John Deere R - Plowing with a 202 Plow

[@jimmyjennings4089]

I never farmed but my father did over half his life and i came along after but my old pop told me all about, i guess that's why i love watching these videos about tractors and plowing, just something about working them fields i just like, maybe because it's simple and not crazy like this world has gotten, God be with the farmers.

[@jonelsonster]

I'm pretty sure all people who watch my videos or subscribe to my channel have memories working these old machines. Thanks for sharing yours!

[@lttl858]

Plow and tractor both did great. Mentioned before about the starting of the R..... I have a '51 & '53 and have run R's since a teenager (many years ago). Your R runs really well, but doesn't start like I think it should. I watched you start it up and the only thing I see is, you give it half throttle, or so, when you try to start it. We always start ours just off the throttle stop....idle. Just for the heck of it, try that sometime. The coldest start I remember firing up my '53 was 6 deg. and it starts just like it was 70. I always enjoy your videos.

[@glennspreeman1634]

We had a 70 and a 730 and both started on first or second compression regardless of temp.

[@jonelsonster]

We have a few other two cylinder diesel John Deere tractors: a 70, two 830s, and another R. The 70 and the 830s fire very quickly and do not smoke at all. First or second compression stroke. But both of our Rs take their time when starting up, especially when it's cool. I've been told Deere improved the design of the combustion chamber on the later diesels. But the first one, the R, was slightly inferior. I know some people adjust fuel delivery to the injectors and I can imagine engine builders have the capability to modify the head or the top of the piston to get it better... But these are stock. This R runs well and has very good power on the Dyno. So I don't think we are planning on doing anything to the engine right now. Maybe once we get some spare time we can dig into the injectors and see how they are... But until then, we might just have to live with a lazy start. Or the alternative is to give it a quick shot of ether and then it will light off right away... But most people are not fond of that.

[@CharlesEiker]

Why did you not plow the opposite way with the 202? I was hoping to see it go (backwards). Thanks for the videos.

[@jonelsonster]

@@CharlesEiker I guess I didn't get much footage of me plowing with the left side. But the first shot of me in the field(at about 12:40) is me using the left side.

[@CharlesEiker]

By golly it was I missed it the first time I watched.

[@saxman1969]

I was plowing fields in 1959 at the ripe old age of 8 YO. We had a 1938 JD B that we used for everything LOL. I couldn't start it because I wasn't big enough to pull the flywheel, and my dad sternly told me "don't stall" it. I am 73 now and run kubotas on my 4 acre retirement hobby. Loved the R's and G's. Great video and collection of JD poppers!

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks! Yeah, I can imagine trying to get a B started by hand would be hard for an 8 year old.

[@davestarr7112]

Very good video. Any time I can hear JD 2 cylinders (gas or diesel) working my day is made. I'm a city boy who has had only a touch of tractors and farming ... spent a couple years when I lived in Colorado helping a friend make hay with a 60 and a 620, but while my experience has been limited, the 2-cylinder bug bit me very deeply. Keep making great videos like this one and for someone who has no idea how a 2-way plow works or is normally used, that in itself would be a great video. All the best to you and your dad.

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks! You should check out my video from last week, where I fixed this plow up. Towards the end of it I detail how the lift and switch mechanisms work.

[@davestarr7112]

@@jonelsonster OK, I'll look it up. I am subscribed, and I have the little notification bell on, but I don't always get notifications. Thanx.

[@larrydavidson3402]

The good old iron at work. Love the sound.

[@jonelsonster]

Agree 💯! The sound of a 2-cylinder JD is iconic!

[@codyaverhoff6828]

Beautiful country!

[@jonelsonster]

It really is!

[@frankwurth5375]

Never had a 2 cyl diesel, but admire how heavy their built. I have a styled D that we used back in the late 60s, we plowed with 2 of them. Dads newer diesel tractor had serious issues so we did all the heavy work with the D's. In our clay hills I pulled 3-14 any where in high, would have handled 4 bottoms but 3's are what we had, still have them. There were never any 2 way plows around here, so thats interesting.

[@jonelsonster]

We have a D too. 1948. It's a good old tractor. It was actually the first two cylinder tractor my dad bought since farming with them in his youth. Ours is old and tired, but it never fails to start... So we just use it as is. Choppy engine, but it's still fun.

[@johnmowrer1359]

I was guessing you were in second gear. The R sounds real strong. Love the sound of a two cylinder diesel with a muffler. You're making me miss my old girl!

