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Should I buy a john deere 318

#1

2

2stroked

There is a john deere 318 forsale near me. It is original and in fantastic shape. I plan on using it to plow snow and mow the 25 yards that I do for some extra $. Think its worth it? 1,182 hours.


#2

B

benski

I'd say yes!:biggrin: These things have apparently become quite collectible, and they are a pretty nice machine. I've got two different ones advertised in my area; $2700.00 and $2900.00. The parts for the Onans are becoming expensive:eek:, but there is still parts support for them.:smile:


#3

JDgreen

JDgreen

benski said:
I'd say yes!:biggrin: These things have apparently become quite collectible, and they are a pretty nice machine. I've got two different ones advertised in my area; $2700.00 and $2900.00. The parts for the Onans are becoming expensive:eek:, but there is still parts support for them.:smile:
Click to expand...

I have a '89 318 with about 1000 hours, needs an engine rebuild. The power steering cylinder on these Deeres is prone to leakage, not repairable and an expensive fix. Check to see that the power steering turns smoothly and doesn't bind when turning lock to lock at idle speed. That will signal a failing hydro pump. These tractors use a shared hydro system for steering, drive, and lift, if the fluid isn't changed at the proper intervals it's expensive to have repaired. The frame and axles are super overbuilt and should be troublefree. These tractors are gas hogs, weigh about 975 pounds with a 48 inch deck and still burn a gallon of gas an hour.

For snow plowing with a front blade they are terrible, even with wheel weights and chains and rear ballast my 318 would stop dead in wet snow as there is no diff lock. Adding a front blade puts a lot of weight on the front axle and unloads the rear.

Just my opinions...they ARE well made and way overbuilt BUT prone to many electrical problems.


#4

2

2stroked

Here is a pic of it. Thanks for the tips I'll only be plowing my drive, which is very short, plus the most snow we get here is about 1.5 feet

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#5

JDgreen

JDgreen

2stroked said:
Here is a pic of it. Thanks for the tips I'll only be plowing my drive, which is very short, plus the most snow we get here is about 1.5 feet
Click to expand...

It looks SUPER CLEAN....mine needs repair because I used it really, really hard because I didn't have a CUT or the $$ for one. What is the seller asking? $2000 to $2400 is a reasonable price if everything works ok. A hydraulic angle 54 inch front blade is worth about $400-600 depending on condition. Check Ebay, there are about 4 or 5 318's for sale there rite now, one auction is ending in afew minutes.


#6

2

2stroked

Guy wants 2500. I think that's fair, maybe he'll come down some. The plow is 54in? 4 way and the guy wants 300 for it. I'll need to get some weights and chains also. I think I'm going to get it. I'm sure it will be better than the crap l100 I have now.


#7

T

Tom

Hiya,

Looks very clean, sure looks a lot cleaner than my '88 318 that has just under 600 hours on it.

Couple things for you to check when you get there to look at it:

Looks like the deck height is set up wrong and it's rolling on the wheels. There is a turn screw on the rear that is the travel limiter for the mid lift, the deck is designed to hang in the air and the wheels are for anti scalp. With 2K hours on it, check the spindles on the deck and the idler pullies, especially the "Mule drive" as Deere calls it.

May want to ask if the coil in the the pto clutch has been replaced, common to see them go. (FYI, never flip the pto switch at anything more than 1/3 throttle, they last longer that way. (mine is original)

There should be a clear tube coming out of the transaxle with a short glass section, that's the fluid level indicator. The fluid should be clean and at the proper level. The manual calls for either Deere fluid ot type F transmission fluid so don't be suprised if you see pink fluid. Peak your head under the tractor in front of the rear wheels, look through the lower screen at the hydro filter, make sure it's not the original.

And FYI
There was a Dtac on these for a starting problem, Deere still offers the kit if you find that one diesn't have it installed. (starter relay to lessen the amperage draw through the ignition switch which was the cause of a lot of "The wiring problems" mentioned above)

The Onan is pretty bulletproof if you keep the oil clean and the cooling fins clear of chaffe and clippings. a unit with 2K hours, I would expect some oil past the valve guides and a little smoke here and there. There is also a hydro fluid cooler to keep clear, see the manual.

Bottom line, do the research, check it out carefully and you should be OK. The 318 was Deere's appology for the 317 and they over built everything on it to regain customer confidence. It is equivelant to what Deere offers with the x700 series today.

