The John Deere R was restored by Paul E. Maan of R#1, Box
485, Bean Station, TN 37708. This diesel, s/n 1554 was made between
1949 and 1954 and was one of the first diesels assembled by John
Deere.
Mahan is a member of the Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and
Tractor Association. Mahan showed his R tractor at the Club’s
show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on June 19-21, 1987.
Harry van Woert of 6499 W. Bristol Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473
sent this picture of his homemade tractor. It has a narrowed rear
axle with wheels and tires from a J.D. planter a car transmission
and an 8 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. Other parts came from a
1937 B J.D., and the rear fenders are homemade.
‘Actually, the tractor trailer rig is half scale.’
writes Dan Lanier of 20701 N.W. Miami Ct., Miami, FL 33169. ‘It
runs, though, and the owner asked me to park my L on it for effect.
Unfortunately I do not know his name.’ Dan thought our readers
would get a laugh out of this curious photo.
