[RayinNC]

I just looked at a 332, it runs, no smoke on startup, paint is badly faded, rear lights missing, hour meter missing, seat down to metal. Has a decent looking mower deck. tires bad and it comes with no battery. $1,500. There is antifreeze in the coolant from what I can tell. My question is what else should I look for? and is he asking to much. Tractor sits outside. Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[RussKish]

What is your plan for the tractor? What does the hood, grille, mule drive, and front bumper look like? Did you engage the deck? Does he have the operators manual for the tractor and deck? Did you drive it around at all, any leaks, did you run it for at least 10 minutes to bring it up to temp? Did it creep when in neutral, do the brakes work? Does it have the rear PTO (For MCS or tiller (hydro/mechanical)), or 3PT hitch. Any of attachments?

 

[inspectorudy]

As Russ says you need to warm it up and then use it to find if it has any leaks in all the wrong places. Wipe a rag under the tranny after use. Check under the radiator after running it. Run the deck for a few minutes and use the power steering as much as you can to see if it has a lot of play in it. The big three on the 332 are engine/radiator, power steering, and tranny. Everything else can be fixed or replaced at a nominal cost. The deck is a biggie but since it comes in many smaller pieces they can be replaced at will provided it has not rusted through badly under a spindle.

 

[MARK (LI)]

If you are planning on using it for a long time, as opposed to using it for a while and selling it, and ok with investing a thousand in unforeseen, possible problems it is a good deal.... it is considered the diesel version of the 318, which sounds like the best Garden tractor of any make...and those go for more than the amount you stated
...so if you had to go for a grand for a seat,lights,hour meter, tires, belts and battery, and it is not blowing any fluids anywhere I don't think it is overpriced...the other guys have told you what to look for when checking it out properly...good luck with it, sounds like it would be somewhat satisfying getting it back into decent condition and seeing the quick progress doing so....hope it pans out mechanically for you

 

[rfuerst317]

Pull the radiator cap when it is cold and look for ANY signs of a chocolate color , also smell the fluid . You should only see and smell anti freeze . Pull the oil filler cap on the valve cover and look for chocolate goo same thing for the oil dipstick . All of these things are to help you figure out if there is an intermix problem ........ oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil . What you are trying to determine if there is a head gasket issue . They can still run good with a mild leak but mild leaks become major leaks . The comments the others have stated cover all the other major issues . Good luck

 

[wirlybird]

Check the deck carefully around the spindles for rot. CLOSE up inspection. Mine rotted out right under the paint. Looks like moths ate it!

If it is the 50" deck a replacement may be very hard to find or very expensive. I am still looking for a decent shell that won't break the bank.

Like others have said, if the engine and drive train are decent the rest is all bolt-ons.

With everyone seeming to be looking for 332's maybe I ought to consider selling mine!!!

 

[Deere 332]

Check the deck carefully around the spindles for rot. CLOSE up inspection. Mine rotted out right under the paint. Looks like moths ate it!

If it is the 50" deck a replacement may be very hard to find or very expensive. I am still looking for a decent shell that won't break the bank.

Like others have said, if the engine and drive train are decent the rest is all bolt-ons.

With everyone seeming to be looking for 332's maybe I ought to consider selling mine!!!

Yeah I have a feeling 332's are going to start going up in value before too long. I might should look into buying some to rebuild and sell but I really don't need anymore tractors for myself at the moment im up to my eyeballs in them now.

 

[wirlybird]

Yeah I have a feeling 332's are going to start going up in value before too long. I might should look into buying some to rebuild and sell but I really don't need anymore tractors for myself at the moment im up to my eyeballs in them now.

I know it. My 332 is a part of the family. I got an X585 last year so now the 332 is semi retired. I've had it a long time and would hate to part with it so a sale would be for a high price!!