Help looking at a JD350

350 loader is a whole different story and is very underpowered, even for moderate loader work. Lifting a bucket full of dirt with a 23 GPM pump and turning the tracks into the pile at the same time - takes a lot more power than just bulldozing.

In regard to venting the steering-clutch housings -factory vents and auto-drains were available that screw into the low end of each steering clutch housing. When cared for, the dry clutches hold up just as well as the wet clutchs, and sometimes they do better. We had a very high failure rate with steeing clutches during the first few years of the "new' 350Cs with wet clutches.

In regard to new - you CAN still buy them, but they cost a fortune. Deere sells completely factory refurbished 350Cs and 450Cs, all updated including more modern engines and new serial # tags on them, and sells under the "Certified Relife Program." Last I heard, to buy one of these new 350Cs, you had to trade in an old one - plus give them an additional $65,000.

And again, back to what kind of work you want it for - in many cases a good skid-steer will outwork a 350 by a lot. I had one job I started with a 450 loader, and then had occasion to finish up with a Bobcat 753 (Kubota diesel). I moved twice the dirt, twice as fast with the Bobcat. Only big drawback was keeping traction. Ground was wet, and I had a long run - a hundred yards through a wet field with each load of dirt. About every half-dozen runs, the runway got so rutted by the Bobcat, it would bottom out and lose traction. So, I'd take the 450 out and fix the road, and then start over again.

In regard to not starting hot - I doubt it's the solenoid on the pump. A worn injection pump will start cold, and not start hot unless you pour cold water over it. If that is the case, the pump is shot and will be expensive to fix. If it's the little round pump with the solenoid wire that attaches to the side (and not the top) the pump is not even repairable.

I've got a 1010 crawler-loader, and the guy I got it from replaced it with a 350B loader. He says he liked the 1010 better - since it had as almost as much power, and was lighter.

350 loader makes a great backhoe machine since it's weight anchors it to the ground very well.
In regard to prices, I often pass up 350 loaders in the $4000 price ranges in useable - but not perfect condition. I just has a chance to buy a 350B with a clamshell Drott front bucket and a backhoe for $5500. Pretty good deal, but not a steal. You start talking $6000 and up, and you ought to be able to get a nice 450 series for that - at lease here in New York. Dozers go for more, often a lot more - 350 or 450.

In regard to potential money pit - any machine can qualify. Deere 350 loader ought to have a hydraulic reverser besides the 4 sp gear transmission. If it does NOT have a reverser, it lowers the value - it's almost a must in a loader.
Just the reverser itself, if it needs to be rebuilt, can cost you $3000 - $4000, so bear that in mind. If you can't find 4th gear, don't worry about it - it's too fast to be used for anyting anyway. Often the shift-quadrant gets bent or out of adjustment and you can't find 4th anyway. In a 350 loader - 1st and 2nd is just about all you're ever going to use.