The L & LA are Orchard tractors. They are a rare Breed among the JD's . All of their production records were lost in a warehouse fire. My old man had a 1938 model ( L ). We got real lucky and found a guy that had two parts tractors, that we could gt parts off of. As luck would have it we checked the Serial numbers and they were the two tractors on either side of ours. We offered too buy them both, but at the time the guy wasn't willing too sell them. A few years passed and we ran into a guy in Washington state. that only collected the L & LA's. We told him about what we had found. He had more money then he knew what too do with. So he managed too get the two frames. Then traded an Experimental prototype model 62 too my father for our model L. That was complete enough that it was operational. He then managed too get the two frames restored too operational tractors. So he had 3 running model L's with consecutive serial Numbers. So this became a really rare thing. once all of them were restored too near mint factory condition they were valued at about $ 125,000.00 for the set. Last I had heard they guy had found and bought two more. That were the serial numbers on either end of the two too either side of the one we had. And has scene restored them as well. Thus pushing the value of the 5 consecutive serial numbered tractors up close too the $ 200,000.00 mark.
I have a 1941 model L i inherited from my Dad. Last time it was running was shortly befor his passing in 2007. Had a video at his service of him up on the tractor driving down the driveway with the biggest smile I remember him having. When I was a kid he had the opportunity to purchase the next serial number, but he didn't have the money. I still have the original owners manual, with the matching serial number!
This was back before internet was in motion. Parts are so much easier to come by. I don't think there is anything too hard to come by on most of these machines today. They really are great tractors. Easy to maintain and lots of power for the size. Wish they had put a little slower 1st gear in them though :/
@@countryboy302 I'm so sorry to hear that. He will be in good company. My dad just passed in December 22 and I had recently told him about Bruce and watching this video. We had two L's. One he and I restored together so I'm sure they're in heaven swapping stories about these great little tractors. Thanks for letting me know about him. Be well my friend.
My Dad bought a new L. We found the original dealer quote where it was 50 dollar option for a starter and battery. He did not pay for it. It had a mid mount sickle mower that ran off a flat belt pulley located on the engine drive shaft. That was the only attachment we had since he used it to mow under the fruit trees in the orchard. I think the true needle in the haystack would be to find the attachments that were built to fit on the tractors.
He must have that timing down just right so it doesn't kick back on him while cranking it over the WRONG way. My styled 1939 L kicked back on me once and almost broke my arm. A timing adjustment and cranking it the right way has precluded that issue.
Yes, if the timing is too advanced that'll happen. I keep mine dead on or a little retarded. Also I short out the mag and crank it over a few times first to circulate the oil and pull the gas into the cylinders before actually trying to start it. Makes it a lot easier to start. Lubricating all of the friction points of the crank handle makes it easier to turn too. Also notice that he pulls up on the crank when he starts it. That's a safety in case it kicks back, you won't risk a broken arm.
I love old tractors. But my favourite 1950s-1970s tractors are the Polish Ursus tractors, wich im still waiting until Classic Tractor Fever will make a video of.
If these aren't too cost restrictive. (expensive) They might be a better option than a new garden tractor. They look like they would be easier to work on. And you know it's going to be reliable. The only drawback is it might be hard to find compatable attachments.
I have 2 sears suburban tractors. I do everything with them. Plow snow. Grade my drive. Plow, disc and rototill my garden. Mow my lawn. And anything else i need a small tractor for.
Bruce, Did you work in New York State some years back? If it's you,we used to talk tractors while at work. If not, there was another big guy named Bruce that owned multiple JD L tractors.
By the time they made it emissions compliant, computerized and electrified everything, made it safety compliant and totally idiot proof, it would be a completely different machine. The days of simple, affordable machinery are gone!
I used to live down there. No joke if that #1 tractor plate is current he can sell it for more then the tractors. Don't understand it but the vintage style low number plates get sold for unbelievable money
So besides maybe a small plow, what would tractors like these be pulling or used for back in the day on a small farm? Doesn't seem like they could pull much else. I'd imagine one would have to use a pulley system to get big jobs done.
Joe Hanson Hi, as I understand it, aside from buying new implements such as a plow , cultivator set or sickle bar mower, these tractors were designed to pull all of the equipment the farmers had for their horses. Small planters ,drills, manure spreaders ,hay wagons. Anything one or two horses could pull. The belt pulley probably was used the most to run a cord wood saw, maybe a small elevator. They are handy little machines. I have fond memories of running my grand fathers when I was 9/10 . Hope that helps
They are surprising with what they will pull. Most of the plows are set up and mount so that when they are plowing, they put weight on the rear tires, which makes for good traction. A good, one row tractor, this size, will pull a single bottom breaking plow, or middle buster, very well.
