47 GM electric start or a 48 G

plowhand

Member
Im looking at buying 1 of these tractors..both a 10...is 1 of these worth more than the other or more sought after?..GM vs G
 
Kinda of depends. The made far fewer GMs then Gs. But JD made a short run of what is called "early styled" Gs right after the GM. Same thing as a GM as they retained the pan seat and the forward battery location but said "G" on the serial number plate. Then those got replaced by "late styled" Gs that had the bench seat with the batteries underneath of it like the late As and Bs. I don't know what the real tractor collecting world says but IMO the early styled G would be worth the most since they only made roughly 2,500 of them, next would be the GM since they made about 8,700 of them, and lastly the late styled G because they made a over 40,000 of those. Do you know the serial numbers for both tractors just to be sure of what you are looking at? Here is my 1946 GM.
a253747.jpg
 
I don't know the serial numbers..I wouldn't feel right about posting them without owning the tractors..Is there a part number for your fenders to make sure the fenders I look for are legit..I like em thanks..
 
From what I?ve been told the fenders are not legit on mine. Does the G have a pan seat or bench seat? Does the serial number plate on the GM say ?GM? on it?
 
Pan SEAT GM tag
<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto9136.png"/>

<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto9137.png"/>
 
I started out with a JD "G" that was a 1947 model GM. I did not know it was kind of rare until years after I sold it. I have been told it was a GM. It had electric start but the starter was on top of the motor and the battery was between the front frame rails. Channel iron pan seat bracket. It did have the 801 hitch on it.

I always hated that tractor. LOL Hard steering and no power for a "BIG" tractor. LOL Had front mounted cultivators for the summer that made the strong arm steering even more fun. At the time I started farming two of my main barns had to be backed into up a bank. That was real fun with the hard steering, hand clutch, and HIGH speed reverse. The larger diameter 540 PTO was not very handy either.

I sold that tractor in the early 1980s for $750 dollars three times before it fully was gone. LOL They would do the deal and give me a little down but never could come up with the rest.
 
I've heard those criticisms too and I believe it. The G was probably the most overbuilt tractor for its rated hp made by JD and possibly overall. I also have a Farmall M and when I've parked the side by side its painfully obvious which tractor was at the upper end of its design limit behind the engine. History would prove that out later when both designs were taken up to 60 hp. If it was me actually having to farm with a G, I would install gas pistons/manifolds and Char Lynn power steering unit. A gas G should match a 70 in hp. On the PTO issue, mine has a adapter someone put on to neck it down to the 1 3/8". I think the last job it did was running a sickle mower.
 
Just my opinion for what it's worth...It's either got to be the first,,,or last... or very low production (like HWH) These are neither. That being said, they will always bring back what they cost and have better investment value than say a late "B" or "A". To me , any toy one can use and enjoy for free is worth having. Both of these are that. Just choose the one that your "gut" tells you after a thorough driving and check over. Look for the tiny details that might indicate a hard life or a very limited use.
 
That fender was not used untill the square axle tractors that I know were made in A & B but I don't know if the G was ever made with a square axle and the square axle had holes in top to mount those fenders where the round axle did not have the mounting holes. I myself do not like those fenders, I would want the other style.
 

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