Worth fixing up?

[podenbach]

I picked this Deere up today, mainly for the Honda motor. After looking it over it has front and rear hydraulics and the mower deck is in good shape. I am burning some oil in the 782 but not bad yet. The Honda engine in the Deere turns over only by jumping starter. Oil clean, seems to have very little use on engine. Looks like this might be a good snow machine with a power angle plow etc. for doing pipe runs. The Deere was at PO’s second home/cabin and hasn’t been run in 5 or more years while they were selling it. I don’t know much about them and what they generally cost to rehab. It came with wheel weight, chains, and deck. $350 was the ask. Any ideas on what to do?

Thanks

 

[Kittermankadets85]

Definitely worth fixing up. 317 are super nice garden tractors even though they ar green lol and looks like you got a hell oh a deal on it as well. Good job

 

[podenbach]

Definitely worth fixing up. 317 are super nice garden tractors even though they ar green lol and looks like you got a hell oh a deal on it as well. Good job

Thanks, I cleaned out the mouse house. Runs and drives but with slight choke(might be because air cleaner is off). It has red hydraulic fluid in it, needs motor mounts.
I need to join a forum for green machines but there seems to be lots of them. Any recommendations for a forum that deals with the older GTs? Thanks

 

[Kittermankadets85]

The fuel system probably just needs a good cleaning unsure on the forum for Deere’s

 

[dfrisk]

The "Original" Deere garden tractor forum is Weekend Freedom Machines. The "New" forum is Green Tractor Talk. There's actually enough guys with Deere tractors here to give you any advice you will need. My Tractor Show Buddy bought a 317 brand new back in the early/mid 1980's. He's on engine #2 and driveshaft # 4, maybe #5. He buys complete non-running 317's at auctions and yard sales just for the newer driveshaft. He put a Briggs engine in his 317 with the kit from Small Engine Warehouse, He had the original Kohler KT-17 rebuilt and that cost almost what the tractor cost new! There was a factory kit offered to replace the Kohler with an Onan, but in my experience with the B48-G Onan in my 982, I think I'd keep your Honda! A Kawasaki if it would fit would be a close second.
The hydrostatic transmission in the 317 is a variation of the Sundstand 15U, same hydro IH Cub Cadets used.
The 317 was replaced with the 318, and kinda-sorta by the 332 I think it was, there was also a 322 as well, it had a 18-20 hp water-cooled engine, but both had factory power steering, and are much more sought out by potential buyers. Deere re-engineered the driveshaft after the 317 and the new style seems to last much longer.

 

[podenbach]

Wrong green but I like it Tires on order so I can paint wheels when tires are off.

 

[Kittermankadets85]

I dig it! Looks cool

 

[PACub100]

I like the color alot!!

 

[podenbach]

The "Original" Deere garden tractor forum is Weekend Freedom Machines. The "New" forum is Green Tractor Talk. There's actually enough guys with Deere tractors here to give you any advice you will need. My Tractor Show Buddy bought a 317 brand new back in the early/mid 1980's. He's on engine #2 and driveshaft # 4, maybe #5. He buys complete non-running 317's at auctions and yard sales just for the newer driveshaft. He put a Briggs engine in his 317 with the kit from Small Engine Warehouse, He had the original Kohler KT-17 rebuilt and that cost almost what the tractor cost new! There was a factory kit offered to replace the Kohler with an Onan, but in my experience with the B48-G Onan in my 982, I think I'd keep your Honda! A Kawasaki if it would fit would be a close second.
The hydrostatic transmission in the 317 is a variation of the Sundstand 15U, same hydro IH Cub Cadets used.
The 317 was replaced with the 318, and kinda-sorta by the 332 I think it was, there was also a 322 as well, it had a 18-20 hp water-cooled engine, but both had factory power steering, and are much more sought out by potential buyers. Deere re-engineered the driveshaft after the 317 and the new style seems to last much longer.

Yes good call. The drive shaft has runout and hitting things after a little run time. I’m gonna pull it and check the hydro shaft for damage and replace the driveshaft.