John Deere 318 Tractor (Garden / Lawn)

Dimensions

Overall Length 69.5 in (1765 mm)
Wheelbase 46 in (1168 mm)
Overall Height 44.5 in (1130 mm)
Overall Width (Narrow) 41 in (1041 mm)
Overall Width (Wide) 43.3 in (1100 mm)
Front Tread 32 in (813 mm)
Rear Tread (Narrow) 30.5 in (775 mm)
Rear Tread (Wide) 32.8 in (834 mm)
Turning Radius (Inside Rear Wheel) 26 in (660 mm)
Turning Radius (Outside Front Wheel) 80 in (2032 mm)

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor Tire Size

Tire Sizes

John Deere 318 Tire Size Pressure
Front Tire, Turf (Standard) 16×6.50-8, 2 PR 6-16 psi (41-110 kPa)
Rear Tire, Turf (Standard) 23×10.50-12, 2 PR 5-10 psi (34-69 kPa)
Front Tire, Ag (Optional) 4.80×4.00-8 6-16 psi (41-110 kPa)
Rear Tire, ag (Optional) 23×10.50 5-10 psi (34-69 kPa)

Engine Details

Engine Model Onan B43G (Early) Onan P218G (Later)
Number of Cylinders 2 2
Engine Type Air-cooled horizontal-shaft opposed twin Air-cooled horizontal-shaft opposed twin
Fuel Type Gasoline Gasoline
Displacement 43.3 cu in (0.710 L) 47.7 cu in (0.782 L)
Bore 3.25 in (82.55 mm) 3.25 in (82.55 mm)
Stroke 2.62 in (66 mm) 2.87 in (73 mm)
Horsepower 18 hp (13.4 kw) 18 hp (13.4 kw)
Power Measured @ 3600 rpm 3600 rpm
Peak Torque 31.5 lb ft (43 Nm) 31.5 lb ft (43 Nm)
Torque Measured @ 2200 rpm 2200 rpm
Slow Idle Speed 1350 rpm 1350 rpm
Fast Idle Speed 3450 rpm 3450 rpm
Compression Ratio 6.5:1 7.0:1
Sparkplug NGK BPR5EFS, Champion RS14YC NGK BPR5EFS, Champion RS14YC
Sparkplug Gap 0.025 in (0.635 mm) 0.025 in (0.635 mm)
Fuel System Carburetor with fixed main jet Carburetor with fixed main jet
Fuel Pump Type Pulse Pulse
Lubrication System Full Pressure w/ filter Full Pressure w/ filter
Cooling System Forced air cooling Forced air cooling
Air Cleaner Dry filter with pre-cleaner (foam and paper) Dry filter with pre-cleaner (foam and paper)
Aspiration Naturally aspirated Naturally aspirated

John Deere 318 Tractor Specs

Operational Specs

Operating Weight 852 lb (386 kg)
Shipping Weight (No fuel) 780 lb (354 kg)
Operating Voltage 12 V
Alternator 20 amps
Battery 12 V, CCA 491, RC: 102 min, BCI Group 22F
Starter 12 V, Solenoid
Operator Station Open Operator Station
Operator Seat 2 spring suspension high-back seat. Slide rail adjustment
Light System Headlights, rear reflector / tail lights, dash indicator lights

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor Transmission Specs

Transmission

Type Shaft-driven hydrostatic transmission (HST)
Number of Gears Infinite forward and reverse
Max Forward Speed 7.7 mph (12.4 km/h)
Max Reverse Speed 3.9 mph (6.2 km/h)
Steering Power, Hydrostatic
Service Brakes Drum brakes on rear wheels
Return-to-Neutral Braking Standard
Parking Brake Standard
Drive 2WD
Differential Lock N/A
Cruise Control N/A

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor with Rear PTO

PTO (Power Take-Off)

Front PTO (Standard) Independent, pulley type
Front PTO Clutch Electric
Front PTO Speed 3450 rpm
Rear PTO (Optional) Independent
Rear PTO Clutch Electric
Rear PTO Speed 2000 rpm
PTO Control Electric Switch on Dash

