Deere 350C, 350D, 400G, 450C Relife Program history

[Jason Z in MO]

A few days ago while searching the web for some 350 information I ran across a document which provides some history on the John Deere Relife program and explains how the program was adopted. I wasn't familiar with the program until reading it and now searching this message board I find jdemaris has made reference to the Relife program. It provides some interesting information including a list of parts / assemblies each crawler received. I don't have the original link but I did save the PDF file.

How can I post the file to a message?

I tried to paste the contents into this message window but it wasn't complete.

I will email it to Lavoy he can probably find a way to share it with everyone.

[Jason Z in MO]

If you would like to see this information, send me an PM. I will email you a copy.

[jdemaris]

. I don't have the original link but I did save the PDF file.

How can I post the file to a message?

.

You can just convert a PDF into a JPG or text file. Here's text from the program.

JD450C*
CERTIFIED RELIFE
SPECIFICATION
ITEM
Repower Engine 4 Cylinder 4039D
Clutch and Pressure Plate AT104345
H-L-R High Range Clutch
H-L-R Reverse Clutch
H-L-R Low Range Clutch
Steer Clutch (2)
Clutch Oil Manifold AR56620
R52038 Manifold Gasket
AR53084 Shift Valve Housing
R39781 Valve Spool
R78179 Valve Spool
Final Drive Parts (2)
T75360, AT72157, JD9055,
T31999
T55233, JD9118, JD9326, JD8992
JD8206, AT18387, T112130, T148796
Hydraulic Pump AT38801 (23 GPM)
Valve 3 Spool AT71452
Cylinder Seal Kit AR105453(2)
Structure Bushing U16875(2)
Radiator AT11677
Alternator TY6607
Starter RE50095
Sheet Metal
T38008 Lift Side
AT39135 Right Side
AT64826 Hood
Undercarriage
AT71674 Roller (10)
T129880 Sprocket (2)
AT31129 Idler Roller (2)
AT86204 Front Idler Kit (2)
AT148564 16”Track with Shoes (2)
Push Beam AT58689
Blade AT104970 (96”)
Battery AT29160(2)
Engine Wiring Harness AT64568
Seat
AT18697 Back Cushion
AT23482 Seat Cushion
AT18698 Right Arm Cushion
AT18699 Left Arm Cushion
Fan Belt T24473
Lights AT18815(3)
Muffler AT64813
AR38397 Muffler Extension
Hourmeter AT160120
Paint
Miscellaneous Bearings and Pulleys
* From John Deere Company January 25, 1995.
BACKGROUND
In January 1994, the Missouri
Department of Conservation proposed
that the Roscommon Equipment Center
(REC) program study the feasibility of
rebuilding used crawler tractors. The
need was spawned by John Deere’s
decision to cease production of their
400G tractor.
This was the last
“smaller” tractor in major production.
In the 1980’s Case stopped producing
its’ 350 crawler. Also in the 1980’s,
John Deere dropped its’ 350D and
450E tractors in favor of the
respectfully larger 400G and 450G.
These changes caused two problems for
agencies that used these tractors. First,
these smaller tractors cost less, were
more maneuverable and caused less
damage to the land than the larger
models sold currently. Secondly, the
larger tractors required larger, more
costly transport units. In short, the cost
of replacing a worn out tractor is
substantially increased compared to just
a few years ago. Rebuilding smaller
tractors is seen as a possible remedy.
SURVEY
In 1994, REC surveyed eastern forest
fire agencies to determine their interest
in rebuilding tractors. We asked the
make, model and quantity of tractors
that they were interested in rebuilding.
Ten states indicated an interest. Nearly
all their needs concerned John Deere
350 and 450 tractors. Over a three year
period, as many as fifty (50) 350
models and forty (40) pre-450G tractors
were considered potential candidates
for revitalization by these agencies.
Because the John Deere models made
up a majority of need, REC began
working with that company to explore
rebuilding.
DEERE “RELIFE” PROGRAM
In April of 1994, REC first contacted
John Deere. REC’s goal was to work
jointly with John Deere to determine a
standard for component replacement
and to secure a basic warranty for the
product. By doing this, agencies would
have a thought out, predetermined
standard that will help secure a “like
new” tractor with guarantees and
consistent remanufacture. During the
summer of 1994, John Deere, the
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, and a Michigan John Deere
dealer, Klooster, Inc., jointly began a
trial rebuilding project. All tractors
used in the trials were John Deere 350C
REC Newsnote #6
May 1995
Rebuilding Used
Crawler Tractors
Roscommon Equipment Center
Northeast Forest Fire Supervisors
in Cooperation with
Michigan’s Forest Fire Experiment Station

