Free Broken John Deere 318 Garden Tractor

Dan a subscriber to my channel contacted me about his john deere 318 garden tractor that broke down on the side of his house and asked me if i would want it for making a video, well I sure would, so lets go get it and see what failed and what it will take to bring it bake into service.please say a thank you to Dan for donating us this great machine.

[@motogordo1903]

Ok, who else busted out laughing when the owner came around with the Kubota? 😂🤣🙋🏻‍♂️

[@kdcustoms1272]

He knew what he wanted.🤷

[@octane613]

Now that's a lawn TRACTOR. It even has hydraulic steering! what a gem!

[@1dennissparacio]

I currently have a 1984 John deere 318 mower with the tilt dump material collection system and blower. It works amazing. The original Onan 18 horse motor quit so I had to replace the engine with the Briggs and Stratton Vanguard 24 horsepower direct fit replacement. Man that mower runs awesome and cuts a whole lotta grass. I had to repair the steering because it used to wander from left to right. I also replaced all the bearings on the deck, new idler pulley and spring, new gator blades, added super bright led Flood Beam Headlights, new electric clutch, all new kevlar belts on the pto and mower deck and variable pulley and half sheeves, new full bin indicator and bushing, new John Deere seat, 4 new tires, power steering hydraulic cylinder. So yes, I practically rebuilt the entire machine and it operates just like the day we purchased it. It was well worth it. You see, I'm old school like my father was, I'm not a fan of zero turns, I'd much rather cut grass the old fashioned way, might take a bit longer but I think it does a much better job and I'm used to it, being a farmer and all.........God Bless All...............

[@kenthawkins2418]

A 318...for FREE?! I could see a modern "JD" from Lowe's, etc., but a 318! Don't ever question Dan's love for you....😊

[@hermancm]

Mustie seems to get a lot of equipment for free or nearly free. That’s a good thing If your making a living working on these things and maybe fixing others equipment too. Plus making KZbin videos. 👍😃

[@PeterBestel]

Lazy Sunday afternoon (in cloudy Scotland) and that's a pleasant hour's viewing sorted. Thanks Mustie.

[@theone2be33]

Goodmorning Scotland! From America! 👍😎🇺🇸

[@robertspires4767]

Hi Peter: Where in Scotland? I've spent some time around Glasgow and Motherwell

[@PeterBestel]

@@robertspires4767 South West corner, about 20 miles from Stranraer.

[@roderickmacgregor4867]

Peter Bestel never long enough though eh

[@ROTAXD]

Peter Bestel what have you guys got for outdoor temps this time of year ?

[@rayjones3212]

Not only does the owl care less that you are there, but every time it turns its head back around and finds you still are, it turns it back - hoping! Of course you know we want a part 2 to the JD tractor repair. We always want to see what you are up to!

[@Mr.NiceGuy80]

I'm picking up a running, mowing 318 tomorrow for $900. With a 3 point hitch. I'm pretty excited. I always wanted one of these old tractors.

[@trevorn9381]

Back when I was a teen I used to mow grass for this wealthy old maid who lived on a farm down the road from us who had a well used Deere mower. I can't remember the number of the older one but it was from the 1970s and had a Kohler. It was using a lot of oil and she said it was worn out so she was going to buy a new one. The next time I went over to her house to mow grass I opened the garage door and there sat a brand new 318. I think I probably put 100 hours on that machine mowing her lawn before I went off to college at age 18. Shortly after I left for college she died and her nephew who lived out of state and is a wealthy medical doctor inherited the farm. He never lived there or rented the farm house, just rented the farmland to a tenant farmer who mowed the grass around the abandoned farm house a couple times a year with a bush hog. The last time I went over there and looked through the window of the garage that nearly new 318 was sitting right where I parked it back in 1991 with four flat tires. I called her nephew and told him I used to mow grass for her with that mower and inquired about buying it but was told that: "nothing over there is for sale." LOL

[@thientamtai3066]

I can't ever thanks enough you sir, just about 3 weeks watching your videos, I had fixed all my 3 walking lawnmowers, 1 Muray tractor, 1chainsaw and 2 trimmers. Now I just have 1 more kid bike rider to do. Thanks abunch pro Mustie1. And I love your kindness and joyful laugh!!!

