1952 John Deere A - Project Start

After much debate in my head on what model I wanted to start with, I have entered into the two cylinder world with a 1952 John Deere A. Its nothing special like the unstyled I wanted but its a decent runner and is a good "tinker" project in between work road trips this winter.

Picture makes it look better than it is. Watch the video for a walk through.

So, advice, thoughts, ect are welcome. This is my "learning " project so I plan to go over everything eventually.

https://youtu.be/KFtXKKV63Hg

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Just a suggestion to start. Draw up a "business plan" so to speak that starts with what you have now and proceeds to what you want it to be when done. THEN , make up the most accurate parts/materials/sublet labor list you can. (then add 20%) Not trying to scare you, just saying that without a plan most get lost and not only will project never get finished (or at least properly) but they will also get turned off to the antique tractor hobby all together. Looks like a good starting point as apposed to a parts tractor. There's plenty of expertise to be had on this site and also go into the comment "archives" as everything has been asked before. You came to the right place. Many are building tractors as we speak with daily help from the guys on here.My two areas are carbs and paint so will probably be answering a few of your questions. Good luck, I think you picked a perfect specimen to start with.

I started on a 60 and wanted to do it right,$7,000 later still not done. It was A lot worse then what you've got but be ready for a fun adventure. I have a 51A and I love it, I love the sound of those old Girl's. Randy is right, get a budget started, and be realistic about you vision.

LOL! Thing is, it's tough to draw up a business plan for a money pit! And NO, I don't mean that in a bad way!

Not a bad idea! I've already spent time restoring a few garden tractors (2 318's and a 112 RF) so I know how quickly money adds up on them. One reason I held off getting one of these so long was I didn't want to create a corner-of-the-garage dweller. I plan to find a nice spot in the garage and tinker it at it this winter. Its much better condition than the froze-rusted-bucket of parts I almost bought for the same money (it was an unstyled B though).

Two main questions:
1) Original tire size for a John Deere A? 12.4-38 or 13.6-38? This has 13.6-38's now but the rims are shot. I have (2) outter rims from a John Deere B that would handle the 12.4-38 which according to Tractor Data is the original tire size.

2) Best way to straighten sheet metal? The pedestal must have collapsed in the past so the nose cone and hood need some help. I was thinking to bang it straight and then use Bondo on the outside to create a smooth surface?

Good looking project tractor, I have a 52 A myself that has a wide front put under it by the previous owner. I have 12.4-38's on the back and it handles them just fine!

These things set around either outside under trees or in rickety old buildings and things seem to just fall on them after while. Those grills look pretty straight other than the top. That's easier than trying to straighten a bunch of the grill bars. Don't worry about a little bondo on a two cylinder either, if they vibrate that much then you have other problems. Pretty heavy metal so one can do wonders with it before bondo. Usually require very little . I would go 13.6 on tires. my '50 "B" has 12.4,s and they look just right but if I had a late styled "A" , I would want bigger.

I agree , Bob, and that's exactly why people should do it. 50% would probably decide to keep and use as is or sell as is. There's usually a "Wifey" in the picture also and sometimes they don't see the "dream" in same way as husband. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes we need a "grounded" party involved if nothing more than to keep us honest. Always better to do something out on paper first. Mistakes/misjudgements are always cheaper that way , and most "partners" like seeing plans on paper first. At least then , if it IS a money pit one might have some idea how deep and whether one will ever be able to climb out or whether he would rather just " mow the grass" where the "pit" could have been. I think some just go too far on them. If all the gears trans/rear end work good and are reasonably quiet, just flush it out and new lube and leave it alone. You don't need to be able to brag about every bearing /seal/gasket being replaced and the only tractor that never leaks a little is one without fluids or ever being run and used. Bottom line is , a lot of time/money can be spent for nothing.

I'm going to tell you what I wish someone had told me when I bought my 41 B. Unless your prepared to spend a hundred hrs. (at least),and way more money than that tractor is worth, sell it for what you have in it and buy one that someone else has already completed and "tinker" with it. Check out the photo ads on this site. There are so many under priced completely restored 2 cylinders on there it will make you sick. Spoked wheels, brass tags and all. You could have one shipped to you and still be better off than your about to be.
Maybe I'm not going about it the right way or don't have the best tools but my "tinker" toy turned into a full blown project that takes a lot of my spare time and money. Just sayin. Good luck.

What woodsnwater said is true, but, and this is a big but, you won't have had the pleasure of working on and learning all about these machines. As you dig in, you will find that there many stories hidden inside your tractor. It may be the temporary fix that was done in the middle of haying one year that somehow became permanent or it may be the ingenious repair that was done without the benefit of the proper part. These are the things that lend character to "your" tractor. I highlighted "your" because once you finish this project, it will be yours in a way that buying one that has already been restored will never be. In restoring an old tractor, it is the journey that matters as much as the final result. Take pictures along the way and enjoy it. Remember, this is entertainment and entertainment costs money anyway, but here you will have something to show for it that will continue to give you pleasure and entertainment in the years to come.

Your tractor sure starts and sounds good.

Thanks for sharing your video with us.

There are plenty of parts available for your tractor and it is relatively easy to work on.

Depending on the purpose of your tractor, it could be an expensive hobby.

Best thing to remember is that it is your tractor and you are the only one that needs to be pleased with it.

I would encourage you to get the Operator's Manual OM-R2002R for your tractor.



An online parts catalog PC675 is available at <a href="http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt">John Deere - Parts Catalog</a>.



The service manual frequently used for the Model A is the <a href="http://www.external_link.com/p-104-john-deere-b-service-manual-sm2004.aspx">John Deere B Service Manual SM2004</a>.



Hope this helps and good luck with your 1952 Model A tractor.

We have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John+Deere+52A&page=1">John Deere 52A</a> and it is one of our "utility" tractors that does several different jobs here on the farm.

When we bought this tractor it had a No. 5 sickle mower attached; we later attached a <a href="https://youtu.be/kJNe6cd183k">No. 39N sickle mower</a>.

This tractor has a <a href="https://youtu.be/5YhYX6WkO18">BushHog ATH 720 finishing mower</a> attached and gets used at least once every week.

Well, I 100% understand your point. Tis the reason I own a running tractor instead of a stuck one. My stubborn head wanted to find the "toughest" project I could find (bad bad bad idea). I finally compromised with myself and said, you know, running is better than froze up thanks to trying to get my hit miss engine unstuck.

(reply to post at 14:45:11 08/27/15)

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Exactly, this isn't mean to be done and make money selling. My goal is to learn a bunch about these through the process. I enjoy the journey as much as the destination on my projects to date.

(reply to post at 17:06:13 08/27/15)

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Thanks for the notes. I actually just bought a manual on Ebay last night. The guys at the John Deere dealer will be happy to see me back in the shop. When I was doing my last few projects, I was in once or twice a week as its 5 minutes from my office.

great starter project..
it runs....
does it drive around ok?
if so..

first 2cyl?....you have a running, driving tractor.
great time to learn and get familiar with em.
It's always easier figuring out a new thing...when they actually work!
start off with normal maintenance stuff and setting things by the book.
Then...use it.
after reading...everything, and using it, it will be a 'ya, I understand'
kind of thing.(and you will see anything that needs attention...right [i:c6a61204dd]now[/i:c6a61204dd])
Then...you can get to work on fixing it up like you want and to what level you want.