Sorry, but Honda's been out of the riding equipment biz for 16 years now. The last one Honda made was actually a Deere painted red and powered by a Honda V-twin engine.

Honda HA4120/18 (1999-2001)

http://www.mytractorforum.com/attach...1&d=1339980687

Just curious if you picked up something

I've been looking and am stumped. The few 318's I've found are $2500-3500 depending on hours/condition. That seems like a ton to pay for a ~30yr old tractor with ~1k hrs. The last thing I need is a motor or major mechanical issue. Maybe buying new makes sense, assuming its in nice shape resales seems to be great. Thing is, you need to spend ~5k to get the decent trans in a JD.

I read up on the kawasaki plastic cam gears, cheap transaxles... geeze, way too many options. Non affordable. Does it make sense to spend ~2k+ and risk an engine issue with a 20yr old kawasaki?

Two good forums for the garden tractor crowd are MyTractorForum and Weekend Freedom Machines I know I have learned a LOT off those two forums. And they both have classifieds for parts and complete tractors for sale. I really like my JD 317 with the Kohler Series II engine ( full pressure lubrication ) but I love my JD 330.......that 3 cylinder water cooled diesel is a beast and sips fuel compared to gas . If you guys were closer I'd make you a deal on my 317 as I don't need both machines. Good luck with your search .

love my 330 as well.

I paid in that range for my JD 420 a few years ago (with snow blower attachment and 60" mower deck). While it is a lot of coin for a 20+ year old machine, you have to consider that something new of similar quality, power, capability is probably a $10k+ machine. My 420 has a Onan engine which is known to last only 1000-1200 hours. The hour meter shows about 2400, and I know the engine was replaced (has a "short block" replacement sticker under hood). Still runs, but I figure I'll have to repower it in the next couple years. There are a number of places that sell kits (I've seen Briggs Vanguard and Honda repower kits). Looks like it will cost $1200 or so and I'll still be ahead of the same vs. buying new. The downtime will be troublesome though.

I understand wanting quality, but if you are just mowing, a cheaper unit will do fine. My current unit is 10 years old, and it was a cheap box store model. I tow a leaf vac with it as well, and it gets a workout.

It depends on what you need it for.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1475941006.jpg

Not sure if Asphalt bought anything yet, but this thread cost me as I was shopping for him. Got a 2003 JD with 25 HP Kohler twin and 54 inch deck.....Low hours, looks like new. Were asking $1,100, I got it for $950. As I have a tractor and ATV to plow snow, I only use this to mow. Now, I have 3 JD riding mowers.....Should sell the 160 in the spring.

Plastic cam gears in the Kawaski: replace the gear with a metal one. Great engine. Water cooled. Just worked on my neighbors JD LX178 he bought new in 1995...Still runs like a top.

Ha, sounds like I'm not the only one with a bug for a new tractor. Nice pickup.

I went to the dealer today to get a look. Not exactly what I was looking for but they have a 2009 x520 for about what a HD/Lowes version will get me. Water cooled, k72 trans, 54" deck... a little banged up with some plastic issues. 54" is a bit big and I need to see if it will even fit, I know its too big for the shed.

I sat on a 325/345, cant remember, and it was a bit cramped, but only after I tried the 520. I know the bigger stuff is overkill but I know I'll overload the cart/trailer and I have no interest in the k46 trans. Of course, that doesnt mean I cant kill whatever I get.

It's only 700 miles... :)

Thanks for the info all, very helpful.

On further examination- it appears that this could be a world first- meaning- this could be the world's first picture where a garden tractor's paint is so perfect you can actually see the photographer's reflection in the side panel!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1475975367.jpg

No kidding. The bar is pretty high. That thing looks perfect.

That pic is about 8 years old. I recently had to repaint the tub.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...i475977302.jpg

Your rear tire is on backwards.

1500 hrs, is that a hightime engine, or just getting broken in?

Targa - Luv your 330.......You move snow with it? Blade or blower? Wheel weights and chains did it for me on my 316 and later a 318......

Yeah I know. I did it on purpose. It seems give me better snow traction. Call me crazy but it seems to work.

54 inch plow blade. If I had to do it over I would get a blower. You can only stack the snow so high with a blade. Plus if it's really deep wet snow it weighs a ton on a long push. Easier to sling it away than push it forward
Thanks for the comps. It's really the best tool I have ever bought.

Agree about pushing with a blade, BUT, I tried a single stage blower on my 316.....Unless we got a very rare dry, powder snow, the blower plugged up continually....WE get wet snow here and the only blowers you see are the walk behind.......I blade as much as I can with my JD tractor and ATV, then move it with my tractor bucket....

Great info

Worst part is this is taking so long, I really just want help with the pending leaves. I found a 318 with a single stage blower. Seems like a good idea but when you really need it the 2 stage would be better. But, my driveway is only ~200' and for the cost of a used blower I can get a decent stand along snowblower. I dont have enough work to warrant big equipment.


I wonder about that too. I read the water cooled kawasaki's are good for 1500+ and the old yanmar diesels go 2000+ for many but you really never know.