[@dapappacn]

Thank you, Dan The Man, for providing us with material so we can watch Mustie1 in action.

[@gertraba4484]

yeah M1 should give this guy some major gratis repairs for his equipment seeing this one is a winner

[@throttlebottle5906]

he's a good fella ;)

[@dapappacn]

@@throttlebottle5906 Yes, siree!

[@corysavage609]

Thanks for the tractor, because we all love our mustie 1 videos on the good old KZbin!

[@robertasleson5856]

I just was given a 318. Our past priest had mowed his own yard. He has retired and tractor has been sitting in a shed for 10 or 11 years. Battery dead and 2 flat front tires. New battery and one new front tire were put on. Took out spark plugs and turned engine over for 20-30 seconds. Sprayed carb cleaner in carb, put in plugs and turned it over. It sputtered and took off. I got it to run. I almost did a Mustie laugh! The tractor has 244 hours on it. It needs a good bath and scrubbing. I will be using your videos to help if I have any problems. Your videos are awesome!! Thanks!!!

[@robertasleson5856]

I cleaned out the carb. The main jet will not loosen. I boogered up the head of the jet some trying to turn it. I even use penetrating oil to see if that would eat at the corrosion. How can I get the main jet out?

[@delcioussmile67]

52 yr old single woman here. Getting addicted to a nightly video to hear your even tone and precision in shop. I used to be a parts girl in Ford at age 14 and used microfiche, learned about smelly engines. Then to bumper to bumper same deal. It's a soothing place I guess for me in a shop. I could almost smell the gas in the coffee cup. I like your gig. And just so you know it's 12:54 am BC Canada on BC long weekend and I go to bed after you signed off. Nite nite.

[@rogermayers1166]

Just got my coffee, open KZbin and see a new Mustie1 video, going to be a good day!

[@ghibliinu6616]

Absolutely!

[@Ajaxaxxess]

Exact same thing here buddy. Coffee,Cigrits and Mustie for breakfast.

[@c0rpse1]

same i just boiled up a spoon of heroin

[@Steve_Just_Steve]

@@c0rpse1 careful not maul yourself with all that edge

[@edwardhalpin7503]

@@c0rpse1 Oh dear! All God's creatures are special

[@donsurlylyte]

you the man Dan. I wish more guys would give a broken thing to somebody, rather than just scrapping out.

[@joeMW284]

My grandfather had one of those and used it for decades. He used to pull me around on the wagon as he'd mow the lawn. I loved it. I never realized how much more sophisticated these Deere garden tractors are compared to say, a craftsman.

[@justastudentoftheworld3940]

Don't let Mrs. Dan watch this video, or all hell may break loose!

[@steveaustin4118]

Dan said he thinks it's the fuse but didn't try to fix it, maybe dan told his MRS it was knackered so he could get a new one :)

[@bstarnes514]

Hahaha this is usually my excuse to buy something new lol! 🤟

[@-EC002-]

My excuse is that it will cost more to repair than to replace it... Works every time ;)

[@andreim841]

@@-EC002- would cost you even less to not have a wife...

[@danharold3087]

That 318 is a very good GT. Maybe more complex than he needed to mow. I imagine if he had a use for a GT he would have fixed it.

[@jamesf9074]

The fact he replaced it with a larger orange tractor tells me he just likes to play.

[@randywheeler3236]

Just finished two cups of coffee watching the video, now I can start my Sunday morning chores. Have a great day everybody!!!

[@csmihaly]

I was late from work... Like late, late, ....

[@MrCthur]

I miss my 318. Great machine.

[@SWAMPHUNTER644]

Had a 318 many years. Sold it when the starter broke down. too expensive to repair for a 20 yr. old machine. If you put a snowblower on it, I recommend tire chains and weight on the rear end. I had a weight bar made with 2 one inch thick steel bars welded in a T, weight 75#. Drilled 2 holes to bolt to the tractor hitch and then 2 holes on the 50# one inch thick steel bar to fit 2 sturdy threaded rods to hold more plates. I could add 4 50# weight, usually used 2. Had wheel weight but with rear bars didn't really need them. If headed downhill on ice, could not back up without weight. I had a Curtis cab which I strongly recommend. A pulley let loose on the snowblower on the driveway with a foot of snow. Lost the halfmoon keystock and had to make a new one in the middle of a blizzard. Good tractor.

