[fltcrew21]

I need a couple of 318 experts to email me about the wiseness of a 318 deal I have looming.

I know very little about the 300 series tractors.

[email protected]

Thanks

Alan

 

[wmgeorge]

If you learn to use the Search function here you will have all the answers you need. Or post a question to get answers, not everyone has time to just answer Your question via email.

 

[dhager4692]

Using this site allows others with similar questions to view the answers. Also you will get different views to aid in your decision.

 

[woodpecker41]

What Douglas and Bill are saying is this forum is for everyone to learn from by sharing ideas and experiences. It is a big benefit to all to have open discussions about our favorite tractors. That includes as aspects of having them. Roger

 

[dd57chevy]

I inferred that Allan's use of the phrase "wiseness of the deal" meant he was wanted 318 owner's opinion of "what it's worth" w/out breaking WFM rules . Maybe I misunderstood .

 

[fltcrew21]

Dave,

You are 100% spot on correct. Plus if I didn't buy the tractor, I didn't want the owner to feel like he couldn't list it on here.

I did have an hour long phone conversation with a Ben Harper. What a knowledgable gentleman!!

On a side note, I picked up the 318 this morning and brought it home and mowed leaves with it and cleaned it up a little.

An odd thing happened while I was playing... When I pushed the hydro lever all the way forward or all the way aft, the engine dies. Starts right back up but dies in the same way every single time.

The engine only has 590 hours. It starts faster than anything I have ever seen, idles perfect and runs great all all RPM... the only thing happening is it dies when trying to go full speed fwd or reverse.

I did have the mower deck AND 4 way blade on at the time and had been cycling them A LOT.

Ideas?

 

[mikeduwe]

Does it die like lack of power, or die like it lost electrical?

If you think its power, go really slow with it and see if the engine is straining. Maybe the brakes are dragging or something.

My guess is there is a wire near the linkages that is getting pulled or shorted out.

 

[fltcrew21]

Mike,

I was thinking the same thing about the wiring. The steering column was bent in an accident and the dash was cracked pretty good. I am going to tear into it and fix it because the engine is so low time and the rest of the tractor is nice.

It seemed to me like a kill switch was being triggered. For forward and reverse would be 2 completely different handle positions.

 

[woodpecker41]

Was it rolled and did that bend the steering column. If not with the column bent it may be the safety neutral switch wiring because the switch was also pulled/moved at the same time as the bending happened and is messing with the wiring as Mike said. Roger

 

[fltcrew21]

Yes Roger it was rolled by the PO's teen. I have a photo of the tractor before it happened and it was original but looked like one of our restored ones. I need a steering column, hood and left side cover. The original seat doesn't even have a crease in it..

Plus I got it with a very nice 50" deck and 4 way blade.

Excited to get in there and fix that steering. Like most of you think, I will find a wiring or switch issue around the column when I get in there.