John Deere 310B Backhoe Loader: B-Generation Refresh of the 310 Series
Introduced in the early 1980s, the 310B continued the legacy of the original 310 line with improved hydraulics, a more refined transmission, and increased digging force. A rugged steel frame, a reliable JD diesel powerplant, and the operator-friendly layout that made the 310 series a contractor workhorse for decades.
Where the 310B fits in the JD backhoe line
The 310B succeeded the original 310 as the mid-class industrial backhoe loader in JD's lineup. The B refresh was a refinement pass: an improved hydraulic pump and control valve package, a more refined transmission for smoother gear engagement, and increased digging force at both the front loader and rear backhoe.
The architecture stayed the same - JD diesel engine, mechanical drivetrain, hydraulic loader up front, center-pivot hydraulic backhoe at the rear, rugged steel frame. JD wasn't rebuilding the formula; they were refining it for utility contractors and municipalities buying the next backhoe.
JD 310B Backhoe Loader - Quick Specs
- Production
- Early 1980s
- Class
- Mid-Class Industrial Backhoe Loader
- Engine
- JD Diesel
- Drivetrain
- Mechanical, Refined Transmission
- Front Tool
- Hydraulic Loader (Improved Hydraulics)
- Rear Tool
- Center-Pivot Hydraulic Backhoe
- Predecessor
- JD 310 (Original)
- Successor
- JD 310C
What changed from the original 310 to the 310B
- Hydraulics. Improved hydraulic pump and control valve package. Faster cycle times, more responsive bucket control, increased digging force at both ends of the machine.
- Transmission. Refined mechanical transmission with smoother gear engagement and updated synchronizers.
- Engine refinements. JD diesel updated with refined injection and improved cooling.
- Operator station. Reorganized controls, improved seat, refined gauges.
- Hydraulic plumbing. Updated routing and improved hose protection for longer service life in production work.
Engine, hydraulics, and drivetrain
The 310B's JD diesel drives a refined mechanical transmission through a heavy clutch pack into planetary final drives. The hydraulic system on the 310B is an upgrade over the original 310 - larger pump displacement, improved control valves, and updated relief settings that translate to faster cycle times and more breakout force at the loader and backhoe buckets.
Like the original 310, the 310B is mechanically simple by modern standards. No electronics, no electrohydraulic controls. That simplicity keeps rebuild work straightforward and keeps a 310B that has been maintained well in regular service decades after production ended.
Common service items on the 310B
- Engine internals: JD diesel rebuild kits - pistons, rings, sleeves, bearings, gaskets.
- Fuel system: Injection pump rebuilds, injectors, lift pump, fuel filters.
- Cooling system: Radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, fan belt.
- Hydraulics: Pump rebuilds, loader cylinder seal kits, backhoe boom/stick/bucket cylinder seal kits, control valves, hoses.
- Loader components: Bucket teeth, cutting edges, pins, bushings.
- Backhoe components: Bucket teeth, side cutters, pins, bushings, swing tower pin kits, stabilizer leg cylinders.
- Drivetrain: Clutch packs, transmission components, axle seals, final drive gears.
- Electrical: Starter, alternator, harnesses, gauges.
- Operator station: Seat, gauges, controls, ROPS canopy parts.
Parts and cross-fit components for the John Deere 310B
| Category | Common Parts | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | JD diesel pistons, rings, sleeves, gaskets | Browse Engine Parts |
| Fuel System | Injection pumps, injectors, lift pumps, filters | Browse Fuel System |
| Cooling | Radiators, water pumps, thermostats, hoses | Browse Cooling Parts |
| Loader Hydraulics | Loader cylinders, seal kits, valves, hoses | Browse Loader Hydraulics |
| Backhoe Hydraulics | Boom/stick/bucket cylinders, seal kits, valves | Browse Backhoe Hydraulics |
| Loader Wear Parts | Bucket teeth, cutting edges, pins, bushings | Browse Loader Wear Parts |
| Backhoe Wear Parts | Teeth, side cutters, swing tower pins, stabilizers | Browse Backhoe Wear Parts |
| Drivetrain | Clutch, transmission, axles, final drives | Browse Drivetrain |
| Electrical | Starters, alternators, harnesses, switches | Browse Electrical |
| Operator Station | Seats, gauges, controls, ROPS parts | Browse Operator Station |
Need a part for your John Deere 310B Backhoe Loader?
Hydraulic seal kits and swing tower pin kits are the most common service requests on the 310B. Call our parts team with your serial number.
Request a PartWhat to verify before ordering
- Serial number. The 310B had running changes through its production. Match parts to the machine serial.
- Engine serial. JD diesel internal parts must match the engine serial number.
- Loader configuration. Standard and specialty bucket configurations had different cylinder and mounting specs.
- Backhoe configuration. Standard reach vs. optional extended-reach configurations differ in cylinder bore and stroke.
- Drivetrain configuration. 2WD and optional MFWD configurations have different front axle and transfer case parts.
- Cab vs. ROPS canopy. Glass, weather seals, and door parts differ between configurations.
Why the 310B remains a working machine
The 310B sits in the sweet spot for customers who want a mechanically simple industrial backhoe at a used-machine price point - JD diesel reliability, mechanical transmission with no electronics, refined hydraulics that hold up to production work, and a rugged steel frame designed for utility contractor use.
Maintenance priorities on a 310B: clean fuel, on-schedule filter changes, hydraulic seal replacement as cylinders age, swing tower pin and bushing service when boom looseness develops, and engine rebuilds when wear demands. Broken Tractor maintains parts coverage across the full 310 family - from this B-gen through the current 310L.
