[jrob730]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been a GTT member for 7-8 years. I usually visit in the large compact or utility tractor sections.
My grandson wants me to help him with a senior project this year and is thinking he would like to find a antique garden tractor to restore. I thought this is a great way for him to get started into the Green Madness of owning a John Deere. I’m sure he will get one of mine someday, but for now it’s something he can afford and is somewhat reasonable to rebuild/ refinish. I’m pretty mechanical inclined and have a good friend that has a body shop/ fabrication/ machine shop. So I’m thinking I got most of the bases covered!
My question is which model and year tractor should we look for and perhaps why those models to look for? I might also like a small list as in this is the first you would get and if you can’t find one then this one, etc,etc.
Thanks in advance for everyone’s help!
Jrob730

 

[rwmeyer]

Thinking you're gonna get a long list! Here's mine:
Engines will not have any affect on choice, they all have engines that need fuel (gas & air), spark, and compression! Troubleshooting and repair is pretty much the same.
Any 100 or 200 hundred series. These will have mechanical aspects in the trans and possibly varactor to address and wiring is simple.
Any 300 series up to the 317 and including the EARLY 316's. These will teach an introduction into hydraulics. Wiring on 318 and up can get difficult!
I think availability will be your deciding factor. Check local want ads, Craig's list, etc. Bob

 

[MDrew]

I personally would go with a 140 or a round fender 110. Both are not bad to work on. The complete engine manuals are available for free. They both have great styling and look special when restored, much different than say a 200 or 300 series.
We've done a 140 and a 300. The 140 gets many more looks at shows. The 300, oh look a restored garden tractor, next.
I have a round fender I'm waiting to restore.

Looked a little better when it was done.

 

[T-Mo]

I also agree with Mike - a round fender or a 120/140. Simple, but yet very stylish.

 

[jrob730]

Thank you guys for your reply’s! You have come up with what I found in my search for good to great John Deere garden tractors. From my searches it seams the 318 is more or less the best but the 140 and 120 are right up there as well.
Im not opposed to a 318 but the 140 and 120 look more like my 1972 3020 power shift tractor( no wonder same timeframe).
I’m thinking a 140h3 would fit the bill. We’ve been looking on the net for ideas as to tire swaps and other upgrades to make it unique. We like Don Campbells creation as well as Mike Kitko’s 140’s.
Thanks again for all your help!
Jrob730

 

[Trebor]

I had a great time restoring a 140-H3 with my 12 year old neighbor. The 140-H3 is a very classy project.

 

[MDrew]

The 318 and it's diesel brother the 332 are both great tractors. They both have much more electrial than the earlier models. Some of the engine parts for the 318 are getting a little harder to find. That would be a little more involved restoration.

Many of the Kohler parts are interchangeable for the 140/120, 110 and 112. Some of the Magnum series parts also fit. If you want a little more horse power search for Dave Kirk's Killer Kohler. We built a couple like that. One has lasted 10 years so far.

The axels on the 140s with serial numbers less than 30K are 3/4 inch. That limits what you can do with the width of the front wheels or they hit the frame when turning. The one pictured above we cut the rims and made them wider to the outside so they didn't rub with the 18x8.5x8 tires.

 

[MDrew]

I had a great time restoring a 140-H3 with my 12 year old neighbor. The 140-H3 is a very classy project.

I remember that. They just look so good when they are done.

 

[jrob730]

I think we might have found our project! It’s a mid year 1973, split brakes and 14 hp Kohler.
It’s in decent shape and he’s asking $850
let me see is I remember how to post a picture! It is not currently running because of the old owner put in a kill switch. The guy that owns it now said he had it running. This guy admitted he buys and sells them. I think he’s heavy on the price, my stepson whom is a car salesman and a wheeler/ dealer is going to look at it first before we make the 3 1/2-4 hour ride. He will get it bought right!
wWhat do you guys think it’s worth knowing what I’ve told you’s ?
Thanks again for everyone’s help and opinions!

