Is this John Deere 318 New or Never Used?

[@jerrykeith9161]

I was Service Manager at a John Dealership for 27-28 years in the 70s-80s and 90s...That is the way that the tractor & the deck came in to us to be put together and made ready for delivery...We sold a lot of 318’s because they were a great machine and easy to operate...We sold a lot of them for the ladies to run and do their yard work.

[@dougbarber4209]

Wow!!!!! That’s so cool!!! I can’t think of a better home for those items then with someone like you. Someone who completely understands what they are and the history!. Thanks for sharing

[@gregolson5532]

Hello!

[@realtimeoutdoors9095]

I’d would seriously put that in my living room with a glass case built around it with some led light strips lighting it up! Wow!!

[@lancemiller9110]

Man those Deere tractors in the 80s-90s were simply amazing. My uncle collected them and the implements as well. Sadly he passed away last year. I believe he had four 318 tractors, a 420 (the beast) and my granddad’s 110. One PTO tiller A hydraulic tiller And a snow blade for at least four of the machines (110 included). “Don’t make them like they use to.”

[@tezskanza]

I worked at a Deere dealership from 89 to 94 and set these machines up new and delivered to customers. This brings back 30 yr old memories! I loved these tractors and have an ‘86 unit in the garage now. This is amazing to see, thank you for sharing!

[@robertbowling8393]

Wow!! I have a fare one as well, but not as rare as this one. I purchased a 1991 back in 1995 with 8.4 hours .... I rode it about 1/2 miles to let my brother roll his lawn with it. It had some nicks from sitting in one of the farmers out buildings, so I disassembled the body parts and had them professionally repainted, except for the hood, which was still in ordinal condition.at which time I stored the chassis, along with the body parts until about 2 years ago, at which time I trailered it to a farmer friend's repair shop. He is a lifelong John Deere mechanic, so I hired him to reassemble. It now sits in a garage with 19 original hours. One word of caution!!! If and when you do plan to start your new 318, disconnect ignition, squirt Marvel Mystery Oil, or a comparable brand and roll the motor to make sure that oil is distributed thru the motor. After sitting for so long, upper engine components will have become dry. In summary, CONGRATS on your find. I tried to find NOS prior to buying in 95, but none were to be found. Finally, a friend's wife who travelled the same day to and from work came home one evening and told her husband about one she'd seen that day .... He called me, we drove about 2o miles, and it was back in the out building with a tarp over it. 2 hours later I purchased over the phone. As we know, 318s are a good buy .... esp ones such as ours. I have an 83 model I use for mowing etc, and love it like a new one. My plan is to restore it over this winter. Btw, I enjoy your videos!! If I had money and space, I too would buy 300 series and restore!! Ya can't beat a Deere!

[@nickberger1236]

I just found one at a local equipment dealer. According to the hour meter, it has just under 400 hours (if you can trust it), but it's either an extremely good restoration or just a very well cared for machine. It looks nearly brand new. Not sure what price they're asking for it, but it's probably more than I'm willing to pay!

[@mattbrennan8088]

wow that is crazy. Every JD dealership hated those crates, there was always a mountain of them behind each store. Good score for you on that one!

[@tezskanza]

We used to have massive pallet fires occasionally because of this buildup. Fun times for some teen boys working in the shop!

[@chrisreibold1634]

This is really cool! It's a time capsule. Almost like the mythical jeep flat fender in a crate....

[@jorgeposadas1192]

I'm thinking, glass enclosure in the livingroom or den and just sitting there for hours.

[@marshallevans9457]

You know, I have been on the lookout for a nice 50'' deck and a power steering cylinder... lol. You are absolutely doing the right thing by leaving it in the crate. When you decide to open your Deere museum someday I will gladly make the trip to SD.

[@themaniacmower]

Might see me as well

[@nicklambertson4561]

Still looking for the 318 ? I have one in great condition

[@noworriesmate8287]

I would push it the living room and tell my wife just deal with it!

[@jorgeposadas1192]

I did, I restored my 1st 1965 110 and I put in the living room and watch TV on it , she would take pics and send them to my family.

[@mmrbeef]

I'd have to rip a few doors out to do that! Haha

[@TheTenmm]

😂

[@joed5472]

😂😂😂

[@bradvaughan3658]

What a great find. I’m happy that it is in your possession and will stay pristine. It’s definitely with the right person.

