[garyparsons]

I need some advice on buying a John Deere garden tractor. I just bought a house with 10 acres and about 1.5 that I have to mow. Also, I have a pretty big size horseshoe shaped driveway that I will need to plow. I have found two tractors on Craigslist that I am interested in. One is a 1982 (i believe) 400 with a 60" deck and a hydraulic plow with chains that the guy wants $1500 for. Everything seems to run fine on this machine. The other is a 1983 312 with 48" deck and no plow that the guy wants $675 for. I am seeing that one today. The guy says it is in very good shape with very low hours (maybe 290).

My concern is plowing a foot of snow or so (I live in Mi) on a lengthy driveway. Also, the difference in the size of the beds (the 60" deck sounds like I can get the mowing done quite a bit quicker. Finally, there is probably a $300-$500 difference in price once I would locate a plow and chains for the 312.

I have never owned a Deere so any advice would be greatly appreciated (just had a fairly small Gilson once that cut about a half acre and plowed a small driveway). Thanks to all who reply.

 

[Rydplrs]

I would get a snowblower not a plow for that kind of snow. your driveway will shrink fast plowing

 

[littletractorguy]

Hi Gary, and welcome! :Welcome1:

You're right to be concerned about plowing a driveway of that length. Unless you've got good spots for the snow to go, you will probably find that doing a straight plow of that length in deep snow to be a problem. If the choice winds up being between a machine WITH a hydraulic plow already and a machine that MIGHT come with a hydraulic plow if you can find one, however, I'd go for the 400... And then I'd be looking for a blower...

(of course, THEN I'd be looking for a second 400, but that's just me! :sidelaugh)

 

[phillijp]

Agree with the above comment and will point out that the 400 is a good size for your property and you will not regret the 60" deck but if I remember this correctly the 400 uses a fairly rare snow blower which is both difficult to find and expensive once it is found.

What is your budget? If it were me I'd keep looking. Ideally you'll come across a 318, 322, 332, 420 or 430. I'm partial to those tractors, the 318 can be found relatively inexpensively and the snow blower for that will run you $600 if you have to buy one separately.

 

[Natispotatis]

Agree on above posts on needing a blower. Might want to continue looking? Good luck and congrats on the new place.

 

[HeyYou]

And you just know you are going to be expanding your mowed area..... Look for something bigger, or a little further upscale from 400......

 

[garyparsons]

I think I am ok with plowing as there is plenty of room to push the snow to the sides (I was just concerned about both tractors pushing ability) plus I like plowing snow in the winter especially at night (very therapeutic for me). I can pick up a model 50 snow blower for $500 that is supposed to be for the 400 and then just buy the tractor for $1100 if I need to.

I am assuming the 400 is better for what I want and that I should ignore the cheap guy in me talking in my ear that I can save $300-$500 by buying the 312!!!!

 

[Rydplrs]

a 312 will push as much snow as any tractor, but yes I'd go with the 400.

I plowed with a 445 last year, and ran out of room mid winter, and it took 3-4 hours, instead of around 1 hour with a snowblower, and I have a small driveway, with plenty of room

 

[javjacob]

The 400 is a lot more capable than the 312 is. A 318,322,330,332, or 420,430 would be a better choice but they also tend to cost a lot more.

 

[llawrence9]

290 hours on a 32 year old machine is difficult to believe, but possible.
did the hour meter roll over?

 

[EddC]

Gary - I also have a horseshoe shaped driveway. Have plowed it every winter with my 212 w blade. Never had any problems except one winter when we had an ice storm first then changed to 2 ft of heavy wet snow. Had trouble with traction....I have rear wheel weights & chains. Biggest hassle I have it getting 5 vehicles out of my way that are usually there. Have since added a 210 with blower...Plan on using blower with the light stuff & blade with the heavy stuff...Also seemed to have trouble with clogging the auger when I use it on the wet stuff...Good luck with ur search.....Here is my 212 with blade....

 

[burned300]

The 400 is a lot more capable than the 312 is. A 318,322,330,332, or 420,430 would be a better choice but they also tend to cost a lot more.

:ditto::ditto:

 

[mopar65pa]

Hi Gary, and welcome! :Welcome1:

I'd go for the 400... And then I'd be looking for a blower...

(of course, THEN I'd be looking for a second 400, but that's just me! :sidelaugh)

LOL....... That's what I did only with a 300 and a 314. :sidelaugh

I have a blower and plow and a tractor for each.

That 400 will do you just fine. Then if you find a blower for it, snag it up. They are not that hard to change back and forth from one to the other. You will be surprised at how much nicer the blower can be at times.

I use my plow for anything under 6". Once we have a build up of a couple snows I get the blower out and clear things away from the driveway, then go back to the plow for the lighter snows again. Anything over 6" I sue the blower right off the bat.

I have 1.25acres. I started with a 38" deck, then went to a 48" deck and now have a 50" deck. I love the 50" you are going to really love the 60" :thThumbsU

 

[donbowman14]

400 would be my choice as well, but realize the 400 is a red-headed step child, most attachments are 400 specific, that's why they are recommending the 318,322,322,420,430 series. Most of those tractors' attachemnts are interchangeable and can even be interchanged with some 317, 314, 300 and 140 stuff. You could buy a 330 or 316 Onan, but they have only one hydro circuit and no power steering. Not a huge issue, just letting you know. Also they made a one year 1978 316 (very similar to the 300 and 140), which has two hydro circuits, but still no PS, it is also closed frame and doesn't interchange as much with the above mentioned tractors.

Bottonline though, I'd still get the 400, three hydro circuits, PS, a real beast of a tractor, plus the 60" deck, how can you go wrong:fing32:

also:MTF_wel:

 

[hm12460]

So go get the 400 and buy a big 2 stage walk behind for snow removal.

 

[stoon boy]

Here's a few pics of the blower specific for the JD 400.

 

[rabbitking61]

For my choice of the 2 I think you would be happier with the 400. I never have had a 400, but I have had a 312 and a 445.

The 400 would definately be the better choice for pushing or blowing snow. The 312 is a nice mowing tractor however it has a very short turning radius. The 312 is a very stripped down model of a 314 with a shorter turning radius and only hydraulics for the belley and rear attachments with integral hitch. Not much else.

 

[garyparsons]

Guys, Thanks for all the info. Unfortunately I lost out on the 400. Someone was quicker on the trigger. I now have my eye on a 318 with a 50" mower deck, 54" hydraulic plow and a grass collector for about $2000. Any thoughts on this (All 400 and 400 series mowers that I am finding are costing $2500 with a plow and close to $3500 with a plow and grass collector.