Deere 318
 

I had a deere 318 given to me and I have known these people for 30 years. Her husband got shot in a bar 2 years ago. She asked if would be interested in this mower. She said it had an oil leak on the front was all she knew. I don't have here at the house, it is at my property 40 miles away. I believe it is an onan because it is horizontally opposed. That is completely a quess. How close is the 318 to any of the CC models. Thank you for any help. I am working on the 2284 right now and waiting for my shop on the property to be built before I will work on it at all.

Well.... it's a John Deere not a Cub, so they aren't really anything alike at all.... except for function.

Yes, it is an Onan, but that has NOTHING to do with the fact it has a horizontal opposed motor. The 317 had a Kohler in it. It's an Onan unless it's been replaced, which is possible.

The 318 uses the same hydrostat as a Cub Cadet, as in the U-15 Sundstrand unit, but a totally different set up. Different input and output shafts on it. Other than that..... nothing like a Cub. Probably the closest thing to it is an 1864.

The 318 is a very good machine, and I'd latch on to it if you can. For further questions, hit up Weekend Freedom Machines. The guys on that site will help you out.

Deere, just like Cadet, built some really nice machines, and some competition grade Murray equivalents. I don't keep up with Deere's. I THINK, but don't know, that model was in competition with 6/782 and 1811/12. I believe with Deere you had to get into the 4XX series to be in the "Super" class. I will say Deere has about the best parts support in the industry on everything they have ever made. The only thing I have found that they no longer support is the older 2 cycle stuff made by Echo for them. Regarding value, the entire US for some reason thinks anything Green is worth more $$$.

Thank you John and J. I am new so I am trying to absorb everything. I wasn't thinking that message through when I sent it. I thought IH built a lot of the machines for both companies and therefore would have a lot of the same parts. With a little more thought I realize that even if they did build for both they would be building a cub design for cub and a deere design for deere. I am trying to figure out the 2284 rather quickly to get going with my land clearing. The 318 will be on the back burner until I have time to figure out what problem they were having with it. I only have $500.00 invested total in both so I have great start and the knowledge on this site is amazing. Thank you. Steve.

IH built the Cub Cadets until MTD bought them. John Deere builds John Deere. MTD built the Sabre line of tractors for Deere years and years after the 318 was made.

Cub Cadet never made anything for Deere, and neither did IH. Deere never built anything for IH, or Cub Cadet.

Not to go off topic but here is what is funny to me, Ross made steering boxes for both, neither used their own engines, Sunstrand made hydro pumps for both, and Peerless made transmissions for Deere, I think a few Cadets, and even--(don't tell the Deere guys this) CRAFTSMAN. And lots not forget, the IH agricultural department made that wonderful cast iron rear end looooong before enybody at IH ever thought of a riding lawn mower. Hmm, frames sheet metal and decks, yeah that's about all either gets credit for.:bigeyes:

By the way, I respect the green things enough to know that a 318 is a great machine. I just like yellow (or red).:beerchug:

Thank you both again. I am trying to absorb everything. I am so excited to pick up very decent units and find this website with all of the people and knowledge on this site. I will probably sign up with the Weekend Freedom Machines also to pick up info as I go on the 318. It was free so I have a lot of leeway on what I do with it to get it up and going.

My late Grandfather last JD was 318. Very good tractor and a real work horse. It even had power steering in addition to hydraulic lift.

I grew up Green :biggrin2:

My dad has a 318, put a few hundred hours on it and the 314,317 that preceded it. If I could find one at a reasonable price, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Opposed twin, power steering, dual spool hydro, independent brakes; the only negative is the headlights, completely useless. The 54" power angle snow blade on the front is the cats pajamas.

I grew up greene also.

People are awfully proud of those 318's, there are several on the local CL and they're all over 2k. To rich for my blood.