[AT] Deere Model 350 Questions

[Cecil E Monson]

> A neighbor of mine who is in the excavating business suggested that I look at

  a John Deere 350 or 450 on tracks for my place. He said that either of these

machines would be good for my place since I have a lot of rock moving to do, and

the machine can be fit with a backhoe if need be if I needed that down the line.

He noted that a machine on rubber tires would not be good for my place given

what I need to do with the equipment..
> 
> I'll be honest that I am not real familiar with machines on tracks and know 

very little about them. I did a quick search on the web for a John Deere model

350 and did not find too many references to those models. Can anyone point me

to a web page that gives more info on these machines? Also, if anyone owns a

model 350, any comments on these machines in terms of cost to maintain,

reliability, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Rob
> PA 


	Rob, the reason it is hard to get to the information is that the 350
and 450 JD crawlers are industrial machines. The yellow JD 450 is the one you
see all over the place on construction jobs. It has been made in so many models
over the years which are indicated by the letter following the numeral 450 that
it is hard to keep track of them.

	For a comparison of the very beginning of the series, take a look at
the JD 2010 diesel crawler. I happen to have had one for quite a few years. This
is the tractor that evolved the year after mine was made into the JD 450. The
350 followed the JD 1010 but was too small to be popular as everyone seems to
prefer the size of the 450.

	I have mixed feelings about recommending the 450 size crawler to anyone
who just needs a crawler on the place. They require quite a bit of maintenance
and excell more at grading and leveling, IMHO, than in digging rocks. They are
also slow, hot and noisy like any other crawler.

	If I were to make a recommendation for the best all around machine to
have on the place, and if I could have one and only one and that was it, I would
hands down choose a diesel engined skid steer with front accessory capability.
You can get quick disconnect buckets of several sizes, a post hole digger,
cranes long and large enough to put up 40 foot trusses on 12 foot high walls,
backhoes, grader blades and just about anything else you can think of and all
this stuff can be put on and taken off by one person. Since I got my skidsteer,
the crawlers have sat around and had it easy I can tell you that. Skidsteers
are quick and easy to use and are fast. They store in a garage or barn and you
don't have to worry about the grousers. They do tear up lawns unless you turn
carefully but the marks don't go as deep as the grousers do.

	Just as with buying any tractor, you should drive and use any skidsteer
you are thinking of buying before you make the deal. I would recommend renting
one to see what you think before you get serious. Most dealers that sell this
type of equipment will either rent to you or bring one out for you to use at no
charge hoping for a sale.

Cecil

-- 
The nicest thing about telling the truth is you never have to wonder
what you said.

Cecil E Monson
Lucille Hand-Monson
Mountainville, New York   Just a little east of the North Pole

Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment

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