[@SWAMPHUNTER644]

One more point on this comment. Extend the T out the back several inches and drill a hole for a hitch pin or clevis to tow if necessary.

[@jeremymcauliff2510]

Love my JD 322! The 318, 322 and 332 are all in the same series with the engine being the main difference. The 318 had an air-cooled Onan twin cylinder while the 322 and 332 were both liquid cooled 3 cylinder Yanmar engines. They were well-built tractors that are still in service today. Can't say that for most of the junk being built these days.

[@johnnygolden7401]

Yes Thank You Dan! Does anyone else find themselves tilting their head to get a better angle on what is being shown such as trying to see that if the Choke was open or not. I do it all the time watching these!

[@michaelanderson1859]

He asked us🤣

[@paulm.6437]

Very good troubleshooting, and carburetion specialist.. You’re not afraid of tackling any small motor or engine.

[@FreedomRock44]

Awesome get Mustie!! Glad your Asst. Mechanic Lilly is with you to lend you an Ear!!!! She loves her ear rubs....

[@eosjoe565]

Wow... for only 677 hrs that 318 has led a hard life. Ridden hard and put away wet. :-)

[@ShainAndrews]

@kragseven In my experience departments have a few meticulous guys, and the remainder are good at politics, paperwork, and training.

[@ROTAXD]

EOSJOE that thing has far more than 677 hours on it. That hour meter is clearly far newer than the rest of the machine...it also says Caterpillar on it.

[@eosjoe565]

@@ROTAXD Good eye! I assumed when he said the meter was working that it meant the hours were accurate. Bad assumption. :-)

[@ROTAXD]

EOSJOE naw, I didn’t catch that it was a Cat hour meter until I read it in the comments myself lol. To me it just looked too clean compared to the rest of the machine.

[@dufus2273]

abused

[@Al-Fiallos]

Lol. What a coincidence, this spring I was gifted a John Deere 318 by my son's in-laws. They moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania and said I could have the JD 318 but that it did not run. Their nephew tried starting it but ended up tearing it apart and had to replace the starter (best guess he burnt it up cranking). Anyway, long story short, I used your very own trouble shooting process and got it running within 30 minutes! The only component that I replaced was the fuel filter - it was completely blocked. Thanks for being such a good and patient teacher.

[@tracyr5594]

pretty nice that subscribers will donate to the channel

[@tubeDude48]

You were lucky to get your hands on a 318. There hard to come by since they were so popular. Finding parts can be hard.

[@SkaterStimm]

I will probably never need a tractor in my life, but the fuel tank, troubleshooting tips are so useful. I had no one to teach me this stuff growing up, and I never had access to anything other than my own VW bus to tinker on. Thank you so much for these videos!

[@countrylife6072]

I like the long in depth videos with explanations, other YT channels make a 10min video and nothing is explained.

[@Mate2Frio]

Really like the 318 and the 332.

[@robertpage2927]

Been doing carbs since the seventys still love watching them being done

[@g.n.6471]

Mustie, love your videos! Don't ever be concerned about time. I could watch this stuff for hours.

[@marcijunebug]

G. N. Agreed!

[@kevinritchie9227]

After sitting on the wet seat, the new channel name is 'Moistie1' lol. Another great video!

[@Marvinfj32]

nature at the end is a nice touch. gettin better all the time.

[@welderboy525]

Nice find. I love 316 &318 tractors

[@dannyj5688]

Thanks Dan for providing Mustie another great project to entertain us Mustie fans

[@garagedweller7159]

500 dollar tractor here any day as it was. Heck of a nice guy for giving it away,even smarter for buying a Kubota. Love my BX25.

[@Americancitizen1]

BX2670 here! That’s a nice 318 too..

