John Deere 730 Diesel Tractor Start Up (pony engine) 

that is the correct way to start the diesel.. most folks dont watch the oil pressure on the big engine and crank it too fast.. great job..

What blows me away is how clean these old boys run, the exhaust is clear unless you’re really working him. Overbuilt tanks these are ❤

I am 68, in 6th, 7th and until Nov of 8th grade I lived on a farm in the Byron , IL school district down a 1/2 mile deadend road. My parents both worked in a factory and left the house at 6:30 in the morning. It was my chore, among others, to feed our cattle before I was picked up by the school bus. I can remember getting up on cold winter mornings, starting the John Deere 730 with a pony motor, driving under the silo chute, climbing up the ladder into the silo and loading the wagon, climbing down, going to the feed yard and unloading the wagon. We also had a John Deere A. Child abuse today, but great memories for me. Thanks for sharing. Dave city slicker now in Spokane, Wa

I agree. One of the best sounds that I have ever heard. I used to own a 720 diesel electric start with the wide front, which I preferred for that tractor. We had 2 520's and a 630 that were narrow front. We used them to back wagons into tight places. Loved the 720. It was awesome on the baler and grinding feed but because of it being hard to start in the winter, we parked it in the back of the shed until spring time came. I still have a very rare 2520 diesel. I will be plowing snow with it this winter. It has a cab and heat. My 50 is open station so it will get to stay in the shed this winter. Thanks for sharing. Gary fox, Iowa

For a 2 cylinder Deere, the ole' 730 diesel is very smooth sounding, just beautiful! Not too rough, not too smooth, just the right note of compression knock that big cubic inch diesels make! I come from a family that owned a John Deere dealership so my blood will always run Green!

Yes sir! I agree, one of the best sounds you’ll ever hear. My Dad was a John Deere dealer when I was a kid, I wouldn’t say “tractor” unless it was green and yellow! Thanks for the great video and memories.

My grandfather had an electric start 730 with the “roll o matic” narrow front. I spent many hours riding with him in the early ‘70s. I can still hear that sweet sound of pure torque. He sold it and the buyers ran it low on coolant and ruined the engine. I wish I would have had the money as an early teen to buy it myself.

Great tractors ! Was raised around the 2 cylinder John Deere. Models A,B, and 730. Nothing beats the sound of one working under a load.

Brings back a lot of memories. I remember my grandfather would let me help him start his old John Deere when i was a little guy in the early 70's. I remember the smell and the distinct sound of that engine. I would beg him to just start it every time i would visit him. And he was such a great guy he would. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pieces of history.

My gosh, a man who calls it a pony "Engine" instead of the commonly seen pony "Motor" like a hillbilly. You, sir, are a man after my own heart. Makes me smile, you made my day !

Tractorboy1211 Glad that you are interested in the older two cylinders. I have a 37 A. The A's through the 60 models, I think are the best sounding gas two cylinders. Thanks for your comment. JS

I grew up on that tractor. Always loved that sound especially on a cold morning.

That is a mighty nice sounding 730 you got there. My dad to this day wishes he hadn't sold his 730 Diesel electric start. We still use our 1957 720 LP Gas every season to tug the sprayer around our farm. It's the 14th 720 ever made and the first one to make it to Texas.

That tractor is as old as I am. It looks a whole hell of a lot better than I do.

Can't tell you how many times I started our 930 and the number of hours of plowing I did. Working for a JD dealership I repaired these pony engines very cool. Mark

I believe I could get a great night's sleep listening to that motor . Along with the antique clocks my grandfather had.

my dad bought one of these brand new, had a soft side cab, a 227 mounted corn picker, w sheller, a front mounted 4 row cultivator and a rear 2 pt mounted sickle mower. I ran that thing thousands of hours across the fields in lee county in IL. bought new from Naylor's in Dixon. btw, you don't slide that Bendix into the flywheel, it will just grind, pull the decomp lever then yank that Bendix into the flywheel. learned to drive on this tractor when I was 5 years old. good stuff, thanks.

Great 730 !!! I thank you for showing everyone the right way to start a John Deere with a Cranking engine!!! 👍

You spent a lot of time and money getting the old 730 back in fine form. Excellent.

