I found this 317 and am wondering if it is a good price and all. Just wondering what you guys might think .
John Deere 317
John Deere 317
Is this 317 worth it
JD110165
21 - 40 of 66 Posts
Joined
·
2,365 Posts
I have a 314 and a 317. Both are wonderful tractors.
The 314 is a little brute. The 317 hydraulic control valve and front coupler oil lines are a bolt in fix to upgrade the 314. The dual, independent brake pedal assembly is also interchangeable between the two tractors. Steering systems are also the same so if you find a Brantly power steering unit it will fit either tractor. Awesome mowing machine with H047 mower deck. I have a Ruegg 3PH on mine with weighted rear tires. With suitcase weights on 3PH and modified 43" blade on front I have used it to grub out tree stumps. The bad ... a lot of complaints about engine vibration. The fix for that is make sure you have good engine mounting isolators and low idle is set to spec which is higher (by sound) than most people like.
The 317 with either the Series I or the Series II engines are a good tractor. The lubrication system on the Series I get a lot of negative reports and publicity. The people who make these comments/reports know nothing about proper maintenance and service. There is still many of these tractors in the work force that are operating just fine. As another member stated you need to keep the crankcase full and watch the steepness of sidehills you operate on. Again, the 317 and 314 are identical tractors except for engine and parts are interchangable. The only negative thing I can say about mine was the lack of power steering. I now have Brantly steering units on both.
I'm going to get in trouble now. If there is a tractor to stay away from it is the 4X5 tractors (425/445/455). These have the Kawasaki engines (425/445) which I love. They are however the beginning source of plastic cam gear problem. So why didn't these get the same negative press as the 317 Series I. . Not only that but the plastic hood/shielding require you to refinance your house to replace them and they break often. And not by neglect or rough use. I was talking with a WFM member a couple weeks ago that has a 455 with snowblower. The heat from the exhaust system caused the lower front corner of the hood to break free from the rest of the hood. He agreed the cost to replace the hood was out of line and was going to design a change to modify the hood/mounting.
I've rambled too much ... Good luck with your decision ... Gabby
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
The 314 is a little brute. The 317 hydraulic control valve and front coupler oil lines are a bolt in fix to upgrade the 314. The dual, independent brake pedal assembly is also interchangeable between the two tractors. Steering systems are also the same so if you find a Brantly power steering unit it will fit either tractor. Awesome mowing machine with H047 mower deck. I have a Ruegg 3PH on mine with weighted rear tires. With suitcase weights on 3PH and modified 43" blade on front I have used it to grub out tree stumps. The bad ... a lot of complaints about engine vibration. The fix for that is make sure you have good engine mounting isolators and low idle is set to spec which is higher (by sound) than most people like.
The 317 with either the Series I or the Series II engines are a good tractor. The lubrication system on the Series I get a lot of negative reports and publicity. The people who make these comments/reports know nothing about proper maintenance and service. There is still many of these tractors in the work force that are operating just fine. As another member stated you need to keep the crankcase full and watch the steepness of sidehills you operate on. Again, the 317 and 314 are identical tractors except for engine and parts are interchangable. The only negative thing I can say about mine was the lack of power steering. I now have Brantly steering units on both.
I'm going to get in trouble now. If there is a tractor to stay away from it is the 4X5 tractors (425/445/455). These have the Kawasaki engines (425/445) which I love. They are however the beginning source of plastic cam gear problem. So why didn't these get the same negative press as the 317 Series I. . Not only that but the plastic hood/shielding require you to refinance your house to replace them and they break often. And not by neglect or rough use. I was talking with a WFM member a couple weeks ago that has a 455 with snowblower. The heat from the exhaust system caused the lower front corner of the hood to break free from the rest of the hood. He agreed the cost to replace the hood was out of line and was going to design a change to modify the hood/mounting.
I've rambled too much ... Good luck with your decision ... Gabby
Joined
·
2,365 Posts
I have one steep hill but not long. I typically mow this up/down not across (mower now is either a X485 or X720).
Performance as I said the 314 is a brute. I bent the load lift pallet forks backing into a curb when plowing snow. Stupid me for not taking them off.
The 317 is my "money pit" tractor. Too much money spent making it look like what most want their tractors to look like but doing so demoted it to just a general purpose tractor because front mount snow thrower and H047 mower deck no longer fit due to oversize wheels. It works well hauling loads of compost to city compost area and for just random work around the yard. My 318 front quik hitches fit both of these tractors (shown on the 317). Using this hitch has allowed me to use 54" snow blade and can use model 47 snow blower and model 51 broom. I do not however use for those attachments as I also own 2 318's and a 332. The 317 is used however to move snow blower and broom between storage and garage if the 318 is busy someplace else. I do have sheaves to mount on the Kohler engine front pto sheave.