I'll go along with the others. They had a lot of implements available including a couple of different snow blades for the front. I've seen guys do some mods and mount a big snowthrower on the front. Pretty cool. The only weakness I've found with these is that first gear wasn't geared down low enough for me.
@Andrew Donohue What about the cub cadet? its like the size of a go-kart! i know it aint a tractor but they still to the day are the smallest yard machine ive ever seen!
They were all designed to replace a team of horses. So they are about the same . It depends on what your measuring ,hp ,wheel base , width, etc. The point was the farmer could use that part of his land meant for horse feed (hay) as production land.
You could argue for both sides. Yes, they never branded them as vintage, but nothing vintage was ever sold as such. They are vintage now, so whether JD knew it then, they were building soon-to-be vintage tractors.
We had an l when I was kid my dad put a ten horse tecumse engine on it and added a transmission put both transmission in reverse you got super low forward gear
Ok. Here it goes, and, I'll take a lot of criticism for this. True story. A friend of mine told me that a man had an oppertunity to buy two tractors, one John Deere LA like the ones here or a Farmall Cub tractor. He choose the John Deere LA. Came back bragging about buying the John Deere LA. My friend said to him, you should have came to ne for advise about both of these tractors. So, they loaded up both tractors the John Deere LA and the Farmall Cub Cadet tractor, pound for pound as heavy as they could for a pulling test with both tractors. The test began, both started up well enough, but when both were put into gear to start the pulling, the Farmsll Cub tractor pulled outta there like a scared gorilla, while the John Deere LA sat there spinning it's tires, and couldn't move. The guy took the John Deere LA back and instead got the Farmall Cub Cadet tractor. Oh boy, now here will come the hateful comments and the criticisms.
tponn Well compare it to a Farmall model A ,made about the same time . JOHN DEERES in general were primitive up untill about 1959 when they finally twigged about the advantages of multi cylinder engines ,about forty years after everybody else duh.
I love this guy. Dumps his whole collecting spreading the fever, and then starts all over. Passion you cant match...but you may be able to beat :)
I have 1948 international tractor to sell pretty nice shape and drive's
@@justiceserebour8663 still selling
Wow, this is every boy and man's dream! I would love to ride one! I love those vintage machines! Both the toys and the real ones!
OMG that was my first tractor I drove. When I was a kid my uncle had one I miss that old tractor .
I learned to drive on a model L at age 8 here on the farm.
My grampa, Herman Alexander, restored one of these for Leonard Furst in the 90s and he did it from memory.
These are still built better than anything out of John Deere today. Nothing will be old American Iron.
There is a big reason why most of the smaller stuff thats decent is yamar in green clothing
Really Nice 👍 John Deere Tractors 🚜
The L & LA are Orchard tractors. They are a rare Breed among the JD's . All of their production records were lost in a warehouse fire. My old man had a 1938 model ( L ).
We got real lucky and found a guy that had two parts tractors, that we could gt parts off of. As luck would have it we checked the Serial numbers and they were the two tractors on either side of ours. We offered too buy them both, but at the time the guy wasn't willing too sell them.
A few years passed and we ran into a guy in Washington state. that only collected the L & LA's. We told him about what we had found. He had more money then he knew what too do with. So he managed too get the two frames. Then traded an Experimental prototype model 62 too my father for our model L. That was complete enough that it was operational.
He then managed too get the two frames restored too operational tractors. So he had 3 running model L's with consecutive serial Numbers. So this became a really rare thing. once all of them were restored too near mint factory condition they were valued at about $ 125,000.00 for the set. Last I had heard they guy had found and bought two more. That were the serial numbers on either end of the two too either side of the one we had. And has scene restored them as well. Thus pushing the value of the 5 consecutive serial numbered tractors up close too the
$ 200,000.00 mark.
I have a 1941 model L i inherited from my Dad. Last time it was running was shortly befor his passing in 2007. Had a video at his service of him up on the tractor driving down the driveway with the biggest smile I remember him having. When I was a kid he had the opportunity to purchase the next serial number, but he didn't have the money. I still have the original owners manual, with the matching serial number!
This guy would be a hoot to hang out with!
