What kind of 350 do I have?

[bts]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and new to the world of John Deere Crawlers, or crawlers in general for that matter. I thought that all JD's were green

Anyhow, I'm an automotive engineer, but this stuff is all new to me. I bought a JD350 that came with a farm - seemed like a good idea at the time. It has been sitting for over 10 years and I am just now getting around to getting her running.

It was sold to me as a "1974 John Deere Bulldozer" on the bill of sale. I can not find a serial tag anywhere on the tractor or the engine. Not on the battery box. Not under the seat - just two holes where a tag may have once been. Nothing on top of the trans under the fuel tank. Has a little over 2000 hours on the clock. No tag under the fuel pump on engine either. Can you please help me determine just what I have ? Where should I be looking? sprockets casting is in about the most difficult rotation to access and it won't start (yet )

Please excuse my ignorance as I learn - I have read a lot on this forum over the past few days.

I believe I have a reverser and it is the control handle on the left side of the dash? This makes it a "B"?

I think I have power steering looking under the seat?

I have an "inside"dozer/crawler?

It is a 3 cylinder diesel - that much I do know ...

I need to order manuals, do filters and fluids, maintenance etc but need to know what I have fist ...

What kind of blade do I have?

Hopefully this link to photos works

https://www.dropbox.com/l/MsIzvSCEWkudosJPfMM5tn?


Many thanks for all your help!

Byron

[Scottyb]

I am thinking it is a straight 350 with the power assist steering option. My B has the reverser on the side of the battery box but my 350 is on the dash. If memory serves me all b's had the power steering and the reverser on the battery box. Your Fuel filters are the older type however, I have them on my B as well. I started one that sat as long as yours. It was a great moment when it came to life. Mine had trash in the engine from mice in the exhaust. I had to take the head off and clean it up. Read Jason's posts and you will see that they will often pressurize the engine oil before starting these long idle engines before starting. I did not do this however, I put some engine oil in the intake before to lube up the pistons.

Scott

[jtrichard]

If it is a "B" then it is an early "B" later "B"S had the glass box fuel filter

[JWB Contracting]

The style of injection pump tells me it is a straight 350. Does look to be in very nice original condition.

[jsal]

Yes definitely a 350 nice original machine once it is cleaned up should be very useful i have one without steering assist and different injection pump that has many more hours .Mine is a 1966 yours may be a little newer but I do not think it is a 74 your blade is a 6305 and with shift lever on dash straight 350.


JIM
good luck

[Lavoy]

Straight 350.
Lavoy

[bts]

Thank you all for the replies! Sorry, I had it backwards on the reverser lever location - my brain won't absorb so much information so quickly anymore. So, lever on the dash means straight 350 - that is what I was thinking anyway after looking it over and reading all the forums here.

Is there anyway to know year for sure or where an alternate location for the serial number would be on this one?

Can anyone post a pic of an engine serial # so I know what I'm looking for? Is it a tag or stamped into the block?

Good to know that the condition is good - sorry again, I am totally ignorant and was getting scared about all the 350 issues to be wary of.

Also, The dipstick on the floorboards next to the shifter is totally dry - I was told it had a leak "somewhere in the belly" . any suggestions on where to start looking?

I'm really looking forward to getting her running and then learning how to use it to push dirt!

Best,
Byron

[jsal]

that is the reverser level check would be nice if it had some oil before you start it .TSC has a universal tractor oil that will work

JIM

[Tigerhaze]

Somewhere in the archived topics there are a couple of threads about what to look for when buying a 350- you should try to find them as they would be a good checklist for you to go through since you are not familiar with the machine. There are some components on 350s that can be trouble so you will want to check and see what the condition of yours is. Many of the 350 threads discuss these common problems.

Getting an operators manual would also be helpful for you so you know the basic layout of the controls as well as the regular maintenance items- you will want to change many of hose out since it sat so long. The operators manual can be order online and downloaded if you don't want

[bts]

Thanks! I did read those threads and got a little overwhelmed as to the potential problems in the trans and reverser bolts and housing pins getting wallowed out and bad IP and such.

A manual is first on my list, but I want to get the right one. Are they all the same for any 350 then or do I need to know my year first?

Also, what battery? A group 31P if I read the forums correctly?


Thanks,
byron

[jtrichard]

YES on the group 31 a good group 27 will also work ....... year does not matter on the books just that it is 350 ... not B C D ECT.ECT...........you may want to look at this im not sure what JD gets for one ..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-JD-3 ... 19f02564b5 ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-JD-3 ... 19eb3970ad... http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-DEERE-JD35 ... 3a8c989f70

[Tigerhaze]

You can also order manuals directly from John Deere as a hardcopy, CD, or download:

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... 350+manual

I see they changed their site a little but you can search for "350" at the top left and then page through until your find the OM, PC, and SM manuals related to "construction/crawlers" and just say 350.

[bts]

Thank you all - I downloaded the operators manual and ordered a parts manual from ebay - at $180 I'll get the service manual as I need it (likely soon I suppose)...

Now for a battery oil and filters!

thx,
Byron