Guys, I get it....I know it's not technically "correct" to blow the grass clippings toward the inside and pile them up when mowing....but I was helping the homeowner get ready for an outdoor party that weekend and was not just going to leave wet grass clippings all over the yard where people would be walking around. They were planning to have a kickball or football game outside (I can't remember which) and it would have been too messy to leave the grass clippings spread out everywhere, so I had to pile them up into windrows and then sweep them up.
I just discovered your channel and I understand im five years late but keep up the good work. For me, mowing has always been fun. Especially riding on my grandfather's john deere when i was a baby.
Thanks for tuning in! Glad you are enjoying the channel. I rode on my uncle's JD 318 when I was a baby and it stuck with me ever since...it's one of those things you always remember, and it spawned my interest in tractors and equipment.
This is gonna be long but bear with me. I got a 2 year later update: So during a job with my dad fixing a Husqvarna lawn tractor I acquired a John Deere LT166 completely free of charge. I didn't fiddle with it that much until recently where I fixed it up and actually got some guy in Maryland to trade me an "in okay shape 212". Worked out in my favor since I actually had a mower deck for it laying around as well as some parts too. Had to fix some things here and there but so far I enjoy it. Might go bigger to a 316 later, but as of today it works for me.
How come everyone mows with the chute pointed towards the inside? doesnt it just make it harder for the machine? i always mow 2 laps around the outside with the chute pointed inside, then i go around the rest of it with it pointed on the outside. Also that 316 is a BEAST! i bet my 400 would get that done in no time (60 inch deck helps)
Griffin Delawder I never make left turns when I mow lawns because then the discharge chute is facing the house or the street or something, so I got into the habit of always turning right. In a case like this, yes it does make a huge pile in the middle, but the Onan likes to work hard so it didn't bother it. Plus this lawn was going to look like a hay field when it was done and they were looking to play a game of kickball so I couldn't have dead grass laying everywhere. So I blew it all into windrows to get it out of the way. The 400 is a great machine for the job with the 60" deck. These guys used to have a 425 but it crapped out on them and they got rid of it. They don't have a lot of money so I'm trying to help them find another heavy duty Deere for a decent price that will do all their mowing work without a problem.
Thanks, That is encouraging to hear. I have looked at new ones which for me must include PS, and there is so much plastic that I am not used to. I will check out the video. I bought a pre air filter last week and the JD parts guy offered the comment that everything is getting very hard to get on them.
Most of the parts for the 318's and similar models are out there and easy to get. Deere puts an insane markup on Onan engine parts but they can be bought much cheaper through a Cummins dealer or through suppliers like Boomer's Onan Parts, OnanParts.com, and a few others.
You're right, those 300 series John Deere's can really take a beating, my family used to have an old 332 Diesel and that thing was amazing, it out performed an old Huskee lawn tractor that they also had, they sold it along with the lawn tractor and got a Cub Cadet Commercial zero turn and to this day I wish they never sold that thing, I miss how reliable and powerful it was.
There's simply no replacement for the older garden tractors. They were all really dependable machines back then. I'd take a 300 series over a brand new X700 series any day.
The 1990(ish) CRAFTSMAN 12HP OHV lawnrider at my house has recently been having fuel problems, dying, trying to die, etc. in fact its old fuel hose broke so we had to salvage a "new" hose from a 17hp V-twin MTD Yard Machines lawntractor and yes we had to cut the hose. The old fuel filter was still good though :)
Now I understand. All this happened last December and the 318 runs fine now. He did pull the engine and cost just short of $500. Actually the lack of spark problem got set up after I removed the plugs and kicked the engine to bring the zerks into position for grease gun fitting. Did this 25 times. Zerks always ended facing up. Deere does not say how to bring into proper position. Your help is greatly appreciated. I caught your suggested video.
Scienceburritto Thanks man. Great machine for the job. I made a second video the next day when I finished working on this property. Need to edit and upload it.
