1944 John Deere D

1944

0

Signup or Login to like and comment

Mods

Custom dual swing out seat with umbrella mount. Dual Exhaust Kit from Rosewood Machine (not in pictures).

Build story

This tractor was acquired by my grandfather in the 1970’s with the purchase of the farm I eventually grew up on. It was used a few times around the farm, but was soon left stored in the old workshop at the home farm, protected by many layers of dust and junk. I remember as a child seeing it buried, with old oil pails around it, and falling in love with it. When everything moved to the new shop at the farm next door, my uncle got it fired up and I was lucky enough to see it run. I was about 10, but I was hooked. That was nearly 30 years ago. It then got parked in the back corner of the new shop, and collected new layers of dust and junk.

Fast forward to 2012, I was getting married, and wanted to use this tractor as transport from church to reception. I convinced my grandfather (pried out of his hands) to allow me to restore and rebuild the tractor to use in the wedding. He was reluctant, but I think he liked the idea of it getting fixed instead of sitting derelict forever. It took 6 months from start to finish, and was all done in my semi-enclosed uninsulated carport over a snowy Canadian winter. Lots of parts and hours later, it barked to life one spring night at sunset, just 3 1/2 weeks before the wedding. It performed flawlessly for the whole day, and was the focal point of a lot of pictures. It provided a lot of entertainment for guests when the groomsmen tried getting it started (hand start with the flywheel) for a half hour without having the fuel valve turned on.

Comments

To leave a comment on 1944 John Deere D:

Login or Signup