Finding the right John Deere front axle parts starts with one small detail, the 4WD axle information plate.
In this guide, Nick Young Tractor Parts shows you exactly where to find the plate on your John Deere so you can get the correct parts first time.
Why the John Deere 4WD axle plate matters
The axle information plate identifies the exact four wheel drive axle type on your John Deere tractor.
The axle information plate links your tractor to the right parts catalogue in our system.
The axle information plate saves time, stops guesswork, and prevents expensive return deliveries.
The axle type on the plate lets our team cross reference bearings, seals, housings, and shafts.
What is the John Deere 4WD axle information plate
John Deere fits a small metal identification plate to the four wheel drive front axle.
The axle plate is usually black with silver text so you can read it under dirt and dust.
The plate carries at least two key fields, the serial number and the axle type.
Your parts supplier uses the axle type far more often than the serial number.
The axle type confirms the axle size, internal layout, and parts kit that match your tractor.
Different tractors in the same series can use different axle types.
John Deere changes axle suppliers and designs across years and power ranges.
Dealers and farmers often own multiple tractors that share a model badge but not axle parts.
Step one: confirm your tractor is four wheel drive
Start by confirming your John Deere tractor actually has a front driven axle.
Look for a front prop shaft running from the transmission to the front axle.
Check for a four wheel drive engagement switch or lever in the cab.
You want to know you are working on a genuine four wheel drive axle.
You want to avoid crawling under a two wheel drive front axle for nothing.
Step two: understand “right hand side” from the seat
Tractor engineers use left and right from the driver’s seat facing forward.
Right hand side means the side by your right arm when you sit in the seat.
Left hand side means the side by your left arm when you sit in the seat.
Your mate might argue about sides while standing in front of the tractor.
The official rule still starts from the driver’s seat, not the front grille.
Step three: go to the rear of the front 4WD axle
Walk to the front axle on the tractor.
Stand by the right hand side of the front axle as if seated in the cab.
Focus on the rear face of that front axle, closest to the engine and sump.
The information plate sits at the rear of the front four wheel drive axle.
You are looking at the front right hand side, rear face of the axle body.
Step four: look low for the black and silver plate
Scan near the bottom of the axle housing on the right hand side.
The plate often hides behind mud, straw, or a layer of greasy dust.
Use a rag or brush to wipe the axle surface so the plate stands out.
You are looking for a rectangular black plate with silver or bright lettering.
The plate usually sits riveted or screwed to the axle casting.
Step five: read the serial and axle type
Once you find the plate, look for two fields, serial and type.
The serial gives a unique number for that individual axle.
The type gives the axle model code that we need to supply parts.
Write down the axle type exactly as shown on the plate.
Take a clear photo of the plate so you can zoom in later.
Store the axle type code with your tractor records or service file.
At Nick Young we rely on that axle type to pick the correct components.
The axle type tells us which bearings, seals, hubs, and internal parts match.
Why axle size and type matter for John Deere parts
John Deere uses multiple axle suppliers across the four wheel drive range.
Tractors that share a series badge can hide different axle designs beneath.
Power upgrades or special options often bring different axle sizes.
Ordering by tractor model alone can lead to the wrong parts on your bench.
Using the axle type from the plate locks you onto the correct parts list.
That single code reduces mis picks, extra carriage, and workshop delays.
Common mistakes when looking for the plate
Some owners look on the chassis or cab instead of the axle body.
Some owners mix up left and right because they stand in front of the tractor.
Some owners focus on the serial and forget to record the axle type.
Others scrub the plate too hard and damage the lettering.
A soft brush and cleaner preserve the plate while still revealing the text.
What to do once you have the John Deere axle type
Keep the axle type with your tractor serial and registration details.
Share the axle type with your parts supplier before you order.
At Nick Young Tractor Parts our team uses your axle type to filter our stock.
We match the axle type to our internal catalogues and supplier data.
We confirm hub, differential, and steering components against that code.
With the correct axle type we can ship the right parts first time.
You keep your John Deere working and avoid downtime in busy seasons.
Quick recap: where to find the John Deere 4WD axle plate
Locate a genuine four wheel drive John Deere tractor.
Go to the rear of the front four wheel drive axle on the right hand side.
Look near the bottom of the axle housing for a black and silver plate.
Clean the area and read the serial and axle type fields on the plate.
Record the axle type and share it when you order John Deere axle parts.
