1928 John Deere D, Need Some In-fo-mation.

Bryce Frazier · Nov 10, 2013

Well fellas, me and dad just got back from a "road trip" to scout out tractors. We only found one, and here is the condition:

1928 JD D
Full Steel, in nice shape
Missing radiator, and some other small parts
Engine is most diffidently stuck!
No mag or carb

No body was home, but it is being used as yard art under a huge Bull Pine, and I would estimate that it hasn't moved in at least 30 years. What do you guys think that it is worth? Scrap? I have always wanted a hand start D, but do you guys think that I could even start it? I am only 15, 6'5", and my buddy nick named me the Ethiopian! Let me know what you all think, would love to see some pictures of them working too! Bryce

RayP(MI) · Nov 10, 2013

Well, probably not in it's present condition. From what you say, it is a long way (translate time and much money,) from hand starting. Probably better look for something at least not stuck.

Paul from MI · Nov 10, 2013

Yes, you could buy it for scrap price, put a ton of work in it, buy thousands of dollars in parts and machine work and end up with a very nice tractor for about twice what you could buy one for. This sounds like a parts machine to me, worth the price of scrap. Wheels have value, maybe a few other parts could be salvaged and sold. Model D transmissions seem to be pretty much bullet-proof, and the rest of the tractor is also, so the parts market may not be too good. Enough gaskets to do a ring and valve job will be over $300, if you can find them, for example. Having said all this, I did just what you are talking about in 1989. I know what I'm talking about as far as cost to bring one back from this condition, and I don't want to discourage you at all. My D is still one of my favorite tractors to use, nothing sounds like an old D on a hard pull.

Lauren in IOWA · Nov 10, 2013

The cost of bring one that bad back to life will be scary. I bought one last year that was stuck, only gave $850. Not bad price. Ended up needing a carburetor, block and head. By the time I finished I had $5068.37 in it. For that you can buy a running one. If you buy it I wish you all the best, when you get done you can enjoy the finished tractor.

Dick2 · Nov 10, 2013

Dad had 3 of those old D's that we used for farming until after WWII. They were just plain awful to drive; I wouldn't pay 5 cents for one!!!

Bryce Frazier · Nov 10, 2013

I must admit, I am a little bold at these things. A stuck engine doesn't frighten me (mainly because we rebuild motors for a living) and this one is on steel, so no worries about tires! I think that if I dug it out and got it running that it would be a good tractor. I just learned however that only 93 or so D's were built in mid 1928 with 3 forward gears and 1 reverse rather than the normal 2 and 1. Sounds like they have some pretty significant collector value to them, what do y'all think? Also, how hard is it to start one? In all honesty, do you think that I could even start it? Thanks, Bryce

flying belgian · Nov 10, 2013

I 2nd the nice sound of a D. I love listening to my 36. Each time it fires it is more like an explosion instead of an ignition.

flying belgian · Nov 10, 2013

Of course you could start it. Open the pet-cocks and turn it over. No need to spin it over fast. Just turn it till it clicks.

ShadetreeRet · Nov 10, 2013

On steel, and hasn't moved in 30 years. Unless the wheels are blocked up off the ground, I would have a long hard look at where they made ground contact. I know those wheels were good metal, but thirty years ground contact will play havoc with metal.

Steve A W · Nov 10, 2013

Bryce
Big as You are, You can probably push start it!
LOL
If it's cheap enough, get it.

Steve A W

Patrick Potter · Nov 11, 2013

If they will let you mess with it on site for a while bump a lot of good penetrating oil in the pistons after you work out a price with the understanding you want to see if you can break the engine loose just a little, or if you want to gamble do ahead and get it have no idea on what to offer though $500 maybe and think about the pleasure of listening to it run after all your HARD work, and the sound of a 2 cylinder JD nothing like it, I'm still upset with my uncle he had one he got back to running I helped him drag it home 40 mile trip front wheels up in the bed of my pickup 2 pieces of 3X3 angle iron bolted to the frame and tires strapped to them. (long slow ride home) told me he was thinking about selling it $1000.00 I had the money nearly saved up he sold it to some STRANGER for $850 I was only $50 short.

Bobl1958 · Nov 11, 2013

I believe the two speed tranny's were common until the 1931 tractors or so. May be wrong. You sure it's a '28? Does it have the side exhaust, or the upright muffler?

Ozlander · Nov 11, 2013

(quoted from post at 09:28:54 11/11/13) I believe the two speed tranny's were common until the 1931 tractors or so. May be wrong. You sure it's a '28? Does it have the side exhaust, or the upright muffler?

My dad's 34 D only had 2 speeds. Slow and slower.

Bryce Frazier · Nov 11, 2013

Left side exhaust with no muffler, I think!

1928 John Deere D, Need Some In-fo-mation.

Bryce Frazier

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RayP(MI)

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Paul from MI

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Lauren in IOWA

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Dick2

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Bryce Frazier

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flying belgian

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flying belgian

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ShadetreeRet

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Steve A W

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Patrick Potter

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Bobl1958

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Ozlander

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Bryce Frazier

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