The
final tab for the John Deere Manure Spreader wasn’t that much. I paid $900 for it. Since it was only about five miles away, the
freight (tow truck) was $75. I’ve seen
cross-country freight on some other farm machines costing $1000 or more. Miscellaneous parts and supplies totaled
$179.07 with $89.35 going for paint.
Tires were surprisingly expensive at $440.00 for the pair. So the total bill without labor ran
$1594.07. I would have finished the job
quicker if it was done indoors, but getting it into the garage would have been
difficult and the light and fresh air from being outdoors was more
suitable. However, the rain and heat
slowed the job down.
The
elusive John Deere decal remains elusive.
I’ve tried the Internet: eBay, Amazon, and assorted farm supply outfits
with the same results. The dealership
here doesn’t know. It’s all because I
want to do it right. Notice the deer is
a 4-legged one. The newer John Deere
decals aren’t. The background is white
with a pin stripe around the modified rectangle. I suspect this decal represents a particular
year of the spreader’s manufacture - the early or middle 1950s. It’s another mystery like what “L&M”
stands for. (Notice the aluminum ID
plate on the low front) Depending on the site, the Internet says tractor pulled
or horse drawn. Another says it’s a two
wheeled or four wheeled spreader. I just
want it to look cool and function and match my tractor.
I
wouldn’t rate my restoration as a 9 or 10 with a 10 being metaphysical
perfection. Professionals would have air
blasted and power sprayed it from the start.
They would have stripped it down to the nuts, bolts, sprocket, and gear
level. Still, I think I did a reasonably
good job and I already have an offer on it because there is a resurgence of
interest in old machinery here.
No way; I’d like to see it in action.
My test runs prove it’s mechanically sound. All I need now is a red
road triangle and – well, you know. For
informational purposes I’m posting a You Tube link showing how simple these old
John Deere spreaders were and they work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ7cVeNjgAo