Description :

Available in Oxford, Pennsylvania, this John Deere 70 Rice Special for sale is a gasoline-powered antique tractor that has undergone an extensive nut-and-bolt restoration. The seller describes the tractor as fully restored, and the supplied restoration documentation provides an unusually detailed record of the work completed, including an engine rebuild, rebuilt head, carburetor, distributor, generator, water pump, governor, clutch and brakes, along with new wiring, gauges, tires, restoration decals, and a complete repaint in John Deere green and yellow.

The asking price is $18,000 OBO.

For a collector searching for more than a cosmetically repainted antique tractor, the amount of documented mechanical and cosmetic work performed on this John Deere 70 is one of the strongest parts of the offering.

A John Deere 70 with a Documented Restoration Story

This tractor did not begin its restoration as a clean barn-find machine.

According to the supplied history, the John Deere 70 was located in Duson, Louisiana, where photographs show the tractor in unrestored condition before it was transported north. It was subsequently delivered to Hemlock, Michigan, where the restoration process began.

The photographs document the progression from the tractor's original condition through disassembly, component refinishing, engine work, reassembly, paint, and preparation for its first start and test drive.

That restoration history gives a prospective buyer something especially valuable in the antique-tractor market: photographs showing what was actually behind the finished paint.

Gasoline Two-Cylinder John Deere Power

John Deere produced the Model 70 during the 1950s with several fuel configurations. This tractor is identified by the seller as the gasoline version.

Published specifications for the gasoline John Deere 70 identify a 379.5-cubic-inch / 6.2-liter, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled John Deere engine operating at a low rated engine speed of approximately 975 rpm. Nebraska Tractor Test No. 493, conducted in 1953, recorded approximately 48.29 maximum belt horsepower and 42.24 maximum drawbar horsepower for the gasoline model.

Those large-displacement, slow-turning two-cylinder engines are a defining feature of Deere's two-cylinder era and are a major reason the Model 70 continues to attract collectors.

Extensive Engine and Mechanical Rebuild

The restoration documentation states that the engine was rebuilt with oversized pistons. The exact piston oversize should be confirmed from the restoration records before publication as a numerical specification, but the supplied documentation clearly identifies the engine as having undergone internal rebuilding.

Additional documented engine-related work includes:

• Rebuilt cylinder head
• Rebuilt water pump
• Rebuilt carburetor
• Rebuilt distributor
• Rebuilt generator
• New manifold
• Governor cleaned and rebuilt
• Complete fluid flush
• Fuel tank cleaned and relined
• New gaskets and seals installed where needed

For a collector tractor, this level of documented mechanical work is considerably more meaningful than simply stating that a tractor was repainted or "restored."

Clutch, Steering, Front End and Brake Work

The restoration went beyond the engine.

The documentation also lists a rebuilt clutch, tightening of the clutch rod, installation of a taper-lock flywheel, rebuilding and tightening of the front end, installation of a new steering wheel and steering bushing, and extensive brake work.

The brakes were reportedly rebuilt and the drums resurfaced during the restoration.

These are important areas on a vintage tractor because wear in steering, clutch linkage, flywheel components and braking systems can materially affect how an antique tractor operates even when it looks excellent cosmetically.

Complete Electrical and Lighting Restoration

The electrical system also received significant attention.

According to the restoration documentation:

• All wiring was replaced
• New battery terminals were installed
• Generator was rebuilt
• All lights were rebuilt
• Lighting was brought into working order
• Rear seat light was included in the lighting restoration

New John Deere restoration-quality gauges were also installed.

Restored Fuel and Cooling Components

The fuel tank was reportedly cleaned and relined, while the carburetor and governor were rebuilt and the manifold replaced.

The water pump was also rebuilt as part of the project.

For a tractor that may spend considerable time in a collection, parade setting or show environment, restoration of these systems helps make the project substantially more complete than a paint-focused restoration alone.

800 Three-Point Hitch and Front Weights

The restoration documentation states that the tractor was fitted with:

• Front weights
• 800 3-point hitch

The three-point hitch adds practical versatility to a tractor originally designed during an era when hitch arrangements were very different from those found on modern tractors.

Buyers specifically interested in the hitch should confirm the exact manufacturer, model and configuration during inspection.

New and Restored Exterior Components

The tractor received considerable cosmetic restoration work as well.

Documented items include:

• Sandblasting and priming of parts
• Two coats of factory-style John Deere green and yellow paint
• New quality restoration decals
• New seat cushions
• New battery box
• New steering wheel
• New restoration-quality gauges
• New muffler
• New front tires and tubes
• New rear tubes

The restoration photographs show parts being refinished individually before the tractor was reassembled.

Rice Special Configuration

The seller identifies this tractor as a John Deere 70 Rice Special.

"Rice Special" configurations are associated with tractors prepared for agricultural conditions encountered in rice-growing areas, particularly wet and muddy field environments. Deere's later two-cylinder Rice Special tractors are documented with specialized mud-protection equipment around areas such as axle and brake housings.

Because published Model 70 references generally categorize the tractors by row-crop, Standard and High-Crop configurations rather than providing a comprehensive production breakdown for every Rice Special variation, the tractor's serial number and any surviving build or shipping documentation should be obtained to document the exact factory configuration and production year.

That distinction is especially important on a collector tractor where originality, factory configuration and production details can materially affect desirability.

John Deere 70 Model Background

The full-size John Deere Model 70 was produced in Waterloo, Iowa, during the mid-1950s. Published Model 70 references place the row-crop production run from 1953 through 1956, with gasoline, all-fuel, LP-gas and diesel versions offered during the series.

The tractor used a six-speed unsynchronized gear transmission and two-wheel-drive chassis. A 540-rpm rear PTO was available, with PTO configuration varying depending on how the tractor was equipped.

The gasoline row-crop configuration is commonly published at approximately 6,538 pounds operating weight before additional ballast, weights or later-installed equipment.

Because this particular tractor carries front weights, a three-point hitch and its Rice Special-related configuration, its actual current transport weight should be verified rather than relying solely on the factory baseline.

Built for a Collector Who Values the Restoration Process

The strongest part of this particular tractor is not simply its finished appearance.

The seller has supplied photographs documenting:

• The condition in which the tractor was found
• Transportation from Louisiana
• Early restoration work
• Disassembly
• Parts preparation
• Engine rebuilding
• Component refinishing
• Reassembly
• First-start preparation
• Final restoration work

That documentation helps separate this tractor from antique equipment where a buyer sees only the finished paint and has little information about what was done underneath it.

For someone building a John Deere collection, looking for a restored two-cylinder tractor, or wanting a show and parade tractor with an interesting southern agricultural background, this John Deere 70 Rice Special deserves consideration.

The tractor is currently located in Oxford, Pennsylvania and is offered at $18,000 OBO.

Contact Trustworthy Equipment LLC for current availability, additional photographs, restoration information or assistance connecting directly with the seller.

Nationwide transportation assistance may be available through independent transportation providers. Buyers are encouraged to inspect the tractor and verify serial number, configuration, restoration details and specifications important to their purchase.