My 2 cents,

Tom


#8

B

benski

Crikey! This is DEFINITELY the place to come for some great information, most of the time. Nothing beats talking to the people that are really familiar with the breed, and what and where to look closely. Thanks to all the respondents!:biggrin: I've thought casually about getting one of these as a companion to my 1978 Sears GT18,:)eek:, just what I need!) and now I know more about them.


#9

2

2stroked

Tom said:
Hiya,

Looks very clean, sure looks a lot cleaner than my '88 318 that has just under 600 hours on it.

Couple things for you to check when you get there to look at it:

Looks like the deck height is set up wrong and it's rolling on the wheels. There is a turn screw on the rear that is the travel limiter for the mid lift, the deck is designed to hang in the air and the wheels are for anti scalp. With 2K hours on it, check the spindles on the deck and the idler pullies, especially the "Mule drive" as Deere calls it.

May want to ask if the coil in the the pto clutch has been replaced, common to see them go. (FYI, never flip the pto switch at anything more than 1/3 throttle, they last longer that way. (mine is original)

There should be a clear tube coming out of the transaxle with a short glass section, that's the fluid level indicator. The fluid should be clean and at the proper level. The manual calls for either Deere fluid ot type F transmission fluid so don't be suprised if you see pink fluid. Peak your head under the tractor in front of the rear wheels, look through the lower screen at the hydro filter, make sure it's not the original.

And FYI
There was a Dtac on these for a starting problem, Deere still offers the kit if you find that one diesn't have it installed. (starter relay to lessen the amperage draw through the ignition switch which was the cause of a lot of "The wiring problems" mentioned above)

The Onan is pretty bulletproof if you keep the oil clean and the cooling fins clear of chaffe and clippings. a unit with 2K hours, I would expect some oil past the valve guides and a little smoke here and there. There is also a hydro fluid cooler to keep clear, see the manual.

Bottom line, do the research, check it out carefully and you should be OK. The 318 was Deere's appology for the 317 and they over built everything on it to regain customer confidence. It is equivelant to what Deere offers with the x700 series today.

My 2 cents,

Tom
Click to expand...

Hey, Thanks alot for the great information, it has 1,200 hours not 2000 btw:wink:. I'll definitely check the deck and the hydro fluid. I have a question though, how could I see if it has the starter kit on it? Thanks again for the great advise.


#10

T

Tom

Hiya,

Here's the link for the dtac on the starter relay. It explains the wiring and as it's a field service kit, where it's mounted may vary tractor to tractor.

Tom

http://www.greenpartstore.com/assets/images/bulletins/2009/SolutionAM107421.pdf


#11

B

Black Bart

2stroked said:
Hey, Thanks alot for the great information, it has 1,200 hours not 2000 btw:wink:. I'll definitely check the deck and the hydro fluid. I have a question though, how could I see if it has the starter kit on it? Thanks again for the great advise.
Click to expand...
If you trace the wire from the key switch to the starter you will find a relay if it has the kit.
I put one on my 180 when it was only a year old the relay is a small black plastic square box.


#12

Murry Furry

Murry Furry

2stroked said:
There is a john deere 318 forsale near me. It is original and in fantastic shape. I plan on using it to plow snow and mow the 25 yards that I do for some extra $. Think its worth it? 1,182 hours.
Click to expand...

what are they asking for it


#13

Murry Furry

Murry Furry

2stroked said:
Guy wants 2500. I think that's fair, maybe he'll come down some. The plow is 54in? 4 way and the guy wants 300 for it. I'll need to get some weights and chains also. I think I'm going to get it. I'm sure it will be better than the crap l100 I have now.
Click to expand...

DUD, what year is it? that sounds high, but your talking to a junk to treassure man:eek:


#14

JDgreen

JDgreen

Murry Furry said:
DUD, what year is it? that sounds high, but your talking to a junk to treassure man:eek:
Click to expand...

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, FURRY????!!! I am Just FURRIOUS because you have been gone for so long....


#15

Murry Furry

Murry Furry

JDgreen said:
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, FURRY????!!! I am Just FURRIOUS because you have been gone for so long....
Click to expand...

homeless, but i moved in with my mother, and kept a mower:frown:


#16

JDgreen

JDgreen

Murry Furry said:
homeless, but i moved in with my mother, and kept a mower:frown:
Click to expand...

I assume you have kept in touch with Twall...he did the same, no shame to you and no apologies needed...just glad to see you are back...:thumbsup::thumbsup:


#17

reddragon

reddragon

that thing doesnt look like 1100 hrs at all....something isnt jiving here ....all i know is my 1980 218 i just sold [ and every other Deere ive owned ] is really expensive on parts..so be prepared


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