John Deere 420 vs 318: Part 3 - PTO Design and Engines

Discussing the belt drive vs shaft drive of the 318 vs 420 and the engine differences between the two models.

[@harrisonfowler4461]

Very interesting about the carbs. I bought a NOS short block for my 318 from Boomer. It's a P216, but in using the cam off my B43G and the carb it still makes 18hp. The displacement of the P216 and B43 are the same.

[@jamesrollins3199]

Look don't let your feed die brother. you have so much knowledge. You should have been in charge of the space shuttle

[@truthisbetterthanfame7194]

very informative. i watched all 3 of these comparisons. i had a guy ask me if the Cab of a 322 will fit a 420. my guess is that it would. they look the same with the 420 only having a longer hood... would that be right?

[@jamesrollins3199]

There are so many questions related to me being a noob, so carefully I ask: Is there some inherent risk to removing the driveshaft flange while still in the tractor (it is preferable to me to not touch the hydraulics,they must wait in line)

[@jasoncraig3752]

I have a 87 318 and it is a p218 if I were to git a p220 carb would it produce 20 hp? I would not replace the camshaft at the moment. Just wondering. Thanks!

[@LawnGardenFun]

Simplicity Sunstar has the same PTO set up too.

[@LouCFur90]

The Ariens GT setup is just like the 420. It's such a pain to match a set of belts for it. No two belts are the same length, despite what any parts vendor says. It should be a single, large belt instead of the dual style. Oh no, I'm ranting, lol. Nice video series.

[@mmrbeef]

Interesting, I didn't know that about Ariens. Belt can just be frustrating on any machine.... And regardless of how many you have on hand you never have the right size!!

[@LouCFur90]

@@mmrbeef We always buy 5 or 6 at a time and see which ones are closest. Then just return the rest. From all I can tell, especially with your videos, an Ariens GT is pretty much a split right down the middle of the John Deere 3 and 4 series GT's.

[@jamesrollins3199]

Recently I bought a 420 garden tractor. moo420x315336. The 48g onan is original. 1436 hours, so it's clear the engine needs rebuilt. The starter is rusted with the bendix extended also rusted is that half of the flywheel. The wiring below inspection level has been eaten, probably by chipmonks. Nothing I can't fix so far. My question has two parts, A) can a 20 amp stator be installed, and B) can I soak the flywheel in Evapo-Rust The Original Super Safe Pail Rust Remover, Water-based, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable, 3.5 Gallons ? Just a link to an advertisement sorry. You think it would harm the permanent magnets?

[@kayvonmansouri]

were these sold during the same time period? I've heard 400 series are harder to get attachments for is that true?

[@mmrbeef]

The 318 and 420 were sold during the same time period. In some ways because the 400 series was more expensive new I'm sure fewer were sold making attachments hard led to find now. Certainly not impossible to find. Common attachments like blades and blowers are relatively easy to find. (Might have to travel a bit or have them shipped). Uncommon attachments, you might search for a while.

[@garypaul1033]

Hmm. I heard that the 420 series were backwards compatible regarding past attachments from the previous models (the 318s and 400) and thus attachments from the 318 (and the 400 too?) could be used on the 420 models. I also heard that the 400 models could NOT use attachments from the 318, I am assuming because of the frame greater width...In another KZbin and on another website I saw that the 430 (same tractor as 420 but with a diesel which did make the vehicle 7 inches longer (ahead of the front axle for the added water cooling system)) could use attachments from a 318 if there was a "frame squeezer" attachment utilized (from www-alzwelding-com). SO my question again is this: Were the 400 series JD garden tractors unable to use 318 attachments while the 420 series could use these attachments, and did you require an additional attachment to fit these attachments to the 420 and if so why couldn't a separate frame modifier attachment be made for the 400 allowing it to use 318 attachment? What's the truth?

[@robertduncan2742]

I want to find a good 318 to make things easier for myself without breaking the bank and for snowblowing. My lx176 has a plow which is ok and pushes plenty of snow but the movements hurt my bad back

[@051570orion]

Hello , I have a question , I have a Sears FF/20 that has an Onan engine , the electric PTO is bad and I'm looking for a part number for the JD mowers with a PTO that would work with my mower , I appreciate your time and any information you can help me with .

[@mmrbeef]

Hmmm I'm not that familiar with Sears units but I do think they have 1" crank shafts and the Deere units have larger crankshafts. There are some older Kohler powered PTOs that would work that have 1" shafts. Look for PTOs from a 140, 300, 314, 317.... Hope that helps.

[@051570orion]

@@mmrbeef I will check it out , thanks.

[@f.davidbush9093]

The lower pulley on the 420 was a weak part of the system. The teeth on the pulley were softer than the splines on the shaft. Those pulleys started out at 70$ now they are 240$ from Deere.

[@mmrbeef]

Yes, can't tell you how frustrating it is to replace those pulleys!

[@xpskidoo5151]

Do you know how to replace the oil seal on the rear output shaft on the trans...do you know the seal number and can you replace it from the outside ?

[@jamesrollins3199]

Just one more thing , the hydro levers seem to be stuck. You think it may be the check valves on the pump? Lord have mercy, if I were reinvented as an animal rescue guy this would have to be a grizzly bear. I can barely move it.

[@paulg444]

Do not sweat the difference in caburetor between the P220 vs P218. No way you are going to see a difference once you set up the jets. 18/20 =90%.. no reason to worry. Tune the carb and you will be fine.

[@mmrbeef]

The P220 also has a larger carb venturi. More fuel, more air, coupled with the larger cam lobes provide the extra 2 hp for the P220. The improvement might seem somewhat marginal but based on my experience with 318's and 420's and putting 20 hp engines in 318's there is a power difference in high HP applications like snow blowing.