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Jd 318

4K views 42 replies 12 participants last post by  Guitarpicker52 
#1 · (Edited)
Jd 318 buying advice

https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/grd/6041428482.html

I've got a guy that said he will take my JD 214 and 950$ for this.

He said he just replaced the deck bearings and sent a vid of it running and it sounds good, what do you guys think?
 
#3 ·
Is your 214 in similar shape? I'd offer him your tractor and $900 and see if he'll go for it, but take $950 with you. $600 for a decent 214 is fair. I gave $700 for my '86 214 over six years ago, and paid $1500 for my mostly-restored '84 318 last year.

Will you get a chance to drive the 318 and give it a good look-over before the purchase?

You'll really enjoy going hydro from a gear shift. Shifting's not bad for occasional use, but gets old daily.
 
#4 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

Thanks for the replies guys.
I will have the chance to drive it and check it all out before I purchase.

I'm looking to eventually get a tiller and front blade for it, but I'm mostly going to be mowing my yard and a handful of yards on the side.
 
#6 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

Nice 214 but I would still make the deal and trade it for the 318. The 50" deck is a step up from your 46" deck. You will love the hydro and power steering.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

Agree, I love my 110, but hydro all the way...

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#9 ·
Ditto what everyone else said. When we got my grandfather's 212 I thought it was a fancy machine that was easy to drive and easy to steer well since I bought my 332 all that changed now that doesn't mean the 212 isn't a nice machine it just means 300 series tractors are generally a lot better than 200 series tractors and are usually worth the upgrade.
 
#10 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

Thanks for the replies guys.

He said the hour meter is showing 200 and something, but knows it isn't right.

From what I can tell he buys them, goes through them and then re sells.

Anyone ever ran across one with the hour meter being off like this?

Should it raise any concerns?
 
#11 · (Edited)
It raises concerns if you think he is being deceptive. An hour meter is one point of reference but engine compression, hydro creep, and wear on the brake pedals are also pieces to the puzzle. You know there is an issue if you have an hour meter that says 200 hours but the rubber on the brake pedals are so worn down you can't see lines and the seller says the 200 hours is legit.
 
#13 ·
Look up the serial number, find the year it was built and then multiply the years old it is by 50. That will give you the average home owner's mowing time per year times its age. It's not perfect but it will at least put you in the ballpark. An example would be on a 1987 mower. That would make it 30 years old times 50 hours equals 1500 hours. Of course, we all know that some tractors are used much more than that because of the climate they come from. Some have been stored for years so this is only a good guess. Check the two hydraulic levers to see that they move easily and then check the four front hydraulic ports on the front for rust and crud. I bought one that had the original black rubber plugs in them but they had rusted into the metal and all four had to be replaced. The worst job on a 318! Sit in the seat with the steering wheel straight ahead and watch the power steering ram as you slowly turn the wheel. How far you turn the wheel before the ram moves tells you how bad the valve is. If it is good it will only move a few degrees and then the rod in the ram will start to move. If the steering is sloppy then it will be in the tie rods and axel.
 
#14 ·
I have owned worked 4/5 or 318 s Trough The years. Serviced a Fleet of 13 .. Now for the rest of the story. Most Of them Had OVER 4000. Hours on the Clock. The engine Never been Open.. Yes I took the Carburetor/Fuel pump/ apart and cleaned them.New Fuel lines. And normal Service Lube/oil/air filter. Never the Engine..
Life is good..
 
#16 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

I've got the drop in a 332 in similar condition. Which is the better machine?

318 or 332
I'd go for the 332 in a heartbeat. It's a diesel. Of course, I already have a 318, so it would be the logical choice for me.

If it's in good shape, I'd still go for the 332, if diesels are your thing; I love 'em.
 
#17 ·
I've Owned/Rebuilt/flipped . 6 318 #3 332 . The 332. Would take 15 times longer to sell Then it would sell for less then the 318... The 332 Is a much better machine. It just never Caught On.. I hated to Mow with the 332 s They never had that Tractor feel about it. To buy and use. Not an investment. it is the 332, If you want to Invest and use/flip it. the 318 is the one... I still have 1 of each. Cant give the 332 away. Well may be give.
Life is good.
 
#18 ·
You could give it to me :tango_face_smile_bi. What I really want is a 455, so I'd then have a 2, 3, and a 4 series machine. But truly, the 318 is a do-it-all machine, no worries. I feel fortunate to have found a good restored one.
 
