1991 John Deere 332 diesel purchase in 2024?

[MCRapper]

My Gravely 16G is gone after 20 years of grass and snow clearing and I need a single machine for cutting 3 acres and clearing a long driveway. I have an opportunity to replace it with a 1991 JD 332 diesel. It is in pristine condition and reads 940 on the audomitor. The engine sparkles, its been stored inside, brand new tires, rad is very clean etc. 50" deck. Seller agrees to let me take it to JD dealer, I mainly want the deck checked out as he has no grass for me to cut at this time. Asking price is $4500 Canadian (3200 USD). I want one machine for plow and cutting. Is this the one?

 

[560Dennis]

Sound like pretty good buy to me , nothing like getting in the seat and trying To find busted stuff. Whats it got for mower deck and snow removal cause the gravely had the snow cannon , the John Deere doesn’t .

 

[Tim in New York]

Don't know that model. But my slightly newer (1995) 345 has been a beast and continues to be - around 1800 hrs. It pushes snow and mows 2 acres. If anything happened to it I would rebuild anything as long as the parts are available. Price seems a bit high perhaps though.

 

[MSD]

Great garden tractor. That Yanmar diesel is a good engine. Don't let it get away. They make a 2 stage snow blower for them that really eats snow. Model 47 I think it is called. Heavy blower but they are good.

 

[MCRapper]

A question about transmission on the 332. I am used to the gravely hydrostatic with which you actually put it into one of 4 gears (plus the low option) On the JD, it is a hand operated slider....is it just one gear plus reverse? I am not sure I understand this transmission. thanks

 

[wore out]

A question about transmission on the 332. I am used to the gravely hydrostatic with which you actually put it into one of 4 gears (plus the low option) On the JD, it is a hand operated slider....is it just one gear plus reverse? I am not sure I understand this transmission. thanks

The 332 has a hydrostatic transmission with one lever to vary speed through both forward and reverse.

Top forward speed is 7.3 mph, top reverse speed is 3.7 mph.

For full details and operating instructions, can download the Operator's Manual for FREE (.pdf format) at https://techpubs.deere.com/en-US/Search/Equipment by entering the model number.

I have a "322". the gasoline version. Both use a Yanmar 3-cylinder engine, the gas version (322) is rated at 18 HP, the diesel version (332) is rated at 16 HP.

My "322" and "47" snowblower. It's been a darned good machine.