John Deere snowmobiles

John Deere & Co. designed & built snowmobiles from 1972-1984. The initial design & testing phase came in 1970-1971, when engineers tested other popular snowmobiles, and found ways to improve them. The machines were produced by John Deere Horicon Works of Horicon, Wisconsin along with Lawn & Garden products. Lawn & Garden equipment is still manufactured there.

In 1974, a factory sponsored cross-country race team was assembled to go along with the introduction of the 295/S, Deere's first purpose-built snowmobile for cross-country racing. The team would eventually be known as "Enduro Team Deere". The team had many wins, the most notable being the 1976 Minneapolis - St. Paul International 500. Brian Nelson brought home the trophy on his Liquidator. His sled is currently on display at the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Germain, Wisconsin. 1977 was the last year for the factory program. Instead, Deere offered support and incentives for independent racers.

In 1982-1984, the snowmobile market was in a downward slide, and the driving force behind the snowmobile program (Executive VP Robert Carlson) had left the company. This made ending the snowmobile program an easy decision for Deere. The parts supply and all snowmobile-related resources were sold to Polaris. There was an understanding that Polaris would continue were Deere left off, selling snowmobiles and parts to the Deere dealers that were interested. This never worked out.

A total of twenty-one models were produced:

MODEL MODEL YEARS ENGINE
300 1974 - 1977 Kohler K295-2AX (Walbro)
400 1972 - 1977 CCW KEC-340/4, /5, KEC-340/22 (Walbro, Bendix)
500 1972 - 1974 CCW KEC-440/4, /5 (Walbro, Bendix)
600 1973 - 1975 CCW KEC-440/4, /5 (Walbro, Bendix)
800 1975 CCW KEC-440/22 (Walbro)
JDX4 1973 - 1975 Kohler K295-2AX (Walbro), CCW KEC-340/22A (Walbro)
JDX4 Special 1974 CCW KEC-340/5 (Bendix)
JDX6 1974 - 1975 CCW KEC-400/22 (Walbro)
JDX8 1973 - 1975 CCW KEC-440/21, KEC-440/22, KEC-440/22A (All Walbro)
JD295/S 1974 (Limited Edition) Kioritz KEC-295RS/2 (Mikuni,2)
JD340/S 1975 (Limited Edition) Kiroitz KEC-340RS/2 (Mikuni, 2)
340 Cyclone 1976 - 1978 Kioritz 340/22A, 240/22B (Mikuni)
440 Cyclone 1976 - 1978 Kioritz 440/22A, 440/22B (Mikuni)
340 Liquidator 1976 (Limited Edition) Kioritz KEC-340rs/24LC (Mikuni, 2)
340 Liquifire 1976 - 1978 Kioritz 340/23LC (Mikuni, 2)
440 Liquifire 1976 - 1978 Kioritz 440/23LC, 440/23ALC (Mikuni, 2)
340 Cross Country 1978 (Limited Edition) Kioritz 340/23LC (Mikuni, 2)
Liquifire 1980 - 1984 John Deere/Kawasaki TC440A (Mikuni, 2)
Snowfire 1982 - 1984 John Deere/Kawasaki TB340A (Mikuni)
Spitfire 1978 - 1982 Kohler K340-2FA, John Deere/Kawasaki TB340A (both Mikuni)
Sprintfire 1983 - 1984 John Deere/Kawasaki TC340E (Mikuni)
Sportfire 1980 - 1984 John Deere/Kawasaki TA440B (Mikuni)
Trailfire 1979 - 1984 John Deere/Kawasaki TA340A, TA440A (Mikuni)

Kioritz made engines for CCW, so they are the same. Kawasaki produced the John Deere-designed Fireburst engines.

The slogan "Nothing Runs Like a Deere" still used today by Deere & Co. started with the John Deere snowmobile line in 1972. From 1978, to 1980, JD used the slogan "Big John - Little John." In 1980, they made another new slogan with the new series: "Ride the new breed of Deere"

Comet first started making snowmobile clutches for John Deere. The 94C Duster clutch and the 102C clutch were developed exclusively for JD.

The Snowfire was the last production snowmobile on the market to have a free-air engine, and the last snowmobile in production for John Deere.

In 1980, John Deere was the official supplier of snowmobiles for the Winter Olympic games in Lake Placid, New York.

References

* [http://www.jdsleds.com jdsleds.com]
* [http://www.snowmobiledata.com/sd/johndeere/index.html SnowmobileData.com]