John Deere 50

dieselman1967 · Feb 21, 2015

Hey guys. I have a chance to buy a 1954 (I think), John Deere 50 all-fuel and need some input. The tractor has been sitting for 10 years but has been in a garage so it look pretty good. I have seen people ask a lot more for a lot worse. I went and looked at it today and all was going well until we did a compression test. We only did a dry compression test and got 62psi on one side and 80psi on the other. Keeping in mind this tractor hasn't run in 10+, years what do y'all think? I talked him down to $1800 and might try to talk him down some more now, if I still decide to buy it. I really don't want to have to tear into the engine though. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

DAN IN OHIO · Feb 22, 2015

That is really not too bad a price. Just the fact that it is stored inside, has good tires, and good sheet metal says a lot. Looks like it has a one piece front pedestal indicating it is a very early model. Check to see if it has one or two barrel carb.

dieselman1967 · Feb 22, 2015

DAN IN OHIO said:
That is really not too bad a price. Just the fact that it is stored inside, has good tires, and good sheet metal says a lot. Looks like it has a one piece front pedestal indicating it is a very early model. Check to see if it has one or two barrel carb.

The biggest thing I'm worried about is the there being almost a 20psi difference between the 2 cylinders

flusher · Feb 23, 2015

Compression ratio for the all-fuel JD 50 is 5.35:1, i.e. 80 psi. So you have one cylinder running about 25% low on compression. If it runs bargain the seller down to $1600.
Good luck

beenthere · Feb 23, 2015

Looks to be a great deal for $1800. Hope you get it and will show it off in some future pics.

Rubber looks real good, if not recently new.

dieselman1967 · Feb 23, 2015

beenthere said:
Looks to be a great deal for $1800. Hope you get it and will show it off in some future pics.

Rubber looks real good, if not recently new.

That's where pics can be deceiving. The tire on the other side is dry rotted but will hold air. The one you see in the picture has gaping holes in the side wall. Definitely will have to have new back rubber

beenthere · Feb 23, 2015

I hear ya! Hope you get it.
I remember the thrill of driving a new 50 in about 1953. One of first with power steering which after driving a model G without PS was a real dream come true.

buickanddeere · Feb 23, 2015

Iirc power steering was an option on the Waterloo tractors starting in April 1954.

beenthere · Feb 23, 2015

That figures out better.. it was one of those summers... summer of '55 when I was 16 and building a house with another kid. So could very well have been spring of'55 that I would have been spring disking with the model 50. And it was just on the south side of Waterloo too.
Hwy 20 now runs right through that field I was working in at the time. But the old tall pine trees still stand that were a windbreak for the farm. Now they stand over a condo or home complex of some kind.

dieselman1967 · Feb 24, 2015

Well guys I didn't get it. We couldn't agree on a price. I just wasn't willing to pay that much for something that I don't know would even run and needs new tires (broke college kid budget). Thanks for the input though!