First Year Deere

72tx340 · Post by **72tx340** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:54 am

What is considered the first year deere? Anyone have pictures of one?

clackinator · Post by **clackinator** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:01 am

They introduced their first snowmobiles in 1971. Here is a link to Davids page that shows the whole history.

http://www.vintagesnowmobiles.50megs.com/PP3980.html

clackinator · Post by **clackinator** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:03 am

Our families first snowmobile was a John Deere 300 with a green hood. Just like one of these in the link below. Very dependable, but also a bit tippy.

http://www.vintagesnowmobiles.50megs.com/1972_JOHN_DEERE_PAGE.html

Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:43 am

Clack, that article really isn't 100% accurate. The thing about ending production in '82 not true.
Your 300, if it was the older body style from that '72 ad you linked to, was a '74. First year they made that model, and still had the original hood style.

The first model year was 1972 (built in fall of 71). Two models: the 400 and 500. 340 and 440 respectively. If you go to the models section of the site, and look at 300-800, the top left picture is a '72.
http://www.jdsleds.com/models/00/00.html

Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:44 am

jdcrzy · Post by **jdcrzy** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:12 pm

here is a pic of my redone 72 500.

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100_0329.jpg (736.69 KB)

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:34 pm

I guess it all depends on how you view this question. The first Deere sleds made were the '72 400 & 500 as mentioned before. However in '73 models were added. So you could have a first year 600, JDX4 or JDX8. Models were added or dropped through the years. So in essence you may not have one of the first Deere sleds made but you could have a first year model.

clackinator · Post by **clackinator** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:29 pm

jdmatt wrote:

Matt, that picture you posted is the sled. It probably was a 74 model. Hard to remember for sure, but it looked just like that photo. I also remember having it pinned across the lake and making a whoppin 55 mph on the gauge! Probably closer to 45 or 50mph in reality, but for a 12 year old it felt like 100mph. It was a very dependable machine that survived 3 young children for a few years. No complaints.

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:55 pm

Hi Guys,

The 72 400 and 500 have lots of small differences from the far more comon 73-74 sleds. Quick ways to spot a 72 is the rectrangular head light, "Cat Looking" throttle and brake controls with separate kill and dimmer switches, and a small, rectangular tail light.

Some of the harder to notice details include 4 bumper mounting points (vs. 6 for the 73-74 sleds), a flat rolled up edge on the running boards, (vs. round for 73-74) and a different motor cover. The 72's have a unique ski with no shock mount provision on it either.

The backrest/passenger grab handle was different from 72 also, as it is one piece and goes around the entire back of the sled. The later model used two piece chromed steel grab handles, mounted on each side of the tunnel. The 72 400 piece was painted black, while the 500 was chromed.

The model 300 discussed above was introduced for 74, basically as an improved 73 JDX-4. Same Kohler 292cc twin, same clutching, but an aluminum tunnel.

I hope this helps,
-Rainville

DeereKid9 · Post by **DeereKid9** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:24 pm

Joe, have you ever been referred to as Joe "Rainman" Rainville?

You know, 542 toothpicks yeah, 542 for sure. K-mart sucks.

You crack me up.

Say hi to Cari DD Deerest for me.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:31 pm

Justin the picture is a 72. Also the cowling cover is unique.

Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:08 pm

I don't remember who this is (maybe someone still on the site?) but it's a good shot of a '72 400. Note the rectangle headlight, lack of black trim on the windshield, wrap around rear grab bar, all signs on a '72.

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Post by **SKNOWCAT** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:26 pm

Rainville you're creepin me out.
Steve T.

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:09 am

SKNOWCAT wrote:Rainville you're creepin me out.
Steve T.

Tabor,

I CREEP YOU OUT?!! :lol22:

After the dimented acusations you were tossing around after Jesse's get together,

that is an ironic statement to say the least.

Bob,

Surpisingly, "Rainman" came out right after I moved into "Engineering House" at RIT. Didn't take long for some dork to say "Rainville-err-RainMAN, get it!" Luckily that one passed after I moved into an collage owned apartment.

As for the reason of this post, I did also forget the 72's have a unique speedometer too, with a chrome ring. I knew I forget a few small details. All I did was pay attention when I stripped out a junker 72 400 this summer.

The truth is out there...sometimes WAY out there!
-Rainville

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:21 am

Joe,

Both gauges are unique to the '72 model 400 & 500. In '73 they changed them. Later gauges (mid seventies to late 70's) have the white deere logo at the top. the fire series are totally different.

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