[@themaniacmower]

Damn what a lucky find. Would be cool to find a crated tractor from every series from the round fenders to the square fender 100 series 200 series 300 series and even 400 series. Thats something I would put on my self of cool things I find

[@themaniacmower]

Even a couple patios. Im sure tractors like that are expensive tho

[@kevcocorp]

It would be very satisfying to open the hood and see the hour meter read "00000"!

[@PhatboyHD88]

I feel sorry for the poor fella ,, never being able to play deere games... me personally i wish i could find one of them, but i would use it and in 10 years it would still look like it was new... man what a beautiful machine

[@mmrbeef]

Haha! I don't know... Hanging out in a warm shop while all the other machines works sounds like a pretty good deal to me :D

[@nicklambertson4561]

I have a 318 for sale in great condition

[@trentwheeler6161]

I love the 318s for sure! With that said I find them in rough shape for $1500. I find them in running condition for $3500, needs work. Bought a Cub Cadet 1863 for $950 with a snow plow, and mower deck. Works well for snow plowing with atv tires (chains if needed), and rimguard filled tires. Awesome for mowing too! The Cubs are easier to find around $1000. The 318s are rightfully the most popular mower and sell for a lot more.

[@fixitwithdad8524]

This is great...I have a 332 and didn't realize there should be a belly pan. Good to know!...Thank you

[@mmrbeef]

Glad it helped you out. Yes, all 318's, 316's, 322's, 332's, 420's and the 430's had belly pans. The part number for the belly pan for the 322/332 is different from the 318.

[@apl06]

Wow!! That’s a beauty. We need to see more videos of it.

[@horsemany]

I would lightly wash it right in the crate. Dust holds moisture from the air against the surface and promotes rust. What a find!

[@X748SE]

WOW just WOW! Incredible finds! Your heart must have been pumping like mad when you finally secured those two items. Now, if you come across a NOS 2010 X748 still in a crate ....

[@mmrbeef]

Now that would be a pair NOS X748. But I think I would prefer a NOS 430 over a NOS X748... for now... haha

[@adaboy04]

That will basically ruin any other 318 that you ever have! Great find!

[@jdtractorman7445]

I saw a story about one or two of these 318's online with them still being in crates. Petty amazing after all these years. It's crazy to think that no one bought these brand new as popular of a tractor that they are. I have a 1992 318 myself, great tractors they are.

[@mmrbeef]

If I had to guess I would think there might be another crate machine out there... But you never know. This machine, being a 1992, I would think came about the time the 4-5 units showed up. Once the new machines showed up it would have been a harder sale. Much like my 1974 140, gentleman bought it new in April of 1975 because it looked better than the 300's.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Buy of the year! What a showpiece.

[@Formulabruce]

OMG, WoW!! Score!! This landed in the right hands !, Grats!

[@Fireguy1020]

Man, that is definitely the find of all finds. Better put lots of insurance on it just in case! Definitely keep the crate around it. It's to bad deere didn't build the crates higher so you can have the steering wheel and seat on it.

[@nvdubs]

I wanna see it start for the first time 😱😱

[@capeangler]

This is absolutely amazing. I have watched it over and over again. I know your not selling it but I'd like to ask what you think it's worth or what you've been offered. Thanks

[@haydenschneider3]

I want to buy it and would have as a museum piece at my house! What would you want for it? I’m serious... (for the whole package to)!

[@wemedeeres4105]

What an awesome find and an awesome piece of history still in the condition it left the factory!!!!

[@bbkmods]

No freaking way. Awsome. I think you should keep it in the crate.

[@hunter7476]

How much do you think you paid for it and if it’s currently still in carton how much is it’s value that’s incredible that it’s still brand new

[@samfredo8140]

Does keeping everything in the original box/crate increase the value? Do you have a museum or are you just a collector? My 318 is starting to have some issues and finding parts for it is sometimes difficult and getting expensive. Nice find.

[@jacksonelkin7460]

This is the coolest birdie I have ever seen on a garden tractor

[@javman6022]

I've seen this with Honda ATC250R's, CR500's and other highly sought after machines. It's really cool but I never understood the appeal of leaving a classic machine hidden in the crate to rot away. I would remove it from the crate, clean it up and put in on display so it can be seen and appreciated.

