John Deere 350C Crawler Dozer: Mechanical C-Generation Small-Class
The 350C is the C-generation refinement of John Deere’s long-running small-class crawler dozer line — a JD 3-cylinder diesel through a multi-speed mechanical transmission with steering clutches and brake bands, sized for utility, light construction, landscaping, and agricultural earthmoving. Mechanical-era simplicity and strong direct-fit parts availability keep these machines earning paychecks decades after production ended.
Where the 350C fits in the JD crawler family
The 350C succeeded the 350B and continued JD’s small-class mechanical-drive crawler dozer line. It carried forward the JD 3-cylinder diesel architecture, multi-speed mechanical transmission, and steering-clutch / brake-band control that defined the small-class JD dozer line through the late 1970s and into the mid 1980s, before the 350D brought further refinements.
For owners running 350-series machines, the 350C platform sits inside a strong cross-fit parts ecosystem. Most service items — engine side frames, track adjuster seal kits, blade tilt cylinders, idler hardware, transmission seals, cutting edges — cross-fit through 350 / 350B / 350C / 350D / 355D and (in some cases) further into the 400G line. That platform sharing is the key reason a well-maintained 350C is still a viable working machine.
JD 350C Crawler Dozer — Quick Specs
- Production
- Late 1970s – Mid 1980s
- Class
- Small-Class Crawler Dozer
- Engine
- JD 3-Cylinder Diesel
- Drivetrain
- Mechanical Multi-Speed Transmission
- Steering
- Steering Clutches + Brake Bands
- Predecessor
- JD 350B
- Successor
- JD 350D
- Cross-Fit Family
- 350 / 350B / 350C / 350D / 355D
What changed from the 350B to the 350C
- Steering clutch and brake band refinements. The C-generation introduced updated steering clutch friction materials and brake band linings — AT117553 metallic steering clutch disc cross-fits 350C through 400G, and AT142174 steering clutch brake band is the 350C/350D/400G service part. These updates carried forward into the D-generation.
- Refined transmission internals. Transmission seal evolution: AT13945 transmission seal is the 350C/350D/355D service item — distinct from the earlier 350/350B seal (AT12822).
- Refined final drives. T112356-KIT final drive rebuild kit covers 350C and 350D specifically — the C-generation introduced final-drive refinements that the kit addresses.
- Shared chassis / undercarriage with 350B. Engine side frames (AT36817 LH, AT36818 RH) and idler hardware (T16844 track idler shaft) carry across the 350/350B/350C/350D family.
- Blade hydraulics carry over. AU13835 blade tilt cylinder is the 350/350B/350C service part — same hydraulic architecture.
Engine, hydraulics, and undercarriage
The 350C’s JD 3-cylinder diesel drives a multi-speed mechanical transmission through a clutch and into final drives. Power to each track is independently disengaged by the steering clutches and modulated by the brake bands — that is the entire steering control on a mechanical-era crawler. The implement hydraulic circuit drives a 6-way (or angle) blade with the AU13835 tilt cylinder common across the 350/350B/350C generation.
Undercarriage on the 350C uses the small-class JD chain, roller, and idler hardware that cross-fits through 350D and back into the 2010 family — track idler shaft, idler plates, and adjuster seal kits are all multi-generation parts that simplify undercarriage rebuilds. The 905000 track adjuster seal kit is the direct-fit 350/350B/350C service part.
Common service items on the 350C
- Steering system: AT117553 metallic steering clutch disc (350C–400G cross-fit) and AT142174 steering clutch brake band (350C/350D/400G).
- Transmission: AT13945 transmission seal (C-generation specific) and T37064 second steering gear (24T, 24 spline).
- Final drives: T112356-KIT final drive rebuild kit (350C/350D direct fit).
- Engine internals: JD 3-cylinder diesel pistons, rings, sleeves, bearings, gaskets — overhaul kits widely available.
- Engine side frames: AT36817 LH and AT36818 RH (350/350B/350C/350D/355D shared).
- Implement hydraulics: AU13835 blade tilt cylinder (350/350B/350C).
