- Seller: Larry C (Contact)
- Location: Saint Joseph, Missouri
- Mileage: N/A Shown
- Chassis #: 400042
- Title Status: Missing
- Engine: 149 cui 2-Cylinder
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Up for sale in Saint Joseph, Missouri, this 1948 John Deere Model B is described as a show-quality example that’s been carefully gone through and made ready for display or work. The seller lists a number of recent updates that should catch the eye of any vintage tractor enthusiast, including a rebuilt magneto, new battery, carburetor, spark plugs, and plug wires. The tractor also has fresh tires, a recent paint job, and a single hydraulic outlet.
The photos show a clean and straight machine wearing a bright green finish with yellow wheels, a combination that looks right at home on any John Deere of the era. The body panels appear intact, the tires look solid, and the overall presentation gives the impression that this Model B has been both cared for and enjoyed.
Power comes from a John Deere engine paired with a 4-speed transmission, true to its period design. The seller notes that the tractor has been freshly serviced and brought to what they call “show quality,” suggesting it’s not just functional but also detailed enough to impress at local events or farm shows.
While the title is listed as missing, that’s not unusual for a machine of this age; there’s a good chance it didn’t come with one when new, and you don’t need one for something like this anyway. The tractor is identified by VIN 400042 and appears to be a solid example of one of Deere’s most recognizable postwar models.
The Model B was one of John Deere’s longest-running and most popular tractors, known for its balance of power, reliability, and simple mechanical design. Many still work fields and parades across the country today. With this example’s recent mechanical attention and sharp presentation, it seems ready for either purpose.
If you’ve been looking for a clean vintage Deere to add to your collection or display at local shows, this well-sorted 1948 Model B could be an excellent choice. Would you put this one back to work on the farm, or keep it polished as a showpiece?
Nice one. Is my imagination kicking in or is that plastic fuel filter sitting on top of the exhaust manifold?
Optical delusion.
The Venerable “Styled” B. Lots of these built but not as many out west as there were in the midwest. Henry Dreyfuss did a major restyle when the decision was made to style the tractors. The unstyled version definitely showed it with its gloves off.
I wouldn’t do anything with this other than take it to the annual threshing shows and show it off. Do a little plowing as part of the show. It’s done its work; time to let it take life easy and allow the newer tractors to do the work. Let the stories flow, especially those that involved starting those, not equipped with a starter, starting by hand…https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-ZdjiNlwhM4
Hi Geo, you are always “comment worthy”, however, and correcting you is like unmasking the Lone Ranger,,,but I think this tractor has an optional electric start and a cover over the flywheel, equipped with a ring gear. You can see the starter in the pics behind the flywheel at about 1 o’clock. We called these the “hit or miss” John Deeres, they always sounded like they were misfiring, putt-ka-putt-putt,,etc. It’s amazing these had the power for a twin, just shows what gearing does. I’m not sure I would be able to hand start one of these.
Love the video, and in this hurry up world, how painstakingly slow. You know, the classic car hobby maybe ka-put, but I’ve found farm kids, generally keep the traditions alive. I bet this kids grandpa taught him how to start ol’ #1, and he will probably teach his kid.
They were a little rough-running at low speeds. That was because they ran a 180 degree crankshaft. That got two power strokes in rapid succession. Listen to them run and you can hear the “Putt-Putt—Putt-Putt.” I guess it was a bit smoother than running a full 360 crank.
But you definitely had to line up the assembly marks for installing the flywheel and clutch hub. Get those out of place and you could have the front wheels bouncing off the ground and the back tires trying to roll off the rim.
Ask me how I know…
Hey Howard, power wasn’t always about gearing. JD 830 was the biggest 2 cylinder, 70 horses from 460 cubes. Those old twins were hard on pto equipment, that jolt(for lack of a better term) under heavy load was hard on drivelines, I think square balers were the worst.
Sorry pal, correcting is the wrong term, you never said this one was a hand start. Can you imagine at 10 below? I bet you can,,,
This is a nice tractor. Its always a treat to see them restored. I had a chance years ago to fire up an old Model B, don’t remember the year but I sure do remember spinning the flywheel. I think part of what would keep these 2 cylinder engines going under a load at such a low RPM is that heavy flywheel. ( Geo or Howard can correct me if I’m wrong……. I am about 76%of the time).