[@RichardWinchesterold524]

I love to watching you bring that old 318 back to life John Deere I'm a collector of old John Deere stuff and I've been trying to find a 318 for quite a while in my area it's hard I've been restoring an old 1970s John Deere snowblower 1980s push mower been looking for a writer for a while

[@MichaelJHNC]

What area are you in? I’m in nc and they show up on marketplace here occasionally.

[@rkwill100]

thanks Dan for the gift of the 318.

[@tatomonticello520]

Nothing better on Sunday morning two eggs two bacon two toast And1 mustie1 video

[@gertraba4484]

.and I have the BIG BREAKFAST too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@vanessadelight3964]

I know a lot of people loved your home garage but I really dig the new shop and the videos that are coming out from it. Maybe me but I can see better with my old eyes. LOL. Keep up the awesome work. These are the type of videos that brought me to your channel!.

[@daveryan4353]

Lilly is The Best!!! Every Shop Should Have a Old Shop Dog or Two or Cat if You Like, They Add To The Fun Of Being A Mechanic !!!

[@SMKreitzer1968]

Fantastic, thanks for taking us along and inviting us along to twist a few wrenches. I was going to steer the tractor onto the trailer for you, lol.

[@steelfist65]

I personally feel like the 318 was one of the best residential garden tractors John Deere ever made. We had one in our family for many years. Unfortunately, it was stolen, otherwise I'd still have it.

[@timosullivan5165]

Who would steal a man's personal equipment, that's awfully low.

[@steelfist65]

@@timosullivan5165 it's even more complicated as it was someone I trusted as a friend. Long story short, it was completely destroyed before it was recovered.

[@firesafe8417]

Thank you Mr. Dan for contributing to the channel..

[@walterhart4516]

Nice vid, paused to check comms see what engine is in it. I have a 1968 JD 316 with front end loader attachment powered by 21hp twin Koehler. It’s doing same thing, won’t start dead everywhere. I’m confident after I finish this vid, I’ll have Lil John Deere Greene up and scooping shit in the corrals in no time. She is a total resto, just couldn’t get her to fire. Ready for assembly & contact! Thanks Mustie

[@walterhart4516]

Ha, mine was a give away too. Wouldn’t run, didn’t charge last time it did run. Caked and covered in 50 yrs of crud, broken carb, don’t know how it ran long enough to get in the condition it was. Came with JD implements a rear angled blade and a rototiller. They were hauling to dump.

[@adamelam6385]

I'm getting ready to change the deck belt on my 332. It's a beast. My wides grandpa bought it new in the late 80's and it has been mowing the same 1.5 acres for 35 years. Those old Yanmar Diesels are bullet proof.

[@user-MRG1130]

I love knowing, that I’m not the only one who comes home from a long day at work, just to relax, by watching other ppl work! LoL, thank u guys and gals, all of us can’t be crazy, right? JK

[@gepettoe]

The only thing I hate about your videos Sir is when its over! Great vid.

[@gertraba4484]

this one a little long but good content .............................to be continued

[@marcijunebug]

Steven Kokinda truth

[@nigellewis4686]

I'm watching from England I use to work on machinery wow what a collection

[@ralfzimmerman8324]

You are like the Rick Steves of mechanics. Luv it.

[@jasondandria1979]

Look forward to Sunday mornings with a coffee on the porch and a little Mustie1 viewing. The highlight of the weekend.

[@veebee284]

Thanks, Dan. I have a JD 140 and a lot of this video series helped me with it. Different engines though. Mine is a Kohler 14 HP. These old John Deere tractors are very impressive and heavy and that helps it be pretty productive on the homestead. Cheers!!

[@dennisflanagan7599]

My 13year old son got a free 314 JD that was sitting for ever. Tune it up had it running in less than an hour. Nice find on the 318.

