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#21 ·
Whaler, 1135 hours on the onan is at about the point where you could expect to put in new rings if it is blowing some blue smoke. But isn't close the end of life for the onan if it is well maintained! It's a great engine, plenty of power from idle on! The rebuild kits are a little pricey for them but worth the investment!
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
I think I need a sanity check. I’m been looking at a few tractors (318, 425, 445). I had settled on a 445 then came across a very clean 318. My only hesitation is the price. I’m hoping one of you can put this into perspective.

Here’s the deal – most of the 318’s I see are over 1000 hours, worn and priced in the $1800-$2500 range. The 318 I’ve been considering (photo below) is a very clean, well maintained unit, the original engine was replaced with an Onan P218 in 1995 (with 400 hours on it). The tractor looks like new and includes a model 54 hydraulic lift and angle blade. The seller wants $3200.

What do you guys think? I ask this because I can find many 425/445 units for $4000. My gut tells me the 318 is overpriced but it’s clean, has a low hour motor, includes several hundred dollars worth of implements and is within driving distance of me.

What do you think?
 

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#23 ·
Whaler said:
I think I need a sanity check. I’m been looking at a few tractors (318, 425, 445). I had settled on a 445 then came across a very clean 318. My only hesitation is the price. I’m hoping one of you can put this into perspective.

Here’s the deal – most of the 318’s I see are over 1000 hours, worn and priced in the $1800-$2500 range. The 318 I’ve been considering (photo below) is a very clean, well maintained unit, the original engine was replaced with an Onan P218 in 1995 (with 400 hours on it). The tractor looks like new and includes a model 54 hydraulic lift and angle blade. The seller wants $3200.

What do you guys think? I ask this because I can find many 425/445 units for $4000. My gut tells me the 318 is overpriced but it’s clean, has a low hour motor, includes several hundred dollars worth of implements and is within driving distance of me.

What do you think?
Click to expand...
I'm staying out of this one (cause I don't know what they're worth) except to say it looks too "clean" to me. I wonder if it hasn't been repainted/rebuilt and how extensive was the rebuild (bushings, bearings and wear parts). One more thing, you didn't mention a deck. Just my 2 cents.
 
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#25 ·
In my opinion, the 318 is not a screaming bargain, but it's not unreasonable either. The front blade is worth around $500, the tractor has been repainted, new seat, decent tires and the low hour replacement motor all add up to something that should last many years. Of course the paint job may look terrible in person, but looks good in the picture.
 
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#26 ·
bontai Joe said:
In my opinion, the 318 is not a screaming bargain, but it's not unreasonable either. The front blade is worth around $500, the tractor has been repainted, new seat, decent tires and the low hour replacement motor all add up to something that should last many years. Of course the paint job may look terrible in person, but looks good in the picture.
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:ditto::ditto: slkpk
 
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#27 ·
For the Price of the 318 You could get a decent 425 or 445. Don't get me wrong the 318's a great tractor But I have seen them it that condition for a lot lower price. By Blue Book the 318 with a 46inch deck & a 54inch Blade is worth $1,060 in excellent condition for the last production year of the 318.

1991 318 at MSRP
318 $6,299
46inch deck $767.00
54inch blade $812.00

Now Blue book is what a dealer will give you Private sale for a 318 anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 normally including a blade & deck. I would pass on this 318 it is overpriced even with the later engine:thThumbsU
 
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#28 ·
Wow, that is the very high end of what I'd pay for a 318 and the blade! I would expect to see that with the deck, wheel weights and chains for about $2500 in that condition! I guess with a rebuilt or newer engine that'd go up some but that seems very expensive to me!
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
It took a while, but I found a 1996 445 in Iowa that was exactly what I was looking for. Clean, no rust, 937 hours and in my price range. It came with a 60” deck which is also in great shape.

Thanks again to everyone here (especially Sergeant) for keeping me on the right track. Having never owned a tractor, much less a John Deere, I had no idea what to look for.

Now I just need to find a 54” blade.

Thanks again!

Whaler
 

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#32 ·
That 445 looks great The Blades are usually not to hard to find Check with you local dealer have him check the dealer network Because the machine finder on the Deere website does get updated enough:thThumbsU
 
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#35 ·
Congrats on the 445 Whaler :thThumbsU
 
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PA318Guy
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