Which One is For You? John Deere 316, 318, and 420 Comparison

See which one is best for your needs!

[@MichaelTJD60]

Good comparison video. You can fit 24x12x12's on a 300 series without clearance issues, not sure about 25's. Flip-up seats became standard in '88 and the suspension seat and flip-up suspension seats became optional in '89 or '90 I believe. All open-frame 300/400 series have the Peerless 2600, but the 420/430 have the two-speed gearbox. The 2300 was the belt-drive 4-speed used in the 110/112/200 series. Also the plastic flyball spacer was a problem on the B series engines as well...they began using them in '85 before switching to the P series. '91-'92 was when they updated the plastic spacer with an extended tooth to hold it in place on the cam gear.

[@66Oliver]

MichaelTJD60 Yeah, I knew the years would bite my ass. 😅

[@jeremymcauliff8485]

Seeing your 316 makes me miss my old 322. She was rough looking, but that 3 cylinder Yanmar sure did sound good.

[@mikeswanger4962]

Great video,those older JD garden tractors are kinda me and my nephews hobby. We have a 110,212,140,314,332 and just pick up a 420 to restore. The 332 we just did a 2 speed rear end swop out of a 430. Thank you for your great information!!!

[@LukeLBluegrass]

Good comparison. I have a couple 330's myself and the 316 really is its twin except the engine. They are all super well built tractors.

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

Got one of the first Zero Turn mowers Deere made .... been here going on 19 years...... still going strong.... Traded a 332 on it

[@southwestndn8401]

Got a 1978 316 with a rebuilt engine really nice garden tractor

[@erikvaldur3334]

I had a 318 with deck and hydraulic blade. I was on 1 1/2 acres there. Sold it because plowing snow was terrible with it. Got it stuck a few times and pulled it out with my little 1973 14hp Wheel Horse. That diff lock on the 420 is the determining factor for me more than the size. Dirt and snow work is Much better with a diff lock.

[@marvinthomas5633]

Great video those are the real John Deere lawn/ Garden tractors unlike this new stuff what’s being made today

[@limekiln]

Very nice and detailed video. My 318's are 10x overkill for my yard, but I don't care lol. In my opinion, I somewhat prefer the 316/318 over the 420. While some people may be mowing 4ft tall grass, the tallest I've ever cut with a GT was about a foot, and it did fine. For me, the belt system is easier than the shaft driven decks. It's easier to install/take off for maintenance, etc. I don't need H3, and I don't really see a purpose, unless you're running a blade/blower and a rear 3 point attachment, like a grader blade. For weight, I don't want something to compact my yard, until it's dead. And while plowing dirt, I want something that's heavy enough to go, but I don't want it to sink in the ground. I feel like the 318 is a combination between a 316 and 420. While a 2 speed rear is nice for speed and power, I'm not gonna pull out trees in low, or travel a mile in high. Personally, 10mph on a garden tractor is somewhat risky. The turning brakes on the 318-332 are somewhat similar to a diff lock, but don't really work that well. Between the 318 and 420, I feel like would be the 425. Diff lock, but with H2, and a 1 speed foot hydro. I actually never noticed the loss of the fuel selector/thingy on the 316. I think the flip-up seats were optional around '87, as my 88 has one. You may be right- I don't think I've seen a post-89 without a flip-up seat. Nice video anyway lol

[@robertduncan2742]

Great video also will hoods interchange and on the 318 not shown will that deck fit the 420. Great videos

[@themaniacmower]

Id like to find a video somewhere on KZbin where they show the 316 K and the newer 316 and just go into detail and show every individual thing that was changed and why. Have a 316 K I got a couple months ago and it just seems like the 316K had more to offer than the 316 onan. Now the 316 onan is a 318 but a base mottle of it from what I have found I cant really find anything different about them except for 318 has dual brakes and H2 when the 316 onan has 1 brake petal and H1.

[@jeffrobison2013]

i always wanted a 430, never found one for a reasonable price that was not wore out

[@66Oliver]

jeff robison Yeah they go for a pretty penny.

[@mikesecondo2254]

Most of them you find are worn and beat!!they become money Pitts very quickly!!!!

[@retireddriver16]

I'm rebuilding a jd420 now as also have 318 and one of them with over 7500 hours on the tractor and and 4365 on the p220 I put in it

[@66Oliver]

Nice. They’re awesome machines if taken care of.

[@paulg444]

if you want to put 26s on a JD316 best to buy wheel spacers and then lift the body 1/2 inch, either with a shim at the frame mount or lift the body with a PVC spacer. His mower deck has the rear roller wheels further back than my mower deck.

[@larainebarton2103]

Got 26s on my 316 no modify . no need for spacers got cub rims.

[@Jacobkiziah]

Can you do a video on adjusting the creep? I just picked up a 332 diesel and a 318 in the past month and I’m trying to go through them and freshen em up. Than you!!

[@66Oliver]

I have yet to do this with any of my tractors, so therefore I cannot make a video on it.

