Thoughts on 70 Diesel?

bigboreG

Member
Considering a 70 diesel for my next project. Had a 70 gas once, fought flywheel problems. Any of you have or once had a 70 diesel? I have experience with pony engines, but would like to find one retrofitted to elec start. Any advice or comments on these tractors would be a great help. Just wanting to know the trouble areas and what to look for. Thanks!
 
I have a 70 d, pony runs and works well. Original flywheel is still tight. You should just get a 720 or 30 if you want electric fun.
 
BBG...most common problems with 70 diesels are pony engines that don't work and loose flywheel problems. Ocassionally you run into broken camshaft idler gears or thrown weights in the governor. The transmissions normally have noisy 3rd and 4th gears due to most of it's work being done in those gears in the past. 70 diesels retrofitted for electric start are usually done on a budget and they go for function rather than correctness. To do a conversion with JD parts is expensive if done correctly.
 
Loose flywheels seem to be even more of a problem on disels than gas. Ive had 2 730"s and both have had retrofit flywheels. There used to be a guy by the name of clyde wilson in ohio that sold retrofit electric start kits for these tractors. He used to advertise in green magazine. Another option on the 720/730 is the slower first gear and the single stick (slow transmission). If you get an abused or wore out one, engine parts could be rather costly to fix, probably more so the injection sytem. Lots of the "diesel" engine parts are deere only puchases.
 
I had a nice 720 D that was pony start. The thing I didnt like about it was the 10 mph top speed. I like the 70s for there good road speed. My wife liked the 720 but always had prblems with getting it started. The main reason I want a diesel is that the cost of gas is making this hobby hard to afford. Those diesels hardly take anything to operate. I could live with a pony I guess, wife can just drive another one lol. Like you said most are an ugly conversion, I am sure there are a few proper ones out there though. Any reason why nobody is making aftermarket diesel parts for these tractors?
 
I had a nice 720 D that was pony start. The thing I didnt like about it was the 10 mph top speed. I like the 70s for there good road speed. My wife liked the 720 but always had prblems with getting it started. The main reason I want a diesel is that the cost of gas is making this hobby hard to afford. Those diesels hardly take anything to operate. I could live with a pony I guess, wife can just drive another one lol. Like you said most are an ugly conversion, I am sure there are a few proper ones out there though. Any reason why nobody is making aftermarket diesel parts for these tractors?
 
BBG..the 70D's do have a center main bearing that is lubricated through the crankshaft. The later 720D and 730D's have a separate oil line to the center main bearing. Not too uncommon to see 70D's with seized center mains. Any required work on the crankshaft/bearings is expensive for parts, labor and machine shop charges.
 
I have my dads 70D that we use as our big tractor in our small operation. They are easy on fuel, before my dad passed he had the pony gone thru that was kinda spendy but she starts good. he also put a taperlock flywheel on. That tractor does everything I want it to.Jim
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Very nice outfit! Love the combine too. Thanks so much for sharing I enjoy seeing pics of the tractors doing what they were made to do.
 
70D was the 1st JD diesel with a three bearing crank. There is a memo to tap the bearing housing for an updated pressure oiling mod.
Owners of 70"s swapping in cranks from 720/730 diesels have come to grief. If they don"t install the oiling mod.
 
WE use "Big John" our <a href="http://youtu.be/pawEiU_gayA">55 Model 70 diesel</a> to power the KRONE 260 baler.

<a href="http://s200.beta.photobucket.com/user/jameslloydhowell/library/John%20Deere%20Equipment/Big%20John%20and%20Krone%20260" target="_blank">
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</a>
 
on a 70 the three point hitch is kind of mickey mouse . If you plan to use it get a 720 0r 730. you will have to spend a few thousand more but it is worth it.
 

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