Picked up a 332 Diesel

12306 Views 23 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Uncle Wayne, Aug 18, 2011

Erik

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2011

So I was traveling down the road the other day when I see a 318 for sale at a small repair shop. I stop in and inquire about it, but find it to be in a bit of rough shape for the asking price. So, after talking to the owner of the shop, I tell him I'd really like to have a 332. He tells me he has one that he is going to restore, but he would never part with it. It was sitting at a neighbor's house for almost 10 years when he acquired it about 2 years go and hasn't touched it since. Well, after bs'ing about cars, motorcycles, and other fun toys, he comes out of the blue and says he will sell it to me for cash money if I really wanted it. I said yes, then he had a look of disgust on his face and kept saying he really didn't want to sell it. I told him to sleep on it and call me the next day if he still was willing to let it go. Needless to say, I picked it up.

It's an 1989 with a 50" deck and 560 hours on it. It needs some cosmetic help and fresh everything when it comes to maintenance, but runs like a brand new machine (even with 12 year old diesel fuel in it!). Let the fun begin!

Pics...

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Kennyd

· #2 · Aug 3, 2011

Nice score Erik, Looks like a fun project. Where is the hour meter located, in the engine compartment?

Erik

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 3, 2011

Thanks Ken. The hour meter is in the left front corner of the engine compartment, right next to the battery.

Scotty370

· #4 · Aug 3, 2011 (Edited)

332 Diesel............

What kind of 'Coin' are we talkin', if I can be so bold to ask? Love to have one of those in my stable. Didn't even know that they existed! You got me 'surfing', all I could fine is this one with a $4500.- reserve!

http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Deere-332-.../220824223441?pt=Tractors&hash=item336a263ed1

Sorry if I'm prying! But a really nice unit!!! Congrats! .........~Scotty

RandyM

· #5 · Aug 4, 2011

That is a very cool project. It looks solid and complete. And with only 550 hrs it is hardly used. Definitly keep us up to date on your resto.

Erik

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 4, 2011

Scotty370 said:
What kind of 'Coin' are we talkin', if I can be so bold to ask? Love to have one of those in my stable. Didn't even know that they existed! You got me 'surfing', all I could fine is this one with a $4500.- reserve!

http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Deere-332-.../220824223441?pt=Tractors&hash=item336a263ed1

Sorry if I'm prying! But a really nice unit!!! Congrats! .........~Scotty

Scotty, I paid $2500 for it. I think that is a little high for the condition, but was willing to do it since they are fairly rare around here and it had such low hours for a 22 year old machine.

RandyM said:
That is a very cool project. It looks solid and complete. And with only 550 hrs it is hardly used. Definitly keep us up to date on your resto.

Thanks Randy! I've been wanting one of these for a while. I will certainly keep you all up to date as I go. First thing is to change all fluid, filters, belts and grease her up. I did discover a hydraulic leak when operating the rockshaft, so I'll have to get in there and see what that's all about.

tackit

· #7 · Aug 4, 2011

That's a nice machine the way it sits, you did good .:good2:

JD755

· #8 · Aug 4, 2011

That one will be a keeper. Back when those were new I considered buying one but wound up buying the larger 430 instead. Also a great machine. Found a 332 cover photo in my collection.

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EquipmentJunkie

· #9 · Aug 4, 2011

The price you paid was fine. I watched a 318 with similar hours sell at an estate auction last fall. It was really nice but the high bidder had to part with over $3,000 to get it...$3,600 if I recall correctly.

RandyM

· #10 · Aug 4, 2011

JD755 said:
Found a 332 cover photo in my collection.

Chrome wheel covers an option?

Erik

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 4, 2011

JD755 said:
That one will be a keeper. Back when those were new I considered buying one but wound up buying the larger 430 instead. Also a great machine. Found a 332 cover photo in my collection.

Nice find! :good2:

The 430 is my other "must have" machine. Once I'm content with the condition of the 332, I'll be on the hunt for one. Interestingly, the guy I bought this one from also had a 430 sitting right next to it.

EquipmentJunkie said:
The price you paid was fine. I watched a 318 with similar hours sell at an estate auction last fall. It was really nice but the high bidder had to part with over $3,000 to get it...$3,600 if I recall correctly.

Ouch! That 318 would have be in "like new" condition with no hours for me to come off that much $$$ for one.

JD755

· #12 · Aug 4, 2011

Checked my collection again and found a couple more nice 332 pics. Back then JD put their optional chrome wheel covers on almost all the L&G tractors in their advertising.

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EquipmentJunkie

· #13 · Aug 4, 2011

Yes, Randy. A lot of Deere older lawn tractor brochures had photos with the optional chrome wheel covers installed. I can recall of only seeing one owner that checked that option box in this part of the country. That 318 tractor looked like it was in showroom condition year after year. You can imagine what the yard looked like.

EquipmentJunkie

· #14 · Aug 4, 2011

@ Erik - I was there as a bidder prepared to steal it for $1,900 (which is strong) but that 318 was really clean...but I saw that there was a Deere salesperson prepared to bid. So, I knew I was in trouble. It blew past my number in seconds. They had a silver JD push mower of similar vintage and condition which brought $340! I came home with a pristine vintage Craftsman tool box for $12.

Erik

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 5, 2011

EquipmentJunkie said:
@ Erik - I was there as a bidder prepared to steal it for $1,900 (which is strong) but that 318 was really clean...but I saw that there was a Deere salesperson prepared to bid. So, I knew I was in trouble. It blew past my number in seconds. They had a silver JD push mower of similar vintage and condition which brought $340! I came home with a pristine vintage Craftsman tool box for $12.

At those prices it sounds like you were the real winner that day! :lol:

Erik

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 5, 2011

JD755 said:
Checked my collection again and found a couple more nice 332 pics. Back then JD put their optional chrome wheel covers on almost all the L&G tractors in their advertising.

Man, would I like to have mine looking like the one in that first picture :thumbup1gif: (minus the wheel covers)!

Erik

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 7, 2011

This is what I found when I dropped the belly screen.

Here is what came out with the belly screen...:banghead:

Here is the remaining amount I pulled out from between the frame rails...:gaah:

Also, I have a hydraulic leak from the same area. You get one guess what caused it. :snipersmilie:

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Kennyd

· #18 · Aug 7, 2011

That is ugly!

Erik

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 7, 2011

You're not kidding! Ordering my new hydraulic line tomorrow. None of the dealers in the area have it in stock. Hopefully I can get the deck hooked up soon and cut some grass with it. I really like this little tractor. :kidw_truck_smiley:

Scotty370

· #20 · Aug 16, 2011

Erik said:
You're not kidding! Ordering my new hydraulic line tomorrow. None of the dealers in the area have it in stock. Hopefully I can get the deck hooked up soon and cut some grass with it. I really like this little tractor. :kidw_truck_smiley:

I don't think your going to be sorry about that purchase at all! Granted the mice do like to inhabite a 'parked' machice. Heck, I get mice nests as an annual event, if that's the debris you found in the belly screen! You peaked my intrest, and as I surfed for one on E-Bay a 'Cleaned-up' one is carrying a $4500- reserve! Of course, It hasn't sold yet either!!! Apparently it's a rather 'rare' model. Those Diesels will run forever..............~Scotty

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