My dad had a john deere 730. I thought it was the coolest thing how a small engine was used to start the big engine. That diesel 730 was a beast and I can still hear the engine "chug chug chug" in my memory. Now the john deere model A with the rolomatic front wheels was a classic too, we still have that one.

We have an Old model R deere sitting in our shed. The pony popped a rod back in the 70's and was left alone. During that time my grandfather pulled it with another one of our tractors to start it until the early 80's. when it was parked in the shed and used as a shelf. to this day it still has not seem the light of day, covered with cardboard and plastic, than with what ever else could be piled onto it. I wish he would let me dig it out and work on it. Thanks for sharing!

I’ve been around a lot of popping johnnys in my life but never heard nor saw a pony motor in action bc they were always broke. Thank You!

720diesel, Well I have a difference of opinion on this, but appreciate the comments. Excessive cranking under commpression was my decision to build up heat (simulating cold weather). When I felt like it was ready to start, I advanced the throttle and it will start with nearly no black smoke as there is not any fuel in the combustion chambers until the throttle allows it. This is the recomemded starting procedrue by Deere. JS

I'd love a 730 like that some day I'm one of the few young people who really like these old tractors

Oh, yeah! You're right, "One of the best sounds you'll ever hear!"

Grew up on a dodge County, WI daily farm. We had two different Bs, a 50 and a 730 diesel a lot like this one except it had electric start. That 730 was one hell of a tractor. This video sure brought back memories, especially the sound. Before the 730 my Dad had a gas G. Thanks.

The most beautiful tractor John Deere made IMO. I want one so bad.

I have always wanted to see one of those old diesels being started with the pony motor. I had no idea that the pony motor ran so fast...Great video!

I love watching old tractors, John Deere or not, always been facinated in the way they startup, run, and move. Could ride on 1 for hours. Awesome video

That looks like a very good restoration. It must have been a tremendous amount of work. Congratulations.

What a joy it must be to own such a beautiful tractor. They were about the neatest tractor you could own.

We had a John Deere 420 Diesel with pny engine starter. Cool old tractor.

Our family has always been Deere fans. Beautiful antique right there

Sorry about your Dad. It will stay with you forever. The 4020 was on of the best Deeres forever.

Thank you for sharing such a vital part of American agricultural history. Deere was right on the front lines. These type tractors have become art over time; true pieces of American ingenuity. I own a 2002 x595; love it! I got the 54" mower deck, triple bagger, 54" plow, 47" snow blower, spreader & 1500 cart. I take care of 10 acres of land; tractor has never let me down. Going to get a grapple attachment for it this Fall. dead trees to get rid of.

Beautifully restored JD! Thanks for sharing such an informative video of agriculture's history with John Deere..

The 4020 came out in 1963. John Deere's first diesel was the R which was introduced in 1949. It had a two cylinder cranking engine. The first row crop John Deere diesel was the 70 and it had the V4 cranking engine. That year was 1955 I believe. After the 70 came the 720 and then the 730. The two cylinder John Deeres ended in 1960. JS

Very nice 730. Gotta love that idle ;)

Both of those are beautiful looking!!

What a beautiful old Johnny popper! Love that sound. Here in upstate New York the diesels were kinda rare,mostly gas. Probably because of our cold winters.

it's a beautiful sound and there are so many people restoring these tractors.the sound will around long after i'm gone.thanks so much for sharing with us.

BRRJD, Thanks, My Dad bought a John Deere 60brand new. The advancment over the A was amazing. Live PTO, live hydraulic, power steering and duplex carburator made a beautiful tractor. When you get done, you will love it. The 45 loader was also meant for that tractor. Got one for sale if interested. JS

Sounds to be in fine tune,..you deserve congratulations on owning this great example of John Deere Tractor history.

Thanks for saving Her. Love the old Double Hitters!

Nice 730, have to love the narrow fronts and the 2 cylinder

Looking at the restoration done here makes me jealous it's finished , we have roughly 300 man hours just into the motor and frame so far on mine , exceptional workmanship .

It's good to hear 😊 a popping Johnny again and and always. This was one of my Daddy's tractors when he started farming in the mid 1950's. Love it. 🚜🇺🇸🚜

Dad had me running the 730 when I turned 6. He cut and sold firewood out of the timber on the farm and when the hillsides got greasy and the truck was loaded he would hook the 730 to it and tell me, "keep the chain tight, steer with the brakes, and if we start to slide towards the ditch give her hell and hang on!"