Wow your into weather aswell I used to collect weather radios I still have them plugged in and I own a 2016 x730 with a 54inch high capacity mower deck with auto connect and a 47 inch Quik hitch snowblower.
1944johndeerel I love mowing with my 210, but ever since that cursed K301 got put in it it hasn't been right. Besides this 316 hydro with a twin-cylinder Onan is a much smoother and stronger machine for all the mowing I do, plus shaft drive so less belts to worry about.
Awesome video! Hope my next mower will be a 316, but it so hard to find them close to where I live. I'm sick of the new lawn tractors companies are putting out now, they are just not built like they used to be.
Thanks for the comment! I've got a new X570 and it sure is a stout tractor and it mows flawlessly (for what it's worth it's a tough machine), but at the end of the day, nothing can compare to the toughness of the old machines like my 316.
I have the 1978 316 with a kholer engine It works good but i don't get tornado hurricanes earthquakes forest fires. Nice video lots of work farming is love of work
I can't believe I just spent 30 minutes watching someone mow..... :) Just bought a house in WNY, and at my agent's suggestion asked that they throw in the John-Deere that was sitting in the garage. As the owner had passed, and the 3 girls were married and living in N. Carolina and they wanted to sell, they agreed. Just before the sale, went into the garage to take another look at the JD, and with all the crap thrown away I noticed they also had the snow blower attachment! This is a small 1.4 acre house with a pond, so could have gotten away with a regular riding mower. It took a bit to crank up in Feb, no idea how long it had been sitting there, never saw a trickle charger and doubt the blower had actually been used. Its pretty rusted out, and I was thinking about trying to find some replacement panels/etc, which is how I came across your video. Don't think its leaking, and wondering what I'd be looking at $$-wise to make it half as nice as your's is. Subscribed!
+Boots Thanks! Hopefully you have one of the heavier-duty Deere tractors like this 316. The low-end models are cheaply built and will not last a long time but most of the old equipment is pretty durable. The heavy-duty garden tractors last much longer as well. I didn't restore this tractor so it's hard to say, and it depends on how you want to restore it and how often you're going to be using it.
+MichaelTJD60 Thanks, and I forgot to say its an '89 316 which is nice with the 18hp engine. Lots of rust but started right up. The blower I don't if it works, don't even know how to hook it up yet but one guy on YT does have a video with one wherein he mentioned having to replace a bearing on the side. Sad to hear about the fire, hope you put up a quick video of what it looked like then, and for the rebuild.
Awesome, you lucked out. Hooking up the blower is usually pretty straightforward but I've never had a blower on one of these so I can't really help you there. I am uploading a video of the burnt tractor now.
Hi Michael dig the tractor. I just picked up one yesterday. It a 1991 John Deere 316 H1 has 1200 hours on it. I did not know it came with a 18 hp motor like the 318. Today I bought on ebay H2 used hydraulic system off a 316 hoping to up grade the tractor to the H2 so I can plow with it next winter. After watching your snow plowing videos not to excited on using a lever to move the plow side to side. Also just a tip on moving a lawn or field. Yes you should go around the whole yard but to mow it quicker and I think will look nicer I would recommend go up and down or side to side never understood why people go in circles just takes longer and does not look nice just saying. I will try to up load a video on swaping out the hydraulics. Maybe you can too instead of using the lever to move the snow plow side to side will make life a lot easier.
+PK GREEN The later 316's made after 1986 used the 18 HP. Hopefully the H2 hydraulic system works out good for ya. I thought about getting H2 hydraulics but I don't really have much of a use for them. I will however be upgrading to dual brake pedals because I could really use them. I don't normally go in circles when I mow but this yard had not been mowed in a very long time and I was trying to pile up all the clippings into one windrow instead of spreading them across the whole yard and making a mess. I've mowed this lawn 2 or 3 more times since this video and now that I got the high grass tackled I just stripe the whole yard. Makes it a lot easier.
