John Deere 318 Reviews
Great Mower With Bad Engines
Model Year: 1988
I have a 1988 318 with a 50-inch mower. I have really liked it except the Onan engine, which has made a great tractor seem not as great. I like the looks of a couple different replacement engines, but can't see spending so much for a new engine only to have the deck needing major work or replacing.
Pros: Well built, tractor is great, mower deck is good
Cons: The Onan engines are worthless
Model Year: 1988
I have a 1988 318 with a 50-inch mower. I have really liked it except the Onan engine, which has made a great tractor seem not as great. I like the looks of a couple different replacement engines, but can't see spending so much for a new engine only to have the deck needing major work or replacing.
Pros: Well built, tractor is great, mower deck is good
Cons: The Onan engines are worthless
John Deere 318
Model Year: 1988
1st time owning a John Deere of this size. I received this mower/tractor from my Dad. I know this was his baby. This tractor has been very reliable for all his needs since he received it in 2004 with having 598 hours on it at that time. My Dad used it mainly for mowing a 3 acre lot and snow blowing. This mower is in great condition with the exception of the paint and minor wear and tear items. A things work with the exception of needing to adjust the PTO clutch due to installing the clutch and not knowing the proper installation and adjustment.
Pros: Reliability.
Cons: None at this time.
Model Year: 1988
1st time owning a John Deere of this size. I received this mower/tractor from my Dad. I know this was his baby. This tractor has been very reliable for all his needs since he received it in 2004 with having 598 hours on it at that time. My Dad used it mainly for mowing a 3 acre lot and snow blowing. This mower is in great condition with the exception of the paint and minor wear and tear items. A things work with the exception of needing to adjust the PTO clutch due to installing the clutch and not knowing the proper installation and adjustment.
Pros: Reliability.
Cons: None at this time.
Nothing Like a JD 318
Model Year: 1989
Trying to find another. I use it for mowing, snow removal, hauling and general landscaping task. Its twin Onan 18 HP delivers more than enough power. I've fabricated a front end scoop from a 48" inch blade. I'm able to pickup and move a variety of material. I may at some point add a 3-point hitch. Would not trade it or sell it.
Pros: Everything.
Cons: Wish I can add a sleeve hitch. Needs a 3rd spool of hydraulics.
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Model Year: 1989
Trying to find another. I use it for mowing, snow removal, hauling and general landscaping task. Its twin Onan 18 HP delivers more than enough power. I've fabricated a front end scoop from a 48" inch blade. I'm able to pickup and move a variety of material. I may at some point add a 3-point hitch. Would not trade it or sell it.
Pros: Everything.
Cons: Wish I can add a sleeve hitch. Needs a 3rd spool of hydraulics.
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Used John Deere 318
Model Year: 1983
I purchased my 318 recently as a project. It had a bad starter on it and the owner didn't want to spend the money that the John Deere dealer wanted to fix it. So I bought it and replaced the starter. The tractor ran great when I got it started. It's appearance was pretty rough. So I decided I would try and restore it. It took me a couple of months to get it done, but it turned out pretty good. I have since bought a snow blower to go with it. Being all hydraulic and having the power steering, it is very easy to handle even with the snow blower hanging on the front. I have heard this lawn tractor called one of the best that John Deere ever built. I would have to agree.
Pros: Very well built and rugged.
Cons: Parts availability for the Onan engine.
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Model Year: 1983
I purchased my 318 recently as a project. It had a bad starter on it and the owner didn't want to spend the money that the John Deere dealer wanted to fix it. So I bought it and replaced the starter. The tractor ran great when I got it started. It's appearance was pretty rough. So I decided I would try and restore it. It took me a couple of months to get it done, but it turned out pretty good. I have since bought a snow blower to go with it. Being all hydraulic and having the power steering, it is very easy to handle even with the snow blower hanging on the front. I have heard this lawn tractor called one of the best that John Deere ever built. I would have to agree.
Pros: Very well built and rugged.
Cons: Parts availability for the Onan engine.
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John Deere 318
Model Year: 1992
The 318 is an excellent lawn tractor. I use mine all over the farm moving firewood and feed in my 80 dump cart. The lawn tractor has plenty of power to take care of business, even without bar tires it still pulls fine. I also have about 10 acres of grass I mow and it takes care of that without any problem.