Page 2
or 350D models. The parties felt the
trial was successful and on January 25,
1995, John Deere formally announced
its’ “Relife” program available through
Deere dealers in the United States and
Canada. Highlights of the program
include:
• A company approved specification
for rebuilding the unit.
• John Deere, through the dealer,
issues a new Product Identification
Number (PIN) to the tractor.
• A six month warranty.
In addition to items listed on John
Deere’s specification sheets that follow,
Michigan chose to update its 350 class
tractors to the JD400G hydraulic
system. This included stacking control
valves and an improved blade control
linkage.
These improvements add
some cost and may complicate future
maintenance since the manuals will not
show these changes.
The cost to relife a JD350C tractor will
be in the low to mid-$30,000 range. In
terms of cost, not all models are
reasonable to rebuild. For example, the
JD350 and JD350B models have dry
clutches.
Converting dry clutches
increases the cost enough to make
relifing these tractors unappealing.
John Deere chose not to make these
models available for the “Relife”
Program. If an agency does not have a
tractor to rebuild, the dealer may be
able to obtain a used tractor to relife.
Michigan did this in several cases.
Final cost was about $50,000 including
brush protection and hydraulic options.
If you have a JD350B or earlier tractor,
the dealer may accept it on trade to
reduce the cost.
The Michigan DNR had seven tractors
relifed through the trial John Deere
program. Reception from operators to
the relife tractors have been favorable.
Increased power and better traction from
the new tracks are very noticeable.
However, at the time of this writing, the
tractors were just beginning their “first”
fire season.
SUMMARY
• The John Deere “relife” plan for its
350 and 450 tractors is well thought
out and provides customers with a
standard that helps assure a like new
tractor. It provides a basic warranty.
• Reconstruction of the tractor is done
by the dealer. As such, the dealer’s
abilities may affect the final product.
Quality control of the tractor
assembly is obviously dependent on
the dealer. Part of the warranty
obligation is shouldered by the
dealer, which should provide
incentive to do good work.
• Relifing is a viable option for
agencies needing a reliable small
tractor, especially to reduce costs of
both the tractor and transport unit.
The cost is particularly attractive if
the agency has a used tractor to
rebuild.
• John Deere models 350C, 350D,
400G and 450C tractors can be
rebuilt under the program.
• If agencies do not have a tractor to
rebuild or have an older 350 or 350B
model tractor, an option is to have
the dealer locate a used tractor to
rebuild. The cost will be at least that
of a new tractor of that size if it were
available, but $10,000-$15,000 less
than today’s smallest available
production tractors.
JD350C and JD350D*
CERTIFIED RELIFE
SPECIFICATION
ITEM
Repower Engine 3 Cylinder 179 CU IN
Torsional Isolator AT77319
Transmission/Steering Clutch
AT125953 Steering Clutch (2)
AT37548 Hydraulic Reverser Clutch
With Manifold
Final Drive
JD7424(2), JD8100(2), T112784(2)
JD8939(2), JD7416(2)
T59769(2), AT36097(2), JD9079(2)
JD9114, JD9113(2), JD9048(2)
Hydraulic Pump AT38801
Valve 3 Spool
AT71452
Cylinder Seals AR105454(2)
Structure Bushing
AU13822 Pin (2)
U11121 Bushing (4)
Radiator AT32087
Alternator TY161
Starter TY6702
Sheet Metal
T32072 Left Side
AT31177 Right Side
AT104583 Hood
Undercarriage
AT104780 Roller (10)
T129879 Sprocket (2)
AT132705 Idler Roller (2)
AT104595 Idler Kit Left
AT104596 Idler Kit Right
AT148540 Track with Shoes (2)
Push Beam AT58688
Blade AT62829 (80 IN)
Battery TY21741(2)
Engine Wiring Harness AT64568
Seat AT105140
Fan Belt T24473
Lights AT135486(3)
Muffler AT21689
Hourmeter AT160120
Paint
Miscellaneous Bearings and Pulleys
JD400G*
CERTIFIED RELIFE
SPECIFICATION
ITEM
Repower Engine
Engine Clutch AT160474
Transmission/Steering Clutch
AT125952 Steering Clutch (2)
AT125713 Clutch Pack
AR56620 Manifold
Final Drive
JD7424(2), JD8100(2), T112784(2)
JD9049(2), JD9114(2)
T112785(2), JD8939(2), JD7416(2)
AT117910(2), JD9113(2), JD9048(2)
Hydraulic Pump AT15170
Valve Seals
AT160684
AT160683
Cylinder Seals RE20428(2)
Structure Bushing
AU13822 Pin (2)
U11121 Bushing (4)
Radiator/Oil Cooler
AT116777 Radiator
AT137547 Oil Cooler
Alternator TY6750
Starter RE50095
Sheet Metal
AT125863 Left Side
AT125264 Right Side
AT125864 Hood
Under Carriage
AT104780 Roller (10)
T129879 Sprocket (2)
AT167258 Idler Roller (2)
AT104595 Idler Kit Left
AT104596 idler Kit Right
AT148540 Track with Shoes (2)
Push Beam AT125207
Blade AT116723
Battery TY6128(2)
Engine Wiring Harness AT161135
Seat AT105140
Fan Belt R82602
Lights AT135486(3)
Muffler AT83613
Hourmeter AT86509
Paint
Miscellaneous Bearings and Pulleys
* From John Deere Company January 25, 1995.

[Tigerhaze]

I just ran across a link to the entire document in PDF format for those interested:

http://www.roscommonequipmentcenter.com ... es/nn6.pdf

[Lavoy]

Quite the program, must have been pricey.
Lavoy