First tractor recommendations

B kram

New User
Hello,

I wanted to get some input from the site on opinions as to what woul dbe a better biginner tractor. I have been into tractors for a great while but have never owned one. I looking at one for a new hobby. I really like the late 30"s model JD"s such as the Model A and B"s. I have found both styles for sale but really want input on what would be best and why or are they pretty much the same except for overall size and engine size. I appreciate all the feed backk.

Brandon
 
What is your requirement for the tractor? Farm work, parades, antiques shows, etc. Do you have a trailer or truck to haul it? Once you decide what you will do with this tractor then we can give you some recommendations. You can't go wrong with a B or A but you also have to decide price and features like electric start, lights, pto features like "live PTO", power steering, wide front end, etc. The numbered series have a lot more ergonomic features but are still considered an antique two cylinder so you might consider something like a 520 or 630. Put some more thought into your needs and then repost to get better answers.
 
I would get a s/n 201000 and up B, much more usefull than the earlier models and less likely the driveing disc is loose on the crankshaft. Get one that runs and has good tires!
 
jturbo10,

Looking to use for a hobby and just do parades and antiue shows. I do have a truck and a trailer to haul it. I have always like dthe A and B's, the hand crank models I find really interssting and fascinating. I dont need headlights, PTO's, power sterring and such. Just the basic hand crank style would be fine. Im pretty mechanically inclined so as long as it was complete, Im sure I can get it to run.

What are some things to look at for an old JD A or B that has been sitting. I have found a few that have been sitting in sheds with engine sthat crank and are not frozen just have not been started in quite some time. What is a fair price for complete but not frozen?
 
What I iwsh you would do, or one of you JD men, is go to Branson MO and buy that nice JD "B" that"s sitting out in the weather for many years, at the toy museum on the strip. I see it slowly going downhill over the years, needs to have a nice home, don"t have any idea if they would part with it.
 
Late model, early 50s B. Go with what the others say on good tires. New tires will cost you more than the tractor.
 
I agree, tires are a big expense and have to be figured in the purchase price. An A or a B would be a great tractor to start with. I started with a 49 B.
 
I would part company with many here and since you expressed a fondness for the hand cranks, I would go with an early A hand crank. I grew up on farm and when I was small we had a late model A with electric start, a mag pump and a loader for a WD Allis that my Dad modified for the A. Along with that we had a R and an 830. These were the tractors of my youngest days and although the R and the 830 went to trade on a D21 Allis in the mid 60s we kept the A until the early 70's.

In 1987 I decided I needed a tractor of my ownest own and bought a 1938 unstyled A at an auction. The rear tires were mismatched, the pto shaft was broken off, she shot flame out the left side of the exhaust manifold due a leaking gasket and worn mating surfaces but I bought for $250 and feel deeply, hopelessly in love with her.

Having little experience with old JDs outside of youthful memories, I had no experience with handstarters or with the idea of all fuel. But she would start with a minimum of effort and I can't tell you how much enjoyment I got out of playing and learning with her. Although I now own several tractors, the old A is still pretty much as she was when I bought her. I think about fixing her up, but I still kind of like her as she is for what she represnts to me and for the fact she is still in her working clothes.

Technically, every one is correct when they say that you should make sure you get one with good rubber, good tin, mechanically sound and with all the options like hydraulics, lights and so on and if you can do that at a reasonable price, by all means do so. But there is a lot to be said for getting a running ugly duckling like I did. Learning the tricks of hand starting, making small repairs and just playing with it will give you a vast amount of pleasure. Your first tractor should be a love affair as mine was and you will never regret it.
 
Once you decide on the model I would buy the best model available to you and go from there.As mentioned tires are now more than steel in price.Im in the parts business but see so many people by the cheap broken down model and think they will save money.Well by the time they are done they hate it and are almost tired of it before they get started.Shop smart and dont be afraid to ask for help.Enjoy and learn
 
As for a price of a barn fresh JD A or B with decent tires straight tin and complete hand or electric start that's free I would say around $800-$1200. Tires are pricey but if you look around you can get a decent set for around $3-400 each. For parades do you really have to have $1500 Goodyears Or Titan tires ? No. They look good but you'll have more in tires then what the JD is worth. Also, if you get the JD that you were talking about and it is free and not stuck. These JD'S are not hard to work on. Very simple machines. They all take maintenance. They all or most leak oil/coolant. A few gaskets and time and patience is all that's needed oh yeah money too. Good luck with your choice. I have a handstart 1944 JD A that I really enjoy playing with. It needs tires and tubes but I found a local guy that's got a set of tires for $300 good tread and not rotten. Then I have to buy tubes at $65 a piece.
 
