Highest Cut Possible on John Deere 318?

mismith · Apr 26, 2015

I just picked up a very nice John Deere 318. It is an early 1983 model with a 50" deck. We plan on using this as just a backup mower for the wife to help out with. We currently use a SCAG Wildcat with 61" deck. We now several acres of nice fescue.

I mow very high, for years I mowed at 5" and we have a beautiful thick fescue lawn. The neighbors always comment on it. I recently went to 4-1/2" but don't want to mow any lower than that.

Can this 318 be set up to mow at 4-1/2" high? I really need to get it that high, even if It needs a slight modification? Let me know please.

Thanks!
Michael

Anonymous-0 · Apr 26, 2015

Yes'

mismith · Apr 26, 2015

How? I have not even put the deck under it yet but people are telling me that 4" is a maybe and 4-1/2" is a no go?

ray hofstetter · Apr 26, 2015

4" is about all you'll get out of it, unless you can modify it to tuck up under there a little more....

mismith · Apr 26, 2015

Well, that's very disappointing news. I may have to sell it or trade for something that will adjust higher? That's a shame, It's a really nice 318. Surely someone has modified one of these to cut higher? I can't imagine I'm the only one who cuts this high.

I can't complain though, the deal I got on the 318 was almost a give away. It was way too good to not bring it home. I wasn't looking for one, just stumbled upon it.

504 · Apr 26, 2015

On a JD 318 you do not set the cutting height with the wheels or rollers,you set it with the screw at the back of the mower. "Left side all thread with a roll pin through it". The wheels are for anti scalping. Depending on the deck you have(more than one made)some will not have enough lift to cut that tall and some might work fine. You might need to run a speed up pulley too. Poke around here.
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mismith · Apr 26, 2015

I was already well aware of that. Just wanted to know if anyone had did any modifications to get the deck higher than 4"?

steve_in_mo · Apr 26, 2015

You could probably put some taller tires on it and get the clearance you need. You may run into clearance problems with the front wheels but only if you need to make sharp turns.

ztrmower · Apr 27, 2015

yes you have to be one of the odd to cut this high like said earlier 4" be about all you will get. the other option is to mount taller
rims and tires on unit

Highest Cut Possible on John Deere 318?

mismith

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Anonymous-0

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mismith

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ray hofstetter

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mismith

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504

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mismith

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steve_in_mo

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ztrmower

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