John Deere 330 Nov/Dec 08 Article Page

LAGC November/December 2008 Volume 2, Issue 6
Featured Tractor, pg 25 - 29
John Deere - Model 330… A Collector Item?
By Rick Nicholson

When most garden tractor enthusiasts think about collectable John Deere lawn and garden
tractors, the model 330 is not very likely to be in that lineup. The truth is, however, many collectors
have sought out and acquired one of these unique machines. This article will give a brief history
and cover the major features of the model 330 that has made it so desirable.

When Deere and Company introduced the model 330 in 1986, they had already enjoyed immense
success with the 316 and more importantly the 318. Both of these units, known as "open-frame"
lawn and garden tractors, used an Onan gasoline engine. The 330 was very similar to the 316 and
318, but what made it different was its power source. The design team at Deere specifically chose a
16-horsepower, 650 cc, water-cooled, Yanmar 3TN66UJ diesel engine. This three-cylinder unit was
the same one that John Deere used on the model 650 and 655 compact utility tractor. It had a bore
and stroke of 2.6 x 2.5 inches, a displacement of 40.2 cubic inches and a compression ratio of 22.4
to 1. To ensure for an easy start in cold conditions, glow plugs in the pre-combustion chamber
came standard on all 330s. Like the compact and farm tractors sold by Deere, this engine had a
full-pressure lubrication system with replaceable oil filters. Deere proclaimed this new machine to
be "The First Diesel Lawn and Garden Tractor."

To fit this large engine into a rather small compartment on a 318 frame, several adjustments had to
be made to the 330. First, the engine was moved forward and the battery tray was placed at the
front over the PTO clutch. The radiator had to be tucked behind the engine, almost under the
console. The console was widened to accommodate the width of the radiator. To make up for the
wider console, Deere redesigned the 318 fender deck. The location of the radiator increased the
chance of debris buildup, which could result in less airflow and engine overheating. To prevent this
from happening, the belly, transmission area and console were covered with fine mesh screens. At
the front of the radiator was a removable, easy to clean screen.

Identical to the 316 and the 318, the model 330 had a hydrostatic drive, which consisted of a
Sundstrand charge pump with a Peerless differential. The hydrostatic ground speed control lever
was conveniently located on the right side of the dash panel. The 330 had variable travel speeds
that went from .5 mph to 7.3 mph in forward and .5 mph to 3.7 mph in reverse. What is interesting
about this design is that there was no hydraulic transmission cooler. Years later, after the
production of the 330 had ceased, Deere installed an air/oil cooler in the 316 and 318.

The 330 had just one hydraulic lift lever, which John Deere lawn and garden tractor collectors refer
to as an H1. This one lever controlled the front, rear and the belly hydraulics through a single spool.
A cutoff valve could be installed on the belly cylinder to prevent it from expanding when the front
hydraulics were in use.

There were two different tire options available. The first and most common was the turf 23 x
10.50-12 on the rear and 16 x 6.50-8 on the front. For the typical homeowner that simply mowed
their lawn, the perfect choice was the turf tire. Since this lawn and garden tractor was also built to
handle tough chores, such as tilling and plowing, Deere also made 23 x 10.50-12 rear bar tires
available.

Unlike the 318 with power steering, the 330 used an enclosed, re-circulating ball and gear manual
steering design. To ensure that this steering mechanism was built for rugged use and a long life,
Deere made the housing out of heavy cast iron. The internal gears and bearings inside this housing
were also permanently lubricated. According to John Deere sales literature, this steering system
was similar to what was used on various trucks. Although the 330 did not have the luxury of power
steering, it was easy for the operator to maneuver. When necessary, the operator could steer the
tractor into a tight, 26-inch radius.

An easy to read, lighted indicator panel was placed at the top of the dash, directly in the center. The
items shown on this panel were PTO engagement, engine temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage
and glow plugs. Instead of having a fuel reserve like the 316 and 318, the 330 just had a low fuel
indicator light. Unlike John Deere's line of compact utility tractors and even the model 430 garden
tractor, the 330 had a manual engine shutoff.

The 330 only had one brake pedal whereas many previous John Deere lawn and garden tractors
had two pedals. The automotive-type shoe brakes were designed for safety. In fact, Deere and
Company took great pride in stating that the braking system provided for fast and reliable stops.
Not only were the brakes and parking brake designed to provide the utmost in safety, the 330 came
standard with a "triple-safety starting system." Included with every 330 was an interlock system
that would shut the power off to the implement if the operator left the seat.
The John Deere model 330 had a short life. Surprisingly, it was only on the market for one year
(1986). In 1987, Deere introduced the all-new 332 to take the place of the 330. Considering the
limited lifespan of this tractor, it is easy to see why many hobbyists are starting to add it to their
collection. Not only is the 330 a unique machine, it also makes a great plowing tractor.
LAGC

Photo credits to: Bryan Baker, Evansville IN whose model 330 was used in this article