+PK GREEN The manual angle kit for my blade came off a 140 so I had to make a couple modifications for it to work on the 316. Since the snow plowing video, I've extended the handle and the bracket that holds it to the dash tower, and I've also replaced the spring that holds the blade latch pin in place, so it's much easier to use now.
Interesting. Any comments I would have had are answered. I have a well maintained 318 with 1790 hours and just wonder how long until I have a problem that is not easy to solve.
A properly maintained 318 is easily a 3000+ hour machine. I just uploaded a video a couple months ago discussing the proper steps to take in order to make that Onan engine last - I highly recommend checking it out if you have time.
I realize this vid is 4 years old but if you're still replying to comments I figured you'd be a good person to ask this. I found one of these with the Odin with 800 hours for $1200, but I'm also just considering a brand new E100 from Lowe's for $1400. I know the quality isn't what it used to be but for my 1 1/4 acre slightly sloped yard I fear this beast may be too much for it. Any thoughts?
You can never have too much tractor. You'll appreciate having the heavier-duty machine for the slope in your yard. Plus, you can run all different kinds of attachments for snow plowing and garden work if you need....the E100 can't exactly do that (they do sell snow plows and other misc. attachments for them, but the frame and transmission won't hold up). Just make sure the engine in the 316 runs good and doesn't knock, smoke, or use much oil.
Yes I know. The people who live here were going to use the field for a football game the next day and the clippings were so thick I had to blow them into contained sections otherwise they would make a mess.
Great video. Very informative. I'm currently looking for a JD rider, but am not as much of a gear head as I presume you are.... I'm looking to mow a hilly acre of grass a couple times a week and snow blow lots of snow, (live in the snow belt by lake erie). My question is....if you had 1500 bucks to spend, would you purchase a newer X300 with very low hrs, (around 100) or would you rather buy an older JD316 again? (one that's in nice shape...) And why? I am actually in this predicament now, and looking for a little advice! Thanks!
Hey Eric. Given your budget, most newer tractors are going to be out of your range. An X300 is a good mowing machine but they use the K46 transaxle which is a cheap non-serviceable unit. Good for 300 hours and then they usually lose power and become useless. They wear out even quicker mowing a lot of hills. Especially on a used X300 that already has a lot of hours I would be skeptical. For your budget I would look into an older GT275 model with the beefy transaxle for climbing hills, plus a 48" or 54" deck. You could also look into a 260, 265, or 285 which are the same tractor just older. Then of course you could always buy a classic 200 or 300 series tractor which were JD's flagship machines. They have a very strong frame and they used either Kohler cast iron, Onan, or Yanmar Diesel engines which are tougher than most of the Kawasaki's out there today. A 200 series would have a 10 to 16 HP Kohler depending on the model, plus a belt driven 4-speed gear transmission which is good for climbing hills. A 300 series, like my 316, would have either a Kohler or Onan engine and a shaft-driven automatic transmission which has more than enough power for hill climbing and pulling heavy loads. The 318 is considered one of the toughest Deere ever built, and they can be pricey and difficult to find in good condition. So I bought a 316 which is the next size down.
I have a 210 that I paid $275 for in original running and working condition. You could buy a 200 series for up to $750 in running condition with a mower deck. You could buy a 300 series with a Kohler engine for about $400-$1000 depending on condition, or a later 300 series with an Onan engine (like my 316 or a 318) for $1100 up. The only problem is Onan engines are hard to get parts for so if you find one make sure it runs good.
1944johndeerel Deere's headlights do suck, I hate the ones on the 210. I'm pretty sure the PO installed new headlight bulbs when he restored the 316 because these lights are nice and bright. Might be those halogen upgrade lights or something. I can see fine. I've mowed at night with the 316 tons of times already and haven't had a problem.
Not trying to bash the 316, but I’ll never understand why John Deere thought it would be a good idea to give the 316 Onan a single hydraulic spool when they gave its Kohler powered sister two hydraulics just a few years prior.