-Dave
Yes, they had a very heavy flywheel. Upwards of 300 lbs, depending on what engine you were running. Not a desireable fate to drop one on your foot. The 80 thru 830 models were definitely something you handled with a hoist. Some of the 80s had a flaw in the casting and they would crack, which would cause the flywheel to shift on the crankshaft and shear the key. The whole engine would go out of balance and the tractor would try to jump off the ground. But that was 471 CID from only (2) cylinders. Actually the D had a bigger engine yet, at 502 CID…
My comments from yesterday seem to be lost in cyberspace so I’ll try again. The JD B had a long run with some of the early “unstyled” units on steel. Usually paired with an A to do the heavy work, the B was used mostly for cultivating 2 rows at a time, have seen a few with 4 row cultivators but they took a lot of power the B didn’t have. These and a 290 corn planter made a perfect pair. The hand clutch made it hard to back a wagon as you had to lean forward to push the clutch lever while looking back to watch the wagon. This is a nice clean unit with a good price.
I was a John Deere nut for may years! I had/restored a G, and several B’s. I loved these things! As long as the magneto was strong and the carb worked properly they were quite easy to start. The B changed farming, making it possible to plow enough land to make the payments, feed the horses and support a family too. They were reliable as a brick, far overbuilt for the purpose and will probably run forever.
But that doesn’t mean they are easy, just easier than plowing behind a horse. Trust me I know.
You breathe a lot of diesel smoke running into the wind and the dust plowing downwind will about kill you. The ride is so punishing that you will stand as much as you sit. After a half hour of “fun” I was always happy to get into the a/c quiet cab of the modern JD.
But like everything else I spend more and more time just trying to make a living and pay the bills so the joyous things I did with “spare” time seem to have all gone away. I donated all of mine to a museum in Oregon to sell to keep their lights on.
This one is a screaming bargain. You could not buy the tires for the asking price. The paint is beautiful and the sheet metal is like new.
Except for the fact that I would never be able to enjoy owning and driving it, I would have this in my barn in an instant. Someone is going to get all the joy and none of the work. Great listing.
Jim, I used to push on the lever with my foot for exactly the reason you mentioned and just use the left brake to stop. Just don’t push too far or it will lock and you will have a rodeo!
There is a good web page on these old poppers. I’ve attached a link which I hope will be accessible. It’s a good summation of all the poppers made along with some pics… https://johnnypopper.com/
as mentioned earlier a neighbor/co-worker had what we called his “Heavy Metal Museum” of these 2 cyl diesels from 30s – ‘80s in every size and alphabet designation. He’d restored most, had them lined up on the property. The biggest was a 7 or 800 with a 4 cyl gas phony motor to start it, smallest close to the ford 9N size (lill bigger? its been 45 yrs since I looked). He’d run one or the other once or twicea yr for some job but mostly just played around. Last time I saw him was to move most his stuff 350 mi due west to Seneca, NY (just 5.5 hrs but it took us w a y longer to do).
About 1967. This was the first vehicle I got to drive by myself. At 8 years old I pulled my brother in law around a small field on a hay wagon picking rocks for a couple of days. I remember standing up the entire time. Maybe leaning against the seat, but I definitely couldn’t sit and drive because I was too short. Later that week he had me pulling a square baler with a wagon while he threw bales. I felt like I was on top of the world and growin up right. He made sure I paid attention. I sure didn’t want to disappoint him after he trusted me. I can’t imagine most people doing it anymore these days. But I thought he appreciated the help. There was work needed to be done. Anyway, lessons were learned and everything worked out ok. At least until my mom heard about it when I was picked up 2 weeks later. She was definitely surprised when they pulled into the farm and I was out by myself pulling a little plow in the field. I know the old pecka–pecka sound from a mile away to this day. But I think Big Hugo heard about it out of my earshot.. ha ha. My parents were still good about letting me go back for more though. Kids grow up as fast as necessary.
My 47 John Deere “B” came from the factory with a 6 volt battery system and a electric starter, and runs on gasoline and other concoctions. Steiner tractor parts has anything and everything available to restore these old beauties.
I rebuilt a 1941 John Deere. It’s a hand start. Roll it over 3 times on full choke, open the choke about 1/4 open and give it a spin on compression. Fires right up. They are built really well.