[@LayneBird-bk6uf]

Interesting... Even has a new 50" deck. Great find! I also know where there is a brand new old stock 1992-318 still in the crate. It has a 46" brand new deck inside the same type of wax box that your 50" is in. I also know where a brand new JD 440 Trailfire snowmobile is. Zero miles and sitting in the back bed of a pickup. I even have the PIN of both units.

[@mmrbeef]

Very interesting! Do you happen to know if it is a wooden or metal crate?

[@LayneBird-bk6uf]

I never thought to ask him. I do have the serial number for it@@mmrbeef

[@LayneBird-bk6uf]

@@mmrbeef I don't know. I've never thought to ask him and its been probably 4 years since I last talked to him. He seems to think that John Deere will want it back one day. They don't want it. They already have one that they didn't sell. A friend of mine works for Deere and is involved with the archives. He showed me a picture of the 318 that they kept.

[@johnpyle8027]

When you restore your tractors and paint them do you use John Deere spray paint? I bought a JD 430 about 2 months ago that I am refurbishing for my own use. My neighbor says not to paint it because any new paint will not be durable like the factory. I could wax it and get color back into it but there are places the paint is worn off. I want it to look new. I have seen people paint cars with Rust-Oleum and polish it out and it looks like factory paint! I can drop everything off at a body shop, but I don't think that is necessary. What do you do?

[@mmrbeef]

Well sadly... I hate painting so I rarely paint anything. Deere has good paint and if you use OEM paint it should last as long as the original. You should be able to wax a lot of the scratches etc out but if you blend you can get some Deere spray paint and probably make it look new again. Personally I think wear spots tell stories.... wear on the foot rest show someone has sat in the seat for a few hours.

[@joemattson8185]

What a gem. Hopefully you haven't sold it. Now you just need to find a smoky and the bandit Trans Am that was never ran

[@tractorhead04]

Wow, that is quite a find. Congrats.

[@trucks_n_tractors_6335]

My favorite garden tractors of all time are the JD 300 series and the cub 82 series. just out of curiosity Do you still have that tractor?

[@mmrbeef]

Yes, I still have it.

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

Ok, that’s a sweet f-ing find. Keep the tractor in the crate and display it somewhere. Shit, compared to the ones I’ve seen, the box for the mower deck is in excellent condition

[@matty2helpfull]

Oh my god way too cool. So cool to see how they were .

[@jeffclark5024]

I’ve got an 84 318 and though I agree they are great tractors I will never understand the leave it in the crate thinking. Same as any vehicle. They were meant to be used and driven. Unless they are periodically run, maintained and driven they go to crap.

[@haydenschneider3]

Name your price and I’ll come pick it up! I really love these and would keep it as a show piece! Mower deck I would keep it all the same till the day I die and then let someone that will do what I did till the day they die!! I’ll buy It!

[@jacobmyers4220]

That is beyond cool! Must have cost a pretty penny.

[@alphamale7424]

I hope she is still in the crate! TBH that crate looks like a piss poor design. But I’m no crateologist

[@gregolson5532]

Congrats! We all want it. After you dedust it a covering over the crate would be easy enough. Do not understand why the PO didn't.

[@mmrbeef]

Yes, a cover for the crate is in the future. I don't think you could eliminate the dust issue entirely. Things will collect dust no matter the protection they have.

[@toeupp]

I'm i love! What a find.

[@markallen6119]

Awesome!

[@dave434]

Please tell of how you came about it.

[@johndeeregarage5339]

That’s awesome I’d keep that machine in the crate and in my possession for the rest of my life

[@davideldridge4202]

I have a 1991 318 with only 198 hours on it. No deck but has the front plow.

[@joshyoung]

Absolutely amazing

[@73Cj5er]

What year is it? Man O man that’s really neat, one of a kind to own something like that.

[@Fireguy1020]

92

[@gilligansrehab1182]

You should get UV protecting clearcoat

[@BenKempa]

I'm more impressed with that mower deck. WOW!

[@mmrbeef]

The mower deck is pretty amazing to me as well! Wish I could find a NOS 46 deck :D

[@lunaflight7717]

Are u keeping the deck for one of your other machines

[@TheTenmm]

Congratulations on that find! That is awesome!

[@maxhenry9724]

Wouldn’t trade my 90 318 for a brand new JD equivalent.

