I'm Building My Dream Garden Tractor! Part 2

Making my best tractor ever out of many other tractor parts. This is a John Deere 318 that will have a 25 hp Robin engine and will have many great parts from a lot of different tractors.

[@pablobrienza5765]

I'm Pablo, I really admire your work facilities. And above all the tools you use in your work. Good luck.

[@oakrunacres2564]

What great documentation of an amazing project. I admire you're abilities and creativity to take on and complete such an endeavour. Dave

[@chdinct6792]

Loving this series of videos. Im pretty far along myself in the restoration of a 1967 Wheel Horse with a 10 horse Kohler. Started it in 2010 by taking it all apart and then started painting piece parts. Them “life” got in the way and it sat for over 10 years in boxes of parts. Like you, I became determined last winter to get back to it a little at a time. She’s now almost done but for refinishing the hood and seat pan. She even started right up once the engine was back in place. Unfortunately, I decided I should adjust the vales and ended up messing up the timing, so just need ti fix that also. Your videos have me more determined to see it through. Thanks.

[@digdrivediy]

I love it when people say this is motivated them to work on their projects. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@LukesJohnDeereGarage]

Great job- it's exciting to get a swap like that done (or mostly done!) Now for a foot pedal hydro conversion!

[@digdrivediy]

I would love to have a foot hydro. I've never really looked into it too. Seriously though to know how tough it might be. Do you have any experience with it?

[@LukesJohnDeereGarage]

@@digdrivediy Yes- I've done it three times and it's my favorite upgrade. I need to make a better video about it but there are some on my channel.

[@Steve_Wojo]

Great video Neil ! All the best to you and your family in 2023. Keep 'em coming.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks, you too!

[@bobwatson9290]

Austin, as in Steve Austin, the 6 million dollar man. “We can rebuild him. Stronger, better, faster”

[@digdrivediy]

That's not bad. I remember that show... Barely

[@sneak6654]

Brutal Bill.

[@richryan8904]

Great video and the little bit each day is clearly working! I see another fan already suggested Steve Austin! That’s my suggestion too for the new tractor too. I run a shopping mall here in Bristol in the UK, so your dad-trip to your local mall made me smile ! 🇬🇧👋🇺🇸

[@digdrivediy]

I love it that you enjoyed the mall trip! Thanks so much, Rich!

[@sameaston1301]

This is a fantastic video series your doing 👍 Thank you so much for taking the time to shoot, edit, and share your experiences. Can't wait to see what "Bill" turns out like!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks, Sam

[@periwinkle-dragonfly]

Never thought I'd be watching tractor vids...or towing and fabrication for that matter! I think it has a lot to do with the personalities of the content creators. Just good people to watch and learn from. Sure wish I'd had teachers like you when I was in school...I might have liked school and been a better student. Anyway, I think you should name the tractor "Brubil".

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much! I think the best compliment I can receive is something like this where someone that didn't grow up around this stuff is still watching. I really appreciate it and thanks so much for the name suggestion! I'm writing them all down!

[@bobber5534]

I watch those videos as well. BUT, as soon as they bash the commenters I stop. I even block their videos from the suggestion list. A lot of them just act so cocky and know-it-alls. They have to realize those that are watching their videos is going to be a wealth of knowledge. And those that bash or insult the commenters I have no use for. Plus the fact that when people comment and even watch the video they earn more money. In essence it shows their intelligence by bashing. Another thing I do not tolerate is clickbait. Once I find out it's clickbait I never watch their channel again and I block them as well.

[@totallyjonesin]

matts off road recovery. That wrecker build is interesting.

[@daniele.woodhead1218]

Willie 2.0 is my suggestion, it going to be an awesome build when it's done 👍 as always God bless y'all from Gaffney South Carolina viewer 🙏❤️💯

[@CaptainKleeman]

Day 11 days are my favorite days. Looking forward to the paint scheme reveal. 💪

[@digdrivediy]

Same here!

[@terrybrown8292]

Looks good n why R u there cuz ur a good dad to hang out with ur family keep warm n will watch ur next video

[@tonynieuwlandt5407]

I think Bob Watson’s name idea is pretty darn good, “Steve” or “Austin” , then get a vinyl car wrap mural of the bionic man for the hood

[@digdrivediy]

The $6 tractor ...

[@MrThomasfouraker]

Enjoyed watching this. I buy and part out numerous 300 and 400 series tractors each year. I have alot of parts so if you need anything please don’t hesitate to reach out. Would enjoy being able to contribute in some way.

