1954 John Deere - A beautiful, restored to original Model 70 tractor

In the early 1950s, John Deere replaced its letter series tractors with numbers for each model. The company knew farming was rapidly changing as tractors were needed with better efficiency, more horsepower and improved operator ease. The Model 70 replaced the Model G with superior driver comforts, an advanced engine, live pto, power steering, 12-volt electrical and more.

Nathan Spillman, a resident of the Haywood community in Barren Co., Ky., is the proud owner of this beautiful, restored to original 1954 John Deere Model 70. He says he purchased the classic tractor about two years ago in Bloomington, Ill. "I'm the third owner and the guy I bought it from bought it from the original owner.

"The man's name who I got it from is Ward Alderman," he acknowledged. "Ward restored this tractor and he's a stickler for perfection and, more than anything, originality. He restores only John Deeres and just one or two tractors a year at that. He puts them back like they came new from the factory. In fact, the only place he sells them is at the Collectors Center in Moline, Ill."

The impressive Model 70 has a two-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 379 ci. "All the parts are original," the owner noted. "Ward went through the engine and put in new rings, bearings, gasket seals, ground the valves, etc. Really, just whatever it took to make it like it was new. Also he installed a new water pump, new wiring harness, new muffler and new battery cables. He is someone who wants everything back to its 100 percent original condition and that includes all the little things." Nathan says the restoration even included new Delco Remy replacement tags for the starter, generator and distributor.

The transmission is high-low with six forward gears and two reverse. Gears are engaged with a hand clutch. Both the clutch and throttle control are just to the right of the steering wheel. Power steering, live pto and hydraulics came from the factory. "It has one remote that's built into the Power-Trol; that's what John Deere called their hydraulic unit," the owner said. He explained that the tractor could be purchased with or without the 3-point hitch lift attachment but many buyers didn't need it because much of the equipment being used was operated with a hydraulic cylinder.

According to Tractordata.com the Model 70 is rated at 44 horsepower at the drawbar and 50 on the belt. Engine compression is 6.15:1 and the bore & stroke is 5.875 x 7-inches. Nathan says the Model 70 has about ten more horsepower than the Model G it replaced. "It's just a lot smoother running with more power and the way they got that was with larger pistons and a double-barrel carburetor where the Gs only have single-barrel carburetors."

Every aspect of the tractor makes it look brand new. "The paint is John Deere Ag enamel," he said. "It doesn't have clear-coat because Ward says they didn't use clear-coat at John Deere when the tractors came out new and he's not going to use it now. Even the castings, the block, rear-end and all that are painted just like they were from the John Deere factory and not shined the way many people have them today." He adds that the decals are vinyl-cut and exact John Deere replacements.

Tires are new and measure 15.5 x 38 on the back and 6.00 x 16 in the front. The red cap on the fuel tank indicates the engine burns gasoline only. The throttle and hand clutch are to the right of the steering wheel. A genuine John Deere V-belt turns the radiator fan and the generator. The pto is engaged by a lever to the right of the seat and hydraulics by a lever on the left side.

The owner says he was told the tractor was purchased new in Kansas. "I could send off the serial number and get a print out with the original dealership, owner's name and all that," he said. The 1954 John Deere Model 70 is a rowcrop tractor that sold new for around $2,800. Nathan Spillman certainly owns a true American classic that's been restored to its original beauty in every way.