There's no connection between the 316 Kohler and 316 Onan, just a coincidence with the model numbers. The 316 Onan (single spool, single brake, no power steering) was designed to be an economy version of the 318 (dual spools, dual brakes, power steering). 318's were selling like hotcakes in their first year of production, so they released the 316 the following year as a cheaper stripped-down version of it. The 316 Onan replaced the 314, and the 318 is what eventually replaced the 316 Kohler (316K --> 317 --> 318)
If I could ask one more question. During the winter, following my greasing the zerks on the drive shaft, the engine would turn but had no spark to the plugs. The mechanic who has served me well the 4-5 times I have needed him over 10 years insisted that I needed a CRANK TRIGGER. I see that they are usually used on high performance engines and am unsure whether my Onan had one which he replaced. The engine runs well and he is some distance from me and he was not there when I went over. Anything which you could enlighten me on what happened here , with this little information,would be appreciated.
The P218 engine uses electronic ignition which does use a crank trigger under the flywheel to generate spark. But first I would test for spark at the plug wires and the coil leads - if the coil isn't providing spark then there's a good chance the crank trigger has failed. Last one I bought was around $150 from OnanParts, it will require pulling the engine out and removing the flywheel.
It's a garden tractor, with an opposed twin engine that makes more torque than a small car. Won't hurt a thing, as long as you travel slowly, keep the engine cooling fins clean, and remove any grass buildup on the deck. They were built for this kind of work.
Tristan Baker Hey man don't worry, the time will come. 3 years ago today the 210 showed up at my house. Had to go 3 hours to pick it up. Just had to wait for the right deal. And it took me about 3 years to find a 300 series in this condition and the price was just right. Deere's can be expensive but always keep an eye open.
Tristan Baker Down your way I'd think the prices would be a bit better. I live in NJ where everyone buys a riding mower from Home Depot so I had to do a bit of traveling. Don't be afraid to travel.
NJRAILFAN & RACEFAN88 Well the 210 isn't in any shape to work right now sadly. It can handle some high grass but even this would be kind of tough for it.
Lol no, I had pulled the engine out to change a couple leaky seals and fix a governor issue and a week after I put it back together and got it running again, something electrical got hot and sparked a fire.
Looks good. Of course, my family, who owns a chain of John Deere Dealorships in Florida, once had a 318 on their summer property in NC, which was my grandfather's lawn tractor, switched it out in 1989 (several months after he died), with a 420 (the property was 3 acres). It took around 3 hours to mow. Since then, in 1998, they switched the 420 out for a 455 and more recently got an X700 series tractor.
Guys, I get it....I know it's not technically "correct" to blow the grass clippings toward the inside and pile them up when mowing....but I was helping the homeowner get ready for an outdoor party that weekend and was not just going to leave wet grass clippings all over the yard where people would be walking around. They were planning to have a kickball or football game outside (I can't remember which) and it would have been too messy to leave the grass clippings spread out everywhere, so I had to pile them up into windrows and then sweep them up.
I just discovered your channel and I understand im five years late but keep up the good work. For me, mowing has always been fun. Especially riding on my grandfather's john deere when i was a baby.
Thanks for tuning in! Glad you are enjoying the channel. I rode on my uncle's JD 318 when I was a baby and it stuck with me ever since...it's one of those things you always remember, and it spawned my interest in tractors and equipment.
This is gonna be long but bear with me.
I got a 2 year later update:
So during a job with my dad fixing a Husqvarna lawn tractor I acquired a John Deere LT166 completely free of charge. I didn't fiddle with it that much until recently where I fixed it up and actually got some guy in Maryland to trade me an "in okay shape 212". Worked out in my favor since I actually had a mower deck for it laying around as well as some parts too. Had to fix some things here and there but so far I enjoy it. Might go bigger to a 316 later, but as of today it works for me.
