Obsolete John Deere Parts

I am really struggling to locate a couple of obsolete John Deere parts for my sickle mower and I am wondering if anyone on this web site has any tricks for locating these obscure parts? I have tried my John Deere dealer and I have asked them to try to locate the parts in other John Deere dealers inventories and they always tell me that there are none available in the United States. I have tried the Parts Depot and still no joy.

I could have the parts made by a local machine shop if I knew the measurements, has anyone ever tried contacting John Deere for this information to see if they might provide measurements or drawings? I tried to Google this and I came up with nothing so I would imagine that it's a long shot that John Deere would help.

I have posted on every board on the web - I think looking for various different parts, so I may just be out of luck, but I thought that if John Deere didn't make the part any more maybe they wouldn't care if you made one. I even made my own rather primitive web site that folks could visit to see what components I am looking for. http://pwp.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=396007&ck=

Try looking up parts for a 3700 roadside mower. It's prety much the the same mower only an idustrial version. There is also the dealer parts network that is simalar to the Depot.

I asked mother Deere thru the dealer one time for prints to make pulley/belt shields for the 42 combine which was obsolete. I suggested since this was a safety issue they might want to be generous. Sure enough I got the prints, but unless you know someone that works for Deere that is about the only leverage one has. I worked 30+ years for a major construction equipment company and until about the mid 80's you could access stuff that was done back in the 20-30's. No longer possible because it has been computerized and you would need to jump thru a lot of loops (such as answer a few questions why this information is desired)to get anything very old. I assume Deere would be just as or more difficult these days.

If you"re smart, you might just find and buy another working mower.I"ve got 2 and both were under $150.00. The one I"m trying to fix needs a $85 used part that it looks like I"m going to have to buy. (Mowers are both #5 but different years/parts). Guess I just told you who isn"t that smart. Must have something to do with the shade of green. If used is an option for you, search this site. I"ve seen posts with possible contacts listed. Good luck!

Try this site: http://www.joetraktor.com/

Thank you everyone for all of your great imput.

As for trying to buy a spare or parts mower, I would love to but unfortunately those mowers are becoming as hard to find as hen's teeth, I have searched all of the equipment boards that I could find and posted adds anyplace that I could. A couple of months ago one came up for sale on this board for $450 and I didn't see it until late in the evening when it was too late to call, by the next day it was sold.

I have also searched for parts using the 50, 250 and 3700 mower model numbers as I know that these mowers are basically all the same, but unfortunately the parts that I need have the same number on all three mowers and John Deere stopped making those parts.

Also I did contact Greg at joetractor last week about some parts and he did send me a reply e-mail right back but after that I haven't heard anything, I guess I will have to track him down again.

I'm still interested in contacting John Deere for part drawings or specifications, but I just don't think that I can spare the time right now to take on a project like that - I would imagine that there would be alot of run around. Maybe in the winter I will tackle that aspect. Thanks again for all of your help.