#19 ·
I agree with Tony. If you are going to buy it to own then its hard to go wrong with a 332. The fuel economy and longevity of the Yanmar are a big plus. However, if you think you will sell it in the next few years a 318 is easier to move.
 
#23 ·
Uh, thats a no brainer...

Go diesel... Smoother, quieter, less fuel, its a diesel, more torque. I will own another 332.
 
#24 ·
Just for conversation.. I do not want to Disagree with any one. And I have 340 archers in ND. 15 in the Seattle area . Have Diesels tractors/Crawlers A diesel Pusher Motorhome. Diesel is a Long hour Engine. The Average Mower Ownership Is 7 Years. By using a prior posters Hour Numbers 50X7 = 350 hours. A diesel . Can the Increase of price be Justified . ???? This is only for discussion Purposes. And Not meant to Disagree with any one. OH I have 4 425s setting in my shop. At least one will go away. I am down from My usual 30 machines. I still have A Like they say. A boat load of them.. Some will say .. Hum 425 They want the 445 or 455 . I have changed The High pressure fuel pump and Injectors $$$$ . To clean the Carb. Takes About One half Hour . Only time;; There are some things that work for me . No one except Me worries about Wheat Prices. in 1957 I sold Wheat for $5.00 per Bushel . Now it is selling for $4.80 Per bushel. and costs About $250.00 per archer To plant it.. Beef Prices Have Fallen to less then $1.25 Per Lb. . Like someone once said . With all that Information And $20.00 I can get a cup of Starbucks anywhere... Life is good. It is good to share information. It may not be practical , But informative. .. Does The forum Have a poster Profile Page ??? That would be nice. I don't think it would be Hacked. Who in the World Would like to Know about Some Old John Deere ??
 
#26 ·
214 + $1000 for a 332? DONE! Wouldn't blink....
 
#27 · (Edited)
Also consider what all you are capable of as far as repair and/or replacement work as both are 20+ yr. old machines. Think the hydraulics & the transmission are the same.
Differences between the two; especially regarding the power: 318 = air cooled engine, 332 = liquid cooled diesel with a radiator, fan, etc. Don't believe transmission cooler is standard on 332 (like a 318) but could be added as a kit. Normally, the Yanmar diesel is the longer lasting engine. Knowing the hours on both & the year of the 332 could help with decision too. Up to you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
#28 ·
Just one more thing I thought I should add don't be scared away because you're nervous about working on the diesel it really isn't that hard at all most of it is very self explanatory and if you have any questions you have MTF. No a transmission cooler isn't standard but several people have added them I'm not ones of those people mine doesn't have one and I use it for nothing but ground engaging work and it does completely fine I've even seen 332's plow all day at plow days without coolers and they where fine at the very most I would just change the hydraulic oil more often. Good luck with your purchase.
 
#29 ·
Yeah, I will echo my post and others. 214 + $1000 for a 332, it would be in my garage. Once you have your hands on the little Yanmar you will be hooked. I am obviously a diesel guy, but I owned a 318, rebuilt the engine in another and although they are cool machines, their cool factor doesnt touch the 332's cool factor. Not to mention nearly all summer on one tank of fuel.
 
#30 ·
But getting hooked on a Yanmar can be a bad thing that is you will start accumulating them by the masses for example my friend I bought my 332 from he started with one now he owns 5 and a 322 as well as a 330.

Also this is a question for you Nick am I crazy for refusing to let my granddad and friend spray ether in my engine because it didn't want to start the other day at the show and they wanted to spray ether in it which I refused and they thought I was crazy saying It doesn't hurt them and don't listen to the internet so much well I know for one thing when the tractor has a label saying don't use starting fluid you don't its not that hard to understand in my eye's I'd rather burn up a starter than blow up my engine thats comparing a $500 starter to a $2,000 engine I'll toast the starter any day of the week over the engine. Sorry for hijacking the thread!
 
#34 ·
Re: Jd 318 buying advice

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Well I made the deal on the 332 today. I've already mowed my moms yard with it and it did great.

The deck is a little rusty in spots but I think it will be ok. He gave me another 50" deck shell that looks practically brand new, so if this one ever gets bad enough one day I can just swap everything over to it.

It looks like it's been repainted once in its past life, some of its chipping, but overall looks pretty good.

I'm hoping this baby does me right mowing well into the future.
 
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