Another 318 newbie

[notmyj]

Just bought my first home with just over a 1/2 acre. I know its not much to some of you guys, but mowing with a push mower while smoking a cigar is not fun. And I have wanted a tractor since I was a kid.

A friend of mine had a 318, actually still has it... He took it apart to rebuild it a few years ago, and sadly it will probably never go back together. When it was running, I used it and was thoroughly impressed with it, and have secretly wanted one since. Now that I have my own piece of this earth, it is time to get one. However, they are few and far between in the Pittsburgh area so I have been looking out of state at dealers used inventory.

I found a 1988 318 with 750hrs for $2000 that has a 46" deck, and a #49 snow thrower.

I have put my name on it, and will have it shipped provided everything checks out good. I will have a ton of pics sent to me next week, the dealer is more than willing to get me any info they can along with pics vids etc as I will be buying it sight unseen. I'm not too worried about buying like this as I purchased a jeep 3 years ago like this and it worked out very well. It was and is a toy that only fits in the garage if I take the top down and flatten tires....I digress.

My big question is what should I be looking for in the pics? what are the big problems and what are instant deal breakers. Also, does the price seem fair? I would like to think it just needs washed, but who knows....

I am a mechanic, I am very capable in a garage, I can weld and fab and do **** near anything from engine rebuilds to rear end setups, so putting in a little work doesn't scare me, but the price of some parts does.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Dave

 

[Martian]

Life gets different with a tractor...

That is a nice model though, very popular. Definitely worth it considering the snowblower as well:thumbsup:

 

[glc24]

Hello Dave,and :welcome: to TBN

From the pics everything looks to be in pretty decent shape.:thumbsup:
The one thing I noticed,is the deck linkage looks to be broken for sure on the right side. But that is something that can be repaired/replaced,as with just about every part on JD equipment,no matter how old.
Yes,parts are expensive,but sometimes repairing certain ones is not worth the effort.

Ask the dealer to look for possible oil or hydro leaks. 750 hours for one that old is a pretty good find. I would be expecting it mechanically to still be in good shape. If you plan on keeping it for a fair amount of time,IMO I would refurbish as much as possible. That is what I did to my 316. That way,you wouldn't have to worry about anything "going south" for maybe another 750 hours.

Greg

 

[notmyj]

Hello Dave,and :welcome: to TBN

From the pics everything looks to be in pretty decent shape.:thumbsup:
The one thing I noticed,is the deck linkage looks to be broken for sure on the right side. But that is something that can be repaired/replaced,as with just about every part on JD equipment,no matter how old.
Yes,parts are expensive,but sometimes repairing certain ones is not worth the effort.

Ask the dealer to look for possible oil or hydro leaks. 750 hours for one that old is a pretty good find. I would be expecting it mechanically to still be in good shape. If you plan on keeping it for a fair amount of time,IMO I would refurbish as much as possible. That is what I did to my 316. That way,you wouldn't have to worry about anything "going south" for maybe another 750 hours.

Greg

What exactly is broken? LOL. I am not familiar enough to know what is wrong and what to tell the dealer that I want replaced. I want it to show up ready to blow snow and mow in the spring, save for some general maintenance and cleaning.

I would like to refurbish as much as I can, but not till after I am familiar with the tractor. K am expecting to to clean paint and replace bearings in the deck and possibly the spindle bushings and wheel bearings. Anything else I should mention to the dealer? I should have more pics in a few days too.

Thanks so much for the info so far!

Dave

 

[glc24]

Look at the pic of the deck where the mule drive is laying on it. There is a round bar that runs the length of the deck. It should have what is in the drawing I posted. The left side might be OK,can't tell from the pic.The linkage for the right side looks to be laying on the deck on the left side. You can barely see the spring latch. It should be attached to that little piece you see on the right side of the bar. I'm thinking it was broken off.

If you are doing the deck refurb consider getting the speedup pulley for the center spindle. It makes a world of difference in blade speed.:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[notmyj]

Look at the pic of the deck where the mule drive is laying on it. There is a round bar that runs the length of the deck. It should have what is in the drawing I posted. The left side might be OK,can't tell from the pic.The linkage for the right side looks to be laying on the deck on the left side. You can barely see the spring latch. It should be attached to that little piece you see on the right side of the bar. I'm thinking it was broken off.

If you are doing the deck refurb consider getting the speedup pulley for the center spindle. It makes a world of difference in blade speed.:thumbsup:

Greg

I think I see what you mean. I will request the dealer to at least send me parts with it to fix it. Do you think $2k is a fair price? Also where in SW PA are you? I am right at the alleghney/Washington county line near south park.