How come everyone mows with the chute pointed towards the inside? doesnt it just make it harder for the machine? i always mow 2 laps around the outside with the chute pointed inside, then i go around the rest of it with it pointed on the outside. Also that 316 is a BEAST! i bet my 400 would get that done in no time (60 inch deck helps)
Griffin Delawder I never make left turns when I mow lawns because then the discharge chute is facing the house or the street or something, so I got into the habit of always turning right. In a case like this, yes it does make a huge pile in the middle, but the Onan likes to work hard so it didn't bother it. Plus this lawn was going to look like a hay field when it was done and they were looking to play a game of kickball so I couldn't have dead grass laying everywhere. So I blew it all into windrows to get it out of the way. The 400 is a great machine for the job with the 60" deck. These guys used to have a 425 but it crapped out on them and they got rid of it. They don't have a lot of money so I'm trying to help them find another heavy duty Deere for a decent price that will do all their mowing work without a problem.
Cool, hope you or they find something:)
We will. I'm trying to find them something like a 170 or 185 or a GT275 or something along those lines
Thanks, That is encouraging to hear. I have looked at new ones which for me must include PS, and there is so much plastic that I am not used to. I will check out the video. I bought a pre air filter last week and the JD parts guy offered the comment that everything is getting very hard to get on them.
Most of the parts for the 318's and similar models are out there and easy to get. Deere puts an insane markup on Onan engine parts but they can be bought much cheaper through a Cummins dealer or through suppliers like Boomer's Onan Parts, OnanParts.com, and a few others.
You're right, those 300 series John Deere's can really take a beating, my family used to have an old 332 Diesel and that thing was amazing, it out performed an old Huskee lawn tractor that they also had, they sold it along with the lawn tractor and got a Cub Cadet Commercial zero turn and to this day I wish they never sold that thing, I miss how reliable and powerful it was.
There's simply no replacement for the older garden tractors. They were all really dependable machines back then. I'd take a 300 series over a brand new X700 series any day.
Amen, I'd do anything to have that old 332 back
The 1990(ish) CRAFTSMAN 12HP OHV lawnrider at my house has recently been having fuel problems, dying, trying to die, etc. in fact its old fuel hose broke so we had to salvage a "new" hose from a 17hp V-twin MTD Yard Machines lawntractor and yes we had to cut the hose. The old fuel filter was still good though :)
Now I understand. All this happened last December and the 318 runs fine now. He did pull the engine and cost just short of $500. Actually the lack of spark problem got set up after I removed the plugs and kicked the engine to bring the zerks into position for grease gun fitting. Did this 25 times. Zerks always ended facing up. Deere does not say how to bring into proper position. Your help is greatly appreciated. I caught your suggested video.
That 316 just ate! Wow! That's a strong worker. Great video Mike! Can't wait to see your next vids
Scienceburritto Thanks man. Great machine for the job. I made a second video the next day when I finished working on this property. Need to edit and upload it.
Got to love those fields!
HELL YEAH 1000 SUBSCRIBERS! Congrats man!
+Lucien Dube Thanks man
Wow your into weather aswell I used to collect weather radios I still have them plugged in and I own a 2016 x730 with a 54inch high capacity mower deck with auto connect and a 47 inch Quik hitch snowblower.
In New Jersey you never know what the weather will be! haha. How do you like the X730?
MichaelTJD60 I love it! Do you have skype?
Awesome! Unfortunately no I don't have Skype.
MichaelTJD60 well I wanna video chat. Or voice chat.
And I did a lot of mowing with that 1977 210 it was one tough machine currently I am mowing with the 1964 110 and it's very tough machine
1944johndeerel I love mowing with my 210, but ever since that cursed K301 got put in it it hasn't been right. Besides this 316 hydro with a twin-cylinder Onan is a much smoother and stronger machine for all the mowing I do, plus shaft drive so less belts to worry about.
Awesome video! Hope my next mower will be a 316, but it so hard to find them close to where I live. I'm sick of the new lawn tractors companies are putting out now, they are just not built like they used to be.
Thanks for the comment! I've got a new X570 and it sure is a stout tractor and it mows flawlessly (for what it's worth it's a tough machine), but at the end of the day, nothing can compare to the toughness of the old machines like my 316.