Hydraulic System

Type Two-function hydraulic system
Charge Pump Flow 3 gal/min (11 L/min)
Steering Valve Pressure (in Neutral Position) 90 – 180 psi (620 – 1240 kPa)
Implement System Pressure 850 – 975 psi (5861 – 6722 kPa)
Number of Remote Control Valves 2 Sets

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor with 3-Point Hitch

3-Point Hitch (Optional)

Control Directional control
3 Point Hitch Type Category 0
3 Point Hitch Lift Capacity @ 24 in 640 lb (290 kg)

Service Refill Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity 4.5 gal (17 L)
Engine Oil Capacity (w/o filter) 0.37 gal (1.4 L)
Engine Oil Capacity (w/ filter) 0.45 gal (1.7 L)
Cooling System Capacity Air-cooled
Transmission Oil Capacity (Early) 1.88 gal (7.1 L)
Transmission Oil Capacity (Later) 1.24 gal (4.7 L)
Hydraulic System Capacity 1.19 gal (4.5 L)

John Deere 318 Filters

Engine Air Filter (Foam) HE1401496
Engine Air Filter (Paper) HE1401912
Inline Fuel Filter AM116304
Engine Oil Filter AM101207
Transaxle / Hydraulic Oil Filter AM39653
Transmission / Hydraulic Oil Low Viscosity Hy-Gard, ISO 32 (TY22000)
Engine Oil Torq Gard SAE 30 (TY22072)

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor Weight

Serial Numbers & PIN Location

Serial number plate below steering column of the John Deere 318 tractor.

Year Serial Number
1983 M00318X222001
1984 M00318X285001
1985 M00318X315001
1986 M00318X360001
1987 M00318X420001
1988 M00318X475001
1989 M00318X595001
1990 M00318X010001
1991 M00318X100001
1992 M00318X110001
Final M00318X120000

John Deere 318 Garden Tractor Attachments

John Deere 318 Attachments

The John Deere 318 garden tractor remains one of the most popular and capable models in the vintage garden tractor lineup, known for its rugged build, hydraulic power, and unmatched attachment versatility. Designed to handle year-round tasks with ease, the 318 supports a broad range of implements that transform it from a dependable mower into a powerful all-purpose workhorse.

John Deere 318 Lawn Tractor with Mid-mount Mower Deck

Mowing duties are handled by a variety of mid-mount decks, including 38-inch, 46-inch, and 50-inch options, giving users flexibility based on terrain, coverage needs, and engine power. For those equipped with a Category 0 three-point hitch and a 2000 RPM rear PTO, the 318 can also run a 50-inch rear-mount grooming mower for fine lawn maintenance.

Mower Decks for John Deere 318

Model 38″ Mower Deck JD 664 46″ Mower Deck JD 595 50″ Mower Deck JD 1013
Mount Type Mid-mount Mid-mount Mid-mount
Overall Width 49.7 in (1262 mm) 57 in (1448 mm) 68 in (1727 mm)
Cutting Width 38 in (965 mm) 46 in (1168 mm) 50 in (1270 mm)
Cutting Height 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) 1.5 to 5 in (38 to 127 mm) 1.5 to 4 in (38 to 102 mm)
Lift Type Hydraulic lift Hydraulic lift Hydraulic lift
Blades 2 3 3
Primary Belt JD M89090 JD M82718 JD M82718
Secondary Belt JD M82538 JD M41668 JD M41668
Mower Deck Weight 100 lb (45 kg) 116 lb (52 kg) 186 lb (84 kg)

John Deere 318 Tractor with Rear-mount Grooming Mower JD 260

50″ Rear-mount Grooming Mower

Model John Deere 260
Mount Type Rear-mount, 3-point hitch category 0
Mower Width 50 in (1270 mm)
Cutting Height 1.5-6 in (38-152 mm) Adjustable
Wheels Two 3.25 x 10 in (83 x 254 mm) semipneumatic rear support wheels + two adjustable gauge wheels in front