Amazing ! Nice video. Excellent restorations, I'd hate to sell any of them. Thanks for sharing and Best of Luck with future projects.
Fascinating I always thought the JD L was outside vender that JD bought out I like these educational videos 👍🏽
This was back before internet was in motion. Parts are so much easier to come by. I don't think there is anything too hard to come by on most of these machines today. They really are great tractors. Easy to maintain and lots of power for the size. Wish they had put a little slower 1st gear in them though :/
Bruce has passed o b sadly
@@countryboy302 I'm so sorry to hear that. He will be in good company. My dad just passed in December 22 and I had recently told him about Bruce and watching this video. We had two L's. One he and I restored together so I'm sure they're in heaven swapping stories about these great little tractors. Thanks for letting me know about him. Be well my friend.
@@jonmyers8046 sorry to hear that God bless🙏
Would be great having one with a PTO.
Que belleza no los conocia estos chiquitos de J.D
My Dad bought a new L. We found the original dealer quote where it was 50 dollar option for a starter and battery. He did not pay for it. It had a mid mount sickle mower that ran off a flat belt pulley located on the engine drive shaft. That was the only attachment we had since he used it to mow under the fruit trees in the orchard. I think the true needle in the haystack would be to find the attachments that were built to fit on the tractors.
If it's not green it's not be seen yall it is what it is the jd man keep it green yall god bless yall 😉🤗😁
Absolute stunning, well done,
Excellent John Deere tractor 👍👏👏👏👏👏
It’s like the only John Deere for your garden that’s not a garden tractor or a Farmall Cub
wow,thats awesome.
He must have that timing down just right so it doesn't kick back on him while cranking it over the WRONG way. My styled 1939 L kicked back on me once and almost broke my arm. A timing adjustment and cranking it the right way has precluded that issue.
Yes, if the timing is too advanced that'll happen. I keep mine dead on or a little retarded. Also I short out the mag and crank it over a few times first to circulate the oil and pull the gas into the cylinders before actually trying to start it. Makes it a lot easier to start. Lubricating all of the friction points of the crank handle makes it easier to turn too. Also notice that he pulls up on the crank when he starts it. That's a safety in case it kicks back, you won't risk a broken arm.
Nice video and a Thumbs Up liked.
Im from gorgetown and i love classic tractors lower slower delaware
I love old tractors. But my favourite 1950s-1970s tractors are the Polish Ursus tractors, wich im still waiting until Classic Tractor Fever will make a video of.
Wrong company bud.
That is buetifull it's in your blood
And my reminder of the land!!
I happen to have one of these....
Im from Milton, never knew about Bruce. Lower Slower.
Im from gorgetown not far from miton i never knew about him either lower slower sussex
I like the name on his shirt-"Capt. Clueless".
Love at first sight for me !! Beautiful restoration !! Great video !! Very tolerant wife !! LOL !!
You are right about the need for aTractor's Anonymous Program... Problem is it will probably be a lot more than 12 Steps.
If these aren't too cost restrictive. (expensive)
They might be a better option than a new garden tractor.
They look like they would be easier to work on. And you know it's going to be reliable.
The only drawback is it might be hard to find compatable attachments.
Better off with a ford 8n or 9n for this. I can rebuild my 1944 9N with Amazon ordered parts.
I have 2 sears suburban tractors. I do everything with them. Plow snow. Grade my drive. Plow, disc and rototill my garden. Mow my lawn. And anything else i need a small tractor for.
Bruce, Did you work in New York State some years back? If it's you,we used to talk tractors while at work. If not, there was another big guy named Bruce that owned multiple JD L tractors.
Very Nice
Nice John Deere collection
Neat
My LI has the thin wall frame.
That's the closest tractor I have ever seen to the Farmall Cub !
Love the ole J.D's.
Those black and white "low number" Delaware tags!! Hard to come by and are $$$$$ The tractors and tags are real collectors items.
Quality
I wish someone would manufacture a new one of these
By the time they made it emissions compliant, computerized and electrified everything, made it safety compliant and totally idiot proof, it would be a completely different machine. The days of simple, affordable machinery are gone!
If it's not green it's not to be seen yall it is what it is yall the jd man 😁😉🤗
I love to collect miniatures but I collect mostly cars and trucks
Nothing runs like a Deere.
v good tractor
Makeup videos
I never knew.............that they even existed.
Wonder where he gets parts?