I have the 1978
316 with a kholer engine
It works good but i don't get tornado hurricanes earthquakes forest fires.
Nice video lots of work farming is love of work
7:13 that was awesome
+Lucien Dube She just keeps chugging along!
I can't believe I just spent 30 minutes watching someone mow..... :)
Just bought a house in WNY, and at my agent's suggestion asked that they throw in the John-Deere that was sitting in the garage. As the owner had passed, and the 3 girls were married and living in N. Carolina and they wanted to sell, they agreed. Just before the sale, went into the garage to take another look at the JD, and with all the crap thrown away I noticed they also had the snow blower attachment!
This is a small 1.4 acre house with a pond, so could have gotten away with a regular riding mower.
It took a bit to crank up in Feb, no idea how long it had been sitting there, never saw a trickle charger and doubt the blower had actually been used.
Its pretty rusted out, and I was thinking about trying to find some replacement panels/etc, which is how I came across your video.
Don't think its leaking, and wondering what I'd be looking at $$-wise to make it half as nice as your's is.
Subscribed!
+Boots Thanks! Hopefully you have one of the heavier-duty Deere tractors like this 316. The low-end models are cheaply built and will not last a long time but most of the old equipment is pretty durable. The heavy-duty garden tractors last much longer as well. I didn't restore this tractor so it's hard to say, and it depends on how you want to restore it and how often you're going to be using it.
+MichaelTJD60
Thanks, and I forgot to say its an '89 316 which is nice with the 18hp engine.
Lots of rust but started right up. The blower I don't if it works, don't even know how to hook it up yet but one guy on YT does have a video with one wherein he mentioned having to replace a bearing on the side.
Sad to hear about the fire, hope you put up a quick video of what it looked like then, and for the rebuild.
Awesome, you lucked out. Hooking up the blower is usually pretty straightforward but I've never had a blower on one of these so I can't really help you there. I am uploading a video of the burnt tractor now.
runs great good job
drvshaft drew Thanks man.
Hi Michael dig the tractor. I just picked up one yesterday. It a 1991 John Deere 316 H1 has 1200 hours on it. I did not know it came with a 18 hp motor like the 318. Today I bought on ebay H2 used hydraulic system off a 316 hoping to up grade the tractor to the H2 so I can plow with it next winter. After watching your snow plowing videos not to excited on using a lever to move the plow side to side. Also just a tip on moving a lawn or field. Yes you should go around the whole yard but to mow it quicker and I think will look nicer I would recommend go up and down or side to side never understood why people go in circles just takes longer and does not look nice just saying. I will try to up load a video on swaping out the hydraulics. Maybe you can too instead of using the lever to move the snow plow side to side will make life a lot easier.
+PK GREEN The later 316's made after 1986 used the 18 HP. Hopefully the H2 hydraulic system works out good for ya. I thought about getting H2 hydraulics but I don't really have much of a use for them. I will however be upgrading to dual brake pedals because I could really use them. I don't normally go in circles when I mow but this yard had not been mowed in a very long time and I was trying to pile up all the clippings into one windrow instead of spreading them across the whole yard and making a mess. I've mowed this lawn 2 or 3 more times since this video and now that I got the high grass tackled I just stripe the whole yard. Makes it a lot easier.
+PK GREEN The manual angle kit for my blade came off a 140 so I had to make a couple modifications for it to work on the 316. Since the snow plowing video, I've extended the handle and the bracket that holds it to the dash tower, and I've also replaced the spring that holds the blade latch pin in place, so it's much easier to use now.
nice
Interesting. Any comments I would have had are answered. I have a well maintained 318 with 1790 hours and just wonder how long until I have a problem that is not easy to solve.
A properly maintained 318 is easily a 3000+ hour machine. I just uploaded a video a couple months ago discussing the proper steps to take in order to make that Onan engine last - I highly recommend checking it out if you have time.
