"I have a 1988 318 with a 50-inch mower. I have really liked it except the Onan engine, which has made a great tractor seem not as great. I like the looks of a couple different replacement engines, but can't see spending so much for a new engine only to have the deck needing major work or replacing."

"1st time owning a John Deere of this size. I received this mower/tractor from my Dad. I know this was his baby. This tractor has been very reliable for all his needs since he received it in 2004 with having 598 hours on it at that time. My Dad used it mainly for mowing a 3 acre lot and snow blowing. This mower is in great condition with the exception of the paint and minor wear and tear items. A things work with the exception of needing to adjust the PTO clutch due to installing the clutch and not knowing the proper installation and adjustment."

"Trying to find another. I use it for mowing, snow removal, hauling and general landscaping task. Its twin Onan 18 HP delivers more than enough power. I've fabricated a front end scoop from a 48" inch blade. I'm able to pickup and move a variety of material. I may at some point add a 3-point hitch. Would not trade it or sell it. "

"Very reliable, minimal maintenance required. Few breakdowns."

"I purchased my 318 recently as a project. It had a bad starter on it and the owner didn't want to spend the money that the John Deere dealer wanted to fix it. So I bought it and replaced the starter. The tractor ran great when I got it started. It's appearance was pretty rough. So I decided I would try and restore it. It took me a couple of months to get it done, but it turned out pretty good. I have since bought a snow blower to go with it. Being all hydraulic and having the power steering, it is very easy to handle even with the snow blower hanging on the front. I have heard this lawn tractor called one of the best that John Deere ever built. I would have to agree."

"The 318 is an excellent lawn tractor. I use mine all over the farm moving firewood and feed in my 80 dump cart. The lawn tractor has plenty of power to take care of business, even without bar tires it still pulls fine. I also have about 10 acres of grass I mow and it takes care of that without any problem."

"I purchased this unit used from a private party. The engine was completely rebuilt. The frame professional repainted. The tractor looks like it just rolled of the assembly line. I have an older 318, which is my work horse, so this one is mostly for show and play. Will add pics later. "

"I like to repair older equipment. But only if it was better than average when new. It is hard to go wrong re-powering a 300 series JD. Easy to work on & has value when done. Did a Kohler V twin. Cut the lawn better than most. Blow snow great. Just a good value."

"I bought this tractor about five years ago used. It had then a new replacement MOW 140/318 48" mowing deck. The tractor had 1000 hours on it. I found it at a Tri-Green John Deere dealership. It at that time had a flat front tire and dead battery. It was a fresh trade-in that they had not looked at yet. I bought it wholesale for $300.00. I brought my trailer along with a 12-volt air compressor, pumped up the flat tire and jumped it with my truck then loaded it and brought it home. I mowed two full acres of grass with it up until last fall, when I decided it was time to restore it. I stripped it to the rolling chassis painted all of the chassis along with the wheels. I then placed a freshly built Onan P-218 engine in it and painted all of the exterior panels. I replaced the seat cushion and seat assembly with a suspension seat off of a later model 345 tractor. All part's on the tractor that showed wear were replaced when I restored it. I added a set of bar tire's to it as well as rear wheel weights. I have since added a model 30 hydraulic tiller with the optional 12" tine extension kit to it that tills a full 42" cut as well as a 54" four way hydraulic dirt dozer blade that I restored as well. I have just $2600.00 in my complete package now and it is the last tractor that I will need in my life time. "

"TractorByNet.com---very good reading and lots of info to help with anything you run into."