[@jonelsonster]

Yes, this old R is a good thumper.

[@weirddeere]

The R puled great and handled the plow really well! Here in Ohio the R does pretty well with 4 bottoms

[@jonelsonster]

Our soil is very heavy... Basically dense silty lake bed from the prehistoric Lake Bonneville. But this plow always pulls very straight. It's not as impressive looking, but it still works the tractor really well.

[@weirddeere]

@@jonelsonster It doesn't matter how "impressive" something looks, it's got enough power for the job, and is doing a good job!

[@merrillanderson3506]

I have a70like yours with 24 volt starting 12runing and charging, it starts down to around 10 dig with no problem. I always start it at ideal with no problem. Love that tractor and the fuel economy, my favorite. I had a 3020 power shift liked the 70 better, especially the fuel economy, my soil is glacier silt. I live in the flathead Valley in Montana Gods country.

[@jonelsonster]

The 70 Diesel is a fantastic tractor. If we hook up two 12v batteries in parallel then the starter has enough amps to crank the starter through the compression stroke. But two batteries barely fit inside the battery box... And they are expensive 😅.

[@garoldpeterson3433]

Beautiful country

[@jonelsonster]

Yes indeed!

[@jefftheaussie2225]

The old R is going well and it is ploughing up well. I bags not being on the tractor for the next operation, it will be very rough going. The first tractor I drove was a Model D electric start. I was about 8. Long time ago now about 1963. No wonder we can’t buy a 2 cylinder JD, you have them all. We didn’t see many John Deere tractors of that vintage in Australia in those days, Deere didn’t have a presence here till they bought Chamberlain in 1975. As a result they are pretty rare here.

[@jonelsonster]

We ran over the field already with a butterfly disc... It was very bumpy! But we'll get it worked down. And then in the spring we'll get it all cleaned up and planted.

[@terryrogers1025]

Liked it so much I subscribed and liked, like the old J. D. iron in action. Thanks for the video, enjoyed watching.

[@jonelsonster]

Awesome, thank you so much!

[@gilreynolds9282]

Great plowing video. Nice to see the old iron

[@clydeschwartz]

Excellent video the R did a great job. You should have demonstrated the other side of the plow I have never seen that type of plow work

[@jonelsonster]

I did show plowing with the left hand gang at about 12:40.

[@clydeschwartz]

I went back and watched i see that ​@jonelsonster

[@shelleywilcox8703]

Now that's a cold start

[@jonelsonster]

Here is a video of us starting our model D when it's only 5 degrees F: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqTEcpt8grCZrLc

[@anthonyhengst2908]

That tractor and plow team looks really good now great furrows and clean cut in that Soddy soil. Very nice.

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks 👍

[@michaelmanculich4004]

Nice job

[@jonelsonster]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@formerfarmer1718]

Funny! We’d go out and start our WD-45 diesel back then the same way you’d start a 4020 or an 806 much later. Turn the key! That plow is doing a good job in some really difficult dirt. 👍

[@jonelsonster]

I know...I know... While John Deere was messing around with pony motors and IHC was getting their engines to start on gas and then switch over to diesel, AC said "I have a better idea" and made their diesels start like normal. 😅

[@stevenarnold1960]

The 202 plow is like an early version of the roll over moldboard plow

[@jonelsonster]

We have couple of other two-way plows that proceeded the roll-over plow. We've got a Case tumble plow and an old IHC grasshopper style plow. I've also seen a switch plow that swings back and forth. I think it's the most modern one I've ever been around.

[@wademizelle3433]

I would like to see old JD’s with loader and show how hydraulics work. Thanks, as always great video.

[@jonelsonster]

I'm the coming weeks I'll be doing a video on my A's hydraulics. I'm not an expert, but I'm hoping to explain a little about it.

[@joeshovel2]

Great gopher plow 🤣

[@jonelsonster]

We have so many gophers in this field. Gophers and mice and voles. You could see them scurry about as you plowed them over.

[@VincentBatista-s8m]

I really like that R a lot did super well! But I had a question were do you order those rear tires from I know someone, who has a tractor with big tires like that but can’t seem to find new ones for the rear.

[@jonelsonster]

We've never had to buy tires for this tractor. They are so expensive we usually delay purchasing them or buy a set of used tires that still have life left. But a lot of times, when we do need new tires, we'll order them online. Shipping can be free (even with I tractor tire!) and then have them mounted at the tire place in town.