Performance as I said the 314 is a brute. I bent the load lift pallet forks backing into a curb when plowing snow. Stupid me for not taking them off.
The 317 is my "money pit" tractor. Too much money spent making it look like what most want their tractors to look like but doing so demoted it to just a general purpose tractor because front mount snow thrower and H047 mower deck no longer fit due to oversize wheels. It works well hauling loads of compost to city compost area and for just random work around the yard. My 318 front quik hitches fit both of these tractors (shown on the 317). Using this hitch has allowed me to use 54" snow blade and can use model 47 snow blower and model 51 broom. I do not however use for those attachments as I also own 2 318's and a 332. The 317 is used however to move snow blower and broom between storage and garage if the 318 is busy someplace else. I do have sheaves to mount on the Kohler engine front pto sheave.
Joined
·
82 Posts
Which of these do you think would be the better deal? We have quite a few hills, some are pretty large
www.facebook.com
www.facebook.com
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com
Joined
·
54,635 Posts
Between the two I'd opt for the 317 due to the dual hydraulics, being able to angle plow from the seat is a great thing! Also you could add a loader like a Little Buck to it and you'd not need to add anything. My only reservation on the 317 would be the engine which was pointed out. Did you contact the owner to see what series it was?
Joined
·
54,635 Posts
It has been done, you may want to review threads on that first though:
Power Steering Unit Rebuild & JD 317 Conversion | My Tractor Forum
Power Steering Unit Rebuild & JD 317 Conversion | My Tractor Forum
Joined
·
2,365 Posts
Just came in from clearing snow. A lot of questions here to answer.
- Which is best to buy? ... my opinion ... absolutely the 314
- How well would the series 2 react to some larger hills? Definitely preferred over the Series I. Series I can be used but you need to check oil level before every use. Again, up and down not across hills.
- So you mentioned a loader, how much would that cost and where could I find one? Would I have to make any modifications to install it? ... Loaders are an expensive attachment. A Deere model 44 will cost you $2700 if you can find one. Johnson loader are cheaper but still rare to find.
- Will model 44 fit these tractors? ... The 44 loader mounts into subframe. I do not believe the subframe will fit closed frame tractors. Also an issue is the hydraulic pump mounting that powers the 44 loader. I do not believe this will fit closed frame tractors.
- 318 power steering on a 317? ... I still say no. There are members who have done it and will argue the point but what they will fail to tell you is the conversion is a major project. You will need to be an experienced fabricator/welder to make the conversion. I would not attempt to make the conversion. I am experienced as a repairman but have no machining/welding experience.
- Brantly power steering kits are out there and are simple to install. The kit is expensive but expect either kit would be similar cost. And yes, they are available. I recently bought another 317 parts tractor that had the Brantly unit installed. After selling other parts I probably had about $200 invested in the steering kit.
- Other members have installed modified 400 John Deere power steering. Not nearly as much cutting and welding but you do need to know what you are doing to make this conversion.
- Is 3ph a Ruegg? ... Yes it is. The hitch itself installed without major issues. I did have to move a capscrew that mounts the transaxle mounting bracket in the frame. I also added a couple washers to take up space in material thickness difference between frame and transaxle mounting bracket. Don't know if this was needed but it looked like the right thing to do. Biggest issue I had was getting lift link to fit my tractor. Ruegg was wonderful to work with here. It took three designs to get a link that worked properly. That being done, Ruegg should now have link that fits your tractor.
- Last issue is the H1/H2 hydraulic system. I can only repeat what I posted earlier. The 314 and 317 are identical tractors.except for engine. The 317 hydraulic control valve, levers, and oil lines are interchangeable and no modifications are required. This was my 1st garden tractor project years ago. H2 conversion and independent braking are on my 314. You should be able to see these on the photos I attached.
Joined
·
10,320 Posts
Does it have the Series l Kohler or an Onan? I'd be leery of the Series l. My local dealer told me a story that when they were pouring a new concrete patio behind their building they buried like 50 blown series l Kohler engines under the cement.
Joined
·
54,635 Posts
Onan has a much squarer and not as tall air cleaner. My guess is that if you have hills you'd be replacing the engine within a year or two, I would opt for the 314 at this point and then add an two spool hydraulic system to it. They can be found on ebay most of the time for a reasonable amount.
21 - 40 of 66 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
