With 3 acres to mow and realizing that a garden tractor is what you need and want as opposed to a lawn tractor $2k is a pretty restricting amount.

Can you wait a while and increase your budget?

Where are you located?

I could probably go higher than 2K now, but (1) am not sure if I will be on this property for more than 3-4 years and (2) I am on the cheap side and view mowing as a necessary evil. Since the models listed are in my price range, are you suggesting I could get something fundamentally better for slightly more money? I do have difficulty with paying the same amount for a 10-20 year old machine of unknown history as for a new 'box store' version that may be of lesser quality but for which I would be the sole owner/caretaker.

I'd think parts for the JD318 and Kubota would be getting scarce if even still available.

The JD GT275 is more contemporary but I agree with you that not knowing the hours or history makes me leery.

Mowing 3 acres for 3-4 years you might consider the Sears DGS6500 garden tractor as disposable. Should last 3-4 years with minimal maintenance. Probably add the on-site 3 year warranty and you're covered for that 3 years. On sale you should get it out the door for $2800 to $3k.

At over $3k you can find newer JD garden tractors used. Also used Toro Wheelhorse garden tractors. I'd personally go this route.

Being cheap and getting a dollar's worth for a dollar are two different things. Do you want to this this once and be done for 3 years or buy a 20 year old tractor and spend some time hunting down parts and working on it?

Again, where are you located?

If they are on the front row of the used equipment at a dealer and have minor problems - stay clear. Minor problems will be probably be major dollars or the dealer would have already repaired them. Used equipment with minor problems doesn't sell well - remember dealers are in business to sell equipment for the most profit.

Thanks for the input. I will check out the Sears DGS6500. There seems to be a strong network for JD parts. I'm told I could still get parts for the Kubota, though it may take a bit more leg work. I have watched several auctions for similar tractors on ebay and the 318 in particular is in fairly high demand. It seems that even within the JD series, quality/craftsmanships may have gone down over time, e.g., I'm told even the GT 200 and GT 300 series in the 1990's are not as well built as the older 300 series from the mid-80's. For the models I mentioned, I'm told the Onan should get 2500 hours easy (so it's less than 1/2 through its life) and the Kubota diesel should run forever. This leaves me with the transmission and mowing deck as the major considerations. Any thoughts on these aspects? I'm located in Florida.

I have never wanted a part for one of my JD tractors and not found it available at the dealership. They order from a corporate stock but even tiny very old widgets appear in a couple days.

The 318 is getting old. Fine if you like classic machines. They leak, smoke, and sound really cool.

That 275 should be a garden tractor frame! Probably a better choice then the older 318. Don't know anything about the other one.

Attachments are a consideration. Most any tractor can pull a wagon but if you want a blower, tiller, or blade then newer machines are more apt to have those available.

In this price range there are no magic solutions. Every used unit is for sale because someone else found it in some way defficient. The quality of new entry level tractors including John Deere makes my head hurt. Having owned both Kubota and John Deere (gas and Diesel) I would say for your situation that the Kubota could be a good choice. The fuel savings alone will be substantial even over the 17hp Kawasaki. The main thing is to be very critical of the soundness of the engine and transmission. In general mower decks can be repaired within a reasonable cost, but if you have the slightest misgivings about the engine or transmission...walk away. The repair costs in those areas can be steep. good luck; Mark.