We had a 316 kohler and Onan we played tug of war and the kohler dragged the Onan same tires and no weight that kohler took it off the line
I realize this vid is 4 years old but if you're still replying to comments I figured you'd be a good person to ask this. I found one of these with the Odin with 800 hours for $1200, but I'm also just considering a brand new E100 from Lowe's for $1400. I know the quality isn't what it used to be but for my 1 1/4 acre slightly sloped yard I fear this beast may be too much for it. Any thoughts?
You can never have too much tractor. You'll appreciate having the heavier-duty machine for the slope in your yard. Plus, you can run all different kinds of attachments for snow plowing and garden work if you need....the E100 can't exactly do that (they do sell snow plows and other misc. attachments for them, but the frame and transmission won't hold up). Just make sure the engine in the 316 runs good and doesn't knock, smoke, or use much oil.
You need to mow in the other direction and blow the clippings in the mowed area.
Yes I know. The people who live here were going to use the field for a football game the next day and the clippings were so thick I had to blow them into contained sections otherwise they would make a mess.
Great video. Very informative. I'm currently looking for a JD rider, but am not as much of a gear head as I presume you are.... I'm looking to mow a hilly acre of grass a couple times a week and snow blow lots of snow, (live in the snow belt by lake erie). My question is....if you had 1500 bucks to spend, would you purchase a newer X300 with very low hrs, (around 100) or would you rather buy an older JD316 again? (one that's in nice shape...) And why? I am actually in this predicament now, and looking for a little advice!
Thanks!
Hey Eric. Given your budget, most newer tractors are going to be out of your range. An X300 is a good mowing machine but they use the K46 transaxle which is a cheap non-serviceable unit. Good for 300 hours and then they usually lose power and become useless. They wear out even quicker mowing a lot of hills. Especially on a used X300 that already has a lot of hours I would be skeptical. For your budget I would look into an older GT275 model with the beefy transaxle for climbing hills, plus a 48" or 54" deck. You could also look into a 260, 265, or 285 which are the same tractor just older. Then of course you could always buy a classic 200 or 300 series tractor which were JD's flagship machines. They have a very strong frame and they used either Kohler cast iron, Onan, or Yanmar Diesel engines which are tougher than most of the Kawasaki's out there today. A 200 series would have a 10 to 16 HP Kohler depending on the model, plus a belt driven 4-speed gear transmission which is good for climbing hills. A 300 series, like my 316, would have either a Kohler or Onan engine and a shaft-driven automatic transmission which has more than enough power for hill climbing and pulling heavy loads. The 318 is considered one of the toughest Deere ever built, and they can be pricey and difficult to find in good condition. So I bought a 316 which is the next size down.
I have a 210 that I paid $275 for in original running and working condition. You could buy a 200 series for up to $750 in running condition with a mower deck. You could buy a 300 series with a Kohler engine for about $400-$1000 depending on condition, or a later 300 series with an Onan engine (like my 316 or a 318) for $1100 up. The only problem is Onan engines are hard to get parts for so if you find one make sure it runs good.
How do you see to mow at night?? The lights on those 200 and 300 series have terrible lights. Nice mowing tractor though
1944johndeerel Deere's headlights do suck, I hate the ones on the 210. I'm pretty sure the PO installed new headlight bulbs when he restored the 316 because these lights are nice and bright. Might be those halogen upgrade lights or something. I can see fine. I've mowed at night with the 316 tons of times already and haven't had a problem.
1944johndeerel One headlight is out at the beginning of the video but it has a loose wire. After a few minutes it lights back up.
MichaelTJD60 speaking of head lights my 212 and my 316 both have the exact same problem only the left side head light works how do I fix that?
I know right?
Not trying to bash the 316, but I’ll never understand why John Deere thought it would be a good idea to give the 316 Onan a single hydraulic spool when they gave its Kohler powered sister two hydraulics just a few years prior.
