Comments on: John Deere 318

By: GRAYSON RAMSBURG

GRAYSON RAMSBURG — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:44:19 +0000

Performance
Reliability
Safety
Overall Satisfaction

I HAVE PUSHED HEAVY SNOW WITH NO PROBLEM AND MOWED HEAVY WET GRASS WITH EASE.IALSO MOVE DIRT WITH THE THE BLADE WITH NO PROBLEM.

Year of Manufacture: 1989

Pros: BUILT VERY WELL,PLENTY OF POWER,HANDLES WELL.EASY TO OPERATE.

Cons: PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE (BUT MOST ARE)

Attachments: 50IN. BLADE,50IN. MOWER DECK.

Modifications: NONE

By: Ken O.

Ken O. — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:35:52 +0000

Performance
Reliability
Safety
Overall Satisfaction

I bought my 318 17 years ago and used it full time until 6 or 7 years ago when I bought a 345. I kept the 318 as a backup and to do really tough jobs. The 345 was supposed to be the replacement for the 318 but it is lighter with a deck than the 318 is without one. The 318 is much heavier duty and has individual rear brakes which is important on very steep lawns like mine. The 318 is old but I have no plans of getting rid of it because the newer tractors of a similar size aren't built nearly as well. The only thing I don't like about it is that it will not plow up steep hills because the weight of the blade takes weight off of the rear wheels.

Year of Manufacture: 1988

Pros: Tough, dependable, strong and durable

Cons: Hand speed control is inconvenient (but all there was at the time)

Attachments: 50" deck, snow blade with power angle

Modifications: none

By: Curt

Curt — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:13:56 +0000

Performance
Reliability
Safety
Overall Satisfaction

Love it, bestest lawn/garden trac I have ever owned. I suggest useing the medium lift gator blades.

Year of Manufacture: 1985

Pros: Part Tank Loyal WorkHorse

Cons: Onan pistons and rings are spendy with a long delay of getting.

Attachments: Blower, blade, tiller, cab.

Modifications: Modified mower deck and snow blower, added increased RPM to blades and auger by at least 10 percent

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:58:05 +0000

Performance
Reliability
Safety
Overall Satisfaction

I love this Deere!! I bet you would too.

Year of Manufacture: 1987

Pros: Built to last and last it will with care. For sure one of the best Lawn & Garden Tractors john Deere ever built or ever will! Keeps a Good resale valve too. A good used one is well worth looking for.

Cons: The O-nan is well built --runs strong and has a sound all its own,But does like its gas, Love the

Attachments: Are many and not to hard to fine--But not cheap for most part

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:17:22 +0000

Performance
Reliability
Safety
Overall Satisfaction

Best lawn tractor I have ever owned

Year of Manufacture: 1983

Pros: This is a tank. I get it serviced each year by a John Deere dealer to keep it is good shape. I have a 50 inch deck and a JD single stage snow blower. I spent $2,000 for it three years ago. It is in better shape now than any brand new $2,000 lawn tractor I could have bought back then would be after 3 years. Go, find a used 318 and if it is in good shape - buy it.

Cons: Have to look around a bit to find implements for it (snow-blower weights, etc...), but you can find them fairly easily.

Attachments: Mower Deck- 50 Single stage Snow Blower Trailer Grass Sweeper

By: Marky Mark

Marky Mark — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:09:45 +0000

I really feel that this is a reasonable tractor. I cut a huge amount of lawns with my landscaping business, and this tractor performs well, but not as well as some of my other lawn mowers

Pros: Quality grass cutter from JD, but am definitely thinking of trading it in for a newer model

Cons: Starting to slow up a bit in her old age...only noticeable when you are cutting many acres per day, so don't take this a serious con

Attachments: Just the 46 inch mower deck and bagger.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:55:19 +0000

My JD 318 is a fantastic piece of machinery. I just destroys lawns with ease, whether the grass is wet or dry, long or short (obviously dry and short is easy!).

Pros: Absolutely flawless & powerful cutting. Really easy to use. I just wish the grass clippings collecting attachment was a little bigger.

Cons: Small grass collection bag at the back, but other than that, there is nothing bad about this mower.

Attachments: The grass collection bag obviously. Sometimes I stick a torch on the engine hood with some duct tape when it's getting dark as I can cut grass with this baby even when it's dark

By: Tennessee Terry

Tennessee Terry — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:30:40 +0000

I have owned a 318, for app. 6 years. It has a 46″ deck with teh blower and 2 bagger attachment. Is this model not very good at picking up leaves? I seem to have many chopped up leaf pieces all over the yard. I really like the frame, and how well built the 318 is, but this leaf issue is leaving me a mess. Any advise? Thank you in advance.
Terry Hayes