How many times have you been stumped on a two cylinder or new generation restoration project where the right information would made the whole job so much easier? Maybe it was simple as timing specifications or as difficult as preloading a bearing. Service Bulletins to the rescue!! John Deere Factory Service Bulletins started at Waterloo in 1935 as Tractor Field Service Bulletins. In 1951, they were expanded to include service information on products from the Dubuque Tractor Works. In 1952, John Deere Factory Service Bulletins started including information from all of the John Deere factories. The quantity of information grew from a total of 56 bulletin pages in 1952 to 68 pages in 1958. In 1964, service information filled 128 pages. The size of the bulletins and the fact that information on all products was included in the same publication, made it increasingly difficult to locate information when it was needed.  Beginning in January of 1966, John Deere factory service bulletins were seperated according to the products covered and the dealer contract. The new bulletin format covered four areas: 1) Agricultural Tractor and Power Unit Bulletins, 2) Agricultural Implement bulletins, 3)Industrial Tractor and Implement bulletins, and 4) Lawn and Garden Bulletins. It was also at this time that each new area received hard cover binders for for storing the bulletins. Prior to 1966, factory service bulletins were housed in heavy press board binders large enough for two years of bulletins but with an uncanny ability to soak up every bit of dirt, oil and grease in the shop.  The Agricultural Implement binder came with dividers for filing the information according to product (factory)line.

As I have time I will update the guide with more information including the differnce between factory and branch house bulletins. Until the next lesson, happy restoration.