- Undercarriage: 905000 track adjuster seal kit, T16844 track idler shaft, T20851 threaded idler plate, T27516 track idler guide plate.
- Blade cutting edge: U11707 center cutting edge and U11708 cutting edge end bits (350B/350C/350D).
- Electrical / instruments: AT104755 engine temperature gauge (350–450C) and AT148149 tachometer (350B–555A).
- Cooling system: Radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, fan belt.
Parts and cross-fit components for the John Deere 350C
| Category | Common Parts | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Steering Clutch | AT117553 friction disc (350C–400G), AT142174 brake band | AT117553 Friction Disc · AT142174 Brake Band |
| Transmission | AT13945 seal (350C/350D/355D), T37064 second steering gear (350B/350C) | AT13945 Seal · T37064 Steering Gear |
| Final Drive | T112356-KIT rebuild kit (350C/350D direct) | T112356-KIT Final Drive Rebuild Kit |
| Engine | JD 3-cylinder diesel internals (pistons, rings, sleeves, bearings, gaskets) | Browse Engine Parts |
| Engine Side Frames | AT36817 LH + AT36818 RH (350/350B/350C/350D/355D shared) | AT36817 LH Side Frame · AT36818 RH Side Frame |
| Implement Hydraulics | AU13835 blade tilt cylinder (350/350B/350C) | AU13835 Blade Tilt Cylinder |
| Undercarriage — Adjuster | 905000 track adjuster seal kit (350/350B/350C) | 905000 Adjuster Seal Kit |
| Undercarriage — Idler | T16844 idler shaft, T20851 threaded idler plate, T27516 guide plate | T16844 Idler Shaft · T20851 Idler Plate · T27516 Guide Plate |
| Blade Cutting Edge | U11707 center edge + U11708 end bits (350B/350C/350D) | U11707 Center Cutting Edge · U11708 End Bit |
| Instruments | AT104755 temperature gauge, AT148149 tachometer | AT104755 Temp Gauge · AT148149 Tachometer |
| Cooling | Radiator, water pump, hoses, fan belt | Browse Cooling Parts |
Need a part for your John Deere 350C Crawler Dozer?
Steering clutch friction discs, brake bands, and final-drive rebuild kits are the highest-service items on a 350C. Call our parts team with your serial number for accurate identification.
Request a PartWhat to verify before ordering
- Serial number. The 350C had running changes through its production. Confirm the serial before ordering year-specific parts.
- Engine serial. The JD 3-cylinder diesel internals are calibrated to specific engine serials — confirm separately from the chassis serial.
- Steering clutch generation. AT117553 metallic friction disc fits 350C through 400G; AT142174 brake band fits 350C / 350D / 400G. Confirm before ordering that the clutch/band variant matches what is in the machine.
- Transmission seal generation. AT13945 is the C-generation transmission seal (350C/350D/355D) — distinct from the earlier 350/350B AT12822 seal.
- Final drive variant. T112356-KIT covers 350C and 350D — confirm the final drive matches the kit contents before ordering.
- Cutting edge configuration. Center edge (U11707) and end bits (U11708) are standard 350B/350C/350D blade hardware — confirm blade width and bolt-hole pattern.
- Cab vs. ROPS canopy. Operator station parts differ between configurations.
Why the 350C remains a working machine
The 350C combines a stout JD 3-cylinder diesel, a mechanical transmission with steering clutches and brake bands that any experienced operator or mechanic can service, and a cross-fit parts ecosystem that runs from the 350 original through the 350D and into the 355D and 400G generations. For a small contractor, landscaper, or property owner who needs a small-class crawler without the service complexity of a modern hydrostatic Tier-4 machine, a well-maintained 350C is one of the best-value used JD crawlers on the market.
Maintenance priorities on a 350C: clean fuel on the 3-cylinder diesel, steering clutch and brake band service (AT117553 + AT142174 are the direct-fit parts), transmission oil and seal condition (AT13945), final-drive rebuild as the seals and bearings wear (T112356-KIT), undercarriage replacement as it wears, and standard cooling and electrical service. Broken Tractor maintains parts coverage across the 350 family.