I used to live down there. No joke if that #1 tractor plate is current he can sell it for more then the tractors. Don't understand it but the vintage style low number plates get sold for unbelievable money
do you have for sale I need one for home garden
So besides maybe a small plow, what would tractors like these be pulling or used for back in the day on a small farm? Doesn't seem like they could pull much else. I'd imagine one would have to use a pulley system to get big jobs done.
Joe Hanson Hi, as I understand it, aside from buying new implements such as a plow , cultivator set or sickle bar mower, these tractors were designed to pull all of the equipment the farmers had for their horses. Small planters ,drills, manure spreaders ,hay wagons. Anything one or two horses could pull. The belt pulley probably was used the most to run a cord wood saw, maybe a small elevator. They are handy little machines. I have fond memories of running my grand fathers when I was 9/10 . Hope that helps
They are surprising with what they will pull. Most of the plows are set up and mount so that when they are plowing, they put weight on the rear tires, which makes for good traction. A good, one row tractor, this size, will pull a single bottom breaking plow, or middle buster, very well.
I'll go along with the others. They had a lot of implements available including a couple of different snow blades for the front. I've seen guys do some mods and mount a big snowthrower on the front. Pretty cool. The only weakness I've found with these is that first gear wasn't geared down low enough for me.
ok so which was the smallest..... masey harris pony, farmall cub, john deere L?
i have a 1948 farmall cub
they are all same category
@Andrew Donohue What about the cub cadet? its like the size of a go-kart! i know it aint a tractor but they still to the day are the smallest yard machine ive ever seen!
They were all designed to replace a team of horses. So they are about the same . It depends on what your measuring ,hp ,wheel base , width, etc. The point was the farmer could use that part of his land meant for horse feed (hay) as production land.
hello Bruce I am from UK and I would like to know what is top speed of these tractors
www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/0/2/28-john-deere-l-transmission.html
Looks like about 6 mph, or 9.7 kph
John Deere never built any vintage tractors. They were current models when they were built.
You could argue for both sides. Yes, they never branded them as vintage, but nothing vintage was ever sold as such. They are vintage now, so whether JD knew it then, they were building soon-to-be vintage tractors.
Do they use a hand clutch or foot clutch? 🐱
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Difference is Tractors gives way less backtalk than women that's why l get along quite comfortably with them.
Shame no model Y survived as the 62 prototype.
👍😎
Which one is your favorite model?
The L was another smaller tractor before the LA
👍👌👏
We had an l when I was kid my dad put a ten horse tecumse engine on it and added a transmission put both transmission in reverse you got super low forward gear
Are you saying your a part of the Deere clan John?!
I know where one of the prototypes is...
Ok. Here it goes, and, I'll take a lot of criticism for this. True story. A friend of mine told me that a man had an oppertunity to buy two tractors, one John Deere LA like the ones here or a Farmall Cub tractor. He choose the John Deere LA. Came back bragging about buying the John Deere LA. My friend said to him, you should have came to ne for advise about both of these tractors. So, they loaded up both tractors the John Deere LA and the Farmall Cub Cadet tractor, pound for pound as heavy as they could for a pulling test with both tractors. The test began, both started up well enough, but when both were put into gear to start the pulling, the Farmsll Cub tractor pulled outta there like a scared gorilla, while the John Deere LA sat there spinning it's tires, and couldn't move. The guy took the John Deere LA back and instead got the Farmall Cub Cadet tractor. Oh boy, now here will come the hateful comments and the criticisms.
farmall cub cadet???? NO farmall cub and cub cadet are two very different machines. i have both a 1948 farmall cub and a 1961 cub cadet
It’s actually not the smallest tractor that John Deere built. That title goes to a one row cultivator Deere made. It’s sitting in a museum.
Have to small. Tractors need help I have. M. Pony m. If interested let know thank you
Russians never fail to amaze me. I believe they can build anything even from garbage and it will kick ass
How do I get on here
I have one show ready I can't sell for 5000
R
The L is smaller.
IHC FARMALL CUBS WERE FAR SUPERIOR.
tponn Well compare it to a Farmall model A ,made about the same time . JOHN DEERES in general were primitive up untill about 1959 when they finally twigged about the advantages of multi cylinder engines ,about forty years after everybody else duh.
lets hope he gets addicted to a Green Tread mill Jesus Christ!
My Ex left me because I watched too much tractor porn.
My JD lov'in friend calls it tractor porn too. Among others, he restored a L.
Good trade ....