 

[glc24]

For what you are getting with it,and the condition of everything,I don't think it's a bad price at all.
I'm in the northwest corner of Beaver County in a borough called Big Beaver.

Greg

 

[C-Range]

Hi Dave and welcome aboard.

The 318 is a classic tractor and you have the two most critical attachments available for it. There were two engines put in them, depending on it's age. The Onan B43 with point ignition and the P218 with electronic ignition. Both are very simple engines and dependable, however they are basically obsolete at this point so I would be sure to get a bill of health from the dealer. Get a compression test reading and also have them check out the charging system. They use a stator which resides buried on the back of the engine and behind the flywheel, sort of major surgery for a newcomer. The other common wear point is the starter and ring gears, not that it is a plague, just something to check out. Once you get to know the 318, you will love its simplicity and dependability. There is nothing like it made today.

$2000 sounds like a good deal for this machine. Actually this would be an exciting find for someone who wanted a restoration project to add to their collection.

 

[glc24]

Very good points to bring up Chris, I didn't think of those ones.:thumbsup:

however they are basically obsolete at this point so I would be sure to get a bill of health from the dealer.

True,but even though they are obsolete,parts are still very plentiful,new and used. Pricey, but what isn't.
I'm thinking a 1988 would have the P218.
One other thing,you can get the shop manuals for both the Onan engine and the 318 tractor on the 'net.

Greg

 

[C-Range]

Hi Greg and Dave,

Regarding the engines being obsolete, I should point out that I am specifically referring to the engine block itself. Most everything else can still either be bought new from Deere or found elsewhere, sometimes used. As much as I don't like to promote them, eBay is a good source for 318 parts.

I also suspect that this machine will have the P218. If Dave can get the tractor serial number (last six digits), it's easy to tell which engine should be in it.

I love the ignition system in the P218. It doesn't get any simpler. Both cylinders fire on every stroke so theres no rotor, just a coil.

And Dave, as a mechanic you will be way ahead of this but one of the first things I like to do in these situations is look for missing screws and stripped screws in the most common areas, such as engine cowl sheetmetal. I also look for butchered wiring, paint over rust, etc. This tells a lot about the care the machine has received, or the lack thereof.

Congratulations again. I hope that you will be participating a lot here because I really want to hear more about your new gem.

 

[notmyj]

Hi Greg and Dave,

Regarding the engines being obsolete, I should point out that I am specifically referring to the engine block itself. Most everything else can still either be bought new from Deere or found elsewhere, sometimes used. As much as I don't like to promote them, eBay is a good source for 318 parts.

I also suspect that this machine will have the P218. If Dave can get the tractor serial number (last six digits), it's easy to tell which engine should be in it.

I love the ignition system in the P218. It doesn't get any simpler. Both cylinders fire on every stroke so theres no rotor, just a coil.

And Dave, as a mechanic you will be way ahead of this but one of the first things I like to do in these situations is look for missing screws and stripped screws in the most common areas, such as engine cowl sheetmetal. I also look for butchered wiring, paint over rust, etc. This tells a lot about the care the machine has received, or the lack thereof.

Congratulations again. I hope that you will be participating a lot here because I really want to hear more about your new gem.

I plan on being very active here. I am currently active 5 forums for various different interests from jeeps, guns, cigars, chainsaws, etc. Might as well make it 6. lol.

I am still wrestling with my wants and needs. I cant help but look at classifieds for 322's and 332's. Thinking the 318 is nice, but how awesome would it be to have the only diesel "lawn tractor" on the block while everyone else is riding their new "big box" tractors that are marginal at best.... Even though I know the 318 will do any and everything I need and more, its that natural guy thing that bigger is better. Even my chainsaw is way over kill for what I need, but I will never need to replace it due to it wearing out. Its a Husky 357xp in case you were wondering.

I am kinda nervous about it because I keep seeing these other ones listed that are all shiny and nice looking. Even though I am not buying it to look good, I would like it to look good while it does its job. The fact that it has low hours and includes the snow blower and it does have the "P" engine for $2k are the biggest factors in me thinking I this is the right way to go.

But, with the broken bracket on the deck, I cant help but wonder what else might be wrong with it. I am eager to see the rest of the pics once they get them to me this week. I will share them with you guys if you would be willing to take a critical look at them to help spot any other issues. I figure you guys are the best ones to ask as I am not familiar with the 318...Yet.

 

[jsb2b]

From the picture of the mower deck, it looks like the previous owner hit everything he could with the deck. It's pretty hard to snap off that deck hanger and the right front of the discharge chute is definitely pushed backwards. A good whack with a sledge should fix that. Also, the front pulley assembly is caved in behind the mower drive belt tension adjust knob. Ask the dealer to mount the deck and start the blades up for you. This will test the electric PTO clutch which isn't cheap to buy and replace and the safety interlocks. Then he and you will know what needs to be fixed!!! :thumbsup:

PS: It looks like the hanger leveling adjuster, diagram number 5, is bent too...

 

[C-Range]

From the picture of the mower deck, it looks like the previous owner hit everything he could with the deck. It's pretty hard to snap off that deck hanger and the right front of the discharge chute is definitely pushed backwards. A good whack with a sledge should fix that. Also, the front pulley assembly is caved in behind the mower drive belt tension adjust knob. Ask the dealer to mount the deck and start the blades up for you. This will test the electric PTO clutch which isn't cheap to buy and replace and the safety interlocks. Then he and you will know what needs to be fixed!!! :thumbsup:

Wow, yes, I saw the pics on a phone. I looked closer and that deck is concerning. The mule drive is all bent, jeez. How the heck do you bend a mule drive? The paint looks wasted. Is that grey primer over rust?

If the deck looks like this, the rest of the tractor would need close checking over. Sorry Dave, I got a little distracted by the low hours. Definitely check things over before buying and I'd be looking for a lower price at this point.

 

[notmyj]

Wow, yes, I saw the pics on a phone. I looked closer and that deck is concerning. The mule drive is all bent, jeez. How the heck do you bend a mule drive? The paint looks wasted. Is that grey primer over rust?

If the deck looks like this, the rest of the tractor would need close checking over. Sorry Dave, I got a little distracted by the low hours. Definitely check things over before buying and I'd be looking for a lower price at this point.

Hmm... Your comments have me concerned. Should I be looking at other tractors? I'm not looking for another project. I think its just dirty but not sure. I was hoping to get a better look when I get more pics. Maybe I will keep a few lines out and see what else I can pull in...

Should I be looking to stay under 1000hrs? Should I shy away from the B motor, thus limiting my search to 87 and up?

ETA: Found a guy within an hour of me that has 3 318's for sale! Apparently he is big into older JD tractors and is selling all kinds of stuff. Good prices too. The only thing that concerns me is that the lowest hour tractor he has is 1033 hrs. Should this be a concern? He said I am looking around $2100 for the tractor, new style 50" deck, and 54" 4way plow. I feel alot better about being able to see it first so I think I am gonna make out to his place friday morning to take a look at it.

 

[C-Range]

Only you can answer some of these questions and some can only be answered by looking at the machine. I don't think theres any reason to shy away from the B43 engine, except for having to set points.

It's always a good idea to look at several machines and also keep in mind that these things are pretty old so they will need occasional work. Think of it like buying an old sports car. You can tune it to the nines but stuff is still going to fail sometimes. This is why I buy new for anything I need to depend on whenever possible, especially something that needs to start on a cold dark night to blow piles of snow.

 

[Martian]

Hmm... Your comments have me concerned. Should I be looking at other tractors? I'm not looking for another project. I think its just dirty but not sure. I was hoping to get a better look when I get more pics. Maybe I will keep a few lines out and see what else I can pull in...

Should I be looking to stay under 1000hrs? Should I shy away from the B motor, thus limiting my search to 87 and up?

ETA: Found a guy within an hour of me that has 3 318's for sale! Apparently he is big into older JD tractors and is selling all kinds of stuff. Good prices too. The only thing that concerns me is that the lowest hour tractor he has is 1033 hrs. Should this be a concern? He said I am looking around $2100 for the tractor, new style 50" deck, and 54" 4way plow. I feel alot better about being able to see it first so I think I am gonna make out to his place friday morning to take a look at it.

1033 hours is nothing. A lot of really good machines have 4 or 5 times that amount. Now, if that's 1033 without service avoid it like the plague. If it's been service regularly no need to fear.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I think it looks pretty good for an '88. I have one just like it. As far what other people have noticed:

The mule drive is not bent, the sheet metal cover that bolts to it is. Google it, new replacement with decal, about 40 bucks

The deck looks like it's in pretty good condition. is the front edge bent, yes, easy fix. The spindles should be checked and any bent items or cracks can be fixed by a welder for short money. If you do end up with a bad deck after a few more years, there are plenty of 46 and 48 decks out there for a couple 3 hundred bucks on CL.

Check the tires for dry rot and weather checking, they look original. Don't worry if they are cracked, mine are and they hold air just fine.

The power steering cylinder looks in good shape, which is good.
The snowthrower also looks in good condition

For the $, I would buy it. but that's only me spending your money...

Tom