 

[MDrew]

Around here 850 wouldn't be too bad of price. Pretty rare that I'd pay asking price though. Where's the air cleaner?

 

[Trebor]

Any cracks on the fiberglass hood?

 

[MDrew]

Any cracks on the fiberglass hood?

Looks like something a little funky on the right side of the hood by the bolts. That's a tough spot to fix because those bolts are so short.

 

[jrob730]

He’s got the air cleaner and either a new or another grille. I saw that spot as well, it looked to me like it got scraped (not sure thought). I can have him look at this and snap a close up.
The listing had it at $850 but at the bottom it was dropped to $800.
My stepson buys and sells all the time( cars, motorcycles, four wheelers) I’m sure he will work him over some.
The listing is in Maine, I think there is a forum member from there that has vintage garden tractors. We found he sold his restored 140h3 in 2019 for $1500 to a GTT member.

 

[rydplrs]

That ones been for sale since last winter. The seller is a good person, but I don’t think it’s worth $850 with no attachments, even running.

If you interested in a non Deere I have a roper rt-10 with mower and snowblower I’d sell for $350 I’m a few miles closer to VT

I sold this 140 last year for $1100 with a mower and snowblower

 

[jrob730]

Rydplrs, yes you were the member I saw selling that 140.
thanks for the heads up on this guy! I agree it’s not worth $800!
Thank you for the offer, I will keep it in mind. I’m pretty sure if we are going to restore one it will be a Deere. I own a 1972 3020 power shift with a M&W turbo on it. Made the last week of production and has only 3700 original hours. With that said the 140’s look a lot like it and my Grandson likes the looks!
His other Gradndfather offers him a 317 not running but he likes the style of the 140 over 317.
I’m not going to make money on this, I know but I he memory’s will be with me forever and I will keep it with my others.
Do you guys know of good sources for aftermarket parts? I’m looking at GTT vendors as well.
Thanks in advance!
Jrob730

 

[JD-Larry]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been a GTT member for 7-8 years. I usually visit in the large compact or utility tractor sections.
My grandson wants me to help him with a senior project this year and is thinking he would like to find a antique garden tractor to restore. I thought this is a great way for him to get started into the Green Madness of owning a John Deere. I’m sure he will get one of mine someday, but for now it’s something he can afford and is somewhat reasonable to rebuild/ refinish. I’m pretty mechanical inclined and have a good friend that has a body shop/ fabrication/ machine shop. So I’m thinking I got most of the bases covered!
My question is which model and year tractor should we look for and perhaps why those models to look for? I might also like a small list as in this is the first you would get and if you can’t find one then this one, etc,etc.
Thanks in advance for everyone’s help!
Jrob730

Hello,
I bought an old model 70 to work on with my two sons and it has been a journey, but one that has been very rewarding.
My take is this: Any tractor you buy will cost money and have twists and unexpected turns for the journey.
Older tractors are simple mechanical fixes and whatever you select will be a great time with your family.

 

[MDrew]

I used to get most of my Kohler parts from Pat's Small Engines.

Many others parts I found at shows or people on Weekend Freedom Machines. The the real home of JD garden tractors.

 

[jrob730]

Mdrew, thank you for the help. I too have seen that forum and may look into joining it as well as GTT!

 

[JDJake]

Mdrew, thank you for the help. I too have seen that forum and may look into joining it as well as GTT!

You want to know anything about classic JD L&G tractors, WFM is the place to go.

 

[MDrew]

Mdrew, thank you for the help. I too have seen that forum and may look into joining it as well as GTT!

Hell, I'm just excited for you. My son and I started on his 140 when he was 12. He got no easy way out. He built the Killer Kohler in our basement when he was 13. He financed most of it by buying and selling JD parts. We had a great time and really bonded doing it. He went on to be a mechanical engineer.