john deere plow id??

[maccweld]

I have an old 3 bottom that has JOHN DEERE 457 stamped on the top beams.
woul like to know what plow it is, and what year it is.
Also are there any places to purchase old plow manuals?
Thanks Keith
 

[Bob Collins]

457 is the number for the first beam on a #5 pony engine gang plow, it was also used on the 5A and 5C plows. It is possible to narrow the model down and to some extent close in on a year of manufacture, but it takes lots of casting numbers, descriptions and time. The best source is the John Deere Plow Works Manual that was published about every 3 years (up until 1942) for the dealers and covered all plow works products, something more than 1000 pages. They show up at sales ebay etc. and sometimes go cheap ($30-$50) and sometimes much higher. Most of the #5 series plows are covered in the separately available parts cat PC-387 available from JD Publications.
 

[maccweld]

I plan to tear this clear down and rebuild.
Do you know what other numbers to look for, or just collectthme all and go from there?
Thanks
 

[Leroy]

Collect them all and note where each one is at.
 

[maccweld]

Thanks,
Any place where I can get the id after collection of all numbers?
Keith
 

[Leroy]

Ask on this site or check back issues of Green Magazine
 

[maccweld]

OK thanks for all your help.
I am in no hurry so it will be awile before I get it done.
thanks again