John Deere 318 4.80 star(s) (26)

318 John Deere
Model Year: 1986

These 318's are great tractors and built like a tank. I owned a 316 before I bought this one, and it too was a good tractor, but didn't have dual hydraulics or power steering. My 318 has a 50" deck and is by far the best tractor I've owned. If you're thinking about buying one, go for it. They don't build them like this anymore.

Pros: Tough, reliable and easy to handle. Lots of attachments available.
Cons: Electrical system is complicated to work on.

John Deere 318
Model Year: 1985

I bought this machine on the spring of 1985 a 316 and six years ago I bought a 318 frame with power train and put my 16 hp Onan to it and kept my 316 for parts if I ever needed any. I did this because I wanted the power steering and the dobble hydralic levelers for my snow blade controls rather then getting off and on to turn the blades direction. It has been a work horse for me year round and has been problem free of major repair. Over the years I replaced things like plugs, points, seat, battery, tires mower bearings all done by myself. Oh, I also have the 316 body on the 318 power train frame because I had recently painted it when I bought 318 frame. The motor has been an excellent engine to this day.

Pros: Easy to operate and excellent handling.
Cons: There are no cons on part.

Excellent Tractor
Model Year: 1985

I bought this tractor a 316 and in 2006 I bought a 318 body frame and transmission and rear end for the extras like the power steering, dobble hydraulic lift for snow blade operating and put the 316 motor in it. I have had this tractor since new and has been a workhorse year round, lawn, garden tilling and pushing snow in winters since I bought it. I just ordered a rebuild engine block cause I notice a little lost of compression on both cylinders and if winter is as bad as last I don't want to have to be repairing it right in the middle of it. I do not know the hours on this tractor cause it didn't come with the hour meter, but like I said I used it year round for the last 26 yrs since I bought it. I still have my 316 body and power train that was working excellent to the time I pull the motor off in the summer of 2006. Can't complain. 5 Star.

Pros: Ideal for everything around the yard and more. everything you can for of a garden tractor. Too bad John Deere don't build them anymore.
Cons: None as far as I am concerned.

Excellent Machine!!!!!!!!!!
Model Year: 1985

The best lawn and garden tractor ever built. I have been using 318's for the past 15 years and there has only been very few things that I have thrown at it that it couldn't handle! It has taken the hardest abuse I have ever thrown at a machine and kept right on taking it! Many people are afraid of the durability of the hydrostatic transmission but after using this tractor they will realize that there is nothing to be nervous about! Attachments for these model tractors are indestructible. The 54" blade w/ hydro lift & angle being my favorite. It beats the stuffing out of Manual lifting the plow and getting off to change the angle. I plan for my 318 to serve me for a very long time.

Pros: Dependable, Powerful, Power steering, Hydraulic attachements.
Cons: OEM headlights arent even worth turning on. Thats it!

318
Model Year: 1994

This thing is an absolute tank. Just wont die, but it is getting old & tired.

Pros: Build quality, you can always get parts, and relatively easy to fix.
Cons: Design is dated and not too many features.

My Johnny
Model Year: 1989

Best tractor ever made. The bench mark that all others strive for.

Pros: Lots of power, ease of use, lots of attachments.
Cons: A little gas hungry.

Photo Uploads:

Good So Far
Model Year: 1988

I just bought this tractor it is my first. It was a good price for the feature provided. Mine has a blade and a mowing deck. Unfortunately the piston on the blade blew last week replacement cost from JD is 300! I should be able to have it fixed though. The tractor is built like a tank. Even though I could have paid less for some CC that were much newer. Nothing that I have come across is built like this tractor.

Pros: Powerful, good cutter.
Cons: JD parts are expensive.

When it Runs, it Runs Like a Deere; When it Doesn't, It's a Pain to Fix
Model Year: 1987

I've owned my 318 since new in 1987. It was an expensive tractor at the time. It never started reliably until last year, when I found out about a kit that modified the ignition wiring and fixed the problem with the starter solenoid. Maintenance has been a pure *****. Anything that needs to be repaired/replaced is always more difficult to work on because of the design of the tractor and the Onan engine that powers it. Too much of the maintenance requires a lot of dis-assembly. The wiring layout is abysmal, even for 1987 standards. One of these days I hope to tear it all down and rebuild it with reliability and usability in mind: two things Deere didn't think of when designing this tractor.

Pros: Runs well when it runs.
Cons: No other piece of equipment I own has required so much maintenance time.

A 28 Year Old JD 318 Instead of a New X748
Model Year: 1985

The original owner bought this machine when it was new to mow his new 3 acre property. Shortly after he moved in a developer approached him and he sold all but his 1/4 acre building site. The machine was too big for his needs but he had no need for money so he kept it in his garage most of the time. When he died last winter he left his estate to his three grandchildren, none of whom had any interest in old John Deere lawnmower. They advertised it on Craigslist and I bought it the same day. I thought I'd have to replace the carburetor after all that sitting, but it responded to a thorough cleaning. There's still lots of little things to service and replace, but so far so good.

Pros: Paid cash and could stay out of debt.
Cons: Old technology; Onan engine parts are hard to find.

John Deere 318
Model Year: 1987

This has been an excellent mower for my 3 acres. Very strongly built. I can use it like a weedwacker in brush. It's old, so some things are now happening that need attention: uses oil, a short in the ignition that sometimes makes it not start at all, I have to jiggle the PTO switch and then it starts, and sometimes the starter "clunks". In any event, since the body is excellent (metal) if the engine, an Onan, needs to be overhauled or replaced, I would rehab it in this original body. My neighbors have all purchased newer mowers, different makes; they will have trouble within the first 6 months. My husband and I purchased this when it was 10 years old; never anything major. My one complaint is not the mower, but the service. Since I am so far from town to get to the John Deere place, I have to tow it there; I don't have a trailer, so I have to depend on a neighbor to do that. If I have the JD place do the delivery, it costs me $150 for the round trip. Then, the hourly rate is very high. I try to do my yearly maintenance myself, but I am not a mechanic, and am now a widow with limited funds. In any event, I would still purchase this again, I have owned it 15 years.

Pros: Excellent workmanship.
Cons: Expensive to have serviced.