[@digdrivediy]

That's great to know! So thanks Thomas. I just got a set of 420 rims for this. I think I should be covered though, but we'll see.

[@danielwalker1398]

Happy New Year Neil! Love your channel! I hope 2023 brings you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Daniel! Same to you!

[@randallquiring9525]

My suggestion is Bull. Brings forth the strength of Brutus and keeps most of the name of Bill. Love the series and your channel. Happy new year.

[@digdrivediy]

Great suggestion!

[@mwhite1978]

Great video Neil. Who cares about the audio issues, adds more of a human element to the whole production. My vote for his name is Cassius.- Cassius asks Brutus if Brutus can see his own face; Brutus replies that he cannot. Cassius then declares that Brutus is unable to see what everyone else does, namely, that Brutus is widely respected. Noting that no mirror could reveal Brutus’s worthiness to himself, Cassius offers to serve as a human mirror so that Brutus may discover himself and conceive of himself in new ways.

[@digdrivediy]

That's great 👍🏻 I do like that name...

[@the42the42]

Definitely love this name! =^.^=

[@BigFarles]

If you are down here in the comments please like and subscribe. This so helps Neil and this national treasure of a channel.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks!!! It does help for sure 😊

[@coltonbrewer834]

318s will always hold a special spot in my heart me and dad worked on a lot of them over the years. I’ve moved to a x720 and a 1025r but would love to have another nice 318 for the daughter to learn on!

[@heathmiller8462]

Neil, your channel is awesome! Thanks for investing time and effort to deliver the content. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2023!

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you so much Heath! Appreciate all the support and have a happy New Year!

[@karuza82]

Never a dull moment with tractors around.

[@freshcrazydope]

Just a small suggestion, you can get an 1100lb overhead electric hoist from HarborFreight for $145. There is a lot of ways to mount it in the shop. You could have installed the engine by yourself with ease. Great video though

[@digdrivediy]

That's a good idea 👍🏻

[@kenwimmer3936]

Great Video 👍. BUT DO NOT EVER RUN HOT WATER THREW YOUR PRESURE WASHER IT BURNS THE PUMP OUT IN THEM VERY QUICKLY !!!!

[@digdrivediy]

That's what others have said.

[@jasonw9679]

Great project. FYI on the front rims. You can use whatever rims you want just swap out the bearings for the id that matches your tractor. The od on the bearings is the same. I ran into the same problem when I put 420 front rims on my 314. Also for a name Bill Burr or Bill 2.0

[@derekschlenvogt]

Make it yellow like an industrial tractor!

[@digdrivediy]

🤔

[@phoenixarizona8441]

Every Garden Tractor should be decked out like a small farm tractor

[@digdrivediy]

Oh yeah!

[@tonycoleman7205]

Love it.! Maybe one day I can create a Frankenstein of a mower.!

[@FullMetalFab]

I've never been good with names but as for color I think JD construction yellow like a your backhoe would look cool and different.

[@digdrivediy]

Yessir

[@joshdavis9527]

Love your videos You seem to have the life we should all strive for every time I watch one of you videos I find myself outside taking somthing apart fixing somthing or starting a new project let us know how you get your family outside to help

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Josh!

[@spudstudios3342]

You should swap the wheels around too. Put Brutus tires on bill

[@KNLFirewood]

Fun project!

[@bobminchin]

Great work on the project so far. A great armchair watch here in UK. I'll suggest Bucephalus, the name of Alexander the Great's horse for your new hybrid tractor. Bob in UK

[@digdrivediy]

Never heard that name before. Nice.

[@bobminchin]

@@digdrivediy You could be Neil the Great every time you ride Brucephalus or just name it Bob after me lol

[@wallyzworld7108]

Paint it Blue and Gold in the Subaru WRC racing colors. An homage to Subaru 555 rally car. Besides it would drive Tim (TTWT) nuts seeing a Deere in Subaru blue.

[@roybrown6831]

Very cool build, Neil. My first JD was a 318. I bought a loader for it and loved every minute on it. Now I have a GX335 and 2305, but that 318 was very special to me. What about Buster Boy for a name in the line of naming them starting with B?

[@homesteadspirit9209]

This is great to see the process of this project. I myself have a collection of Ford LGT 165s and I have my own "Brutus" someday I'd like to just take the best parts off all the tractors and make one main workhorse tractor with all the best parts

[@brentspepper2087]

Cool Honda ATC in the background. I have an 85 250ES Big Red.

[@digdrivediy]

Nice. Mine is an 85 200s.