I agree with jturbo10, that it depends what you are going to do with it. I have bought mine for parades and investment. When I started, a friend said don"t buy a B, they are like belly butons, everyone has one. Buy something with low production numbers. Well, I have 4 US Bs but they are low numbered tractors with the BR being the most produced.
 
I really thank everyone for the great info about what to look for. I have not found many A or B's that are currently running but are complete and not froze. I did find a B model for $1000 that is complete, tires are pretty good but low on air due to sitting for a long time. I notice it has a generator and a batter tray someone mounted to the side frame? From looking around, I was thinking it may be a 1941 model B. Did those have generators then or was thsi a conversion someone did? It does not run but is not stuck. A 1000 dollars id more my price range.
 

Remember, you won't be going on many "Group Tractor Drives" with the Early 2-Cylinder JD's..they only has 4 Gears and ran about 4 MPH in High...
Something to consider...

Ron,,
 
I have a unstyled D and a unstyled A.There nice for shows and parades but for tractor rides i hate it because i cant go. They wont keep up.I myself is looking for a tractor.I wanting either a late A or B.My buddie 52 A will run around 12mph.If your going to do alot of hauling it a model B will be lighter.What ever you get make shure its a 6 speed.Good luck.
 
I agree with most of the others. I am assuming you want JD since you are on this forum asking. Late "B" with good tires and good running and maybe older restoration. Should be able to get one for $2000 - $2500 that needs very little to nothing. Also can haul it on 16' trailer with a heavy half T pickup. If you need power steering and live power then go up to a 520. You can get them for around $4500 in nice shape and they are going up in value. I have a '37 A and 1950 B and although the A is fun to work in the field the way it lugs and sounds , the B is more practicle and lighter and goes faster for rides.. JMO.
 
There are two roads you can take. The first road is to try to find the cheapest complete tractor you can and tear it down and re-do it. That road will give you experience and self gratification when you're done with it, but it will take a good bit of time and considerable amount of money.

The other road is to search out a finished and honestly re-built tractor and fork up more money right out of the chute. This option still gives you the pleasure of messing around with the thing and the thrill of hearing it pop away but it is instant gratification and at a lower cost than the first road.

You can buy a good clean rebuilt tractor for less than you will spend rebuilding one. (A basic vanilla model) So having said that... bear in mind that the cabbage you pump into a restoration project will not likely be recovered should you decide to sell it somewhere down the road.

Go through all the pictures on this and some other sites. Look at some Deere (or whatever brands you're into) books and see what all is out there. Then pick one that excites you and start searching.

Have a ball...!
Bob
 
Maybe ..........but In the end you will wish you had spent your times and resources on a 520 with PS, live pto, live hydraulics, rockshaft, three point hitch and scv.
 
Some people wont like this but the last few years Two Cylinder tractors have lost some in popularity and value mainly because the true loyalists are getting older and some of the new ones prefer what they remember in their youth.I am in my late 60s so forty five years ago 4020s were popular.I would buy what I like and can enjoy or use.530 JDs seem to be one of the most popular along with 330s.If you want tractors that seem to appreciate in value then I would look at side counsel NewGen.
 
I would recomend the following: buy what you like, and what you would like to keep. If you make a lot of repairs or updates, you may not get that money back other than through enjoyment during and afterwards.

We have about 20 tractors on the farm that get used, and a couple to play.

2 cylinders are fun, and the older ones are affordable to fix. Not so much the diesels, at least the fixing part. (Playing with them is always fun, repairs, expensive.)

My two toys- a 36 A that I bought 17 years ago and restored. It turns heads where ever it goes, and the battery is never dead. And useful for nothing.
The other toy is a 64 4020 powershift with M and W turbo. It is good original, and oh it's fun on the no-till drill. And it needs a few minor things, and they may cost what I have in the A.

Decide what kind of fun you want and waht the budget allows. One of the most fun farm tractors we have is a 50 A that my grandfather bought new. Char-lynn powersteering and work clothes make her useful. Not like the 4450, but useful in it's own way.

Good luck in your decision.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top