John Deere Tractors

Even those who have no connection with farming are familiar with John Deere tractors. Anyone who watched baseball, football, or basketball on TV on Sunday afternoons probably remembers the image of the tractor riding across a lawn on those classic TV commercials. While the commercials may not have been as over-the-top as some other fondly remembered commercials of the past, the John Deere commercials did leave a lasting impression on those who saw them.

John Deere tractors have been a major part of the tractor market for nearly ninety years. And, like classic cars, many collectors hunt down antique John Deere tractors and hope they can find a rare model. The antique John Deere tractor collector usually considers the acquisition and restoration of these classic tractors to be a labor of love. Of course, some treat the buying and selling of antique John Deere tractors as strictly a commercial pursuit; but there are others who do so because they truly get a kick out of riding these models from a time that was long ago.

Currently on display at the John Deere Collectors Center is an antique John Deere tractor made in 1918. It is one of the original one hundred built by Deere and believed to be the only one found in complete condition. The very fact that there is a place like this that puts on display this antique John Deere tractor, and many more of differing ages, shows man's continuing interest in his past and in the development of technology. This center pays tribute to the tractor models and their ongoing changes that John Deere brought to the American farmers. For example, a new model, unveiled at the center a mere two years ago, shows their continuing advancements in technology for use in modern tractors. This one has All-Wheel-Drive.

People have an attachment to the John Deere Company and all they've been able to do for farmers. They treasure the old tractors. There are websites, books and magazines devoted to the antique John Deere tractor. People collect them the same way they would baseball cards or Model Ts.

If you are considering adding an antique John Deere tractor to your collection there are many available for you to purchase. This restoration work can be done yourself or through any one of the many companies that still do that for a living. Not only that but you'd be surprised at the places that you can buy old original parts from, even if you're looking to restore the most popular model of John Deere tractors, the Model A that was originally produced in 1934.

One question often asked is "If I owned a antique John Deere tractor would it have the famous yellow and green colors?" The answer would be that it depends on what year your old tractor was from. There are illustrations from a catalog dated 1905 that show those colors on a John Deere plow. The question that often follows is "why those colors?" Although this seems to be something that will never be confirmed, John Deere having died in 1886, the story goes that the green is for the stalks and the yellow for the ears of corn that grew on them.

As stated earlier, some of these old tractors require extensive restoration. And, as one could imagine, finding parts for a 1934 antique John Deere tractor is not exactly easy. Some collectors will spend several years working on the restoration process before finally getting the tractor to function once again. And when the tractor finally has its wheels turning and its engine running, it is a joyous moment for all because a mechanical reminder of nostalgia and heritage is "alive" once again.

There is no way anyone could have the kind of commitment required to get one of these antique John Deere Tractor models to operate again without having a genuine love for what one is doing. The restoration of classic John Deere tractors is truly a rewarding experience and this is why some committed individuals dedicate their time to the pursuit.

Modern tractors run on diesel, but they didn't always in the past. The original tractor ran on steam power - and was quite dangerous, although John Deere didn't enter the tractor market until much later. The farmer driving a steam-powered tractor could easily get entangled in the belt systems that were very close to the steering wheel. Additionally, these steam tractors could simply blow up on occasion without any warning signs, making farming a somewhat risky job. Shortly afterward, the first gasoline tractor hit the market and was an almost instant success, dominating the farming implement market by the 1920s. The tractor now runs on diesel and is not only safer than ever, but they are sometimes so safe, so comfortable, and so functional that they can almost be considered a luxury vehicle.

If you own one of the older models - one of the models that is probably only fit for short parade appearances - you should find a good antique tractor part source, so you can restore your older model to a safe, working condition. Not surprisingly, though, these antique tractor part shops aren't on every street corner.

One of the best places to find an antique tractor part is on the Internet. Stores like Tractor Parts Incorporated function as the Amazon.com of tractor parts - including any antique tractor part, too. They offer massive, online catalogs with all imaginable tractor parts, including ones for models created more than 50 years ago.

At any one time, there are usually several listings of antique tractor parts on eBay. Established eBay sellers are often extremely knowledgeable about their subject and some will go out of their way to track down a rare part for a good customer or someone who shares their passion.

If the antique part you require is too old, you may not be able to buy a replacement. In many cases, you will not be able to find steam tractor parts or old gasoline tractor parts. You may instead have to hire a tractor mechanic rebuild the part, weld it back together, or work on and fit a new antique tractor part.

If you are looking for a tractor to buy, then purchasing a brand new tractor may not even be necessary. A used model may serve your purposes and needs equally well. However, there are a few things to consider when looking for used tractors for sale.

When buying used cars, there is a saying "Don't inherit someone else's problems". What this means is not to waste time and money purchasing a car that is in terrible condition. And if you do, remember, you are not "inheriting" someone else's problems; you are buying them!

It would be wise to follow this same logic when looking for a used tractor for sale. As a rule of thumb, when purchasing a used tractor for sale, purchase one that has been maintained properly and not one that is literally falling apart. Now, if you are able to repair or restore used tractors, this may not be as much of an issue, provided that your act of restoration doesn't turn into a prohibitively expensive project.

To avoid a lot of trouble when searching for a used tractor for sale, always do as thorough an inspection of the tractor before purchasing it and taking it off the property of the person from whom you have bought it. In most cases, if you haven't actually removed the used tractor for sale from the property, it technically does not belong to you. Also, be sure to have some kind of agreement that if there is some sort of defect that existed before the sale that the seller has overlooked telling you about the defect or perhaps, was unaware of himself, that you can return the tractor or at least have a warranty in place for the repairs.

Finding a good, cheap used tractor for sale is like finding a hidden treasure, but it shouldn't be too hard if you use the Internet and some farming periodicals. Just remember to bring a mechanic with you if you don't have enough experience to do a thorough inspection yourself.

The farm tractor has become almost mythical as it has made a tremendous mark on the American history and culture - as well as on the production of food. The tractor is an iconic device that truly defines the farming communities of the United States. So, it is no surprise that there have been quite a few written works that have chronicled the tractor and its history over the years.

"Farm Tractors: A Living History by Randy Leffingwell" goes back in time to the origins of the internal combustion engine to paint a portrait of the early days of the farm tractor. The author would later write a follow up volume entitled Farm Tractor Milestones. This book is essentially an evolutionary history of the farm tractor, highlighting technical achievements over the years.

"The Big Book of Farm Tractors: The Complete History of the Tractor 1855 to Present", by Robert Pripps and Andrew Morland is similar to the Living History book, but this book has the added bonus of featuring a section on tractor collectibles. "Case Tractors, Steam to Diesel" by Dave Arnold presents a decent picture book, but the text is fairly minimal. "Full Steam Ahead: J. I. Case Tractors and Equipment 1842-1955" by David Erb and Eldon Brumbaugh is interesting in that it is a biography of one of the innovators and originators of farm tractors.

Of course, there are many more books out there. These titles listed here are ones that have been published relatively recently, but used book shops may have tons of rare tractor books that go back many decades.