[@johnpyle8027]

Bill Jr. When I did my 430 I found a gal that did powder coating very reasonable. I never regretted it. I sprayed the hood since it was fiberglass. I like your front tires. When I did mine, I wanted the R ??? that is a combination industrial/AG tire. They didn't make that size. I even thought seriously about some aggressive ATV tires. That I would do for sure if I did it again. When you were taking thoze wheel weights off it looked like a clown car! I would never have guessed all that was in a wheel! You're in the home stretch now!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks, John!

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Going to a movie to get some sleep - hilarious. Hope it was Avatar so you could sleep for 3 hours! Good progress on the tractor. Keep it up!

[@digdrivediy]

Actually it was Avatar! But I didn't sleep at all as it turns out. Slept good that night though I think.

[@carolkampstra3474]

Now I know why I can't find any of these tractors, you have all of them.

[@davidfisher69]

John Deere construction yellow would be a good choice

[@digdrivediy]

I like it!.

[@donmcgimpsey1706]

I bought one of the HF moving dollies for < $10.00 - I needed the casters for a toolbox that I received missing a few wheels. For less than the price of a single caster, I got 4 new ones, just had to drill out the rivets. Still working to this day, about 5 years later. I might not go crazy and use them as pallet casters for firewood, but they have high weight ratings.

[@unclealansyard5176]

I'm actually going to try your approach, trying working everyday on my backyard brush project. I took a little break from posting on Instagram last few months but now with your last two videos trying to do something each day has got me motivated. Keep up the great work!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Alan!

[@craigwagner79]

Nice video, I had a 318 also, bought it cheap and cost me a good chunk of change to keep it running every year. I should have put a new engine in it right away, I think it would have been way reliable. For a gas Onan engine it sounded like an old two stroke Detroit diesel. Best thing was when I upgraded to JD x728. I think you should name your tractor B.O.B. (Is it Bill Or Brutus).

[@digdrivediy]

Ha! I like that name suggestion :)

[@MasonWelds]

Wish I could do what you’re doing, Neil! For a name I suggest either Frankendeere or Transplant.

[@Georgiagreen317]

The "Mike Rowe" of garden tractors. (and many other things) And that is a compliment. Very similar in many ways.

[@digdrivediy]

I wish I had his voice! I'll definitely take that as a compliment though. Thanks Joe!

[@ranger5721]

very good job on getting it close getting done

[@tdixon6264]

I would vote for a blacked out paint scheme. Also, enjoying following this project.

[@abp9519]

BRUT.....the son of Brutus.. great mower.

[@blackdogexcavator21]

"Brill" is coming along nicely. My best friend from high school is into those JD tractors. He's got about 15 or so of them. I do like the bigger ones with the rear lift and all the hydraulics on them. I could see where they would be very handy. Happy New Year my friend.

[@digdrivediy]

Brill is an excellent working title for now! :)

[@danm3071]

Name him Frank, short for Frankenstein. Great work keeping on it every day! It has motivated me to do the same.

[@digdrivediy]

I love hearing that.

[@suzukizrracing]

You got it one piece at a time. And it took a little time. And now you got a john deere tractor with some neat style.. A new Versje to that old johnny cash song

[@digdrivediy]

That was playing in my mind the entire time I edited this video. :) Love me some Johnny Cash!

[@johnkoury1116]

Neil, do you live in New Jersey? I live in Pa and I got the impression that you were here in PA but looking at the terrain and how the sun falls ....I could be totally wrong. I am working on a Bobcat walk behind that I just found for a great price. The Kawasaki 14 horsepower engine blew up and the former owner bought a Briggs replacement and bolted it to the mower but never put the manifolds on so water got in everything and rusted the cylinder. Its is going to turn out fantastic . I started a small engine repair biz after becoming disillusioned with big Pharma . I got fed up with being a chemical engineer...lol That is one heck of a tractor my friend.

[@digdrivediy]

Hey John. Sounds like a really cool project you've got with that Bobcat. We are in Indiana.

[@hollandduck79]

hello from the Netherlands Koch Family . thanks for the video Neil . Sincerely Hollandduck

[@digdrivediy]

Our pleasure!

[@hollandduck79]

@@digdrivediy 👍

[@C.Pearson.1]

John Deere YELLOW with black and silver decals like the old forklift tractors

[@donmedford2563]

Great video. Suggestion. Get your red shop rag wet before you use the plasma torch.

[@digdrivediy]

Good call!

