JD 310A backhoe good or bad?

Gale Hawkins · Apr 24, 2010

At a Scouting event today I got to take with a guy who provides OTR truck service and was telling him about buying the old 310B but had looked at the old Cases but the JD popped up first.

He said JD was preferred. He stated he wore out an 410 and some other JD BH and did all of the service himself. When I want he will come over and help me so that is good to know I have a professional that knows these old JD hoes inside and out I can call on.

Villagebarn · Oct 10, 2012

Hello everyone, John here... I just picked up a jd 310 because as the fellow went into a pile, it just stopped moving..... No fwd or rev.... 3 cyl runs well, and all works well.... Anyone have any ideas?... I got it delivered last night .... I used the diff lock to eliminate a broken axle... Thank you

Gale Hawkins · Oct 10, 2012

Welcome John.

What year is it? Our 1983 310B has four cylinders (about 60 HP).

JasG · Oct 10, 2012

Villagebarn said:
Hello everyone, John here... I just picked up a jd 310 because as the fellow went into a pile, it just stopped moving..... No fwd or rev.... 3 cyl runs well, and all works well.... Anyone have any ideas?... I got it delivered last night .... I used the diff lock to eliminate a broken axle... Thank you

What trans does it have?

If it is a powershift or a power reverser. It could be plugged hydraulic filters or if the oil is old that is in the trans. On my machine I have not only external filters but also a sump screen inside. My sump was plugged a year or so ago and caused some issues with slip of the trans. Chnaged all the filters, oil and cleaned that sump, and it's good as new.

walnutman · Feb 26, 2013

I have a 310A. Been a great machine. I think it's a 1985 model but not sure. Has over 7000 hrs on it. Originally a utility company machine then private owners for at least 15 years. I think I'm the fourth owner.
So far I've had to restore the fuel tank as the bottom rotted. While I had it removed I pulled the radiator out and gave it a good flush. Lots of crud inside.

For anyone who has never seen it... here is algea growth in the fuel filter bowl..

Then she wouldn't stay running so I rebuilt the injector pump.

The previous owner cut a hole in the boom to access the fittings to change the hyd line. Stupid me kept using the machine until the boom broke in half...

Got a used one and replaced it...

Gale Hawkins · Feb 26, 2013

Thanks for the photos since I have a 310B that is a 1983. The name plate on your frame in the first photo near the right front tire should have the year of the backhoe stamped on it.

I looked at one with the enclosed cab but due to arthritis it was too hard to get in and out of for me so our open four point roll cage and heavy metal roof works out better. The enclosed cab is nice for weather protection of a hoe parked outside.

Was you able to lift the tractor out of the mud in the last photo with the hoe?

Bob Rooks · Feb 26, 2013

FYI: The reason the bottom rusted out of the fuel tank was water in the fuel - and diesel bugs (what you call algae). They are very corrosive and can do major damage to a fuel system. The new or repaired fuel tank will have to be thoroughly cleaned, and subsequent fuelings will have to be treated with a biocide to prevent a regrowth of those bugs. Not just a cetane booster, but a BIOCIDE!
And just so I'm not confused, did you actually rebuild the injection pump or just disassemble it and clean it? If you rebuilt it there would be some new parts used and it would have been set up on a calibration bench in a clean room, which I didn't see.