jcmseven
Veteran Member
Ever since I have known about and used John Deere Equipment, I have been impressed with the JD 318 tractor. Onan engine, two lever hydraulics, etc. My dealer thinks I am crazy as he sold a bunch of them many years ago and proclaims them "nothing special." He also, rightly so, says Onan parts are getting hard to find these days. Nonetheless, if I could afford one just for the sake of having it I would love to get one. I have searched EBAY and various posts and have seen a few but am not clear how much work a 700-800 hour machine may need. Most of the ones advertised are pretty rough--some are not--but I am looking mainly for a turn-key deal that would mow and run. My other dream tractor of this type is the 8199 Professional with the 60" deck from Gravely. We (my family) actually have an 8193KT 1982 model that croaked out with around 3000 hours on it. I have thought about trying to restore it but do not have the time to coordinate getting all that done. The 8199, also with an Onan Performer engine was the daddy of that line. Yes, the engine was finicky, but did it pull and make some power!! Any suggestions on how best to look for a high quality nice 318 that would require little if any reconditioning?
John M
John M