Profile Update - JD318

timb · May 5, 2003

Alright! One tractor down, one to go -

Likely won't be buying my CUT until next spring, but I still needed something to cut the lawn with this year. Also was a little concerned about the weight/size of the big CUTs I'm looking at on the lawn so we started to look at buying a "whole" lawn tractor now rather than a RFM for the CUT later. Well, I wasn't too impressed with the new lawn/garden tractors I looked at - (at least in the price range of an RFM) but finally the local JD lawn&garden dealer put his own 318 with 50" deck out out on his lot and it will be on my lot next week. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's got a few cosmetic battle scars (and could use a new seat) but seems to run smooth and strong and looked clean, straight, and dry underneath. The dealer said he hadn't started it for a few months, but it fired up with only a few seconds cranking on full choke. Another few seconds of very light smoke quickly cleared and it seemed to idle and run up to speed well. The hydraulics and steering seemed to work fine, the PTO electric clutch engaged solidly, and the deck didn't seem to make any obnoxious noises so - we cut the deal.

Anyone have any good pointers to look for on the 318's? (First things to go, troublesome areas?) Figure I'll change out all the fluids/filters (unless the dealer does this in his pre-deliver prep - he may, he's considered a pretty good guy) and start building a shopping of list of small items I may want to refresh after this years grass cutting season.

rancar · May 5, 2003

Congratulations Tim on the 318. It sounds like you've got everything covered. Just make sure those blades are sharpened up. Much easier to do them now than during the cutting season when you may be pressed for time just to get everything cut on a timely basis. Still looking forward to seeing pics of your 4710 CUT but will wait until next Spring. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

...Bob

timb · May 5, 2003

( Still looking forward to seeing pics of your 4710 CUT but will wait until next Spring. )

Seeing all the pics recently of the big JD's "being delivered" has made the wait even tougher! Guess the little guy will have to tide me over! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

chrisjbell · May 5, 2003

Oh, a bigger tractor is always fun, but I really like my JD lawn tractor (I have a lil' LX255). It is a fantastic machine - and I find that I use it nearly as much as my (somewhat) larger tractor, even when I could fire up the bigger one. You should be quite happy with it - but of course we're all wanting more and more tractors. Can you have too many? I don't think so /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

rancar · May 5, 2003

That 318 is a fine lawn tractor Tim. You'll like it a lot. The only thing is you'll likely get green fever and you'll be back on the dealer lots by July or August 'inspecting' those 4710s again. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif This is good though. The more you look at these tractors....the more you learn and it better enables you to finetune the options you want when you actually do place that purchase order. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

...Bob

deereflugel · May 8, 2003

I have a 318 that I bought used last year, an '83 model. Used it through the summer with increasing problems starting. After diagnosis, found the coil to be bad. After replacement I found I had an extremely strong Onan 18 horse engine. At that point I decided to restore the tractor. and did it over the winter. I now have an almost pristine 83 318 that I would not trade for anything. I think it is better than the new tractors Deere makes.

timb · May 13, 2003

Jerry,

( I think it is better than the new tractors Deere makes. )

I agree. I was almost ready to buy a new GT235 until I realized that even at $4800 it still didn't have the frame of my FIL's old 265. The GX 300 series is very similar in weight to the old 265 but just too dear (deere?) when combined with a 4710 down the road. Kept hearing good things about the old 300's - and an inspection of another 318 on one dealer's lot convinced me on the design and worth of the old 'uns.

The good news is it was delivered last night and seems (so far - brief test in the constant rain we've been having) to run strong. Even got a new seat (cover) out of the deal. Seems the dealer put his knee through the old dried vinyl /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif while checking the safety switches - so he ordered a new foam/cover kit for me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyone know where you can get a decal set?

I'll have to post a photo when I get a chance - she needs some cosmetic care but is mostly clean and straight.

deereflugel · May 15, 2003

Timb,

I was able to get just about all the decals I needed at the local JD dealers. I see some of them on Ebay, and some parts there, but you have to be careful or you will pay more than list price and have to pay shipping on top of the part price. I have 2 dealers I buy from, on one I only buy if he has the part in stock, otherwise he tries to charge me freight as a special order. The other dealer does not charge freight at all. Good luck with with your 318. I am more pleased all the time with mine. Sounds and runs like a new machine.

timb · May 16, 2003

Jerry - you're right on with going through JD.

Since my last post I spent a little more time learning the "JDParts" site. I had only glanced at that site before, but dig deep enough and it looks like you can find exploded parts drawings and parts numbers for just about anything Deere ever made. You can then post an order (to be serviced through your local dealer) and get parts availability ("available" or "stock order") and price. Only rarely did I find a part number that was flatly declared unavailable (actually comes up as "invalid part"). On the 318 so far only the frame, front axle casting, and steering wheel are "invalid". Everything else I tried seemed to be available - including all of the decals. In fact - it looks like it would not be all that hard (or for the most part all that expensive) to get every part I could possibly want to do a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration.

Not bad for a 20-year old "lowly" garden tractor.

Of course you do find the occasional part that is pretty frightening - $480 for a new fiberglass hood /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I think I will order a set of all tractor and mower deck decals "for later" while they are still available.

You're right about eBay - I see parts going for more (sometimes twice) what the price is right through JD. Case in point - the "TM1590" tech manual. Still available - my dealer has one coming in for me - $34.55. One "brand new" one just went on eBay for a final bid of $81.00. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif and /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif