320 garden tractor

[viking65]

Looks nice, you even had the chrome hub caps, I'll check out that site, did you have any other attachments? and did yours give a little puff of blue smoke at start up when cold? Thanks, JB

Very light puff of blue smoke on cold start up that quickly went away...I sold it to a guy who had a JD265 lawn and garden tractor and wanted the 320 for the hydraulic lift. He already had the front blade, snow blower and cab for his 265 that also fits the 320.

 

[MartinWNY]

JB4310,
I used to change the steering link around each season. But have left in the snowblower position for the last few years. It does seem to help with extra wieght fo the snowblower, and I don't think there is any affect without it.
On a cold start when I have to choke it there is a bunch of white smoke, it has been like from the begining.
I really have used this tractor hard and it keeps on going. I have noticed some sloppiness in the hydrostatic drive when in neutral and the locking pedal has become loose this year (13th year). I am sure that this is routine maintenance. So now I am looking for a shop manual....Can anyone help?
Martin

 

[JB4310]

JB4310,
I used to change the steering link around each season. But have left in the snowblower position for the last few years. It does seem to help with extra wieght fo the snowblower, and I don't think there is any affect without it.
On a cold start when I have to choke it there is a bunch of white smoke, it has been like from the begining.
I really have used this tractor hard and it keeps on going. I have noticed some sloppiness in the hydrostatic drive when in neutral and the locking pedal has become loose this year (13th year). I am sure that this is routine maintenance. So now I am looking for a shop manual....Can anyone help?
Martin

I have the owners manual, what do you need to find? how to adjust the pedal? have you ever changed the hydro filters and fluid? JB.

 

[tommu56]

JB4310

One thing you will want to do is make a bigger shoe for the blade or you will be plowing a lot of stones out of your driveway in to the grass.

I took the stock ones and welded 4 x 6 inch pf plate to them and bent the leading and trailing edges up about 1" it will still sink in stones nut no were as bad as stock shoes they were made for pavement in my opinion.

tom

 

[JB4310]

JB4310

One thing you will want to do is make a bigger shoe for the blade or you will be plowing a lot of stones out of your driveway in to the grass.

I took the stock ones and welded 4 x 6 inch pf plate to them and bent the leading and trailing edges up about 1" it will still sink in stones nut no were as bad as stock shoes they were made for pavement in my opinion.

tom

I don't plan on using this on the gravel areas, only on the paved part of my drive way and about 600' of town sidewalk in front of my house and a few of the neighbors.
I do have a lot of gravel drive and yard areas that are a PITA, I have a rear blade that I pull with the blade reversed but I still have a lot of raking in the spring.
I was never a big fan of plow shoes, even on my truck plows, I just took them off most of the time so it would scrape down clean, I know it wears the blade down quicker though. JB.

 

[MartinWNY]

JB, Thanks for the offer. I have the owner's manual also. I was hoping to find something more comprehensive, getting down to the nuts and bolts. If I find anything I will post it here.
Martin

 

[320X2]

Nice 320. I would have bought it in a minute. I have the front blade for mine and it works great with the weights and chains. I plan on giving it some overdue TLC this winter. I also would like to have the shop manual. Let us know if you find a source, and I'll do the same.

 

[amhero1]

I have the 320 also. It has always puffed a little on startup, but doesn't use any oil. The only issue I had was replacing the lower seal 2 years ago. It has the 48' deck andsnowblower along with chains and wheel weights. Has been a very good machin, but I finally moved to a larger tractor with loader and am putting this up for sale.

 

[JB4310]

A follow up long over due, this tractor makes mowing almost fun and after getting a chance to try it in the snow I'm very happy. those were the two things I needed it for, I was a little worried about the plowing since it doesn't have posi traction, but with the weights and chains it does an excellent job. note the suit case weights on the rear, as well as wheel weights.

 

[bontai_Joe]

A follow up long over due, this tractor makes mowing almost fun and after getting a chance to try it in the snow I'm very happy. those were the two things I needed it for, I was a little worried about the plowing since it doesn't have posi traction, but with the weights and chains it does an excellent job. note the suit case weights on the rear, as well as wheel weights.

