Decisions decisions (John Deere content)

[Sarc]

Now that the snow is melted, the grass on my newly purchased 2 acres is starting grow, and my Honda walk-behind isn't going to cut it.

So, thanks to this thread, along with this rabbit hole, I've convinced myself that a 318 would be just what I need for grass trimming, tilling, blowing snow, etc. Well, what I would really like is a JD430, but those are pretty rare, and pricey.
At the end of the day, it's just a mower, but I want something that will last me a long time, be easy to service, and that's built in a way that earned JD its reputation. Are the LT's robust and worthy of being lumped into that category, or was it designed with planned obsolescence in mind?

I've stumbled on a mint, time capsule of a 318 (300 hours). Trying to be somewhat pragmatic, I've also uncovered a 'modern' LT160 (Kohler) that's equally clean, but a grand cheaper. To throw another option in the mix, there's also a newly restored and re-ringed 318 with 1200 hours at the same pricepoint of door number 1.

Door number 1:



Door number 2:

[wswartzwel]

The LT160 is not going to last like a 318... The older mowers were built much better. Also the hoods become brittle on the newer John Deere's and break into pieces... and are quite expensive to replace.

[VincentVega]

I wouldnt compare an LT to a 318, different class in my mind. A 318 is usually worth fixing and has resale in most areas. I think newer models are losing out to zero turns for most that mostly mow. Old, solid tanks will have a market, if niche, for a while.

[mgatepi]

Oh man, do yourself a favor and buy a new Zero turn mower!!! You will save so much time and frustration with keeping an old mower mowing!!
Just bite the bullet!
I went through the same ordeal about 20 years ago, bought a used JD 285 in what appeared to be excellent condition....lasted about 5 years, then bought a used Cub Cadet, got about 5 years before sh-t was falling off. My mow time was about 2.5 hours for my 2+ acres. (lots of turns and hills). I then went and bought a stupid expensive Dixie Chopper, my mow time now is 1 hour 10 mins. I also bought a snow plow for it and it works fantastic!! I have had ZERO problems with it!!
It hurt writing the check, but looking back it was the best decision!!!

[Toast54]

Haul it around with this.

[pavulon]

This isn’t even worth a moment’s contemplation. Buy the one that’s not disposable.. Done.

[Geoz1]

318s are stellar tractors. A tiller for a 318 is pricey, but worth the money, if you want to till.

If you only want to mow, go with a zero turn. Not one from a box store, but a commercial model. The Husqvarna M-ZT 52 with a Kawasaki is a excellent machine. A friend has been using 2 of them for his business, for the last 4 or so years. Both are over 1000 hours, with very little issues, besides normal maintenance.

[ckelly78z]

The 318 is a real garden tractor (with not many equals) that will last for many, many years if taken care of (just like a 911). Most of the horror stories you hear about John Deere's, are the ones that have been bought from a home improvement store, and neglected/abused for years. I currently own 3 JDs, a 1987 4x4 diesel 955, a 1978 214. With all the attachments (including a 39" rototiller) and a 1972 310 industrial backhoe that can dig 10' deep, and lift 10,000#+. I cant think of a different brand that beats their reliability, resale, or looks.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

+1 for the 318.

One thing to look at is to consider overall price vs. a worst case scenario.

Okay, so the 318 engine blows up. So what? There are MANY repower options available.
Factor a repower into the overall price, then you will have a "worst case $", and then you can have peace of mind when it comes time to make a choice.

Also, for peace of mind look up reliability of the zero turn, some of the zero turns have transmission problems. Make sure yours is bulletproof.

Things like blades, belts, pulleys, and bearings will all wear about the same on all of these- well, even more so for the cheap one.

Skip the box store tractor.

edit- Also I notice a cat 0 rear rocker arm assembly hanging off the back fo the 318. Worth it's weight in gold in terms of versatility for small yard projects. You can mount a rear blade, a small rear box, a small rear scoop, all sorts of stuff. Great for grading gravel, moving mulch, small grading jobs involving loose dirt. I have a small rear 3 point myself, and it has been great.No- it's not a cat-3, but it's nice. Also the 318 rear tires will take real weights. The box store thing will not. The zero turn will not.

[jwasbury]

Faced with a similar dilemma I bought a JD 420 5 years ago to care for my country property in PA. In fairness I have beaten the living piss out of it, but it hasn’t been without issues. I recently ended up repowering the old Onan with a Honda. I probably could have gotten more life out of the Onan, but I was tired of stupid little problems popping up and me always having to wrench on it.

I considered selling it and getting a zero turn since I also bought a Kubota B series, but concluded the repower was worth it. A zero turn of similar quality and toughness was going to be a five figure check or nearly so. Add to that my 420 has a 46” snowblower attachment and a log splitter attachment and it just made sense to repower.