Thanks, appreciate the comments. The two cylinder Waterloo tractors all came with a hand clutch. One of the many advertisements about the hand clutches said that you can stand on the ground and reach the hand clutch to back the tractor up to your implement for the final hookup. I have done that many times as a kid, but when they started adding hydraulic levers and other levers, the hand clutch became a problem. As a youngster, I know you would love the 730 Diesel .JS

Yes !One of the best sounds you'll ever hear! Nice tractor and good job on the vid. Thank you.

The peak of American engineering, quality and design!

That is a beautifully restored tractor.

Subway79, Yes, the John Deere two cylinder diesels were very efficient in fuel usage, in fact I believe I am correct when I say that this efficiency standard stood until the 1990's. That flywheel problem was an issue. I didn't know about the bearing problem. Thanks, JS

Love that sound!!!! Awesome tractors!!!!

This is an excellent video. Thank you for taking the time to create it and for doing such a fine job. Your 730 is a beautiful tractor!!!

We have a 630 and 2 730s and my uncle has a 720 all 4 are awesome tractors and used every day

That is a seriously BEAUTIFUL tractor!!!! Very impressed!

agree......one of the best sounds you'll ever hear!!!! Thank you for posting !!!!

I raked hay with a 730 electric start a couple of summers. I thought it was a sign of all that power, the way the front end would bounce at idle. I loved it. Thanks for including a shot of that detail (5:38 to 5:42)!

The John Deere 730 diesel (along with the 720) held a 27-year fuel economy record for being the most fuel efficient tractor at the Nebraska Tractor Testing Laboratory. 17.97 HP HOURS PER GALLON.

We had a 720 diesel with the pony start but it wasn't the slant dash like u have...! We had a 2 row J.D. ear picker mounted on it for harvesting ear corn for cattle feed...! For a 2 cylinder they had lots of power , we had that thing on the farm for years until we traded it for a bigger tractor for putting in crops , wish we would of keeped it and restored it for future use , of course it was in really good shape when we traded it , paint and metal was in really good condition when it left the farm...! Tks for sharing the video with us...! I'm restoring a 1939 HG Oliver crawler that we used on the farm in Iowa...!!! Happy Holidays to you and your family !!!

Beautiful machine, great explanatory video, the pony motor start wasn't as long a process as I thought it would be.

In the mid 1980’s, when I was in high school, I would go work on my Uncles Farm in Central Kansas for Harvest and Plough. He had an old JD 730 like the one here. Only difference is the front end axel was wider and the disel engine starting levers were on the right of the steering wheel and not the left. I spend many hours greasing, fueling and pulling a Chisel at 1.5 MPH on that old 730. The transmission was messed up so it only had 3 forward gears and reverse. At the time, I hated that worn out old tractor. It was slow moving from field to field. It took me 30 minutes to drive it from south side of the square my uncle farmed to the north side. Over time, I grew to miss that old tractor. What I would not give to drive that 730 around a field one more time. My uncle and aunt are both gone now and his farm was sold off to a neighbor, so there is no chance of that now. Watching this video of you starting this tractor up, just seeing it brought back some fond memories for me. Listening to the starter engine turn over and run and then starting the Diesel engine and that sound brought tears to my eyes. I have not heard that happy dreaded sound of work about to begin in a long time now. Thank you for this video’s and reminding me of where I learned my sense of patience; it was on the seat of a 730 tractor. Thank you for reminding me of good memories that will never be again.

That is one of the best John Deere sounds ever! Nice restored one to. If I ever come across one I think I might look at it.

I want one.. SO BAD. I love it when the diesel takes off on its own, and just the big 2 cylinder sound I've known since I was a toddler watching a All About John Deere.

Thanks for taking the time to make this video! Very nice collection.

Wow. Beautiful John deer

It certainly does sound nice, love it

Fantastic tractor. Thanks for sharing a bit of John Deere history!!

Thanks for the video. Seems weird to see such a vintage 2 cylinder with modern live hydraulics.

Very nicely done sir!! One of the best videos period!! I remember these tractors fondly. My butt polished many of them seats!! Thanks for posting!

Beautiful restoration and great information-thanks!

