318 vs 322

JohnW · Dec 9, 2015

Ok gonna admit I do not know a great deal about the green and yellow (yard) machines, construction equipment which are all yellow, lots of experience. I have always though John Deere over priced for what you got especially when it came to parts, almost as bad as Caterpillar.

Anyway I have this 318 that my SIL did not want and after repairing the wiring, replacing all the fuel lines and fluids and completely rebuilt the 50" deck it runs really well other than using a bit of oil. I have been very, very pleased with the 318 and I rather like the hand drive control (now that I have gotten more familiar with it) since I have issues with my legs due to back injuries.

So finally to the questions, is there be anything to really be gained in going from a 318 to a 322? I figure the 3 cylinder would be smoother and possibly even a bit quieter. I see the hp ratings are the same but as we all know it is torque that makes the difference and I have not found that spec, still looking though I figure the 3 cylinder has more just not how much. No idea what fuel consumption would be like, surely not much difference. Wanting to know since there are a couple of 322's for sale near enough for a day trip, one has 850 hours and no idea on the other.

So would it be worth "upgrading" or not? Would I gain enough over the 318 to justify the change? Both 322's have 50" decks, both need seats, on both the paint looks good in the pics but of course you don't really know until you see them in flesh so to speak. Oh, and what would be a general ball park for a 322?

Really not sure I want to part with the 318 which I am pleased with as does everything I expect of it. I feel there would have to be a significant gain to convince me to trade up. I had already decided to overhaul the 318 this winter then I saw these pop up for sale and thought may be it would be money well spent to trade up IF one or the other checked out of course.

Upgrading would mean the 318 would have to go, just not enough inside storage or need for another tractor.

So Opinions?

Todd_D · Dec 9, 2015

With the 322 you get a silky smooth quiet engine. It is like a sewing machine. I have never heard of a 322 engine failing. A 322 uses a lot of the same engine components that you will find in the diesel version (332).

The down side is there are many parts on the 322 that are unique. Side and dash panels for one, and even the fender pan is notched to accommodate the side panels. That means used parts are hard to find and much more expensive for the 322 vs the 318.

The 322 doesn't have a hydro cooler. I was going to use my 322 for my Buford Bucket and George (the designer) advised I install an aftermarket cooler. Another issue with the 322 is some folks mention is the radiator is a little undersized.

One issue that I personally experienced with the 322 is the carb is finicky. If you use gasoline with ethanol (like I do) and don't use your tractor regularly, you can have issues with surging.

There is a 322 is my area that has been for sale for over a month at $2500. It has a nice 50" deck with it. 318s sell for around $2000.

All in all, if you are happy with your 318 I would not trade it unless you want a quieter engine. You can use the money you would have put towards a 322 to overhaul your engine and be good for another 1000 hours.

PA318Guy · Dec 9, 2015

Ditto

cjet69 · Dec 9, 2015

The only correct answer is to have one of each. :hide:

Justy37 · Dec 9, 2015

torque is about the same, don't really notice a difference.

But the 322 is smooth running and easier to start in cold weather. It's also liquid cooled, which give you a option of a tank heater, or even in a cab heater.

The 318 is air cooled, unlike the 322.

I would say a 322 would last longer with out a rebuild.

The 322 and 332 are the same engine block. Only one is setup to run gas, the other diesel.

JohnW · Dec 9, 2015

Thanks guys, JUST the kind of info I wanted. Not being familiar with the garden tractors I did not, would not, have known about the parts being more "specialized" or the lack of an oil cooler. I do like the idea of a smoother engine but I think I would rather have better parts availability considering the age of the machine. So the 318 will get it's overhaul.

One of each is the best answer but like I said no room in the garage, shop or barn for an extra.

North Dakota 322 · Dec 9, 2015

the governor is faster acting on the 322 my uncle has a 318 and we where blowing snow side buy side and we came on a snow bank he slowed way down the onan bogged down and he almost had to stop
on the other side i slowed down very little and the engine loaded down then went back up to the rated rpm and i flew right on past him on his 318
the 322 engine is way smoother running

------>> DON'T EVER RUN ETHANOL IN THESE ENGINES IF YOU DO THERE WILL BE A HUGE POWER LOSS<<----

Also with the 322 you don't have to run at full RPM unlike the 318 where you do to keep it cooled huge benefit in fuel savings.
I will admit when blowing snow with the 322 it DRINKS the fuel fast. if you are not using full power at full rpm throttle down for fuel savings.
FYI i am super one sided i love the 322 over the 318
That is my 2 cents

Rydplrs · Dec 9, 2015

ND322,

I would say your uncles governor is out of adjustment. I find that all the time on the older machines

Justy37 · Dec 9, 2015

Yanmar still makes all the parts for the 322 engine. If you need rings or gaskets, if the deere store doesn't have it, call yanmar. Rebuilt a 332 with new cam, crank, rods, valves, rings, and, gaskets. I now have a 332 with 14 hours on the engine, not original hours though. Total hours would now be 3816 hours.

Tony bachler · Dec 9, 2015

I have used both.. Very good tractors.... I kept the 318. because I Had 4 318's and 3 322/332 I look at the production time, How many were produced.. May be 100 318 to 1 322. . That takes us to parts availability . Your answer to your self , should satisfy You..

JohnW · Dec 10, 2015

Yes I agree parts availability is a major factor when you take into consideration we are talking about 30 year old machines. Just could not see passing up the 322's if they were a better machine engine wise and did not know until I asked.

ggsteve · Dec 10, 2015

I also think keeping the 318 is the right decision, but for another reason. Better the devil you know. You know all of the idiosyncrasies of your 318, and no matter the fine an well deserved reputation of the 322, you don't know exactly what you are getting with any used machine. If there is not much advantage to the new machine, keep the one that you know works.

JohnW · Dec 10, 2015

Very valid point.

donbowman14 · Dec 10, 2015

JohnW said:
Yes I agree parts availability is a major factor when you take into consideration we are talking about 30 year old machines. Just could not see passing up the 322's if they were a better machine engine wise and did not know until I asked.

:ditto: what the others said, did you select one?

JohnW · Dec 10, 2015

At this time I think I will stay with the 318, mainly because of better parts availability. Figure I will do an R&R on the engine this winter when it gets to cold (for me anyway) to be out doing other things. Not that it has to have it, I just don't like equipment to use oil.

Tony bachler · Dec 10, 2015

I must Also add. From my experience; When I went to a parts store, John Deere of course. The Yanmar , always cost me a bit more.. Then the Onan . I fought the charging system On the Yanmar . Till I had a shoe box full of cuss words, They use a 4 wire system. Confusing . The onan Is Very simple.. Now don't get the wrong Idea . The 322/332 Is a fine Machine. My simple mind was Not up to working on them...

onanparts.com · Dec 10, 2015

JohnW said:
At this time I think I will stay with the 318, mainly because of better parts availability. Figure I will do an R&R on the engine this winter when it gets to cold (for me anyway) to be out doing other things. Not that it has to have it, I just don't like equipment to use oil.

Good choice. :fing32: But then we are very biased!

We see more STD size rings go out the door than any other part except gaskets. In many cases the 20-30 year old Onan's just need a basic top end overhaul. Fresh set of STD rings and a valve job.

Also, the early engines used a 1 piece oil ring. Any new ring sets will use the 3 piece oil rings. Much better at oil control. Some helpful info in our rebuild sticky here:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/280-s...m.com/280-small-engines-repair-stickies/91204-how-rebuild-your-onan-engine.html

MichaelTJD60 · Dec 10, 2015

I'm late to the party, but I like both the 318's and 322's, the Onan and Yanmar are both unique and old motors. Both put out tons of power and are industrial-grade, built to last a very long time if taken care of. Like mentioned above, they are both obviously expensive when it comes to parts, but unfortunately that's the price we all pay for owning good quality equipment. No matter if you have a Yanmar or an Onan motor, as long as you don't cut corners and do a refresh/rebuild correctly the first time around, all the money you dump into it will be worth it because it will run better than new and will last another 30-40 years (again, that's if you use good quality parts and do the rebuild correctly). That's both for Onan and Yanmar. Cummins sells Onan parts now, and I've been around several Cummins products to know that they are one of the many top-notch brands along with Deere, Ford, CAT, Yanmar, and all the other brands we love. You're gonna pay a pretty penny for good quality parts no matter which route you take. Sounds like you want to stick with rebuilding the 318 Onan. As long as it's done right it will last you many years to come, same case if you had a Yanmar.

JohnW · Dec 11, 2015

Yeah, certainly familiar with the cost factor on the Onan's, have built several of them over the years that were on welders and know them to be a tough little engine. This one currently is burning about half a pint in an hour and a half of run time with 20W50 oil. I consider that weight of oil to heavy.

In fact used it today mulching leaves and ended up getting stuck when leaves pushed up under the front and slid into the ditch. So after using a come-a-long to pull it out (to wet to get the Ford down there) I took it to the shop and added a front hitch to the bumper to match the one on the rear. Now to get a 12V winch and set it up to work on either end. Won't be anymore of that manual stuff.

inspectorudy · Dec 11, 2015

I haven't owned a 322 but have owned three 332's and they are rock solid but... the old Onan is a simple thing and there are only a few major things that can cause you trouble. But on my 332's the radiator on a 30 year old machine can be a lot less efficient at cooling than it was when it was new. Then there is the accursed fan belt! You have to disconnect the drive shaft to put on a new one. One of the things I hate about the 4X5 series are the little black boxes or circuit boards that are barely covered and you have no idea when or why they fail. On the Onan you have none of that. Just keep the oil topped off and the filters clean along with non-ethanol gas and it will run for a long time.

318 vs 322

JohnW

Todd_D

PA318Guy

cjet69

Justy37

JohnW

North Dakota 322

Rydplrs

Justy37

Tony bachler

JohnW

ggsteve

JohnW

donbowman14

JohnW

Tony bachler

onanparts.com

MichaelTJD60

JohnW

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