There's no connection between the 316 Kohler and 316 Onan, just a coincidence with the model numbers. The 316 Onan (single spool, single brake, no power steering) was designed to be an economy version of the 318 (dual spools, dual brakes, power steering). 318's were selling like hotcakes in their first year of production, so they released the 316 the following year as a cheaper stripped-down version of it. The 316 Onan replaced the 314, and the 318 is what eventually replaced the 316 Kohler (316K --> 317 --> 318)
If I could ask one more question. During the winter, following my greasing the zerks on the drive shaft, the engine would turn but had no spark to the plugs. The mechanic who has served me well the 4-5 times I have needed him over 10 years insisted that I needed a CRANK TRIGGER. I see that they are usually used on high performance engines and am unsure whether my Onan had one which he replaced.
The engine runs well and he is some distance from me and he was not there when I went over. Anything which you could enlighten me on what happened here , with this little information,would be appreciated.
The P218 engine uses electronic ignition which does use a crank trigger under the flywheel to generate spark. But first I would test for spark at the plug wires and the coil leads - if the coil isn't providing spark then there's a good chance the crank trigger has failed. Last one I bought was around $150 from OnanParts, it will require pulling the engine out and removing the flywheel.
Is this the same 316 that caught on fire in the other video?
+Benjamin Schlechter Yes
You should get a go pro mike!
+DarkBlitz I have the original GoPro Hero, had it about 3 years now, but it's never worked. I need to invest in a newer one.
High grass, I don't care who you are.You are had on the Deck and Mower.
It's a garden tractor, with an opposed twin engine that makes more torque than a small car. Won't hurt a thing, as long as you travel slowly, keep the engine cooling fins clean, and remove any grass buildup on the deck. They were built for this kind of work.
My uncle's 318 (one size up from this model) has been mowing grass like this for 35 years. A little routine maintenance goes a long way.
If you give me 10 hours with the 1986 Coast to Coast (12hp) I could do this too :)
i wish i could get a 210 or 316 but all the ones near me r like $1500 or more
Tristan Baker Hey man don't worry, the time will come. 3 years ago today the 210 showed up at my house. Had to go 3 hours to pick it up. Just had to wait for the right deal. And it took me about 3 years to find a 300 series in this condition and the price was just right. Deere's can be expensive but always keep an eye open.
sweet!!! it kinda sucks cause im from PA and i live in NC now and everyone here r outrageous on their prices
Tristan Baker Down your way I'd think the prices would be a bit better. I live in NJ where everyone buys a riding mower from Home Depot so I had to do a bit of traveling. Don't be afraid to travel.
yeh but im only 15, so i only have a permit and my parents r the kind of people that if its not near by its not worth the drive, they dont understand
I know what you mean.
I thought two John Deere lawn tractors will get it done.
NJRAILFAN & RACEFAN88 Well the 210 isn't in any shape to work right now sadly. It can handle some high grass but even this would be kind of tough for it.
MichaelTJD60 I see
Is that lawn mower a deseil ?
Nope, 18 HP Onan gas.
The farmall super C at my place with a 72 inch WOODS L306 mower could probably help u (just saying)
how many hrs on this machine now
It caught fire at 1315 hours
+MichaelTJD60 damn so u wore that sum bitch plum out!
Lol no, I had pulled the engine out to change a couple leaky seals and fix a governor issue and a week after I put it back together and got it running again, something electrical got hot and sparked a fire.
Could've used a John Deere 420 or 430 series tractor as well.
+Benjamin Schlechter The 316 got the job done without a problem. 420's and 430's are rare and expensive around here anyway. Too big for me...
Looks good. Of course, my family, who owns a chain of John Deere Dealorships in Florida, once had a 318 on their summer property in NC, which was my grandfather's lawn tractor, switched it out in 1989 (several months after he died), with a 420 (the property was 3 acres). It took around 3 hours to mow. Since then, in 1998, they switched the 420 out for a 455 and more recently got an X700 series tractor.
Ur vid makes me tried.
Thanks for adding to the view count. If you find this boring, you would hate the rest of my channel...