Pros: Onan engine-heavy-well built.
Cons: Could use bigger mowing deck.
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Model Year: 1992
The 318 is an excellent lawn tractor. I use mine all over the farm moving firewood and feed in my 80 dump cart. The lawn tractor has plenty of power to take care of business, even without bar tires it still pulls fine. I also have about 10 acres of grass I mow and it takes care of that without any problem.
Pros: Onan engine-heavy-well built.
Cons: Could use bigger mowing deck.
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First Year John Deere 318 Restored
Model Year: 1983
I bought this tractor about five years ago used. It had then a new replacement MOW 140/318 48" mowing deck. The tractor had 1000 hours on it. I found it at a Tri-Green John Deere dealership. It at that time had a flat front tire and dead battery. It was a fresh trade-in that they had not looked at yet. I bought it wholesale for $300.00. I brought my trailer along with a 12-volt air compressor, pumped up the flat tire and jumped it with my truck then loaded it and brought it home. I mowed two full acres of grass with it up until last fall, when I decided it was time to restore it. I stripped it to the rolling chassis painted all of the chassis along with the wheels. I then placed a freshly built Onan P-218 engine in it and painted all of the exterior panels. I replaced the seat cushion and seat assembly with a suspension seat off of a later model 345 tractor. All part's on the tractor that showed wear were replaced when I restored it. I added a set of bar tire's to it as well as rear wheel weights. I have since added a model 30 hydraulic tiller with the optional 12" tine extension kit to it that tills a full 42" cut as well as a 54" four way hydraulic dirt dozer blade that I restored as well. I have just $2600.00 in my complete package now and it is the last tractor that I will need in my life time.
Pros: Power steering, short turning radius, hydrostatic transmissiin, hydraulic lift.
Cons: None, to me this is the best lawn & garden tractor that John Deere ever built!
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Model Year: 1983
I bought this tractor about five years ago used. It had then a new replacement MOW 140/318 48" mowing deck. The tractor had 1000 hours on it. I found it at a Tri-Green John Deere dealership. It at that time had a flat front tire and dead battery. It was a fresh trade-in that they had not looked at yet. I bought it wholesale for $300.00. I brought my trailer along with a 12-volt air compressor, pumped up the flat tire and jumped it with my truck then loaded it and brought it home. I mowed two full acres of grass with it up until last fall, when I decided it was time to restore it. I stripped it to the rolling chassis painted all of the chassis along with the wheels. I then placed a freshly built Onan P-218 engine in it and painted all of the exterior panels. I replaced the seat cushion and seat assembly with a suspension seat off of a later model 345 tractor. All part's on the tractor that showed wear were replaced when I restored it. I added a set of bar tire's to it as well as rear wheel weights. I have since added a model 30 hydraulic tiller with the optional 12" tine extension kit to it that tills a full 42" cut as well as a 54" four way hydraulic dirt dozer blade that I restored as well. I have just $2600.00 in my complete package now and it is the last tractor that I will need in my life time.
Pros: Power steering, short turning radius, hydrostatic transmissiin, hydraulic lift.
Cons: None, to me this is the best lawn & garden tractor that John Deere ever built!
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Vintage Garden Tractor JD318
Model Year: 1989
I like to repair older equipment. But only if it was better than average when new. It is hard to go wrong re-powering a 300 series JD. Easy to work on & has value when done. Did a Kohler V twin. Cut the lawn better than most. Blow snow great. Just a good value.
Pros: None.
Cons: Power steering, low cost, reliable.
Model Year: 1989
I like to repair older equipment. But only if it was better than average when new. It is hard to go wrong re-powering a 300 series JD. Easy to work on & has value when done. Did a Kohler V twin. Cut the lawn better than most. Blow snow great. Just a good value.
Pros: None.
Cons: Power steering, low cost, reliable.
John Deere 318
Model Year: 1992
I purchased this unit used from a private party. The engine was completely rebuilt. The frame professional repainted. The tractor looks like it just rolled of the assembly line. I have an older 318, which is my work horse, so this one is mostly for show and play. Will add pics later.
Pros: Dependable, powerful with plenty of attachments, including a loader.
Cons: Ignition switch in the wrong place. Hydro hookups hard to access.
