Cohen Weisner, a Diesel Technology student and a Kutztown Area High School sophomore, is bringing history back to life—one bolt at a time. A member of Kutztown’s FFA chapter, Cohen has taken the lead on restoring a 1948 John Deere B tractor, a project that blends his passion for agriculture with the technical skills he is developing in BCTC’s Diesel program.
Cohen always knew he wanted to be in Diesel Technology. Growing up on his family’s farm, where they raise corn, wheat, and beans, he spends countless hours around equipment and machinery. In addition to helping on the farm, Cohen also works at Hawk Valley Farms, further strengthening his connection to agriculture and hands-on work. Learning how diesel engines operate felt like a natural next step.
The tractor restoration began when the vintage John Deere was donated to the Kutztown FFA chapter with the goal of fully restoring it. For the past two and a half months, three students have worked tirelessly on the project, with Cohen stepping into a leadership role. He credits his BCTC Diesel training to help guide the process and troubleshoot problems along the way.
“There are a lot of broken bolts,” Cohen explained. “Many of the bolts snapped when we took them out because of the rust. We’ve learned that heating the bolts up helps prevent them from breaking.” Finding replacement parts has also been a challenge, as many components for a 1948 tractor are no longer available. Through the project, Cohen learned how to replace, repair, and restore many of the original parts.
The restoration has also expanded Cohen’s skills beyond mechanics. “I learned a lot about mixing paint during the project,” he shared. Cohen painted many of the tractor parts at his house, while the entire tractor was later finished in classic John Deere Green at Kutztown High School.
“It has been fun working with my friends,” Cohen said. “We stay after school a lot to work on the tractor.” Each student has invested an estimated 70 hours into the restoration, demonstrating strong teamwork, commitment, and pride in their work.
The fully restored 1948 John Deere B will be displayed at the January 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, showcasing the craftsmanship and dedication of Kutztown FFA students. On January 17, 2026, Cohen and fellow Kutztown FFA members will be on-site at the Farm Show to speak with visitors about the restoration process, the skills involved, and the educational impact of the project. After the show, the goal is to sell the tractor, fully restored and ready for work.
Outside of the FFA project, Cohen continues restoring vehicles of his own, including a 1959 Chevy truck. When asked what advice he would give to future students interested in attending BCTC, Cohen emphasized the importance of academics, encouraging students to keep their grades up during middle and high school.
A video highlighting the John Deere B tractor restoration project can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DicqWhoDkXs