[Quarterbore]

Greetings everyone! My real name is Ken and I have health challenges that have forced me to look for new hobbies and something to keep me sane. In the past I worked in the Pharmaceutical industry and I used to shoot competitively and spent a lot of time hiking, camping and doing outdoor stuff. I also used to ride mountain bike and motorcycle. These days I suffer from constant headaches, vertigo and balance issues along with having lost a lot of my hearing and other issues. That has made most of what I liked to do impossible.

Last year I got into picking up free or cheap tractors and fixing them as at first I needed one and found it to be something I could do to an acceptable degree. I spent last year focusing on the seemingly disposable Craftsman tractors but I grew up on a farm and we had John Deere 210 and a 214 as a kid that I felt a warm spot for. So, this fall I bought a 214 Garden Tractor and literally two days later a second 214 to complement the first. Now, a couple weeks later I found an affordable 216 and I need to stop looking for tractors and start learning how to first get them running and then how to restore them to some degree that has yet to be determined.

I have a lot to learn (including how to not buy a good deal when you come across one) but I am anxious to dig into these John Deere 200 series tractors and see where this adventure leads me.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Welcome! Seems like you’ve already learned these Deere multiply worse than rabbits!

 

[PA212]

Welcome Ken! I’m close by in Berwyn, PA. A number of the folks on here are in the general SE PA area.

While I spent a lot of time on various garden tractors in my youth I’ve only been in the Deere world for about a year. The members here are a tremendous resource.

Post up some photos of your fleet when you have a chance. Everyone loves photos of green iron!

Dave

 

[truck21]

Welcome to the site Ken happy to see you here.

 

[Kster526]

Nice to have you with us.
Yes sounds like you have also realized how easily
they multiply.
I too am a short drive from you in the Oley Valley.
We love pics please share when you have a moment as Dave said
Welcome

 

[Chaser]

Welcome Ken. I'm in Leesport, in Berks county. Let me know if you're looking for parts, I've collected a few over the years.
And around here pics are required!

 

[tsb3]

Welcome to JDFanatics Ken!
I am one of the few members not from PA… 😊

 

[HD-JD110Fan]

Greetings everyone! My real name is Ken and I have health challenges that have forced me to look for new hobbies and something to keep me sane. In the past I worked in the Pharmaceutical industry and I used to shoot competitively and spent a lot of time hiking, camping and doing outdoor stuff. I also used to ride mountain bike and motorcycle. These days I suffer from constant headaches, vertigo and balance issues along with having lost a lot of my hearing and other issues. That has made most of what I liked to do impossible.

Last year I got into picking up free or cheap tractors and fixing them as at first I needed one and found it to be something I could do to an acceptable degree. I spent last year focusing on the seemingly disposable Craftsman tractors but I grew up on a farm and we had John Deere 210 and a 214 as a kid that I felt a warm spot for. So, this fall I bought a 214 Garden Tractor and literally two days later a second 214 to complement the first. Now, a couple weeks later I found an affordable 216 and I need to stop looking for tractors and start learning how to first get them running and then how to restore them to some degree that has yet to be determined.

I have a lot to learn (including how to not buy a good deal when you come across one) but I am anxious to dig into these John Deere 200 series tractors and see where this adventure leads me.

Welcome to our site Ken. I too seem to be one of the few not from PA and about as far away as you can get from there on the West coast. I have a lot in common with you regarding background, other hobbies, and interests like motorcycling. We all share the passion of garden tractors and you've definitely found the right place for finding good advice and a wealth of knowledge for these machines, especially green ones, a truly great bunch of guys here. You'll find them very willing to help whether you're just getting one running, doing a full restoration, or anything in between. Again welcome aboard and Enjoy! !!!