[@KnotHead-er6cp]

It seems like a lot of hassle but fun….. if you’re patient and have a lot of time

[@jonelsonster]

It's all about priorities.

[@stevemccoy8138]

This is awesome, just wandering what size plow shares are on the 202 plow ? Thanks for Sharing this story. 😊

[@jonelsonster]

These are 14" bottoms... I'm about 90% sure. The plow mold boards are type: Deere BC 258 / 258L.

[@fedup3582]

Are those the 18.4x26 tires more commonly seen on the industrial versions, that you have on the back of that R? The vast majority of R's that I have seen and operated, had 18.4x34 tires on the back, as did most of the 80's, 820's, and 830's.

[@jonelsonster]

Yes. We've got two Rs. This one has 26" rims and the other has 34"rims.

[@billbright1755]

I plowed with a 48 D gas and distillate John Deere with a hand flywheel start. Pressure relief cups on twin cylinders. That R would have seemed like a space ship to me.

[@jonelsonster]

Ha ha! Yes compared to a model D this is pretty advanced

[@georgestirewalt8508]

Does the R have power steering? Oh great video.

[@jonelsonster]

I didn't think power steering was an option on the R. We have one that has a pretty nice aftermarket power steering set up on it. This particular R is just manual steering, but it's easy and smooth, so that's nice.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I've been around Cats that were switched fr4om pony motor to electric. NOPE! Took ether for them to fire. The heated intake air wasn't there and they just didn't start even close. Good turning and slicing right through. BURN THAT DIESEL! Good to see Pop out too. Blessings!

[@jonelsonster]

Thanks. The 70 will start in cool weather ok, IF you get enough amps to the starter. Two 12v batteries hooked up in parallel works... But trying to fit two batteries in under that seat it nearly impossible. So we usually give it a tug to start or just keep it in the heated shop. 😅

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@jonelsonster You might find another ponysomewhere and do the old rig up right. It can always be redone! The old Cats just have to have a snort of ether or it just won't work or like you do, a pull. You've redone a pony before. Maybe another would keep you in practise?

[@LarsDcCase]

You had a chance to put some Venison on the table.

[@jonelsonster]

There are thousands of Deere around. We could have venison 5 times a day! 😅

[@marklafayette6948]

The R in 5 gear ⚙️ is faster than the 830 in 6 gear .going down the road 👨‍🌾

[@jonelsonster]

I never would have thought about that. This R has the smaller diameter 26" tires, so it may not be as fast. But it sure does pull well.

[@daleroth236]

Show us how with plow works from one side to another. This wasn't shown.

[@jonelsonster]

@@daleroth236 it's very hard to show while driving. But in my last video I showed it up close. Here is a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYjHZIKZe5tpl68

[@Mopar-Pioneer]

Pony motors were invented for cold weather starts ! I hate technology ! JD twins are still the best tractors ever built !!!

[@jonelsonster]

👍🏻

[@interman7715]

The IHC McCormick Farmall line of tractors were far superior. They had diesel tractors as far back as the late 30s that started with a far superior system ie a petrol start warm up and change over system incorporated in the cylinder head .I ran an IHC SuperWD9 from when I was 14 years old and there's no way in hell I would've swapped it for a JD model R.You can have your bloody pony engine .And to say twin cylinder JDs were the best tractors ever made is absolutely ridiculous.

[@Mopar-Pioneer]

Sir, I realise farmall fanatics are just as rabid as JD fans are. I was merely expressing a personal opinion. I too have spent hours behind the wheel of a WD 9 and a 620. The constant roar of the 9's motor was more tiring at the end of the day than the relaxing pulse of the twin. I also belive, that fuel wise, a twin was alot esier on your billfold than the 9

[@StephanusBasson]

Can't I come and work for you

[@jonelsonster]

Sure... But the pay is crap 😅

[@chuckwilliams9090]

With Alfa the roots could be 12 inches deep

[@jonelsonster]

Yes, I should have gotten some pictures of the alfalfa roots. They are huge. Like an inch in diameter. And they look like a big white-ish/tan worm.

[@tootired76]

I was going to ask you if you knew if there were any differences running modern gasoline in 70 -80 year old engines then I face palmed: The R is diesel powered!! 🤭

[@jonelsonster]

Ha ha! Yup, it's diesel. But with our old gas engines we run ethanol free gas. No additives. And it seems to do fine.