[Iowa_jd_317]

I inherited a 317 with the series 2 KT 17 engine from my Grandma and I am totally stoked to get her up and running. This is my first John Deere and first Garden Tractor. It had been sitting in a barn for about 5 years (could be longer). It has a show blade, bit-old tiller, and a deck. I got it running with a change of the battery, new cables, and an oil change.

I plan on doing a frame up restoration down the line but don’t want to get into that for a year or so, but I do want everything to work on it in the meantime. So I have a few questions, and would appreciate any help anyone has to offer.

1. Looses power going up modest hills without having any attachments on it. Should I start with a carburetor rebuild or is there a more likely reason for this?

2. Where can I get a service manual? I noticed on the John Deere website that they really don’t offer anything on the 317 like they do all other models. I am assuming it was because of the bad name the 317 got from that first series KT17 engine.

3. I probably should change the transmission fluid before continuing to chase the neighbors dogs. Anything special I need to know about the transmission fluid or should I just head up the road to the JD store and get what ever they offer?

 

[vinnie110]

Make sure the air cleaner element is clean
Manuals:
- Go to the Kohler Engines website and look under Classic Engines for a free engine manual
- The 317 Tractor manuals are available from JD Parts.Com. It takes some looking under manuals to find them. They have to be purchased fron JD and can be done on line. The service manual on CD is about $50, well worth it.
- Transmission takes JD Low-Vis HyGuard and you need a filter fron your JD dealer

 

[Iowa_jd_317]

Vinnie - Thanks for the info. Regarding the air cleaner element, is that the air filter or something all together different?

 

[sflem849]

Air Filter, I have only found it at JD, but haven't tried looking that hard at NAPA etc bc I have a huge "want it now" factor.

 

[khe]

The tractors of that vintage always spec'd John Deere all weather hydrostat fluid. If the JD fluid was not available, the manuals said to use type F automatic transmission fluid. All the JD All Weather fluid was type F trans fluid.

The oil filter, transmission filter, and air filter will all cross reference to aftermarket filters.

 

[vinnie110]

Kris, yes just the paper air filter, if that loads up the tractor will have problems going up hills. I get them from JD.
Start with the easy things first like air filter, oil, spark plugs, ignition points & condenser, etc. Ignition parts come from a nearby Kohler engine dealer.
If this engine is stock it does not have an oil filter, but the series 2 is the better engine, still it is important to keep the oil changed and maintain the proper oil level. I check the oil each time I use my 317. These little engines run at 3600 RPM which is like running a modern car at 80 MPH all day.
My JD dealer is only about 15 miles away so I use JD transmission oil and filter, I don't like risking a $500+ transmission to save a couple of bucks on substitutes.

 

[mkos1980]

Ditto to all the above. I also use a JD Transmission filter and LV HG. As for the Air Filter I usually pick that up at my local L&G shop. It usually comes in a Stens box. I also added a inline fuel filter to my 317. My local TSC has the Kohler fuel filter for 6 bucks which isnt bad.

 

[Iowa_jd_317]

Thanks Everyone for the words of wisdom.

The first thing I did was change out the air filter, change the oil and new battery and cables. I have gotten new plugs but yet to install. I am lucky as I have JD dealer probably 3 miles from my tractor. ; ) Hopefully I will have some time this weekend to get the trany fluid changed so it is safe to run, then I can narrow down the loss of power on inclines. I am thinking it is related to the carburetor or the fuel pump.