I have a John Deere 300 that needs some work. Engine ran like junk and carb caught on fire. I need to find someone to either rebuild the engine or get the thing dialed in to run better. Also, the PTO did not appear to be engaging when turned on. Is it best to take the thing to the dealership and cut them loose or find someone else in the private sector? I am in Medford, OR area. Thanks all.
Repairs Needed - JD dealership or somewhere else?
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The dealership will charge you a ton of money for not alot of work.
You could try to find someone else local that would work on it for you, But really I think your better off fixing it yourself, if you have a manual that will help, and you have alot of helpful people here on wfm to answer your questions.
Brandon
You could try to find someone else local that would work on it for you, But really I think your better off fixing it yourself, if you have a manual that will help, and you have alot of helpful people here on wfm to answer your questions.
Brandon
Joined
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10,553 Posts
Grant,
Many dealerships don't have recent experience with the older tractors like your 300 and it might cost quite a bit for the younger technicians there to learn at your expense.
You can get the CD version of the technical manual for your tractor from Deere for far less than an hour of the dealer's shop time -- and getting it fixed yourself can be quite gratifying. The PTO not engaging reliably is most likely an air gap issue, there are many threads on this forum about making that adjustment. Here is a small excerpt from a later model tractor, but the method is almost identical
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The Kohler engine in your tractor is a real solid performer when running right, and you can get the manuals for free download at:
http://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/index.php?main_page=index
This manual is about 6 MB, so I could e-mail you a copy if you have trouble finding it on-line. Here is a table from that publication that shows starting places for each carburetor size/type.
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I currently have a Wheel Horse C-145 hydro tractor with the 14 horse Kohler that runs pretty well and am selling it, the tiller and mowing deck for $450.
You will find there is a logical limit as to what you would/should pay a shop for engine/carb work on one of these older tractors if you don't feel you can do it yourself...but you might be surprised at how simple these old machines really are!
Good luck,
Chuck
Many dealerships don't have recent experience with the older tractors like your 300 and it might cost quite a bit for the younger technicians there to learn at your expense.
You can get the CD version of the technical manual for your tractor from Deere for far less than an hour of the dealer's shop time -- and getting it fixed yourself can be quite gratifying. The PTO not engaging reliably is most likely an air gap issue, there are many threads on this forum about making that adjustment. Here is a small excerpt from a later model tractor, but the method is almost identical
The Kohler engine in your tractor is a real solid performer when running right, and you can get the manuals for free download at:
http://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/index.php?main_page=index
This manual is about 6 MB, so I could e-mail you a copy if you have trouble finding it on-line. Here is a table from that publication that shows starting places for each carburetor size/type.
I currently have a Wheel Horse C-145 hydro tractor with the 14 horse Kohler that runs pretty well and am selling it, the tiller and mowing deck for $450.
You will find there is a logical limit as to what you would/should pay a shop for engine/carb work on one of these older tractors if you don't feel you can do it yourself...but you might be surprised at how simple these old machines really are!
Good luck,
Chuck
Joined
·
103 Posts
Grant,
Sorry for the late post, haven't been on the site in awhile....
My first job out of high school back in '81 was at a JD dealer. I've worked on a lot of the 100 thru 400 series tractors over the years. I'm still actively engaged in repairing these older well built JD garden tractors as a side hobby. I'm willing to answer what I can for you.
Thanks
E.
Sorry for the late post, haven't been on the site in awhile....
My first job out of high school back in '81 was at a JD dealer. I've worked on a lot of the 100 thru 400 series tractors over the years. I'm still actively engaged in repairing these older well built JD garden tractors as a side hobby. I'm willing to answer what I can for you.
Thanks
E.
I bought a mower that had been sitting for some time. The little fuel that was left in it had turned to gel. I cleaned out the fuel tank, replaced fuel hoses, filter, fuel pump, and carb. It ran great. I mowed about and acre and a half then it started choking out. Plug was fouled. Changed plug. Checked carb adjustment (rich/lean) and it was where it should be. Started and ran fine until I put a load on it. Then it bogs down. 5-10 minutes of running it and the plug was fouled again. Tuned it a little on the lean side and replaced the plug again. About 10 minutes of running it the plug was fouled again like it was running rich. Plug is not oil fouled at all. Just black soot fouled. Now I'm stumped. It seems to idle fine but, when a load is put on it it'll just bog down. It has a Kohler 17.5hp engine. Any suggestions or any thoughts on something I may have overlooked?
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