[AJD] 1st Tractor

[Karl Olmstead]

Mike, you really ought to get an owner's manual for the tractor before you 
try driving it.  Or at least ask someone to scan the starting instructions 
for a B and email it to you.

John Deere manuals:   1-800-522-7448

If you're really starting with zero knowledge, here are a few safety tips:

1. Clutch is disengaged when the lever is pulled back toward the seated 
operator.  Do not let the tractor run for prolonged periods with clutch 
disengaged.  It is hard on the clutch.

2.  Do not disengage the clutch and get off the tractor while it is still in 
gear.  One nudge (or even vibration) could re-engage the clutch, and off the 
tractor would go!

3.  When you decide to pull something with the tractor, the ONLY appropriate 
attachment point is the drawbar.  If you put a chain around the rear axle, 
the tractor may very well rear up and come over on top of you.

4.  Back your tractor up the ramps onto the trailer.  If you drive it up 
normally, it may rear up and come over on top of you.

5.  Most old JDs have leaky fuel petcocks.  Fuel will leak down into the 
carburetor.  Many old JDs have leaky carburetor float valves.  Fuel leaking 
thru the petcock will then flood the carb and flow into whichever cylinder 
has an open intake valve.  When you then remove the sparkplug and leave the 
sparkplug wire near the cylinder head while you pull on the flywheel, the 
fuel gushing out of the open sparkplug hole will be ignited by the sparking 
wire and shoot out like a flamethrower.

6.  Pull the top of the flywheel toward the front of the tractor in order to 
start the engine.  In other words, turn the flywheel counterclockwise.

Have fun!

-Karl
--------------------
> Terry -
>
> Thanks for opening that door... guess it's time for me raise an eyebrow. 
> I have
> never sat on a tractor much less started one.  It's a '41 "B" handstart 
> that's been
> sitting for 18 months... was running when parked and the engine is loose. 
> Don't
> have an operator's manual yet.
>
> Chock the wheels, check oil level, coolant, and pour in some gas.  Check 
> to make
> sure it's in neutral and give the flywheel a spin (clockwise/counter 
> clockwise?).
>
> Would appreciate any comments from the list that would keep me from 
> hurting the
> "B".. or myself.
>
> Mike Massengale
> Fredericksburg, Texas 78624