john deere r. junker?

[dieselbeef]

mostly disassembled. drivetrain is together..sheetmetals off. rad is out..all the little parts are gone..knobs/ labels/hoses.

was told it needed an oil pump when it was parked and the pony motor has a cracked head. they just pull started it for yrs til they took it apart.

been under a lean to in fl for 25 yrs. tires holding air mostly.

almost looks like it could be made to run w/o too much trouble if the motor is ok from the oil pump job and what about the pony motor.

is it worth messin with..was offered to me for probly 1k worth of welding work. they said they would pull it the mile or so from where its at to my place

idk if I need to trade work for more work..but it is dam cool

gimme some input..cost of fixing it? worth bothering...parts avail? where do I find info on how to make it run..timing..pony mtr stuff etc..

preciate the help..wife says no way..but it would make an awesome father son project someday..im 50..my son is 8

or it could be a cool yard ornament next to my aeromotor...

thanks
gary

 

[sd455dan]

My dad bought an R from a police seizure sale - paid $2500 and then paid another several thousand to have it restored, it was complete but needed a lot of work, the restorer asked if it was stored at the bottom of a lake:ashamed:.
It is a very nice tractor now but not sure if it is worth what is now invested in it.

Sounds like your buy in price is less than 1/2 so might be a good father son project- they are cool tractors and are great pullers for field work, also great for parades and shows.

 

[bcp]

Interesting article here:
John Deere Model R

"According to a former John Deere design engineer with whom I spoke many years ago who claimed to have had a hand in the design of this tractor, the Model 'R' was designed against the CAT D-4 as a reference point. It was suppose to sell into the market for heavy tillage in Western Wheat fields and out perform a D-4 Farm Cat in every respect possible. It was to be cheaper, faster, more economical to operate, and get more work done. If this was indeed the design goal, it was accomplished. "

Bruce

 

[dieselbeef]

idk ..it needs a lot..and I didn't find a lot of info on workin on it out there. not like anyone around I can ask.

there is an antique tractor show here in fl in 2 weeks at the flywheelers show and it just happens to be a john deere feature...so maybe the wife will hafta have it after that..she aint against it really...just knows it wont be easy.

 

[dusty3030]

Put the trade value as the weight in lbs times the value that the scrapyard in your area is paying less your labor for loading it up and the fuel it takes to haul it there.
If they go for that and you want it take it in trade under those terms and at least you break even and they got a fair deal as well.

 

[dieselbeef]

I thought about that too..but it would never make it to the scrap yard if I had it...they might..but id keep it til it rusted to the grnd if it was on my pasture and I couldn't fix it..unless someone who could wanted it

I think theyre tryin mostly to get out of payin the bills..and clean up their pasture at the same time..

 

[beenthere]

Model R (not r ) would be a great piece to restore. I've heard the pony engines are the most difficult to restore.
As a small boy (right around 8 yr IIRC) we had a pony engine in the basement to work on and put together. Still remember dropping the flywheel onto my finger and smashing it under the gear teeth. And putting in the oil pump, the small pistons, rings, rods, valves, etc. I wanted to build a cart that it would power.
My father worked as an experimental engineer for Deere on the Model R for 13 years prior to it coming off the production line in 1949. He knew the engine inside and out. Was told many times by other engineers he worked with that Deere would never go into production making diesels. Ha!

I hope you see your way to restoring it.

 

[PapaPerk]

mostly disassembled. drivetrain is together..sheetmetals off. rad is out..all the little parts are gone..knobs/ labels/hoses.

was told it needed an oil pump when it was parked and the pony motor has a cracked head. they just pull started it for yrs til they took it apart.

been under a lean to in fl for 25 yrs. tires holding air mostly.

almost looks like it could be made to run w/o too much trouble if the motor is ok from the oil pump job and what about the pony motor.

is it worth messin with..was offered to me for probly 1k worth of welding work. they said they would pull it the mile or so from where its at to my place

idk if I need to trade work for more work..but it is dam cool

gimme some input..cost of fixing it? worth bothering...parts avail? where do I find info on how to make it run..timing..pony mtr stuff etc..

preciate the help..wife says no way..but it would make an awesome father son project someday..im 50..my son is 8

or it could be a cool yard ornament next to my aeromotor...

thanks
gary

Sounds like a parts tractor. I would pass. If you want an R spend $1,500 up to $4,000 to get a complete non runner up to a running machine. They are not rare.

 

[Mace Canute]

Put the trade value as the weight in lbs times the value that the scrapyard in your area is paying less your labor for loading it up and the fuel it takes to haul it there.
If they go for that and you want it take it in trade under those terms and at least you break even and they got a fair deal as well.

Sounds like a parts tractor. I would pass. If you want an R spend $1,500 up to $4,000 to get a complete non runner up to a running machine. They are not rare.

I thought about that too..but it would never make it to the scrap yard if I had it...they might..but id keep it til it rusted to the grnd if it was on my pasture and I couldn't fix it..unless someone who could wanted it

I think theyre tryin mostly to get out of payin the bills..and clean up their pasture at the same time..

Listen to dusty3030 and PapaPerk. They have nailed it 100 %...and you have too with your last sentence about your neighbour's intentions.

OTOH, I have a lovely old R that runs like a top! I've pulled a 5 bottom (14" bottoms) plow 9-10 inches deep (I know, I know...optimum depth is about 7 inches) and it handled it easily! Try that with a new tractor of the same hp!

 

[dieselbeef]

well dang..idk. its more work than i really have time for anyways...

kinda thought it would be worth more than a cpl grand....guess ill pass on it unless i can sell it right off for a bit of profit..hate to see it rust into oblivion tho