any John Deere garden tractor experts on here ?

[rfuerst911sc]

I have posted this on two JD tractor forums but there are a lot of smart Pelicans out there Anyway a few weeks ago I purchased a JD model 332 garden tractor . Unfortunately it is missing the serial # tag . And all the seller remembers is he bought it years ago in S.C. but no additional info . So here is what I know .

1.The Yanmar engine SN # ends in D018610

2.The tractor has a replaceable air filter element vs. the throw away one piece filter . Per JD parts diagrams the replaceable started with SN # 475001 - and mine does not have the air restriction indicator .

3.The tractor also has a flip/tilt seat which again per parts diagram is for SN # 475001 -

4.The headlight wire harness has two pins/blades in a connector vs. a hot wire and separate ground wire .

I know all of these items could have been replaced in the past by previous owner/s but all together seems to point to this being a model year 1988 . Any of you guys know anything else to look at to try and determine the year ? I am going to get with local JD dealer supposedly if you have a good dealer they can work with mother Deere and get a duplicate model/SN # sticker based on the Yanmar engine serial number . But I have also heard of dealers that didn't want to spend the time or were unaware it could be done

[wswartzwel]

I used to be a service manager at a dealership in the 80's and 90's... As far as I know the only place the serial number is located is on the tag... nothing stamped in the frame. Are you trying to identify it for parts? Deere has online fiche... https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/65685

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

I used to be a service manager at a dealership in the 80's and 90's... As far as I know the only place the serial number is located is on the tag... nothing stamped in the frame. Are you trying to identify it for parts? Deere has online fiche... https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/65685

I want to know for sure the model year and serial number of the tractor for my own general knowledge AND to be able to order the correct serial number specific parts when needed in the future . And you are correct the only place the model/serial number of the tractor from the factory is on the vinyl decal ........... pretty pi$$ poor in my opinion They are so easily scratched or power washed off

[wswartzwel]

Yes, they fall off and make it hard to get the right parts. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[wswartzwel]

Do you have a tech manual for this one? I think the other manual I sent you was for the 318?

[rfuerst911sc]

Currently I have no manuals for this tractor .

[wswartzwel]

I will look through my archives and see if I have one if you like?

[unclebilly]

John Deere’s parts website shows what models a given part number were used on if you search by part number. My suggestion is to search a few part numbers off of your tractor to narrow down what machines they are common to.

I retrofitted a 202 Diesel engine into my previously gas powered JD400 backhoe 10 years ago and based on the exhaust manifold that came with the engine was able to determine that my engine was out of a cotton picker.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

I will look through my archives and see if I have one if you like?

That would be great thank you .

[rfuerst911sc]

And the plot thickens Someone on the JD forums gave me a phone number to call and a contact name , he used this service about 5 years ago . By my surprise when I called I got the same person ! Anyway based on the Yanmar engine model # and serial # they were able to determine it is in fact a 1988 model . The person also told me that the tractors model # and serial # are in the data base but can't be given out over the phone or via email . Have to show you are the owner vs. you stole it .

So I sent a text to the seller ( sure glad I saved the info ) and asked he provide a bill of sale . He just responded and said sure no problem . I provided to him the engine model and serial numbers to add to the bill of sale , that should make it legit . I will then take that info along with the tractor to my local JD dealership . At a minimum they can give me the info and I'll have my own tag made up , or maybe they will provide a duplicate tag . Based on JD forums mother Deere can/does provide duplicate tags . So a little research along with help on a few forums has gotten me to this point , you gotta love the internet !

[asphaltgambler]

Boom! - thar ya go........

[wswartzwel]

Sent you a PM rfuerst911sc regarding the service manual.