1950 John Deere R Diesel Startup w/ Pony Motor

[ford9572]

@truckphone Because he probably LIKES it that way!!! Probably thinks it'll make the tractor run and perform much better, I don't see any difference frankly, I have a MUCH shorter exhaust stack on my '50 R.

[truckphone]

Why such a tall exhaust? I'm asking cause I need to buy a new one for my R...

[txmp62]

Beautiful tractor...great video!!!

[gunny426plymouth]

I DONT KNOW IF ITS WERKIN OR NOT!! i love that

[brunel52]

In re to ford9572, the tug boat you were refering to probably had a Bolinder engine in it, made in Sweden, huge single cylinder. You can find info on the net for them.

[Flyboy207]

heh, you fire those pony motors up and they sound like they'll just keep revving.

[copyrman08]

great old tractor.

[ford9572]

I wonder if John Deere ever made a marine version of the Model R tractor engine, I say this because I remember watching "Sesame Street" as a kid and there was a section on there all about tugboats, First it showed a little plastic tugboat bathtub toy and then it showed a full size I think early '50s tug pulling into a dock and the engine was idling really low, And I'm wondering now if that tug's engine might've been a marinized John Deere R tractor engine, I could be totally wrong on this, That

[ford9572]

Likewise!! 24 volt electric start is FAR better!!!

[cory300ex]

dumbest thing john deere ever did was put those pony motors on them

[whb1965]

the ponies are hateful little engines.. when they work right they are fine... when they dont work right they are pains..

[ford9572]

She IS a beauty!!! Sounds like she's ready to work!!!!

[thebakuman77]

jhon deer r is my favorite tractor man nice

[1936johndeerea]

Beautiful tractor and you actually started it the right way. I have never seen such a nicely restored R

[ford9572]

@earlcra Do you know where I could possibly obtain an Owner/Operator's Manual for my 1949 John Deere R that I just bought?

[ford9572]

Thanks for the info!!!

[ford9572]

Is the pony engine a 2 stroke?

[earlcra]

@ford9572 The pony engine was a 4-cycle. It usually ran on what was called 'white gas'. It was kind-of like is used in Coleman camp stoves now.

[ford9572]

LOVE those twin cylinder Deere diesels!!!

[Smoott69]

Thank you for forgotten memories. I used to drive a tractor just like that hooked to a hay wagon when we hauled bails back in the 70's I like the tall stack. Ours had the same once the original muffler burnt out. 5*

[TheFarmerfitz]

nice video. Good sounding old Tractor My Dad once had one. I can just barley remember pulling back on the decompression lever while it was running, then when it was almost stopped, I'd let go of the lever and it would smoke and return to idling. I though that was great fun!!!!

[EarlRausch]

great looking tractor

[TheStubbleking]

Now that brings back good memories. A friend of mine claims he started an R Diesel at -45°F near Glasgow, Montana.

[ProudSouthernBoy]

Beautiful rig, and i use that term loosely because it looks like everything has been done right. Is there a compression release on the diesel's cylinders? Whats the sound right before you hear the diesel engine? Is that a clutch or something?

[esopchoi16]

There is a compression lever, which is the first one I pulled back. The second lever (on the left) engages the diesel engine, so the pony motor acts like a starter.

[superturbodiesel]

Nice 'ol "R" diesel you have there. Nice job showing the "correct" way to start it up also. My only complaint is that you need to ditch that nasty looking straight pipe that is way too tall for any logical reason. Put the factory muffler back on it. They look and work so much better. If you don't like mufflers, then at least put a nice stainless straight stack on it that is just a hair taller than the air stack. Nothing worse than a pipe that is too long or too short for the application.

[esopchoi16]

There's actually a reason behind that. My grandpa bought it that way, way back when. He lived in a small town and whenever he would come chugging along, people, before seeing him, would know it was him by the distinct sound that the long stack made. So, when we restored it, we decided to keep it the way it was in his memory, because he died just over two years ago. We are not ignorant. We know what it is supposed to look like, and we HATE stainless steel stacks.

[waynebeatle]

THAT WAS NOT CORRECT!! @superturbodiesel 

[ernie27177]

it is good to see a young guy on an old tractor and it looks like you were taught well, when we go to the pulls and demonstrations everybody is kind of long in the tooth . kids go with Grandpa

[dfaubl]

that is a nice looking r

is the muffler new because i dont think jd used that size

[esopchoi16]

correct, my dad farmed with it as a kid and I believe the guy before them put that on there. It's just a pipe, no muffler. It sounds amazing and it's not overly loud because the pipe is so long

[thersnomorecoolnames]

thats a great lookin and great runnin R

[boringguy43]

I'm shocked. Somebody actually uses the correct starting procedure to start the diesel. Most leave the fuel and compression on, then cry about the starting engine clutch and flywheel/pinion failing.

[1969nb]

I agree. I learned when I was 8 years old when we got a 720D. Nice to see these old two cylinder diesel videos, but some need to further their education in operating them. Nice job esopchoi16.

[esopchoi16]

Thank you everything for your great comments. Unfortunately, at the moment, the R is being repaired because two of the radiator fan blades broke off while it was running ;(

[whb1965]

@boringguy43 check operators manual.. must have at least 60 psi oil pressure before starting big engine.. a little fast if u ask me... can cause bearing failure.. nice tractor

[hockeyboyranalla]

nice my dads 830 starts on first try. pony motor

[flyboy260]

My grandpa's 830 is an electric start.

[GoldsLifter]

john deere 80's and 830's also are started this way although some do have electric starts on them as well

[Patman5678]

very nice good lookin old deere btw

[Fighterofwars]

Do you know if this is the same way to start a John Deere 80?

[esopchoi16]

I'm not for sure on that, but I imagine so if it is a diesel.

[1936johndeerea]

Yes on most 80's and the other two after it(820, and 830) use this starting procedure