jwitty

Member
Well I said I might be getting a 41 jd b...well I somehow messed up and it's actually a 51. Anyway...is there anything I need to look at particularly when I got to look at the tractor?
 
none of us have a crystal ball How about some pics of the tractors to solicit some comments. All of these old ones need a lot of tender loving care....and $$$$$$$$.....I'd recommend that if yo want a "B" just buy the best one you can....I don't think values are very high...but working and restoring one is a ton of money....
 
(quoted from post at 21:21:43 10/18/17) none of us have a crystal ball How about some pics of the tractors to solicit some comments. All of these old ones need a lot of tender loving care....and $$$$$$$$.....I'd recommend that if yo want a "B" just buy the best one you can....I don't think values are very high...but working and restoring one is a ton of money....

Here's a pic of it. He's interested in trading for my arcade machine.
4897.jpg
 
Check the clutch driver it should be out off the end of
the crank some . And check the flywheel . No cracks or
shims .
 
If not running, check the trans and engine for condensation. A lot of water in it could means things are rusted up. Check to see if the carb is the right one for the tractor and also check to see if the bowl is held on by the nut and that the stem is good. Check for slop in the clutch and flywheel. Check for welds or cracks on the castings and the flywheels are bad for cracking, so check that out too. Look for rim rot from fluid in the tires.
 
I'll second the clutch flywheel and clutch driver. From my experiences and observations it seems like the late B's and 50's are bad for loose and/or cracked flywheels. You can also engage the clutch and try to lift the crank up and down to see if there's any slop in the main bearings. Turn it over carefully to see if you can feel any slop in the rod bearings or wrist pins.
 
From the road side...looks like a pretty good old standard use tractor....I noted it has an alternator....couldn't make out ignition...in my book a good mag would be a plus but if it has delco distributor okay...wico distributors are problems...the other post pointed out the clutch and flywheel...might want to pull the cover and check....don't know value of the your arcade....also a real concern is quality of transmission....if it has locking shifters this would be a plus...I will cost you hundred's if you start on any tear down...if you can run it like it is and your machine is worth $1000 or so I'd say get it....selling the tractor as is would be probably be more successful and the video game....if it doesn't have blue smoke after warming up this is also a plus....I see no lift arms.....this is $$$$. $700-$1000 you'd probably be okay....
 

He sent a video of it running and it sounded pretty good. The video was of poor quality since it was sent via text but I didn't see any smoke or hear any knocks and he confirmed that. I'll have to check the clutch and flywheel along with all the castings. He said it runs and drives fine and that he's just getting rid of it because he has another one. Now...does anyonw have any tricks to get the rear wheels in because my trailer is just a few inches shy of what they are set at now. Or could I get a thick sheet of plywood to screw on the trailer to widen it or is that unsafe? Thank you for all the responses
 
Is there any room to move the center castings in any more ? As it looks like they might be in as far as they can go with the casting dished that way. I like to have them on the other way as to be able to get to the clamping rings and bolts. If you can get the clamp ring bolts out and then insert them in the other set of holes to push them loose you can then fish a chain thru the holes in the center casting and wrap it around the axle housing. Keep it as equal as you can and it may need adjusted as you go. Then jack up that side and by hand rotate that tire so as to wind up the chain and it will thus pull them in.
 
(quoted from post at 08:35:57 10/19/17) Is there any room to move the center castings in any more ? As it looks like they might be in as far as they can go with the casting dished that way. I like to have them on the other way as to be able to get to the clamping rings and bolts. If you can get the clamp ring bolts out and then insert them in the other set of holes to push them loose you can then fish a chain thru the holes in the center casting and wrap it around the axle housing. Keep it as equal as you can and it may need adjusted as you go. Then jack up that side and by hand rotate that tire so as to wind up the chain and it will thus pull them in.

He's gonna see if.he.can get them pulled in before Saturday. If not I'll see if I can do something else.
 
(quoted from post at 09:49:10 10/19/17) Plywood? I would not trust that. Don't do anything that we'll hear about on the news . . .

Nice tractor--good luck!


Yeah I thought not the best idea. Worst comes worst I'll see if I can borrow a bigger trailer or maybe rent one from u haul if they got one big enough.
 
Nothing rare about 51 B's but they are VERY nice tractors if in good shape they can make good power and pull a lot for their size.

If they could at least get one side to move and then take it off and flip it around that would gain the most room. A lot of times the Right side is the first one to try as many times it could of been moved more often due to adjusting it in for plowing.
 
A roll back would work. For a newby to John Deere those wheels are a bear to work in and out and if you can use as is would be your best. I've loosened them and then had trouble holding them in place. I always had the collars on the outside but that's a preference. I'd recommend a service and parts manual. You'll get the hang of it....good luck.
 

Lets see mow -Arcade machine -LOTS of electronic parts - LOTS of items to let the "SMOKE" out of and once that happens there is no other parts available! Think about it!

A John Deere "B" that runs! You can have more fun with it than ANY arcade machine. I would have it in my shop by now and be tinkering -Change the wheels around - Rebuild the carb -and HAVE FUN!
Not even a hesitation in my book!
 
(quoted from post at 12:25:36 10/20/17)
Lets see mow -Arcade machine -LOTS of electronic parts - LOTS of items to let the "SMOKE" out of and once that happens there is no other parts available! Think about it!

A John Deere "B" that runs! You can have more fun with it than ANY arcade machine. I would have it in my shop by now and be tinkering -Change the wheels around - Rebuild the carb -and HAVE FUN!
Not even a hesitation in my book!

Well as long as the guy holds up his end of the agreement I'll be getting it this weekend and don't worry, I will be putting lots a pictures of it on here. He claimed that he already sent the carb out to be rebuilt and it has a new exhaust system, plus he converted it to 12 volts and it's got a fresh battery. Changing those wheels would be the very first thing I'd do. They look odd the way they are!
 

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