what should I expect of a 318 with 1400hrs?

Hi sawbuckjohn,
I guess you would really have to go look at the machine and do the usual first glance at it, take a look at how he keeps everything else that he has as an indicator. You will obviously want to test drive it, ask him for the service records, etc. There is a lot more that others will offer for you, I was just checking in before I go to bed so my mind is a bit lazy to offer you everything I should. I have had a 318 that I sold to my brother with that many hours, always maintained vey well, it should last him a lot of years if he takes care of it the same way I did. My late father had a 318 that he used for commercial use and 2500+ hrs. still okay, again he religously serviced it.

Good luck,
Jake

John, you definitely want to run it and run it for aboout 10 to 15 minutes, then put it on low idle and see if it surges. Check the PS out, check the hydraulics out (normally onlly has a deck to lift) but see if both levers work. The inside lever has a "float" position so push it away from you and it should move past a "detant" and stay there. It isn't uncommon for the inside lever to be stuck if it was never used. But it can take some work to get them working again. Pull the grill and do a visual inspection around the engine (what you can see) for oil lying in the cradle, also look around the heads to see if any oil leaks are evident. I like to pull the dipstick and see the condition of oil. If it is sludgy then you know maintenance was not done. Hydrostatic tranny should be crisp and move quickly to selected speed, also when reducing speed should stop the machine in neutral. If it has some creep that is adjustable. Check to make sure that both left an right brake function, applied individually they should not return the hydro lever to neutral. Applied together they should bring the hydro lever to the neutral position. Look at the sight tube at the rear of the machine by the right rear tire. Fluid can be either an amber color (JD Hygard) or cherry color ATF Type F. But should be midway up the sight tube when not running. Under the tractor should be a screen from the tranny oil filter to the front under the engine. Check your lights front and rear and check for saftey switch operation (neutral saftey, PTO safety and some have a brake safety switch). Turn the PTO on and off several times while you're doing the running test. If it works but only works once or twice it likely needs adjusted. Pull the cover off the air filter and look if very dirty that will tell you something. Well that's about it, they are great GT's and the Onan is a great engine.

John, as Glockem mentioned, that is a lot of hours for the average 318. Sure, you'll hear of guys like Tony Bachler getting 3,000 hours from one (several actually), but he is an exception rather than rule.

I am not going to set your expectations falsely and tell you the machine is worth a whole bunch. We would have to see pictures, and know a lot of specs, like compression, etc.

However, if the machine was advertised in CL or even a local paper in our area, and was a bargain, it's probably gone already.

Man..., I knew you guys were good (knowledgable) and good natured, but I didn't really expect a response at all, let alone this good of a turnout! Must be snowed in, Huh? 8" here this am.
Ok so here's the deal. On Pennswoods.net- a 318 with plow(4way) and deck-$1500- Go to penns woods and search-John Deere 318 With Plow. It's still there,as of 1:22pm Sat.-21 Jan- It doesn't look bad -and with the plow...,deck, chains- the engine hours seemed high to me but it could be..., what.., 29 years young? I'm not married to this one, so if anyone wants it.., go for it. It's near Cloudersport, PA. Lower left corner of ad is a Google Maps link---

D-Dogg said:

Ok considering the plow is worth $450-$550 this time of year, $1500 isn't high at all.

Click to expand...

I looked at that, but I've also seen a guy down by Somerset.PA., I think, that has had his 4way plow on CL for $450 for 6 weeks, and a 2way also I believe. I guess I'm not ready yet. Maybe when I sell my 9N and 2 way moldboard, and 3pt. disk harrow, or my '61 Wheelhorse 551, or my etc.,etc. I'm keeping my 140 for now. I might just end up being a John Deere man.