should shut down with the throttle lever back.

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cjdeere

10-26-2006 03:48:04




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to B-maniac, 10-25-2006 18:14:36  
Sounds like B-maniac has a chip on his shoulder about younger people and he's right and everyone else is wrong. Good luck with your B I have a 1950 B that I'm restoring with my son and my dad. I love all those old tractors but I love those Green ones the most ;-)



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B-maniac

10-26-2006 18:00:10




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to cjdeere, 10-26-2006 03:48:04  
cjdeere,if I remember correctly it was you that made that uncalled for "age" comment back in your "defensive" post pertaining to Don c 's comment about parts dept personel at JD dealers.That's not what Don meant and you know it,but you have to post on all defensive and open up an age issue.Who's got the chip? Has nothing to do with age and you are proof of that. You better follow Don and myself all over this forum so you can exploit the "age" chip every time you see any of our posts,like you did here. John Deere built the 48 "B" the way they built it,has nothing to do with being "right" or "old". You probably wouldn't believe it if I told you I was younger than you. I also have a 1950 "B" sn.270549. Never had a dist.,coil,on/off switch. Mine has the "optional" magneto. All '48,s came with mags. I'm so sorry if I'm being too correct for my age here. Apparently I just should have let that 48 "B" owner go on believing his tractor had a distributor and hunting for the switch to get it started.

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cjdeere

10-26-2006 21:07:16




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 Re: starting a 1948 John Deere B in reply to B-maniac, 10-26-2006 18:00:10  
I think you should reread his post and yours after my post. I don't have the problem...with anyone. Oh... my huntin is over ;-)



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