New owner of a real nice 318!

[Sierra1!]

I wanted to introduce myself as a new member of this board. I recently came into possession of an original owner (my neighbor) 1990 JD 318 that was purchased new by him. Along with the tractor, he purchased the 50” deck, lawn rake, 54” hydraulic snow blade, wheel weights and chains. This machine only shows 601.6 hours that are known to be actual. This guy kept the machine in a climate controlled shop for all but a year; at which time is sat covered in a pole barn. Since acquiring this beauty, I’ve only had to replaced the coil, fuel pump, fuel filter, oil/filter, spark plugs, battery and other little odds and ends that needed attention. I’m currently in the process of removing panels to really give it a good clean…the original paint is so nice under the grime I can’t believe it’s ~35 years old! I am not going paint anything so as to keep it all original…I’m thinking that a good cleaning is as far as I’m going to go to keep the patina real. This machine is really a true time capsule, my neighbor is over the top about everything he owns, and it shows on this machine as well. I’ll attach some pics now and will update this thread as the machine progresses through its cleaning and maintenance.

 

[Sierra1!]

Other than normal maintenance, are there any “things” I should check out or address that are known issues???

 

[aesanders]

Other than normal maintenance, are there any “things” I should check out or address that are known issues???

None that I am aware of. Nice mower. The 318 was a good solid platform.

Welcome to TBN.

 

[BleedingOrange]

I used to own one of those tractors. Nice little unit. Can you post some pics of the complete tractor ?

 

[mulitweed]

I wanted to introduce myself as a new member of this board. I recently came into possession of an original owner (my neighbor) 1990 JD 318 that was purchased new by him. Along with the tractor, he purchased the 50” deck, lawn rake, 54” hydraulic snow blade, wheel weights and chains. This machine only shows 601.6 hours that are known to be actual. This guy kept the machine in a climate controlled shop for all but a year; at which time is sat covered in a pole barn. Since acquiring this beauty, I’ve only had to replaced the coil, fuel pump, fuel filter, oil/filter, spark plugs, battery and other little odds and ends that needed attention. I’m currently in the process of removing panels to really give it a good clean…the original paint is so nice under the grime I can’t believe it’s ~35 years old! I am not going paint anything so as to keep it all original…I’m thinking that a good cleaning is as far as I’m going to go to keep the patina real. This machine is really a true time capsule, my neighbor is over the top about everything he owns, and it shows on this machine as well. I’ll attach some pics now and will update this thread as the machine progresses through its cleaning and maintenance.

wow ive always wanted one , had a 300, 316, 317

 

[Sierra1!]

I used to own one of those tractors. Nice little unit. Can you post some pics of the complete tractor ?

Pics posted.

 

[Sierra1!]

wow ive always wanted one , had a 300, 316, 317

I’ve been trying to buy this 318 from my neighbor for 20+ years….a new job and a relocation sorta prompted the sale. My neighbor Tim was and has always been over the top with the care ands maintenance of his stuff; the condition of this machine gives you an idea. Believe me when I say it didn’t look like this when I got it. It didn’t run (critters chewed some wires), and the paint was heavily oxidized and covered with tree sap…nothing that’s good wash with simple green and several days with a buffer and 3M Perfect-It 1 couldn’t fix! I ended up replacing the coil and fuel pump as well as soldered in new wires to replace the chewed ones…she fired right up!

 

[Sierra1!]

This is what I got.

 

[Sierra1!]

wow ive always wanted one , had a 300, 316, 317

I think a 420 might be next!

None that I am aware of. Nice mower. The 318 was a good solid platform.

Welcome to TBN.

Thanks!

 

[Sierra1!]

The deal included the 50” deck, rake, and the hydraulic plow…. I’ve got a line on a local snow blower that I’m going to look at tomorrow.

 

[aesanders]

Nice. I have plans to build a shop in a year or two. My goal is to set it up to rehabilitate mowers like this.

These Deere’s are great, and I also have a soft spot for Simplicities.

 

[Yander]

Welcome to TBN, Congrats on the new to you tractor. Those are great little unit's that JD put out, arguably the best gas motor every put out also. I had one for a year and mowed with it and pushed snow with it. Loved it.

But my yard was a little too big for it and I worried about it holding up to mowing 3 acres and sold it to get a ZTR.

Could we get a hood pic without the big hairy guy in it?

 

[dougtrr2]

I bought a 318 in 1990. I moved and finally gave it up when the need for 4wd and a loader became priority.

The only problem I had with mine was the PTO safety switch in the seat. Our ground was bumpy and when my son would mow he would bounce up in the seat, the PTO would disengage and he might make a couple rounds before he realized he wasn't mowing any more.

I am in the camp of the 318 was the best lawnmower John Deere made.

Doug in SW IA

 

[mulitweed]

best mower ever built , 318, 420 , 332 i want all of them

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evening Sierra,
Nice little garden tractor , the best of luck with your new machine !

Looks like you did a fine job of cleaning it up also ! Enjoy !