418-A

[matthon 11]

I am looking at a 418-A for sale.

It has the Kohler twin with 1650 hours, 48 in deck, a single stage snowblower, chains and wheel weights. It says it includes all manuals and is in good condition.

They are asking $1,250.

I have no experience with this engine, or what this model came with.

Any idea what it might be worth?

Edited April 9, 2014 by matthon

[slammer302 2,155]

That price is a little high considering it has that many hours this is only my opinion

Its not far off though

[daveoman1966 3,758]

Deck worth 250 and blower 250...probably, depending on condition of each.  That leaves 750 for the tractor. Take it for a 30 minute drive...or enough to get the Eaton trans warmed up to operating temp.  Then see if still has lots of pulling power as it should, and test the hyd lift on it too.  If the engine doesn't smoke and the hyd trans / lift seems ok... your call.  If not, then you may have a bargaing chip or two to negotiate down some.       

This would be the ID of that tractor:

 

31-18KE01 1987 418-A Garden Tractor   Automatic Kohler M18QS-24510

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Clean tractor, average price(in my area), high hours.

               

Edited April 9, 2014 by AMC RULES

[Ken B 3,164]

Not a bad price, since you say they are asking 1250.00 if you can get him down a tad it would be a great price. It looks to be in pretty nice shape so I'm sure its owner took decent care of the tractor. The full set of hub caps will easily sell for well over a hundred bucks alone on Epay. My 417 has just a tick under 2000 hrs. on it and it runs awesome.

[rexman72 210]

1000 bucks i am sure will take it

[dennist 139]

As stated above, It appears to have been well taken care of. The attachments look good and clean, without rust and dents. I would want to pay a little less, but I always want to pay less. The 418-A is one of those that kinda gets me to pay a little more depending on cond. If you do get it, IMO you will really be happy with it. A great tractor.

[matthon 11]

I bought it today.

I had some time away from work and it was close enough, and I figured waiting gets you nowhere.

I immediately took the plow of my 314, which is cherry original, bought new by my mother, and put the mower/bagger back on.

I put the plow on the 418 and put it to use. It took some time to get used to the automatic, up is down on the lift, and all of the smoke!

It does burn some oil, although not incredibly bad.

The 418 sounds like its almost electric compared to the 314 which sounds like a seriously powerful engine.

I don't know if it is the trans, or the engine, but the 418 was pushing stuff around like a freight train, yet it didn't sound powerful.

It was absolutely filthy, like it had never even been hosed down. Apparently some don't think tractors should be clean.

The guy I bought it from was great though, giving me oil and other stuff, even oil for my chainsaw.

The chains are brand new, the weights are cast iron and heavy, the snowblower had new parts, and the deck had new bearings.

So, it smokes a little. Before it gets any worse, can you just change the rings on these engines to fix it, or are these more complex and I need to take it to someone?

[papaglide 542]

You got yourself a nice tractor and some nice attachments. I think that the price was average for my area also.

[Shuboxlover 478]

Pretty rare tractor....I'd like to have one!!!!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

[19richie66 17,522]

Crankcase breather isnt clogged is it. I have a 418-a and love it. I have pulled a lot of tree parts around my dads with it. Tractor looks really nice.

[dcrage 628]

Watch the oil levels. Your description of your 418a sounds just like mine. The oil consuption got to the point where after a 1-2 hr use would consume a 1/2 qt. Had new rings put in this winter. Doesn't smoke now, but have very little time on it.

[HorseFixer 2,012]

The best thing to do is pull the heads,    Then use a set of bore gauges with Digital calipers and Mic the Cylinder walls in several places. Write them down and do an average. Compare that average against engine Specs. If you are within Tolerance Go for the ring job possibly new piston and rings deglazing the Cylinder. Also while heads off check the valves. Stick a piece of notebook paper and rotate flywheel and let the valves close when they do try and remove paper if it rips valves are most likely will give you a good indication if they are good. Good Luck on her   these pictures are from my 417A. 

 

~Duke 

 

 

 

 

 

[matthon 11]

Thank you Duke. The pics help.

I'll have to get a bore gauge, borrow or buy, and check that out.

I did pull the plugs and stuff a small shop rag in each hole, just to make sure both pistons were still moving, and they popped right out when I turned it over. Just a quick simple way to check the engine before I bought it.

Cylinders were obviously taking on oil, and the seller was honest about oil consumption.

I figured I could sort it out by winter.

I paid $100 less than what was advertised, and with all of the little extras, including mailing me a new trans fan later, I think I got a good deal.

Sometimes it would not start, and it was clear one of the switches was the cause, seat, PTO, etc. It was easy to solve, have to hold the PTO and listen for the click so it will start. Worn out bushings on the handle.

Another $100 in small parts, missing handles, new PTO brake, gas cap, hood stop rod, etc, plus the engine parts, and it will be a great tractor.

I was a little worried about purchasing it, but Red Square came through. The biggest help was how fast people replied.

Thank you all!

Matt

Edited April 13, 2014 by matthon

[HorseFixer 2,012]

Your welcome Matt good luck with her.    

 

~Duke 

[pfrederi 17,855]

One word (maybe two)before you tear it apart...Leakdown test

 

Love my 418A she is a powerhouse...got her at auction for $200 ...needed a voltage regulator...

Edited April 13, 2014 by pfrederi