Beautiful set up you have there. I've always wondered why Deere decided to not offer the hydraulic plow angling feature of the old 300 series on it's newer models. That would be the one thing I would dearly want to have.

 

[JB4310]

A follow up long over due, this tractor makes mowing almost fun and after getting a chance to try it in the snow I'm very happy. those were the two things I needed it for, I was a little worried about the plowing since it doesn't have posi traction, but with the weights and chains it does an excellent job. note the suit case weights on the rear, as well as wheel weights.

Another update,
Overall I'm happy with this 4 foot plow but am disappointed in the wimpy cutting blade edge that came with it, after just a winter and a half I noticed significant wear, I thought I could make it thru this winter but upon closer inspection I noticed it was already scraping on the plow body.

I do plow 600 ft of concrete side walk plus a few paved driveways between mine and the neighbors, but still I think it should of held up better than that. The stock blade was 3/16" x 2" and could not be flipped.

Went to a welding shop and got a pc of flat stock 48" long and 3/8" x 3" for $20. drilled and painted it, and was back in the snow an hour after installing it. It's twice as thick now and can be flipped, so it should last a while..

JB.

 

[moresnow]

Just picked up a 320. Where should I get a plow?

 

[JB4310]

Just picked up a 320. Where should I get a plow?

Welcome to TBN,

I got mine from the dealer, not cheap though, paid close to a grand!

JB.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Just picked up a 320. Where should I get a plow?

Ebay, Weekend Freedom machines.com, Craigs list are a few places that come to mind. Also check out the boneyards behind ALL of your local dealers (any brand) for one that might have come in on a trade.

 

[moresnow]

Some things I have noticed and thought about with the 320

1. Notice if the tractor is not in full throttle reverse is kinda slow and not alot of power. Any ideas of help
2. Need some advise on maintenance to do every month and some things to watch out.
3. Still need a plow...Can you use the hyadraulics that lift the deck and reroute them to use with a hyaudralic plow

 

[moresnow]

Do you know of any other mfg that makes one of these?

Grass Groomer
http://www.superior-tech.com/grass-groomers_02.php

 

[bontai_Joe]

Some things I have noticed and thought about with the 320

1. Notice if the tractor is not in full throttle reverse is kinda slow and not alot of power. Any ideas of help
2. Need some advise on maintenance to do every month and some things to watch out.
3. Still need a plow...Can you use the hyadraulics that lift the deck and reroute them to use with a hyaudralic plow

#1, Best solution is to run it at or near full throttle. The hydro is fan cooled and running it at a slow RPM doesn't allow thw fan to do it's job as well,
#2. Depends on how many hours a month you run the machine.
#3. If the deck raises with hydraulics, then i'm 95% sure the front blade will lift the same way.

 

[moresnow]

Did you buy your plow new? Do you know what part number I should have the dealership order or if I am looking for used what I should look for.

I found two...but not sure...

1. 1999 John Deere 48" - M03461X060259 - John Deere MachineFinder
2. 1998 John Deere 48" FRONT BLADE (325-345) - M03480X040129 - John Deere MachineFinder

 

[bontai_Joe]

Did you buy your plow new? Do you know what part number I should have the dealership order or if I am looking for used what I should look for.

I found two...but not sure...

1. 1999 John Deere 48" - M03461X060259 - John Deere MachineFinder
2. 1998 John Deere 48" FRONT BLADE (325-345) - M03480X040129 - John Deere MachineFinder

The second one on your list will fit a 320 (M03480X)

 

[JB4310]

Sorry, I haven't been on in awhile.

I can't find the paper work for my plow but that second pic looks just like it. And yes the hydraulic lift will lift the plow but you angle it manually from the seat, the angle kit was an option and works well/easy.

Mine is also to slow in reverse!! If you find a solution let me know. I'm sure it's for safety. Wonder if anything can be done with the lever linkage?

I also notice the valve under the fender for the lift gets pretty hot when running, don't know why only use the lift a couple of times during mowing.

As far as monthly maintenance goes I don't think there is any, just check the oil. After I cut the grass I let it cool down, lift the hood and blow any grass or dust off the entire machine, helps keep it a little cleaner.

Overall I am very happy with this machine, makes mowing my lawn much more enjoyable. Zero turn would make it the cat's meow.

JB.