If Deere made the 318 would you buy?

Cliff_Johns · Jul 18, 2004

Actually it turns out there are a number of them in varying condition and prices on Ebay. Also an amazing number of parts and attachments and manualls etc. It does seem a lot of people want to keep these machines running. Must be a favorite.

Cliff

Cecil · Jul 18, 2004

( Why is the '87 model or newer better than the early 80's? I think this one is around an '83 or '84 so it is one of the first ones with the normal Onan motor and not the Preformer. It's older than me which is sweet! I can't wait to redo it. It has 1100 hours so that is about the standard I have seen on machine finder. )

Since I mentioned it, in '87 the P218G engne was introduced along with upgraded steering, since '87 you have power steering while raising/lowering an implement. There were other minor changes as well, but those two stand out in my mind.

Good luck with your new 318.

Cecil

yellowsocks93 · Jul 18, 2004

Thanks. I hope it is 1500 bucks or under given it's condition. I will get the price tomorrow at work and buy it if it is in that price range. I just love these machines and the way they look and run.

Cecil · Jul 18, 2004

( No, I would not. Life is all about moving forward. "Those obsessed with the past are destined to repeat it." )

You make a good point, thinking about it, I would expect a Kaw v-twin and current hydraulics in a new 318., but for the rest of it, I'll take the original 318.

What current GT has the capabilities of the 318 (aor it's 322 or 332 brothers)? I'd be seriously interested in such an animal.

Cecil

1savoy · Jul 18, 2004

YellowSocks,

I found the pictures of the 317 my buddy restored/ rebuilt. I tried to post them, but they are over 100,000 bytes. Does anyone know how to reduce the file size. All my pictures are approx 10 x's the size allowed. Sorry to be so ignorant. Good luck getting the 318.

Russ

timb · Jul 19, 2004

( What current GT has the capabilities of the 318 )

I don't think there is anything that resembles a 'traditional' garden tractor made today by anyone that comes close to what the 318/322/332 were. Meaning beef, almost-SCUT configuration, in the 48" wheelbase (more or less) size. The Deere X-series is close in beef/features and there are a few others that might come close but far as I know they are all the larger framed (typically 4 1/2 foot wheelbase) GTs - considerably larger than the compact 318.

( I would expect a Kaw v-twin )

While they definitely have their good points, I'm not sure that any of the current typical GT wondermotors from Kaw, Honda or anyone else are quite comparible to the old Onans. Something over 750cc, and as much torque as a few low-end CUTs. Only thing I see wrong with the Onan is it is a bit thirsty.

I bought mine at a good price, but as things go the used Onan did turn out to have problems. I won't get rid of the 318 though, I believe I'll drop a new Onan into it. The rest of it is rock solid (knock on wood) and there's just nothing out there quite like it at any price, and the new tractors that even come close are 2-3 times or more what I'll have in it.

I think the only thing that might be better than a 318 would be a 332 but they're pretty rare around here.

Would I buy a 2004 version? If Deere could keep the price under $7500, re-do the optional rear PTO for 540 rpm, and include the diff from the 400's (locking) it woud be very tempting. In other words base it on the X-series but in 300-size, call it a "X365" model.

KENSFM · Jul 19, 2004

Cliff,
A picture of my 318.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

timb · Jul 19, 2004

A slightly more tired example...

bontai_Joe · Jul 19, 2004

I own two 316s and if I needed a new tractor today, and Deere was still selling the legendary 318, I'd be there with money in hand. The current 300 series attachments tend to be smaller and less versatile than what was offered back then. The 54" front blade is now only available for the "X" series 400s and 500s. I wouldn't want the Onan to be replaced by the Kawasaki as I don't believe the Kawasaki is as durable, but that is just my opinion.

Nick,
Just how bad is the manure pit tractor? And where is it? And is it available ?

EastTexFrank · Jul 19, 2004

( Life is all about moving forward )

I think you're right.

A 318 came as part of our house purchase 8 years ago and I used it HARD for for 4 years and I know the previous owner used it in the same way. I really liked that machine and I know my wife did too but would I trade in my B2400 to downsize for a new one ???? .... I don't think so!!!!!!

If I ever moved to a smaller property with less yard and pasture to look after then perhaps I'd get a new 318 but I think my machine of choice in that case would be a small BX.

Having said that, I still wish I had the ol' 318 but not for any more "practical" reason that the fact that I liked using it and it never let me down.