John Deere 318 tractor

CaseChev · Regular Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 58 Report to Moderator

My brother has a John Deere 318 that he likes alot and I am starting to look locally, ebay and Craigslist.

What should I look for and what should I avoid on this model of John Deere 318. I could use some experience and opinions.

What years was this model 318 produced ? Are there any pluses or minuses to different yrs.?

Kentb of SWMO · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: John Deere 318 tractor

Look at a 317 also. The major differance is a Kohler engine in the 317, A Onan engine in the 318.

Kent

Bill Lisbon · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: John Deere 318 tractor

STAY AWAY ! from 317's the kohler engine was not pressure lubed and was prone to blow up. when I worked at John Deere we had a corner of the shop with a whole pile of Kt-17 kohler engines that were blown. John Deere even made a kit you could buy to put the 318 [onan] engine in the 317.

redhorse · Guest Report to Moderator

The 318 John Deere was made from 1983 to 1992the early tractor had the Onan B-43-G engine and the later tractors were equiped with the Onan P-218 engine I like the P-218 better, although there are alot of the B43 engines still running --the 318 is said to be the best tractor ever made ,with power steering and right and left wheel brakes ,also the hydraulic hookups for attachments is a big plus

j meyer · Guest Report to Moderator

As stated, the last 318 was made in 1992, which is 17 years ago. Since that time, John Deere has been making some very nice mowers. In the day, the 318 was a great mower, but now its becoming an old mower. I personally hate working on the machines, and never would own one. The newer mowers are so much more friendly to repair, and I think they drive nicer too. A GX345 is a heck of a machine, and I'd highly recommend it!

usetabesteve · Guest Report to Moderator

A 317 can be bought cheap and repowered with your choice of engine kits. The later 317's had the Stage II motor, and KentSWMO has overhauled Stage I's and drilled the crank to fix the design flaw.

Kentb of SWMO · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:43 am Post subject: Re: John Deere 318 tractor

Usetabestev,

I have NOT do the conversion yet. Cold weather caught me. I was told by another poster the Series one crank rod throws are hollow and can not be drilled. If this is the case, I will report, I have a Series II crank which has a PTO end to big for a JD. I will send the crank to the crank grinder to have the PTO end turned down. I will then re machine the key way and use this crank to convert Dad's Series One engine into a Series II.
I wounder when people still insist the the KT-17 engine did not have an oil pump. They all have oi pump but the Series One DOES NOT have pressure lube to the rods. The Series II has a fully pressurized oil system with some of the later engine set-up for a full-flow oil filter. I wonder if they have ever LOOKED at a service Manuel for the Kohler KT-17 engine?

Kent

usetabesteve · Guest Report to Moderator

Sorry, I thought you had done one and were planning another.

I think you have identified the problem on oil pumps though, "I wonder if they have ever LOOKED at a service Manuel for the Kohler KT-17 engine?"

Doc Nelson · New User Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 9 Report to Moderator

CaseChev, as you see many opinions, most just that. Personal opinions. I'd much rather work on an older Deere/Ingersol/Sears than any of the newer machines. And the beauty of it is, I don't have to work on the older ones that much either! Deere and Ingersol have great parts support. Much better/heavier/longer lasting accessories for the older ones, and if you are a careful consumer some really good buys out there. If you're serious look around a bit on the weekendfreedommachine.com board and ask questions there.

That's my "personal" opinion...

Doc

CaseChev · Regular Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 58 Report to Moderator

Thanks Doc. I think we are of like mind.

Kentb of SWMO · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:24 am Post subject: Re: John Deere 318 tractor

I just had a thought, which sometimes is a BAD THING. If the rod throws ARE hollow, I may try to drill and install a piece of brake line so that the rods will be pressure lubed.

Kent

jdmike · Regular Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 54 Report to Moderator

Also keep in mind, the old 318 was shaft driven right to the pump, the newer 300 class are belt drive, all nicely tucked up under the frame and a royal pain to change. A 318 with a fresh Onan under the hood will serve you well. You dont say where your located, but near Marion Indiana, there is a gentleman that has several 318"s and a couple with freshly rebuilt engines in them for sale. He buys, rebuilds and sells older John Deere garden tractors. Cheers Mike