Garden tractor confusion

[OutbackL130]

I'm trying to search for a garden tractor like the 318 but will consider other models besides john deere as long as its in the same class. Problem is I dont know how to search for it. If I look up "garden tractor" on craigslist I find 1000 used riding mowers for sale. What are some 318 equivilents from other manufacturers to help in my search?

Whatever happened to this class of garden tractors? Do they still make modern versions of the 318 or did the garden tractor class get taken over by home depot mowers?

 

[Larro Darro]

Judging by this one at http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7884519, they sure hold their price well. This one is 1989 18 HP with 1500 hours for $3.8K. The newest one I could find was a 1992, so they must have discontinued that line. I would try John*Deere Lawn Tractors JohnDeere.com, and go from there. But be ready with the ready. They ain't giving them away.

 

[canucklehead]

i'd search CL for John Deere Mower, John Deere, Kubota. I really like my kubota mowers and I also own John Deere mowers. I have a 430 John Deere which I think is much heavier duty and 10x the tractor. The LX JDs were mostly kawi engines and decent aswell. LTs were okay, but I didn't like my LT155.

the X series JDs are good machines but pricey.

 

[CHDinCT]

I'm trying to search for a garden tractor like the 318 but will consider other models besides john deere as long as its in the same class. Problem is I dont know how to search for it. If I look up "garden tractor" on craigslist I find 1000 used riding mowers for sale. What are some 318 equivilents from other manufacturers to help in my search?

Whatever happened to this class of garden tractors? Do they still make modern versions of the 318 or did the garden tractor class get taken over by home depot mowers?

What specifically about the 318 are you looking for feature wise? There are many brands of older heavy duty garden tractors out there that can take a variety of ground engaging attachments, tiller for example, or scraper blades, etc, even loaders though they're hard to find. I can't recall but I think the 318 may have had live hydraulics (outlets to connect hydraulic implements). If live hydraulics are required, that would limit equivalent options. I'm not even sure of any off hand, but I think older Ingersols had optional live hydraulics, maybe some of the older Simplicities - not sure. But, if live hydraulics are not a requirement, then you'd have lots of options like Case/Ingersol, Simplicity, Wheel Horse, older Cub Cadets (when made by IH), older Bolens, and others.

I have had several, and still have a 20 year old, Wheel Horse garden tractor. They are heavily built, most with Kohler engines and some with Onans. Implements are plentiful and cheap, relatively speaking, including snowplows, snow blowers, tillers, mower decks, etc., and they are very interchangeable over the years. One thing about Deere is that you will need to find implements more specifically for the 318 or any other models. Deere often changed the design and hook up of implements over the years as they changed tractor models. Let us know more specifically what about the 318 you're looking for.

 

[XSKIER]

What is your budget?

Why a 318 ('83-'92)?

The only desirable traits of the 318 are power steering and second remote hydraulics. It is a tweener, situated between an X530 and X700. There are many other garden tractors that are nicer and easier to use than a 318. The deere 425 ('93-'01) is twice the tractor of the 318 for about 50% more money. It sounds like your not stuck on the 318, but if you are stuck in the eighties and under $2K you might consider cub 782, 982, 1872, 2072, deere 322, 420, any ingersoll over 16hp, or simplicity 7790H or it's variants. Your best bet would be the deere 425, 445, or 455. Good luck.

 

[FatSlob]

Quickest way to tell a garden tractor from a cheaper lawn tractor is the rear wheels will be a bit larger and will have four lug nuts holding the wheels on. Lawn tractors will not have lug nuts

 

[canucklehead]

xskier you forgot about the 430. 20HP Yanmar diesel, hydraulics, PTO

 

[stuckmotor]

If you find an ad for a tractor and want to know about it's mehanical features you might look it up in the "Lawn Tractor" section at Tratordata.com Here's a link to the data on the 318. TractorData.com John Deere 318 tractor information

NOTE: Please read the disclaimer about data entry mistakes and incomplete information at the bottom of the page with the data.

 

[OutbackL130]

I want a small tractor with power steering and hydraulics to operate a front end loader. Diff lock and 3 pt hitch would be a plus too.

 

[murphy1244]

I want a small tractor with power steering and hydraulics to operate a front end loader. Diff lock and 3 pt hitch would be a plus too.

With that list it sounds like your in the market for a SCUT like the BX or Max.

 

[XSKIER]

You can probably get a ten year old SCUT with FEL for $5K-$10K. It'll likely be around $4K to fit a 44 loader on a 318, and it will still be lacking in performance.

 

[OutbackL130]

Ok I think you all are right that will suit my needs perfectly. I see there are some really nice newer model small 4x4 cub cadet tractors with 3 pt hitch. I'd just have to build a FEL.

 

[OutbackL130]

I really wouldnt mind finding an older 80's model tractor to restore. There is a John Deere 420 I am interested in locally. The 420 is everything I want with diff lock, 3 pt hitch, power steering, belly deck, and hydraulics for a FEL. I only need to lift 500lbs max with the loader and also plan to use forklift forks to move pallets in and out of my fabrication shop.

Is $1500 a fair price for one this used? I want to try and get it for closer to $1000 to leave room for restoration and building a loader.
John Deere 420 Hydro Garden Tractor

 

[Larro Darro]

The closer to $1K I could get it, the better I would feel. It looks like it is going to take a bit of work. But it will depend on how it works. Paint is cheaper than parts.

 

[Jay4200]

I think you should be looking for one of the bigger Case/Ingersoll tractors.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a 332 JD with Yanmar diesel engine that I am going to sell. It has a 54" mower deck that I have had to weld up some rust out on but it is working fine. I just bought a Ferris ZTR so I no longer need this tractor. It is the later model of the 318 in diesel and built like a tank. Anyone interested PM me and I will make them a good price.

 

[KENSFM]

I really wouldnt mind finding an older 80's model tractor to restore. There is a John Deere 420 I am interested in locally. The 420 is everything I want with diff lock, 3 pt hitch, power steering, belly deck, and hydraulics for a FEL. I only need to lift 500lbs max with the loader and also plan to use forklift forks to move pallets in and out of my fabrication shop.

Is $1500 a fair price for one this used? I want to try and get it for closer to $1000 to leave room for restoration and building a loader.
John Deere 420 Hydro Garden Tractor

Too toasty, I would keep looking.
Ken

 

[DeereMann]

I owned a JD 318, 445, and now have a SCUT 1026R. For your stated needs, I also think you need a tractor with capability above the 318, which is a heavy-built garden tractor only.

And of course, to meet all your stated needs, really only a SCUT will do it with higher pricing to match.

Good luck to you!