[@LAP1050]

New shop - New Blue Rags - New Shoes. Things are looking up in Mustieville, good for you... ;>)

[@5150mxVW]

I'm glad you have the room of the new shop to house all these projects , nice work and cool ending 👍

[@mustie1]

good luck on your road trip

[@g2b233]

Darren, your viewer just gifted you 1500.00 in the form of one of the most desired 300 series John Deere tractors; even in the condition that it's in now. Those 318's are so versatile that they are desired even with blown motors for a lot of money. My brother and I are well versed in 318 repair having owned one since 1991. Your 318 has led a tough life with, by the looks of it, very little maintenance. Yes, it needs some love but if you give it that "love" it'll reward with faithful service for years to come. The 318 Achille's heel is no maintenance on the Onan engine. Keep up with that and you'll be fine. Your battery light problem is indeed related to the front electric PTO: in essence, that PTO is connected to the crankshaft and if the PTO'S bearings are shot and are causing excessive drag, the PTO will draw too much current when it's on which will turn the light on as well as overheat wires causing the fuse to blow and in some cases taking out the PTO switch as well as the ignition switch. We had the same issue. A John Deere brand PTO is 700.00 but we replaced ours with an extreme brand PTO from eBay for 279.00 and the aftermarket works just like the original AND is not only serviceable but way cheaper. I have the electronic version of the service manual and will send you a copy if you want, just let me know. You have a great machine on your hands, maintain it and you'll be happy. George.

[@danbasta3677]

Has an Onan engine in it. Onan were picked up by Cummins and they scrapped all the Onan engine line.

[@normanfox4916]

Enjoyed watching you work on the 318. May help me in the future because i do all my own work. Purchased my 318 new in 1986 and it has 2287 hours on it and uses very little oil. Got hard to start a couple years ago and I couldn't find an NOL pump so I put an electric pump on it and it starts like when it was brand new. Use it mainly for plowing snow and pulling wagons that are too heavy for the JD 345 now. This is one machine I will never get rid of.

[@stevereinhart4067]

The new shop is wonderful but I sure miss that old garage.

[@901ronnie]

Thank you Dan - one of my favorite tractors and a very generous donation!

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Such a pleasure watching someone having fun doing what he is imminently qualified to do with a chuckle! Great videos!

[@EnglishTurbines]

Another fixitup Gem from Mustie......Never gets old.....Thank you.

[@danssmokintreasures]

Thanks Dan for the donation.

[@brianm7191]

Love the longer videos, nice work. Looking forward to see you finish this one off. Thanks !

[@lionreb]

I think that ordering a 90$ seat replacement is for Mustie a sing of complete confidence, so I knew at that point that the machine was going to be good. awesome owl...

[@HappyHands.]

what a great mower find! certainly isnt the crappy Chinese john deers you buy a lowes these days. the last John deer riding mower i bought at lowes lasted 6 months, before the head gasket failed and the gas filler cap dry rotted and fell into the gas tank.

[@guerrillaradio9953]

The 318 is the best damn mower ever made. My L110 is a joke compared to my old 318....want another one.

[@ProlificInvention]

Salute this fella for donating this tractor to you *Mustie1* I hope more viewers do the same, excellent videos!

[@romansroad2007]

You are a great guy and mechanic on working on things I love how you explain things to us on line like a teacher or buddy right next to ya

[@abelwrate4330]

Get a tank for your truck and put air shocks on it. Always have on board air. Keep up the great video's.

[@F3Ibane]

Commenting for algorithm, and because your shop helper is a 10/10 good girl.

[@charliemelidosian8726]

It's a good Sunday when watch mustie one and a good cup of coffee.

[@tolbaszy8067]

Lilly: "When are we going home?"

[@krisley5178]

A big thumbs up! YES PLEASE....more of the 318!

[@buddieluvsu]

What a thoughtful Guy

[@theone2be33]

Goodmorning Vietnam! And Mustie1! 👍🍻

[@ericbaker9546]

As always Darren, I watch all your videos. You have given me many tips along the way that I have used on my own things. Many thanks, Eric from Tamworth.

[@Brandon-ch2ot]

My family has a house in Tamworth

[@5wisher5weet]

I flew to Tamworth from Melbourne one day for a 4 hour job....my old company must have either owed someone a favour or made a lot of money on that job

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Thanks for the excellent video. Thanks to Dan for the donation. 👍🙂🚜

[@johnhansen4550]

You are the Bob Ross of small engine...

