john deere 50-60-70 tractors

swindave

Member
who has, had or wanted one of these tractors?
my dad and grandpa each had a 60, and grandpa also had a 70 lp both row crop rom,
these were their main tractors in the late 50 and 60s

they dont seem to be as high priced as the 20 and 30 series, but a darn good tractor!

any body have any stories on using one of these models?
good bad or ugly!
 
Never owned a first generation number series but have driven a few but many years ago. I think the greatest improvements when the 20 and 30 series came out was improved power steering, live PTO and live improved hydraulics. The three point was also improved. I'm sure there were more improvements that I am not aware of. Since the 30 series was the last of the 2-cylinders they usually demand a higher price.
 
Had a 60. It was OK after I put power steering on it. I'd had a 730 diesel before that. I went to the 4040 after the 730. The 60 was a let down in all respects following the 730, not that they were anywhere near the same tractor. It was the last 2 cylinder I ever owned. Just less than glamourous is all I can say. Dad used it a lot to rake hay while I had it.
 
My maternal grandfather had a 70 row crop gas. I remember it as a preschooler during the 1960's chugging away on the JD table blower a couple hundred of feet from the house. Everything got sold around 1967 as his health declined. I think that the 50-60-70 series tractors are going to be the feature for the next two cylinder expo in 2021 in Canandaigua, NY if nothing goofs it up. It would be fun to have a 70 to take and would probably be a little cheaper than a 630 which I desire more.
 
At the risk of offending someone I would say by the time the 4040's came along I would want something with 4 or 6 cylinders to be my primary tractor when it comes to tillage, chopping silage, and picking corn. 2 cylinders are fun but not something I would enjoy for several hours under heavy load.
 
We have five Model 70 tractors.

"15" 1953 Gas SN# 7000014.

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"1011" 1953 Gas SN#7001011.

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"Big John" 1955 Diesel.

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"Vernon" 1956 LP converted to Gas.

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"John W" 1956 Diesel.

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Dad started farming with a 70 diesel. Ran it untill 1968 when it got diesel fuel in the oil and traded it for a used 4020. First two cylinder I ever ran was a 70 diesel dad bought in a box. We overhauled it and used it a few years. One fall we picked up a 60 and mounted the New Idea 2 row corn picker on it. I sold a Deere 237 picker to my landlord that I put on his 60. A close friend had one with a hydraulic bucket loader the entire time he farmed. I always said you needed three hands to operate it. He got along fine with it but he never got in a hurry about anything. The 60's and 70's were good tractors but do not bring the money the 20's and 30's do. Tom
 

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I just finished rebuilding this 50. I've spent a lot of time running a no8 mower with this tractor.
 
Bought this “60” ten years ago. Added the WFE very soon after purchase. It already had the wrong period fenders and I like them. Added the buddy seat and it has seen many Tractor Rides!

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Can't say I have five 70's but I do have four, three 70D and one 70 gas, as well as two 60's and one 50, I could go on but swindave only mentioned 50, 60, and 70's.


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I have an early 50. I overhauled it a couple of winters ago and spent twice what it would sell for. It's been in the family for 40 years. It's my hay mowing tractor. I like it - it's very dependable and I know how to fix everything on it.

No stories that I can think of.
 
James,

I really like to see your usable tractors in a farm setting, confused by all the trees though as I always thought you were in Texas. Maybe I have only seen a different part of TX, the northern part on our way to AZ.
 

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Restored my first two cylinder 20 yrs. ago 1953 JD 50 sold it 2006. Restored a 60 2006 then the 70 2012. Beautiful machines they both do an amazing job at everything I ask of them.
 
That's a fact. The 730 was the prettiest collector tractor ever, but as a main tractor on a farm, well, I can see why dealers in the 60s brought them in to the sale in Archbold by the hundreds after the new gen tractors came out. You used to be able to send them a dime and they'd send you the results from the last sale. There'd be about a page and a half of 730 diesels.
 
"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]have only seen a different part of TX, the northern part on our way to AZ[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Our farm is in NE Texas in Morris County near the west county line.

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Hills with pine and hardwood trees.
 
Now that's just absolutely and positively not true. The letter series tractors were the height of John Deere tractors. I could list a couple dozen reasons, but that's not the point
of Swindave's thread.

That saying, we do have an 80. Does that count, Swindave?
 
Why don't you list them because the numbered series are superior in every way from the 40 all the way up to the 80.
 

Have owned all 3, in their day they did well.. We still have a A & B & M on the farm, along with 530, 2 60, 620, 630 & 2 730 diesels. All of them get used for something. The 50 we had didn't have Power Steering & it was Just OK, I liked it the least of the 50,60,70 & 80 era. Owned another later that I
liked much more, but neither could you compare to the 530. I've never had a 520? Could never afford to feed a G, the later black dash 20 series & the 30 series were the ticket in their day. I have just replaced the PTO clutch's in one of the 730's on Saturday morning, For the most part many of the wear items on the older 2 cylinders were easier fix's, compared to todays tractors. Brakes, engine Clutch pulley brake , Air cleaners & PTO Clutch's oil filters were all the same very serviceable & user friendly. Because of the durability of many tractors built in that era is the reason why we had many successful farms, the cost of maintaining them fit into the budget of the smaller farmer. Newer tractors can do so much more & faster, comfort & features but for every action there is a equal & opposite reaction, the cost of maintaining our 3255 & 2750 4wds which are OLD for todays standards has exceeded any of our 2 cylinders in the last 10 years, but on the other hand they do get more hours on them. Most of the repairs on than cannot be done on a Saturday Morning. As we phase in newer & bigger equipment with wider swaths, electric controls & larger heads it also phase's out the older tractor's.
 
My Gpa had a 70 narrow front. It sold at auction 35 years ago for 300 bucks and supposedly went to mexico..
I was 18 a the time and was chasing skirt and cars.. Looking back I should have bought it..

I have a 3020 gas now that I use for most of my purposes.. But keep eye out for one as I would like to have one..

One went at auction here in S.E. Neb for 3100. last weekend..
 

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