Best tractor video on youtube, excellent commentary and camera work, oh ya great looking and sounding tractor too!! 2 cylinder diesels are awesome!

I still enjoy this video after seeing it years ago. I'm glad it's still here. Thank you

What a sweet machine you have there I remember the R's back in the early 50's you could hear that farmer coming up the road for a quarter mile away.

Beautiful piece of history!!

Many yrs ranching with one of these old girls hayimg in summer time amd feeding in winter time. Oh the good ole days

Thank you for this video. YES these JD diesels sure sound beautiful. I also love the 800 series too. Living 1/2 mile from me are these brothers who have several of the 70, 700 and 800 series JD diesels and gas and propane. We go for field cruises. Just for giggles we have hitched up to a plow for a couple acres. The lugging power is an inspiration. Love these tractors. ............ Gary

My dad had a 720 diesel with the gas start up engine. Worked super up here in Manitoba Canada. Could be started in extreme cold . It always started.

Thanks bob74, The John Deere 50, 60 and 70 was a great leap forwand for John Deere. To have live pto, live hydraulics, dual carb, power steering and 3 point (it wasn't the best, but it was available) was to much to comprehend. JS

Fantastic video! I grew up on a 70 Diesel, that was only 15 years ago, my dad liked the old tractors too. :)

What great nostalgia! Youre absolutely right about the direct electric start option NOT for cold weather! We hsd a 70 we bought new with pony motor start, then traded when the 730s came out. The electric start was a feature most welcomed, but we found out esrly that the winters here in Ohio wasnt compatible! Each time we needed it out in the winter, we automatically hooked up to pull, knowing it wouldn't fire off otherwise. We kept it until about the 2nd year of the 4020s then traded up. Even tho the pony motor was needed, we never git away from the John Deere brand. Over time tho, Im afraid that our beloved Deeres have lost their popularity due to cost. Were now seeing more and more former dyed-in-the-wool Deere owners changing over to Case International .... with fields once dotted with green and yellow machines now dotted with red. The Case International brand I think has now pretty much taken the implement industry by storm. John Deere had the market for many decades tho ... We owned them through our lifetime, and did well. Time brings changes, and we're seeing it. We still do love our green tho!! Awesome video, and awesome restored Deere tractors! Thank you for sharing. P.S. We always preferred the row crop front-ends. And many totally agree, the old 2 cylinder JD sound is one of the best sounds ever!! Thnx again.

Thanks for the tip! I'm in the process of working on the pony on the old 70. Not wanting to run. It's a real pain as far as access goes. Almost impossible to replace those plugs on the left side without taking the hood off. New points and condensers, may have time to play around with it in the next couple weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed!

We had a JD 730 with direct diesel start, in cold weather we had a JD "A" and a pull chain to get it started, LOL, loved that sound.. '

Wow that is a beautiful tractor! If I could have any of the 2 cylinder john deere models, that one with those options would be the one!

They sure sure look good and your 730 sounds sweet.

Qué belleza este 730 ! Aquí en Argentina fué un clásico de los campos. Gracias (thanks) !

big thanks to you, and guys like you that keep these ole girls runnin'

beautiful tractor!

1969nb, I wish I could have grown up with a 730D. We had a unstyled B, styled B and later a new 60. I loved that tractor! Thanks for the kind words. JS

He said one of he best sounds you will ever hear and I would absolutely agree with this gentleman

I used to run a John Deere 70 diesel with a pony motor start. Thank You for this video, it brought back a lot of good memories. I always thought one of those high rpm v4's would have made a great go-cart motor.

I love the explanation and the great close up shots...I've got a way better understanding of the process now...thanks!

Such a good tractor! I used a R a few times it was also Pony Start to chop corn. Worked flawlessly

Mmm, the sweet sound of a two-cylinder diesel. Pony engines are just plain cool! I don't know why everybody is so crazy about electric start conversions and such.

Yesyesyesyes, the 730 was the last two cylinder tractor of the class G, 70, 720 and the final 730. In the class of the D, R, 80, 820 and the final was the 830. Continue on, etc. Your right, the electric start is much less hassle but the pony start is more fun. JS

I agree, great sounding tractors!! Nice one !!

Great video, I agree that the 2 cylinder diesel is a beautiful sound. I have always wanted to start one of these, or even drive one.

some fine lookin tractors ya got there

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing!