Brought this home today. My intent is to use it for plowing snow + the big Craftsman for cutting grass (bigger deck+ wheel weights). This way ain't gotta swap decks and plows every season. With the larger deck + wheel weights, I'll cut with the Craftsman. (Only rolled it once, hence, the wheel weights). Got the up/down/angle figured out. Where's the float position? Don't wanna tear things up when the snow flies. The Craftsman had a manual plow, so yah just dropped it + drove. This one's gonna take some gettin used to. Can I assume these controls will work better once I drop the mower deck? BTW, not havin much luck finding an owners manual online, and suggestions?
![2479267]( "2479267")
Brought a JD 317 home today...............now if I could just operate it.
Greg Graham
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Got everything workin properly now cept that hyro lever. Damned thing won't stay where I put it. Really wish this had a foot control. With your left hand workin the plow + your right steering, not sure what the engineer had in mind for the hyrdo lever?
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Yup. Thats the issue with that lineup of tractors. Its an acquired taste.
I had a 332 for about 2 months. Utterly hopeless for mowing around many obstacles and needing to back up frequently and doing 3 point turns.
Also very dangerous when traversing slopes / ditches when you get into a bad position and need to hold on so you dont fall off but you also need to stop the tractor - ie operate the lever. Invariably the machine is unstoppable when you need both hands for safety.
Now if you want to make 1000 foot long straight passes on a field while pulling a plow - yea. No problem.
I sold the 332 and got a 455
I had a 332 for about 2 months. Utterly hopeless for mowing around many obstacles and needing to back up frequently and doing 3 point turns.
Also very dangerous when traversing slopes / ditches when you get into a bad position and need to hold on so you dont fall off but you also need to stop the tractor - ie operate the lever. Invariably the machine is unstoppable when you need both hands for safety.
Now if you want to make 1000 foot long straight passes on a field while pulling a plow - yea. No problem.
I sold the 332 and got a 455
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If you pop the hood and follow the lever from the first pivot at the bottom of the lever to the first linkage pivot, that should be sandwiched between two square plates, tighten the bolt on that pivot, and it should put more pressure on the linkage to hold it where you set it. see the pic for which part of the linkage i mean.
![2479500]( "2479500")
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1,687 Posts
unless the linkages were broken, a simple press on the brake pedal would recenter the lever to neutral...
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49 Posts
GREAT info + pic, I'll tear into it tomorrow. The sun is shining today + my Harley's screamin at me!
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49 Posts
Blew the dust off the Road King + still had time to fix the tractor. Precisely as bogieboy called it, slight turn of that nut + the lever stays precisely where yah put it. Course, yah gotta pull the battery box to get to it. Oh, and don't drop any wrenches down there cuz they won't fall thru, there's a screeen that catches em + yah gotta fish em out (happened to a good friend of mine).
Anyway HUGE thank you to everyone here, all the problems fixed now. I could have NEVER done it w/o everyone's help. Thanks much!!!
Anyway HUGE thank you to everyone here, all the problems fixed now. I could have NEVER done it w/o everyone's help. Thanks much!!!
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4,738 Posts
True. Although i still found it difficult to operate it. Modulating power/speed while steering AND working the hydraulics - had me almost wishing i lived closer to the nuclear power plant so i could grow a 3rd arm... lol! 😁
My 2305 spoiled me.
I converted my 317 to foot control. I have a JD400 that I converted also. Not to hard to do.
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55,040 Posts
Jon, I'm sure we'd be interested to see a "how to" post on that modification.
88 Dodge Snowfiter, 93 Dodge diesel, 02 Durango, 01 Electra, 02 Sportster, 2000 Dodge diesel 5 speed
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I second that. I would love to do that to my 300, 318, and 332.
Motion accepted and put to a vote: All in favor say "Aye"
AYE!!!
would love to see it too.
edit: I wasn't seeing all the posts - missed Bogieboys post on the tightening solution.
I've heard people complain about the handle levers vs foot control. I always liked the handle control because I had to mow on the sides of hills where I was falling off the seat - the handle control was a little easier. Once I installed a mechanical handled plow, I realized that you quickly run out of hands.
On the steering effort, I recall some members had installed thrust needles bearings on the bottom side of the kingpins to achieve easier steering.
For my 318, I know I can adjust the tightness of the speed control. I don't think my 317 has the same adjustment. The best that I could guess on the 317 is more tension on part #23 back at the hydro. I think spring #32, which goes into a hole in #31 to pull #30 up into the bottom of #23. Maybe if that pulled up harder, it might stay better. Just a stab in the dark guess.
View attachment 2480694
I've heard people complain about the handle levers vs foot control. I always liked the handle control because I had to mow on the sides of hills where I was falling off the seat - the handle control was a little easier. Once I installed a mechanical handled plow, I realized that you quickly run out of hands.
On the steering effort, I recall some members had installed thrust needles bearings on the bottom side of the kingpins to achieve easier steering.
For my 318, I know I can adjust the tightness of the speed control. I don't think my 317 has the same adjustment. The best that I could guess on the 317 is more tension on part #23 back at the hydro. I think spring #32, which goes into a hole in #31 to pull #30 up into the bottom of #23. Maybe if that pulled up harder, it might stay better. Just a stab in the dark guess.
View attachment 2480694
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