John Deere R - Delivery, Learn to Start, and First Drive

[@deernutOO]

My Dad worked for John Deere at the Waterloo, IA factory plant and started on the design team for the Model R tractor in 1936. First production was 1949, and he was mighty proud of that Model R. Went on to be on that diesel team until they dropped the 2-cyl models, then followed the early 4 and 6 cyl engines for several years before they began production.

[@jonelsonster]

That's really cool. You should be very proud of your heritage and your dad's legacy.

[@scottrayhons2537]

That's when Deere could build tractors! Now they can't build an air seat on my 8330 that won't leak air.

[@ronaldwhite9954]

Good things come to those who wait. Congrats! Nice looking R

[@johndeereboy1945]

This tractor was THE monster tractor of its day in the Deere lineup, and I believe the most fuel efficient diesel engine ever until the 70s when CAT took back their title. A close friend of my grandpa's has one and its always a treat to hear her slowly thunder down the track in the tractor pull come fair time

[@7989maw]

Still my favorite of the 2 cylinders. The 730 was the most fuel efficient

[@jonelsonster]

I agree

[@randytanyahermann2268]

This video brings back a ton of memories for me. The sound of the pup motor, the diesel engaging, the way it always sounds like it is going to stall when you engage that pain in the ass hand clutch. I grew up running one of these and it’s been over 30 years since I’ve even seen one. Surprisingly, I still remembered the steps to start it. Such good memories!

[@jonelsonster]

Yeah, they have definitely made a lot of improvement in tractor design in the past 70 years! 😂

[@deernutOO]

Nothing PITA about the hand clutch. Great for a beginner boy getting to stand on the platform and run the JD tractors while picking up baled hay when too small to sit in the seat and reach a clutch pedal. Brakes and hand clutch were easy to operate for a 9 yr old boy.

[@tommckinley111]

@@deernutOO Yep, that's the reason my grandfather switched from Farmall to John Deere so my father could start driving tractor at an early age in the 1940s on a 44 B. And he liked the fuel economy.

[@chrisnzella]

This is the best video I've seen of an R looking and sounding original or restored. Love the sound of the low idle. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I need to get some videos of it out working.

[@MrEcm51]

Beautiful old R! She sounds good too.

[@mikescaffo4850]

Wow what a beautiful piece of john deere history

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks!

[@folmonty]

My uncle just told me the JD-R was the tractor he operated at the families Montana farm when he was a young man. Last night he told me it probably cost him his hearing due to the long hours in the field. After watching this video he's probably right. It's a loud beast. By today's standard it's a toy but back in the 50's it was a work horse of a machine. Great video! Now I can actually see what my uncle is talking about.

[@jonelsonster]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

[@keepcalmandfarmon5401]

Oh man, that looks fun! Congrats!

[@lttl858]

Started running an R when I was 12 (76 now) and still have 2 in the barn, a '51 & '53. Had some 830's, but the R has always been my favorite. Very good on fuel & will pull all day long! The first one I ran as a kid was on steel. The big engine on yours did not seem to start well. I always start with the throttle on idle. Might try that and see if it pops quicker. It could be that it just hasn't been run much as of late. Also, I would add some diesel conditioner to the fuel. Good luck and have fun.

[@jonelsonster]

Good suggestions.

[@alancopper7866]

Always when you shut off main big diesel motor very important to pull back the compression release level fully and holding it back until diesel motor stops. This saves the Crank shaft slides ends. Just trying to help make it last longer.

[@jonelsonster]

Yes! Good tip! We learned this years ago with our '56 JD 70 D

[@matthewwoodward-p1e]

What a beauty!

[@jonelsonster]

👍🏻

[@keltonwright7]

Nice tractor. You gotta work the snot outta those to gain any water temp. Have to check to see if the rad shutters are closed. I've owned an 820 Deere, (Rs big brother) and I've seen it get to 190 water temp twice in 3 years I've owned it. Both times was with a 12 ft cultivator sunk as deep as it would go with 12x4 chain harrows behind on a 100*F day. I use mine a lot around the farm, used it this summer to draw grain to the feed mill which is hilly and 25 minutes each way drive. Drove it from 11am till 8pm takes grain down and unloading it and coming back over and over again and it was in the 90s*f and it never reached 150 on the water temp.

[@TheFarmerfitz]

Nice. On a cold day(below freezing temp) you can tie both levers back until pony runs out of gas. Refill pony tank, and start it up again. Then the tractor main engine should start easier.

[@jonelsonster]

Yes, I've heard people say that. So I'm going to try it out.

[@TheFarmerfitz]

@jonelsonster it depends on how cold it is.. where I am it is -30 Celcious outside, so if I had to start an R, I would definitely try that. Might just let the pony run by itself. Go have a coffee, then try that. lol. But then at freezing temperatures and above I might just let it run for a bit and then try starting main engine. I think it would be just a matter of getting to know your tractor. I don't have an R so I won't be trying anything. lol

[@bfwinkler]

Nice find!!

[@lissanelson902]

I love your channel! So much cool content!

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any special requests for videos.

[@JohnDeeresGarage711]

The JD R it one of my favorites, always what to sit on one. Do you still have it?

[@jonelsonster]

Yes.

[@SirenGuy711]

You should take it to plow day. I'd like to hear it under a load.

[@jonelsonster]

We have a field we need to disc as soon as the snow melts and I want to try to use the R. It all depends on whether or not the hydraulics work on it.

[@SirenGuy711]

@@jonelsonster Ok, Nice, I'm sure they'll work just fine. I'll be looking for that video.

[@marklafayette6948]

Nice R Jd , I perfer the 830 & 80 jd 6 gear transmission & power steering. 👨‍🌾

[@jonelsonster]

We just bought an 830 too. Haven't had a chance to work with it in the field yet, but looking forward to the spring when we can. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJO3Zmita8x3iMUsi=now2bBwGXoyKgIdN

[@bandit5853]

what size are those rear tires?they look really short,compared to ours and others u see around

[@jonelsonster]

Yes, they are smaller. Those are 26 inch rims that were used on some of the "rice special" John Deere diesel tractors. Standard R tire size is 14x34... I think. Plus those tires are just 18.4x26, so they are even shorter. They might be better for pulling since you give up ground speed in favor of torque... But I have not verified this. Anyway, eventually it would be fun to put a set of 23.1x26 tires on the rear. Then it would be about the same height as a 34" tire on a normal R. Plus they would be twice as wide. But that won't happen until these tires need replaced because those 23.1r26 tires are $$$

[@coopermackey4938]

Where do you live?! That place is beautiful

[@jonelsonster]

North Eastern Utah. The autumn, when this was filmed, is my favorite time of year because it's the prettiest.

[@coopermackey4938]

@@jonelsonster thanks for the reply, I’m sure it’s nice there year round. Lookin forward to future videos!

[@ptnelsonster]

Oh, you also need a 435 with the 2-cycle Detroit diesel. Not 2 cylinder… but very cool; I’d love to see that one too!

[@jonelsonster]

It would be fun to have a 435. But I think they actually are 2 cylinder engines. But I've never been around one.

[@ptnelsonster]

@@jonelsonster You’re right. It is 2 cylinder. I guess I mean not the classic horizontal 2 cylinder JD popper. I’ve only seen one running once, at Thresherman Days in Albert City IA. It’s a cool little tractor.

[@ptnelsonster]

Hey jonelsonster, great new vid. I saw you take requests. There’s a gap in your 2-Cyl JD collection. Tell your old man that you need an MC or 420 crawler. I’d love to see footage on that one, start to finish. Love the vids, keep ‘em coming!!

[@jonelsonster]

I will check it out