[@terrancesnyder9323]

Good morning , God bless you & Happy New Year Neil

[@bobber5534]

Congratulations on progressing toward your goal. 'Bruno' comes to my mind in names.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

I have never seen a gravel driveway as nice as yours! How do you keep it that way?

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Here’s a link to his latest video explaining it… there are several more in his Driveway Playlist kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5LPkIuGhdOejKc

[@OneEyeCustoms]

@@sassafrasvalley1939 thank you!!!

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

@@OneEyeCustomsyou’re welcome.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Doug! I like to keep my grader box cutting edge shined up in the summertime!

[@Thecowboy1950]

You need to a canopy on the tractor so you got sun shade I have done that to my jd420 and love it

[@digdrivediy]

That's a good idea.

[@kevenhiemie]

Awesome build! You have almost as many John Deere 318 317 and 316 is my dad.

[@alexpeighty7]

Buster, kind of a mix of Bill and Brutus.

[@garciafamilyfarms]

Beatrice comes to mind! I know it's slightly more feminine. I had a truck that I did a motor swap on and that's what I named it. She always gave me small troubles, but it always did what I wanted it to do. Great video I enjoy seeing how far your project has come. Keep up the great work Neil! Happy New Year

[@I8U4FUN]

It's going to be really slick when your finished. Call it "Slick".

[@rayarnett2249]

I believe that this is one of your best if not the best videos you've done I've watched it several times. My family has 3 318's, 2 repowered one vanguard 23hp,one 20hp honda, grandson is original p218 onan. Can't wait to see the next video. Thank you.

[@digdrivediy]

I really appreciate it Ray!

[@dodgeme1986truck]

I'd recommend making a set of wheel hubs that allows you to bolt trailer wheels on... that way you can change tires for different conditions or if you get a flat it's easier to repair/replace a tire. Another option is fully converting the front axle spindles to trailer spindles the tapered roller bearings in trailer spindles make a huge difference between the reduced friction and less wear... The easier the front wheels rotate the less likely you'll get stuck and you can use bolt/lug nut on rims. Even if you have ball bearing wheels on the front the trailer hubs and spindles conversion adds more reliability (ball bearings can't handle the side loading) I completely moved away from ball or bushing bearings in any floating hub wheel locations on both tractor steer tires and trailer attachments I use for my garden tractors as the reduced rolling resistance has allowed me to be able to pull heavier weights on rougher terrain while generating the same or less wear on driveline and I go through more mud and snow with only converting the steer spindles and hubs towing a trailer than just the garden tractor with bushed wheels could do by itself. I run a set of loaded rear ag tires year round (80lbs of ballast per tire) and rarely get stuck(if I do get stuck it's usually because I got high centered on a rut or rock.

[@jimdaly5077]

Happy New Year to you and your family,enjoy all the videos, how about Billyus as a new name. 👍🐝🤣

[@richardwentland3489]

I’d second Brill! Very suitable!

[@deanmoore420]

Nice job👍

[@colindgrant]

You sound like me... "I've got an unfinished project and very little time, so I'll make a video of it too!" :) FYI: if you double up gloves, the outside slides on the inside and they don't tear as easily. Very cool project and nice video 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Great glove tip👍🏻Thanks

[@craigtate5930]

This will be a fantastic machine...I am partial to the 200 series JDs myself, but always nice to see the other GTs getting some love

[@jackel440]

Constructionl yellow is in the future is my bet. Got to spend time with the kids while you can. Mine are grown up and it's days like those that make a difference.

[@digdrivediy]

For sure. I was happy for that mall day.

[@casycasy5199]

Happy New Year Neil.nice neat job.i like the color of your truck so i think your tractor would look good painted that way.

[@digdrivediy]

Happy new year!

[@thecomputergeeksllc]

Name it Billiam!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

That was an excellent video

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot Brock!

[@Crazy.Runner]

Hello Neil, happy new year! Can't wait to see the final result! And about name, maybe Bill it's the perfect name for this tractor! Good luck with the project! P.S. waiting some videos from snow removing after this storm. Here in Romania we have 15° C...no snow yet...

[@Jonnysjunkgarage]

Been waiting for this series! Even if I’m not a Deere guy. I built my dream GT in 2020 as a covid project starting with a Case 446 and a 2 cylinder Perkins diesel and finished it off with a demonstrator paint job complete with gold decals. Wife thought I was nuts but it turned out awesome. It’s already got some bumps and scrapes but that’s ok as I told myself it wasn’t going to be a garage princess. It plows,tills , mowes, power brushes, and grinds grain as an acreage tractor should. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Jonathan!