[@johnnewson5039]

317k. it just keeps getting bigger and better. best wishes from the uk

[@donsurlylyte]

hope he is making some money from it

[@helicopterjohns]

Hi, Really enjoy your videos. I just recently got one of those strap on head lamps. It is the cats meow. Wish I had one years ago. This is a TYPICAL John Deere. It takes you an hour to get all the shields and associated brackets off of them before you can even get to the issue at hand. I do similar type of work in my retirement. Enjoy the challenge of finding the particular issue and breathing life back into small engines. John

[@TheDriver454]

Thank you Dan!

[@555Trout]

Great motors on these little guys. We had one that ran forever.

[@toddkratzer7953]

My 212 John Deere has been running good for 41 years with a Kohler engine.

[@kennethbredow3098]

The 212 is a GREAT TRACTOR ! I started working at a John Deere dealership in 1978, i set up and worked on plenty of them. I'm not crazy for the Onan engine in the 318, they cost to much to fix, but other than that the tractor was fine.

[@Themechanic1]

Hi my name is Louis.I seen almost all ur videos I saw one last night about where u talked about. My 2 cents on being a mechanic. I been a mechanic for 40 yrs I'm 56 .I ha back surgery in 99. Sorry to say it didn't work for me but being a mechanic is all I know it keeps me active. But like u said we need to know when to say I can't do that. But u know it's hard to say no I thinks. I just need to swallow my pride. Thank you for ur videos.I can watch them all day.

[@connieworcester55]

That's a nice tractor.. love the owl. ,,,,,,,,,,, and Lily

[@stripersniper1531]

That’s a nice tractor,Dan is a good man. Starts and runs 100% better now.

[@Blazer02LS]

Great tractor. If you need the service manual just yell. Have it in pdf.

[@clayon89]

Gonna comment before watching and say I love the will it run videos and I've been missing them

[@haydenschneider3]

Those machines are a lot of money and you got it for free!

[@amdg2023]

The Honda 3813 best riding mower on the planet, picked one up at yard sale for $200 and it's got no competition 30 years later.

[@TheSitscha]

Hi, greetings from Germany :), i like youre Videos a lot. Every Sunday i get a Coffee, chillin on the Couch and streaming musties new Video :) Go on, wish you the best.

[@rogermcfarland8111]

I’m pretty well convinced that a pressure washer takes a lot of misery out of working on...well, just about any item that needs repair. Sure makes the engine and related components easier to see without all the grime covering up the work area.

[@anonjag]

Things look so much nicer after a pressure wash, sold free discarded equipment on CL after doing nothing but a good clean,

[@richardmcginnis5344]

this is cool, people living all over the world are watching including me from connecticut

[@richardmcginnis5344]

love the owl at the end

[@zedee2000]

I bet this guy has hundreds of motorized machines!!! Should do a tour for us.

[@redwire2364]

I have worked on quite a few of the Onan engines. It sounds to me like you have an intake leak. Check the intake to cylinder block gaskets too. These engines are notorious for burning them out. Just some friendly advice. Love your videos. Thanks

[@Boemel]

I want one of these for my 30th birthday. Would love restoring it bit by bit.

[@madman9404]

I've got one for sale ten times better looking than this one. But,it needs a new valve seat

[@tomtheplummer7322]

Want one for 60th birthday 🎂. Walk behind mower even self- propelled is getting to be a chore. I started as a kid with a push roto- reel mower. Boy turns man. Get strong, mow more lawns make more money 💴. When grass don’t grow, cuz no one had had pressure irrigation, it was time to bail and lift hay. Almost thinking lawn service when I walk by last year’s mowers on sale. Price point vs how long I could use it. Wow I never planned to get olde👴. Maybe a little I have more money than I can sanely spend. When I croak my kids will be wealthy and lazy.

[@ghud6291]

30!!!😲😲😲

[@josephballard8404]

Is it weird that I get excited when you use your rubber hose plyers??? Growing up I didn't have fancy tools like that...my dad would always use a flat screw driver and pry the hose off...you're my hero!

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

That's a great man giving away a 318. Really nice tractor the 318 is. I ran one for a long time.