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Good Buy??

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Mike

11-28-2001 18:06:00




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I am thinking about purchasing a 1984 John Deere 317 w/42" deck. The machine has 800 hours and seems to run and look like it is in great condition. Also, it comes with a plow and has never been rebuilt. However, I have read quite a bit about problems with the series I engine.

Would I have problems with this engine mowing a fairly flat yard? Is this a good buy at $2500?




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Jerry

12-02-2001 12:36:26




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
I sold my 317 3 yrs ago for $2500 and it was also in great shape. The only reason I sold it was to get a bigger tractor with a 60" deck.
All the time I had it I only replaced 2 things - the pto clutch and the drive shaft. No engine problems.
Even though I didn't have engine troubles , I think the Onan is a better engine so I would look for a newer tractor. Besides , with the hours and age you will probably have to start replacing parts soon and it seems like every part for a J.D. is a hundred bucks.

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DarrylinMO

11-29-2001 05:59:23




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
If it has a Kohler engine, I'd run from it! Like the other post said, they didn't have an oil pump and I know it was common to have catastrophic engine failures. That's why Deere went to Onan and Kawasaki engines.



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Tom P

11-29-2001 05:57:43




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
The series I engine is fine as long as you keep oil in it. 800 hours isn't alot of time on that engine either but it should probably have the valves looked at. We bought a similar tractor about eight years ago from a dealer and only paid $2400.00 back then. It too was in mint condition and well maintained.



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Charlie

11-29-2001 05:35:24




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
Just as a point of reference, I sold my JD 317 with a 46" deck for $1400 last summer. It still had the series I engine and was running fine. It was in reasonably good shape.



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Handsome Jim

11-29-2001 04:01:41




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
I bought my 265 which I think is quite a bit newer for about the same money a few years back. It has a 46" deck and ag tires but no other attachments. As far as the hours go, if you know the machine was well maintained, I don't think it's a big issue. What is a big issue however with that series is and you covered it yourself, I heard people really got it trouble with those tractors when they tried to cut steep slopes. They didn't have an oil pump and they ruined the motor for lack of oil. HJ

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gary

11-28-2001 19:15:27




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
Mike,
I don't have much interest in lawn tractors, even John Deere lawn tractors, but I will say that I think $2500 is an astronomical price for a tractor that old. That is the most absurd price I've ever heard of on this site actually. I could have bought a similar, newer tractor with deck and snow blade for $700 last month. I'd think about that deal a bit before buying it, unless there's something I'm missing.
My 2 cents.
gary

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joe

11-28-2001 19:03:43




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 Re: Good Buy?? in reply to Mike, 11-28-2001 18:06:00  
800 hours is quite a bit for a lawn mower engine.
im not sure how much longer it would last.



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JARROD

11-29-2001 10:32:43




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 Re: Re: Good Buy?? in reply to joe, 11-28-2001 19:03:43  
I work for a John Deere dealer here in NC.I can totally agree that the Kohler engine in that machine was not very dependable.John Deere replaced the Kohler with a Onan performer 18.If in fact u have to replace the engine with the Onan,you're looking at about $1800.00.$2500.00 is way way more than that machine would bring at auction,or or i would trade for.If i traded for a 317 that still had the Kohler engine,around $500.00 at the very most.Find a good 318.A nice looking,running 318 would bring $2500.00.A low hour 318 "200 300" hours would bring $3500.00 easily if not more.I personally own a 318 and a 332 diesel.By far the best machines Deere has ever built.They will outlast me and probally my kids when and if i aquire some.

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