John Deere A - new owner questions

Guys I'm interested and have found a "project" 1947 A for sale near me I want to go look at. I need some big picture type specific things to be aware of and look at close when I go so I can make an educated decision about whether to buy or not. Let me state I am not at all familiar with an A. I've got an old JD40 and love playing with it but never been around other models much. I've seen the sellers ad and some good photos. In short it's a 47, has really, really good tires all around, motor isn't locked up he says and the metal looks good and everything is there and the tractor is together not in pieces. He's asking $1200. Says it's been restored in the past, he's owned it a short while and lost interest. He also has a 45 A that is running and will take $1900. Tell me what to look for when I go see them. I may be interested in both but I'm really interested in the non-running 47. Any particular details on these tractors that are "traps" or expensive type common issues I wouldn't be aware of not knowing A's would be very helpful. Neither tractor has a 3 pt hitch by the way, both are tricycles style not wide fronts. Thanks for any insight.
 
If the 47 is as straight as you say and has really good tires it is well worth the 1200.00.Those old tractors are pretty much bullet proof and also there is no problem finding parts for them.I would check and see if it has antifreeze in it first.If not I'd wonder why,if it doesent it may have internal problems such as cracked head or block in such case it is not worth what he's asking.I have a 45 A that I restored 16 years ago and it is one of my favorites,it's a hand start.Good kuck Ron
 
Be aware that the A is much, much bigger than your 40, takes up a lot of space in the shed/garage/shop, and some parts are pretty heavy. Design-wise, the A is pretty much unrelated to the 40, except for the green paint.
 
I have read the advertisement for both these tractors and probably within a hours drive of their location.

I have "spruced up" a <a href="https://youtu.be/telcwMLZaLs">1946 model A</a> many years ago.


eMail is open if you want to talk.
 
You said email is open to talk but, for some reason, I don't see a button to private message you like I'm looking for. What am I missing?
 
Thanks.

"Easy" was one of the "easiest" tractors to "spruce up".

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Hope this helps.
 
Ben is right about the tires. If they are "really, really good" then they are worth nearly the $1200 right there.

Simple things to check; see if it rolls over and see if you have compression on both cylinders, also listen for the "click" of the mag impulse tripping as well. Check fluids and open the drain cock on the carb bowl to what, if anything, comes out. If gunk old gas comes out, the carb will need a little attention. Inspect all castings for cracks or welds, including the carb. Check the head gasket on the pulley side of the tractor. These were known to blow out and farmer would keep running them. This sometimes resulted in the metal being eaten away to the point that it cannot be repaired by machining and you wind up replacing the head, the manifold or both.
 
No, unfortunately. Just would rather see a "happy" JD owner as apposed to one that might bad mouth the brand over a bad deal. We've all seen that. I would do the same for anyone in my area. I know nobody is right 100% on these old tractors but two viewpoints are always better than one. Hope it works out either way. I always go by the ole saying " learn from the mistakes of others, as you can't live long enough to make them all yourself " .
 
When we bought "Easy", the hubs and clamps were on the inside.

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Decided to turn the cast centers around and install the bubs and clamps on the outside.

Wanted them to look like the illustration in the brochure.

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Hope this helps.
 
Ask to take the bolt out of the end of the crank and see where the driver is at the end of the crank . Don't want to start by changing the crank .
 
My mistake. I meant the gasket between the manifold and the head. Tried to edit it but that feature was "temporarily disabled".
 

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