318 is coming my way

cmkh3 · Mar 15, 2005

First wanted to thank everyone for their help.

Friday my new to me 1992 JD 318 will be coming home. It has a triple bagger system a 54" hydraulic front blade with both up/down and right/left angle adjustments, and a hydraulic tiller, OH and wheel weights and bar tires on the back. It has 452 hours on the meter and decent tread on the tires. The paint is a little rough but it runs good and everything works.

JDFANATIC · Mar 15, 2005

cmkh3,

Congrats! My neighbor has an early 90's 318 with about 700 hrs. on it. What a great tractor! He wouldn't trade it for the world. You might want to take a look at this site: http://www.geocities.com/jd318_mazz/
Post some pics when you get it! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JDgreen227 · Mar 16, 2005

452 hours is very little use for a 318...my 1989 model has over 1300 hard hours on it, looks rough but still runs decently.
The only real major repair it has needed in that time is a replacement power steering cylinder and several electrical switches. I'm sorry Deere stopped making that model, they were way overbuilt. Congratulations on your purchase.

creeper · Mar 16, 2005

Congrats ! Dont let your wife catch you playing on it.

timb · Mar 16, 2005

First job is to double-check that the Onan is still solid, good rings, valves, etc., and not burning/leaking oil. If it's been well taken care of, it should have twice that many hours left in it or more. It should last another 15-20 years at least. And you've got one heck of a small tractor, and a real nice set of attachments. Looks like all you need is a nice cart and you're good to go.

GerardC · Mar 16, 2005

<font color="blue"> I'm sorry Deere stopped making that model, they were way overbuilt. </font>

That's why they stopped making them. Gerard

cmkh3 · Mar 16, 2005

Actually my wife came with me to preview this unit last week. In case it helps anyone the two factors that I used to "swing" the CFO were that a new tractor (different brand, Cub Cadet 3200) with similar attachments was $9.5k and that me getting this tractor would allow me to get all of her gardens ready so she could plant flowers sooner than later. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Chris

cmkh3 · Mar 16, 2005

Wow you read my mind. It does "pass" a little smoke on startup but only when it is cold and has been sitting for a while. From what I have gathered it hasn't been driven around but it has been started and run since 1997 but saw some hard use prior. Also a cart (so I can haul all of my wifes flower stuff around the yard /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) is on the shopping list. Along with a landscape rake type of attachement.

Chris

bigpete · Mar 16, 2005

Good find. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif If you want a little peace of mind on the Onan, borrow or pick up a compression tester and check out both cylinders. I have a 1978 Gravely rider with an 18HP Onan still hammering away at in-spec compression. It smokes a bit when first started after sitting for awhile. The hour meter stopped at 780 hours before I bought it. A quick carb rebuild and tune up and now I've got a solid back-up piece. Make sure your crankcase breather is working or you will end up pushing oil out of the oil pan gasket or another weak spot (don't ask... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif)

I have been picking up a few Onan parts here and there, on eBay, because they are scarce and expensive. Being a JD, you should have better luck with maintenance and service parts than I with my Gravely. Onans are known to be a little sensitive to timing and tuning issues, but once they are dialed in they are SMOOTH AND POWERFUL. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

timb · Mar 16, 2005

Amen on the breather. I've got my fingers crossed that it is my 'last' issue to solve once it warms up a little this year - I'm pulling beau coup oil up into the air cleaner, yet when everything's clean she runs smooth and powerful. Haven't run a compression check yet.

Chris - If you do need a few engine parts to make it 'golden' - get them soon if you can. The Onan's have been discontinued and the supply of new replacement engines has just about dried up everywhere I've looked. Parts will be out there for a while - but the clock is ticking.

On the up side - that 318 chassis and tranny will likely outlast several engines and various suppliers are putting together re-power kits with Honda and other engines for when the time comes.