Snow Blowers for John Deere 318

Model 46″ Snow Thrower JD 0603M 47″ Snow Blower JD 2752M
Mount Type Front-mount Front-mount
Clearing Width 46 in (1168 mm) 47 in (1194 mm)
Auger Diameter 16 in (406 mm) 16 in (406 mm)
Lift Type Hydraulic Lift Hydraulic Lift
Stage Single-stage Dual-stage
Weight 200 lb (90 kg) 400 lb (181 kg)

Winter operation is made possible with the addition of front-mounted snow attachments, including a 46-inch single-stage snow thrower and a 47-inch two-stage snow blower.

John Deere 44 Front Loader Specs and Dimensions

John Deere 44 Loader

A. Maximum Lift Height 71.5 in (1816 mm)
B. Reach at Maximum Height (Bucket Dumped) 21 in (533 mm)
C. Maximum Clearance (Bucket Dumped) 52 in (1320 mm)
D. Reach with Bucket on Ground 44 in (1117 mm)
E. Bucket Roll-Back Angle 20°
F. Maximum Dump Angle (ASAE) 50°
G. Digging Depth Below Ground Level (ASAE) 4.5 in (114 mm)
H. Mast (Upright) Pivot Height 40 in (1016 mm)
I. Front Hub Center Line to Bucket Pivot 24.5 in (622 mm)
J. Mast (Upright) Pivot to Front Hub Center Line 23.5 in (597 mm)
K. Tractor Wheelbase 46 in (1168 mm)
Lift Capacity to Full Height at Pivot Pin 400 lb (181 kg)
Breakout Force (Bucket cylinders) 575 lbf (2.56 kN)
Loader Bucket Width (Standard) 48 in (1220 mm)
Loader Bucket Capacity, Struck (Standard) 0.21 yd3 (0.16 m3)
Loader Bucket Width (Optional) 54 in (1372 mm)
Loader Bucket Capacity, Struck (Optional) 0.24 yd3 (0.18 m3)
Front Loader Weight 500 lb (226 kg)

John Deere 318 Tractor with 44 Loader

For those seeking even greater utility, the rare John Deere 44 front-end loader provides significant lifting and material handling capability, ideal for property owners and garden tractor enthusiasts. A 54-inch front blade offers further utility for snow pushing, grading, and light dirt work.

John Deere 318 Tractor with hydraulic 54 Blade

54″ Front Blade

Model John Deere 54
Mount Type Front-mount
Clearing Width 54 in (1372 mm)
Blade Height 18 in (457 mm)
Lift Height 12 in (305 mm)
Cut 3.5 in (89 mm)
Lift Type Hydraulic lift
Angle Type Hydraulic angle
Angling 30° each side
Blade Weight 150 lb (68 kg)
Shoes Two adjustable skid shoes

John Deere 318 Tractor with Rear Shaft-drive Tiller

The 318 also supported two tiller options. The 48-inch shaft-driven tiller required the optional 2000 RPM rear PTO, while the 30-inch hydraulic tiller (expandable to 42 inches) operated via a belt-driven hydraulic pump mounted in place of the mower deck. These tillers gave the 318 true garden preparation power, making it suitable for serious landscaping and cultivation.

John Deere 318 Lawn Tractor with Material Collection System (MCS)

Material collection was another strength, with three available bagging systems. The Power Flow two-bag collector featured a 6.5-bushel capacity and used a belt-driven fan mounted on the mower spindle. A more advanced three-bag, 10-bushel system was powered by a dedicated 6-horsepower Kawasaki engine. The top-tier 13-bushel material collection system also ran on a Kawasaki engine and featured either a manual tilt dump or a hydraulically operated dump system capable of lifting and emptying up to 370 pounds at a height of 66 inches.

Altogether, the John Deere 318 offers a level of attachment compatibility that rivals many compact utility tractors, making it a timeless choice for homeowners who demand serious performance from a garden tractor.

Ask a question