1953 John Deere Model AR Styled First Start - August 2016 - zeketheantiquefreak

After attention to the clutch and wiring and some serious recovery work on the carburetor it is ready for it's first start.

[@traildust32]

I have two model A's but I sure would like a styled AR. Not the easiest tractor to find though. Looks like a nice straight tractor.

[@zeketheantiquefreak8518]

I sure like the electric start aspect. The first AR Unstyled 1938 turned out to be an excellent starter with the flywheel. The one I have now (1937) can be a severe cardio workout which I don't need at my age.

[@traildust32]

I have one of each with my A's. One is a 1943 hand start ( which can be awful temperamental as well) and the current project is a 1944 slant dash with electric start which is in many pieces at the moment. The splines on the clutch end of the crankshaft were pretty bad and I had to replace it with a better one. Waiting to get the block into the machine shop as see if it is still usable with the .045 over cast pistons it had in it. Ran pretty well with no visible oil smoke before so hopefully I will luck out on that. Look forward to future updates from you.

[@zeketheantiquefreak8518]

A labour of love! Does your 1944 have a family connection or or is it something that you picked up? Keep me posted, I love to hear about these projects.

[@traildust32]

The 1944 didn't come from family sadly. My grandfather did have an A at some point judging by some old black and white photos I've seen. He did have a small Ferguson tractor that I grew up around but it was sold by my grandmother after he passed away when I was still pretty young. I often wonder just where that tractor ended up. Anyways this 44 A was purchased from a man in Wisconsin that deals in all kinds of tractors. I tried to get some history on it when I bought it but he didn't know anything about it. I plan on having the serial number researched at some point so I can at least find out where it started its working life. It picked up a few interesting additions between that point and when I purchased it. It has a battery box and seat from a later A that has a custom made base to fit this style of tractor. It also has a water pump and distributor ignition. It was converted to a straight gas tractor at some point as it no longer has the three way valve, small starting tank or shutter system.

[@zeketheantiquefreak8518]

I have a '64 4020 that I don't know the history of either. All the previous owners that I know of are dead. Interestingly enough, I met the fellow that was bidding against me at the auction for the '37 AR that I bought in 2013: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g52ngGR3rLCAbbc He now knows what became of the tractor and is free to visit or borrow it at any time. I call that a success story! He regrets that he hadn't bought it but was ecstatic that it was all repaired, painted and had new rubber. My father had an A tricycle when I was a kid... The thing scared the dickens out of me with that huge belt-driven blade for sharpening fence posts. After the sale, no one knows where his fleet of tractors went: WD6, 50 Massey and tricycle A. As a young man I had no interest and I regret that now. He never did have a loader on the farm. Everything was lifted by hand.

[@marie-annemahe6583]

Looks in decent condition. Will be very nice once it’s restored.

[@zeketheantiquefreak8518]

Thanks!

[@natedillard7353]

Sounds good !

[@bobwhite3777]

Man I loved the look of the R so I love the look of this one two! Ps: was this a cold start?

[@zeketheantiquefreak8518]

Umm... Not really, it was a nice day in August! But, it was the first start in many years. Yea, those 'R' tractors are awesome.