Model Year: 1992
I purchased this unit used from a private party. The engine was completely rebuilt. The frame professional repainted. The tractor looks like it just rolled of the assembly line. I have an older 318, which is my work horse, so this one is mostly for show and play. Will add pics later.
Pros: Dependable, powerful with plenty of attachments, including a loader.
Cons: Ignition switch in the wrong place. Hydro hookups hard to access.
John Deere 318
Model Year: 1989
I bought this tractor used from people that did lawn mowing. Apparently, the air filter was not maintained properly as it burns some oil. I recently replaced the engine with a B&S 18 HP Vanguard engine. All and all. It has been a good machine.
Pros: Hydaulics including power steering.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 1989
I bought this tractor used from people that did lawn mowing. Apparently, the air filter was not maintained properly as it burns some oil. I recently replaced the engine with a B&S 18 HP Vanguard engine. All and all. It has been a good machine.
Pros: Hydaulics including power steering.
Cons: None.
The Time Proven 318
Model Year: 1983
Hello. I feel that the John Deere 318 was the best durable tractor ever made by John Deere. There are many still out there running strong and you seldom see one in a lawn mower grave yard, comparted to many newer models that I see there.
Pros: Easy short turn's with power steering, great power, smooth operation.
Cons: Seat does not come back far enough.
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Model Year: 1983
Hello. I feel that the John Deere 318 was the best durable tractor ever made by John Deere. There are many still out there running strong and you seldom see one in a lawn mower grave yard, comparted to many newer models that I see there.
Pros: Easy short turn's with power steering, great power, smooth operation.
Cons: Seat does not come back far enough.
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The Toughest John Deere Lawn Tractor Made
Model Year: 1983
I have had my John Deere 318 about three years now. It had mowed two acre's of grass weekly for a period of nine months each summer without failure. I just finished a ground up restoration on it and had it's Onan P-218 Performer engine re-built. The 318 has been said to be the best lawn & garden tractor that John Deere ever made and my 30 Year old one is still running strong and now looking good proven they can't be beat for quality or durability.
Pros: Plenty of power, turns sharp with it's power steering, cut's the lawn flawless.
Cons: A little fuel thirsty, the seat should go back a little farther.
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Model Year: 1983
I have had my John Deere 318 about three years now. It had mowed two acre's of grass weekly for a period of nine months each summer without failure. I just finished a ground up restoration on it and had it's Onan P-218 Performer engine re-built. The 318 has been said to be the best lawn & garden tractor that John Deere ever made and my 30 Year old one is still running strong and now looking good proven they can't be beat for quality or durability.
Pros: Plenty of power, turns sharp with it's power steering, cut's the lawn flawless.
Cons: A little fuel thirsty, the seat should go back a little farther.
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John Deere 318
Model Year: 1987
This has been an excellent mower for my 3 acres. Very strongly built. I can use it like a weedwacker in brush. It's old, so some things are now happening that need attention: uses oil, a short in the ignition that sometimes makes it not start at all, I have to jiggle the PTO switch and then it starts, and sometimes the starter "clunks". In any event, since the body is excellent (metal) if the engine, an Onan, needs to be overhauled or replaced, I would rehab it in this original body. My neighbors have all purchased newer mowers, different makes; they will have trouble within the first 6 months. My husband and I purchased this when it was 10 years old; never anything major. My one complaint is not the mower, but the service. Since I am so far from town to get to the John Deere place, I have to tow it there; I don't have a trailer, so I have to depend on a neighbor to do that. If I have the JD place do the delivery, it costs me $150 for the round trip. Then, the hourly rate is very high. I try to do my yearly maintenance myself, but I am not a mechanic, and am now a widow with limited funds. In any event, I would still purchase this again, I have owned it 15 years.
Pros: Excellent workmanship.
Cons: Expensive to have serviced.