[@kyleanderson5315]

Great video, one I was looking forward too! Can’t wait to see the next step

[@FloridaDeere]

Great video Neil, I really need to do your everyday thing with my 140 project and get it done. I thought the whole video came out fine, but it seem to be cutting out at the end right around when it sounded like you weren't going to paint it green, that must have been a video/sound glitch😯😯😂😂 I think before a name could be had, we may have to see the final project. Looking forward to the rest of this project.

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! Those darn audio issues. Happy New Year Don!

[@TS-my9yq]

Bruno, construction yellow. As always great video. Happy New Year.

[@digdrivediy]

We Don't Talk About Bruno. (It's a song from Encanto that my daughters are always singing.) I like the name Bruno. A lot.

[@claudethomas8084]

Looking good!!!

[@davidfisher69]

Neil there is a inflatable paint booth on market place in Garrett

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for the heads up. I checked it out soon as I saw this comment, but it's probably a little bit smaller than what I'd want.

[@doughadley9448]

Happy New Year Neil ,Looking forward to your 2023 projects !!

[@digdrivediy]

Happy new year!

[@theamazingmarti812]

at 26 I love having those harbor freight dollies

[@mikemcmahan9850]

Look up inflatable paint booths. Cost effective and many sizes.

[@rustycrone195]

I’m 28 and I agree on the shop dolly being the greatest tool ever! They are awesome for tractor attachments, race at motors, and I even made a set of race car stands out of them

[@hunterm.172]

My name suggestions: Billus or Brill (Merged Bill with Brutus) lol paint color RED!!!!!

[@punksintheback7062]

Not my type of DIY video (I like the no talking ones) but this was fun to watch

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot! Appreciate you giving a chance.

[@ericvortecmax]

This is inspiring me to fix up my 216

[@downwthya]

Hi Neil! Oddly enough that once you started this series, I also just started marrying two tractors to become one in my garage. It has definitely proved to take more time than expected because of the engines being different brands. As far as a name for the new Bill and staying with the "B" theme, I think Butch sounds fitting. Like another commenter mentioned, a friend of mine in Garrett Indiana is selling an inflatable spray booth that would work perfect for your project. Happy New year!

[@digdrivediy]

I checked out that spray booth. I think it's just a little smaller than what I would want is all. Otherwise I would be all over it.

[@jamesbainton]

Go for an Eastonmade Tractor...Orange & Blue!

[@dylanhockaday9878]

Now when u get done u need to figure out the front pto so u can try the sweetener broom out again

[@maxobara1496]

Coming along nicely!! Great job, and Happy New Year🎆👍🇺🇸

[@digdrivediy]

Happy New Year!

[@minitractors1885]

Nice, I have had tow 318s

[@hunterm.172]

“That was a good rag 🥹” lol

[@outdoorsclickllc663]

Love it man good work!!!!

[@larrysayer6812]

Have you found that the hot water through your pressure washer causes any issues? Was literally just taking a break from installing hot water in my barn to watch you work on the tractors and you mentioned hot water in the pressure washer. Really appreciate your videos.

[@digdrivediy]

Someone else mentioned that it's not a good idea to run hot water through a pressure washer, but I've never had a problem. I have only done it a handful of times when something is really greasy and dirty though. Per everything else on the house and the concrete and such we just use cold water.

[@hunter7476]

Nice I pulled out the engine from my simplicity legacy tractor it’s getting a rebuilt I finished a lot of undone projects in the past week also got new 5 rib v61 tires on my 318 bucks he plow is on for snow and i tightens yo yo front axle to fix the sloppy steering

[@digdrivediy]

Very nice!

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Neil, I had a 400. I don’t remember the tire or spindle size. Is it the same as it’s newer brethren the 420 & 430? I was going to trade it for a 430 but, they changed all of the implement attachments. So, I went to Kubota and have owned them ever since. I can’t believe you didn’t pop a wheelie once you got it started… that would have been an epic clip! LOL You guys did a fine job of editing this update. And, I’m impressed with your progress! Happy New Year to you and the ladies.

[@digdrivediy]

Happy New Year Dave! The 400 and early 420 and 430. I'll head one at spindles. They changed the 20 and 32 metric spindles at the same time they did the 300 series tractors. I found a set of rims off of eBay that I needed so it should give it the look I'm wanting.

[@rcguy18]

Go with the v61 tires. I had them on my 400 and loved them.

[@seangerberding1255]

Never been good at the name game so I came up with Bob…. Simple and to the point. Lol