[@RideauLakesFarm]

So cool! I wouldn't be able to not unpack it and start it up though! Very curious what you had to pay for it but I dont imagine you'll be giving out that info lol.

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks. We will just say not cheap on cost. Haha

[@kayvonmansouri]

318 in the original box!

[@kevkayla11]

How do you find this stuff??!

[@mmrbeef]

Time, lots and lots of time....

[@spee5810]

Super nice

[@71_sears97]

I sure hope this tractor never comes out of the crate. It deserves to stay in the crate as a brand new tractor. It’s only become older and more collectible. What a great find!

[@Constabruity]

That is freakin cool!!!

[@MrFinkFixes]

That’s insane

[@darthvader4hire]

318 bonerland!!! might be able to make business selling those crates to restorer's....

[@Fireguy1020]

I also think it's time for you to start a museum!

[@mmrbeef]

Haha! I just need to fund raise for a building... I doubt an insurance company would cover all the tripping hazards in the current shop!

[@mikejoyce3782]

@@mmrbeef I thought your new cold-storage building will be set up as a museum ? ?

[@bus-fun-addict]

Wow!

[@kayvonmansouri]

how much $$ was it?

[@mmrbeef]

A lot, and my wallet is still flat.

[@johnpyle8027]

Were you able to sleep the night before you KNEW you were getting it?

[@mmrbeef]

Haha! Actually I did sleep, mostly because it wasn't 100% what day I was picking it up.

[@chrislarson3123]

Amazing

[@ConnorNelson]

very cool!

[@sethpig45]

Id say dont fix the leak or that line its proof of how long its been untouched

[@haydenschneider3]

Don’t take it out of the crate! I will buy it from you and keep it in the crate on the shelf!

[@matthewtaylor2185]

My two year old would make me get weak and take him for a ride.

[@lunaflight7717]

You should keep it

[@mackendw]

fire it up! fire it up!

[@mmrbeef]

Haha, I don’t think so. The next owner can do that… if I sell it.

[@phooesnax]

Wow

[@Bubba-cs7sb]

Holy shit don’t open the crate that will be worth a fortune later

[@mcarroll598]

JACKPOT!

[@_P0tat07_]

Dude no way. 😂 Thats so friggin cool! Great find. I think the only huge question remaining is... what did you pay for it?! Anyway, good on you for keeping that mint in the crate👌🏻👍🏻. Definitely needs some sort of enclosure with LED display lights.

[@mmrbeef]

The display will come with time... Just need to plan out how and where.

[@nhdetailpro]

How many times have you been asked if you would sell that lol

[@mmrbeef]

Many…. Many times

[@LawnGardenFun]

How lucky are you?!?!

[@mwolrich]

I bet you could quadruple what you spent on it, willing to bet John Deere would buy it back, to display in their corporate headquarters, or a JD mueseum…

[@bethmotgomery2662]

Well get r outta that crate and put r to work!!!

[@mmrbeef]

I think I’ll pass on that. It brings me plenty of joy when I walk past it any time I go in the shop.

[@66Oliver]

This is absolutely astounding! I hope you keep that as a museum piece of sorts. Off topic question, what happened to the 420?

[@mmrbeef]

I've spent some time thinking about a display etc for it. Just takes time and money to that... I will get there. Which 420? I sold one this past Spring and now I have another one I am working on.

[@66Oliver]

mmrbeef The one that was in the comparison videos.

[@peterreed2685]

Poor machine. It deserves to be run and worked

[@mmrbeef]

Why? There are lots of 318’s out there that can be worked and restored.

[@jackolson6479]

Man that thing is sweet, will you ever mow with it?

[@rski1036]

Did you not hear him say MULTIPLE TIMES, "it will not come out of the crate."

[@rski1036]

Well there are two sides to this. 1. Keep as is for a collector item. 2. Set her free and put to use cause sitting in the box is a waste of a great machine.

[@mmrbeef]

There are lots of really nice 318's out there to use... I think this one will stay in its box :)

[@LDCBIG1]

It's just a damn lawn mower, cut the freaking grass! Oh, no let sit in the crate and let it rot away!

[@rski1036]

Actually; the 318 is a small tractor and some have an optional mowing deck. Based on appearance this one is not rotting away but to the contrary appears to be brand new.

[@marshallevans9457]

It is not just a mower, it happens to be the greatest garden tractor ever made.