1959 John Deere 730 Diesel with cranking engine (pony engine). Found tractor in central Illinois and restored to present condition. 1960 was last year that John Deere made the two cylinder tractor. This announcement shocked farmers, but was a good decision for John Deere. Best kept secret in industrial history.
Very nice 730. Gotta love that idle?
@51JohnDeereB That’s a good question. Most pony engines had a hard life. Starting and stopping with little use in between. To the best of my knowledge, there is not a recommended method of running time. I know of a pony engine restorer that would run them quite a bit before and after starting in the belief that it would prolong the life of the pony engine. I think that is the best way to do it. The problem with that is the gas tank is so? small, you soon will be looking for a gas can.
Hi how long do you let your pony motor run after the tractor has started??
@PirateSygnal Thanks,? it is a fun tractor. JS
Remarkable. Really cool video. Thx for the history lesson, and that awesome? start-up procedure!
@kaukoleniukas? Nope!
do you sell? it?
I? agree with, “One of the best sounds you’ll ever hear. “
beautiful tractor. Thanks? for sharing
how much money was? it
@1969nb Thanks. I had a little minni ditch digger on the back to lay a tv cable to my pole barn when I thought, “this would make a nice picture”. ? That’s how it happen! JS
I saw your beautiful tractor? in Green Magazine.
@senyko I’m trying to find parts for the diesel and a new sleeve for the pony engine as it was rebuilt but one of? the sleeves is bad.
Any tips on where to find a rebuild kit for the diesel and a sleeve for the pony? I think if I can get some more info and show some more interest he might let me play with it some.
@BillTheTractorMan You need to pull the old R out and bring it back to? life. You have too much history there! It may be in better shape then you think. Richard Hain, editor of the Green Magazine, picked up an old R and got it back in running shape. It’s not easy, but worth it. JS
We have an Old model R deere sitting in our shed. The pony popped a rod back in the 70’s and was left alone. During that time my grandfather pulled it with another one of our tractors to start it until the early 80’s. when it was parked in the shed and used as a shelf. to this day it still has not seem the light of day, covered with cardboard and plastic, than with what ever else could be piled onto? it. I wish he would let me dig it out and work on it. Thanks for sharing!
is it for sell? looks and? runs great
@mrdeisel335 Yes, you never? get tired of that sound! JS
I love? hearing those things idle! I love those tractors.
@senyko? Thank You and excellent restoration!
@flanksteak2 This cranking engine is a very short stroke engine. It has zero lugging power. It gets all of its power from? speed. It would stall quickly. Plus, it needs the full throttle as the exhaust of the cranking engine heats the incoming air for the big engine. It also uses the big engine’s coolant to cool down the cranking engine which in turns heats the big engine coolant. This is done as per the operators manual. JS
@senyko Thanks for the response.
Is it possible to engage it at a lower speed and then throttle it up once it’s engaged or would? that cause the pony engine to stall?
@flanksteak2 That was my fault. I engaged it a little to fast. If you do it right there is no grinding. You need it at full throttle as that is where it? gets its power. JS
Why engage the cranking engine at full throttle and cause all that? grinding, or is that necessary?
@Oviner123 ? Thanks, JS
Excellent vid? !!!