[@Huntersprojects]

Lucky you! I want a 332 so bad I found a 316 for 400 bucks maybe she’ll be mine? I’ve always wanted a garden tractor all I’ve had is lawn tractors and I’ve been doing jobs that a garden tractor should be doing but that’s besides the point

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

No I have the Craftsman T240 Turn Tight tractor 5" turning radius..Kohler 7000 series 22 horsepower 725cc V Twin engine dry weight 630 pounds.. built like a tank..

[@mackendw]

question on the input shaft seal leak...I bought a 420 with the 54" freezer style snowblower (still attached) and the 72" deck. a beast for sure. sitting over 1 winter (not running) and in the spring noticed a good sized pool of transmission fluid on the floor. is that most likely coming out of the input shaft seal? what are some of the other common leaks for this fluid?

[@66Oliver]

That’s always a good suspect. More than likely it will be the charge pump seals or a suction or return line. Mine ended up being the return line on the 316. A good trick would be to pull the fender pan off, and get some baby powered and spread it lightly on the transmission. You’ll find the leak pretty quickly if you can’t see it with just your eyes and no powder. The only other places they like to leak would be around any of the hydraulic cylinders, since these are all at least 30 years old now.

[@mackendw]

@@66Oliver I like the baby power trick...will try that....I'm going to be dismantling all the tin to give it a thorough wash/cleaning before doing the engine over anyway. so, I'd fill the main tranny hydraulic filler again, let it settle, then fire it up after sprinkling the powder over the transmission/hydraulic cylinder and watch it for leaks....

[@JesseCase]

Very detailed and informative video, thanks for doing it. Here's a question. Would you rather have a perfect working mint 400 series or a new X700 series?

[@66Oliver]

I’ve never driven an X7, so I have no idea, but I’d like to guess that I would rather have the 7. The 4s are an awesome piece of machinery, but you just about can’t compete with new tech.

[@markchidester6239]

I've got a 400. Seems very much the same as the 420. 420 has a couple more features, the only one that makes a difference to me is the dif lock. I'd love to have it! Would like to find the parts for the 3 point. Anyone know a place to find them?

[@Georgiagreen317]

About the only similarity of a 400 vs. 420 is the color of the paint. 400's are known as the black sheep of the JD line. New Ruegg three points can be purchased for around $400.

[@sentinel8711]

Diff lock is a big plus

[@66Oliver]

taz Man For sure.

[@sentinel8711]

@@66Oliver the 400 and 420"s are a beast of a Garden tractor... restored my 1978 316 from the ground up I completely rebuilt the engine / steering box trans was fine only thing I wished it had was a diff lock almost done with my 314,,, anyway love them old John deere's

[@Fbosanac]

I’m new to this. I have a 316 Onan. I’m not sure how the h1 system works for the rear. Do you have to switch something? I only have one switch for the pto and the lights indicate it is the front and middle of the mower. How do I make it work in the rear? I appreciate anyone’s help, thank you

[@66Oliver]

You have to have a clutch pack for the rear to have a rear pto, if you have two pto switches, you’ve got “front” and rear. The hydraulic lever runs the rock shaft and the front remote all the time whenever you move it, so the adjustment rod on the back could be locking out your rockshaft.

[@douglasvandyke7666]

Very informative for a 318 enthusiast. Why are the seats so poor quality?

[@66Oliver]

The seats tend to dry out and crack if they are OEM. Usually when replaced they won’t have much of a problem.

[@derekryan112]

What brand of steer tires are you running on the 316.

[@66Oliver]

derek ryan V61s. You can find them on Miller Tire’s website.

[@cjolson9604]

Do you have any information about the John Deere 212

[@66Oliver]

In what regard?

[@cjolson9604]

@@66Oliver just info about the 212s I don't know much about em

[@michaelbenoit248]

Aren’t the JD400 & 420 the same tractor? Over both of them I’d take the 420, & throw a 430 diesel in it.

[@66Oliver]

Not even close. Similar styling, but even that has its differences.

[@jamesking_]

would the ribbed tires be good to plow snow.

[@66Oliver]

They’re better with chains and weights - but these help regardless of the tire type. They bar tires do help however.

[@williamriley2528]

John Deere.... Go Big or Go Home...!

[@wyattkralik4058]

What about the 330

[@66Oliver]

You could more or less class it alongside the 332, minus a few features.

[@mikesecondo2254]

Those old 316 are nothing but money Pitts!!!

[@66Oliver]

Mike Secondo Dod you have one with the Kohler or Onan?

[@mikesecondo2254]

@@66Oliver Onan

[@66Oliver]

Mike Secondo I’ve had decent luck myself with them.

[@mikesecondo2254]

@@66Oliver the steering joint splines are known for stripping..when turning clicks and skips....only used are available at $100.00. Then again be buying the same problem

[@66Oliver]

Mike Secondo Quite frankly that’s better than paying for a brand new power steering cylinder. If you keep the steering greased regularly, they’re the smoothest mechanical steering you can get.

[@mikesecondo2254]

$700.00??? Is going to buy you junk!!!

[@66Oliver]

Mike Secondo Huh? The 316 was bought for that. It’s my most reliable one out of the bunch. 🤷‍♂️

[@williamriley2528]

John Deere.... Go Big or Go Home...!