Model Year: 1987
This has been an excellent mower for my 3 acres. Very strongly built. I can use it like a weedwacker in brush. It's old, so some things are now happening that need attention: uses oil, a short in the ignition that sometimes makes it not start at all, I have to jiggle the PTO switch and then it starts, and sometimes the starter "clunks". In any event, since the body is excellent (metal) if the engine, an Onan, needs to be overhauled or replaced, I would rehab it in this original body. My neighbors have all purchased newer mowers, different makes; they will have trouble within the first 6 months. My husband and I purchased this when it was 10 years old; never anything major. My one complaint is not the mower, but the service. Since I am so far from town to get to the John Deere place, I have to tow it there; I don't have a trailer, so I have to depend on a neighbor to do that. If I have the JD place do the delivery, it costs me $150 for the round trip. Then, the hourly rate is very high. I try to do my yearly maintenance myself, but I am not a mechanic, and am now a widow with limited funds. In any event, I would still purchase this again, I have owned it 15 years.
Pros: Excellent workmanship.
Cons: Expensive to have serviced.
A 28 Year Old JD 318 Instead of a New X748
Model Year: 1985
The original owner bought this machine when it was new to mow his new 3 acre property. Shortly after he moved in a developer approached him and he sold all but his 1/4 acre building site. The machine was too big for his needs but he had no need for money so he kept it in his garage most of the time. When he died last winter he left his estate to his three grandchildren, none of whom had any interest in old John Deere lawnmower. They advertised it on Craigslist and I bought it the same day. I thought I'd have to replace the carburetor after all that sitting, but it responded to a thorough cleaning. There's still lots of little things to service and replace, but so far so good.
Pros: Paid cash and could stay out of debt.
Cons: Old technology; Onan engine parts are hard to find.
Model Year: 1985
The original owner bought this machine when it was new to mow his new 3 acre property. Shortly after he moved in a developer approached him and he sold all but his 1/4 acre building site. The machine was too big for his needs but he had no need for money so he kept it in his garage most of the time. When he died last winter he left his estate to his three grandchildren, none of whom had any interest in old John Deere lawnmower. They advertised it on Craigslist and I bought it the same day. I thought I'd have to replace the carburetor after all that sitting, but it responded to a thorough cleaning. There's still lots of little things to service and replace, but so far so good.
Pros: Paid cash and could stay out of debt.
Cons: Old technology; Onan engine parts are hard to find.
When it Runs, it Runs Like a Deere; When it Doesn't, It's a Pain to Fix
Model Year: 1987
I've owned my 318 since new in 1987. It was an expensive tractor at the time. It never started reliably until last year, when I found out about a kit that modified the ignition wiring and fixed the problem with the starter solenoid. Maintenance has been a pure *****. Anything that needs to be repaired/replaced is always more difficult to work on because of the design of the tractor and the Onan engine that powers it. Too much of the maintenance requires a lot of dis-assembly. The wiring layout is abysmal, even for 1987 standards. One of these days I hope to tear it all down and rebuild it with reliability and usability in mind: two things Deere didn't think of when designing this tractor.
Pros: Runs well when it runs.
Cons: No other piece of equipment I own has required so much maintenance time.
Model Year: 1987
I've owned my 318 since new in 1987. It was an expensive tractor at the time. It never started reliably until last year, when I found out about a kit that modified the ignition wiring and fixed the problem with the starter solenoid. Maintenance has been a pure *****. Anything that needs to be repaired/replaced is always more difficult to work on because of the design of the tractor and the Onan engine that powers it. Too much of the maintenance requires a lot of dis-assembly. The wiring layout is abysmal, even for 1987 standards. One of these days I hope to tear it all down and rebuild it with reliability and usability in mind: two things Deere didn't think of when designing this tractor.
Pros: Runs well when it runs.
Cons: No other piece of equipment I own has required so much maintenance time.
Good So Far
Model Year: 1988
I just bought this tractor it is my first. It was a good price for the feature provided. Mine has a blade and a mowing deck. Unfortunately the piston on the blade blew last week replacement cost from JD is 300! I should be able to have it fixed though. The tractor is built like a tank. Even though I could have paid less for some CC that were much newer. Nothing that I have come across is built like this tractor.
Pros: Powerful, good cutter.
Cons: JD parts are expensive.
Model Year: 1988
I just bought this tractor it is my first. It was a good price for the feature provided. Mine has a blade and a mowing deck. Unfortunately the piston on the blade blew last week replacement cost from JD is 300! I should be able to have it fixed though. The tractor is built like a tank. Even though I could have paid less for some CC that were much newer. Nothing that I have come across is built like this tractor.
Pros: Powerful, good cutter.
Cons: JD parts are expensive.