Rt. 2, Box 330 Buckholts, Texas 76518
At the Texas Early Day Tractor and Engine Association Meet in
October of 1992, discussion of stationary engines with a young man
from San Antonio led to the revelation that he knew of an
‘R’ John Deere near his home which was for sale on an
off-and-on basis.
The owner had been a JD dealer in Oklahoma, and after moving to
Texas some twenty years ago, had gone back to retrieve the tractor
from the family ranch. After several years of use on his Texas
farm, it had fallen into disuse, as newer, faster tractors were
placed into service. In late 1990, ‘Dave’ decided to
overhaul the old beast and use it again, or at least have it for a
display at his ranch.
After taking the engine apart, and buying all the necessary
parts, gaskets, and decals, and after having the head and valves
restored, he became too involved in the business to pursue the
rebuild. (Or substitute: he had lost interest). Now this is where I
enter the scene. A call to Dave’s home initiated an inspection
trip for my wife and me. Arriving at just the right time to
coincide with the for sale cycle, I made a deal, and the R joined
our fleet at a price that approximated the cost of the parts Dave
had bought. A friend has agreed to haul the 7400 pound monster home
and do the mechanical work for the fun of it. And for the set of
front steel wheels that came to my place with the old A from Cuero.
And maybe a magneto later on. Could this turn into a lifetime
supply agreement? Time will tell! In the meantime, this will surely
be the last JD for our collection! Or maybe the next-to-last?
