The Gman 476 #1 Posted August 25, 2019 Guy advertised a package deal. A 165 hydro for $200 and a 312-8 for $100. Didn't want to sell separate. So what the heck got em both. Quite pleased with 165. It's either an 88 or 89. Stout and heavy for a riding mower. The 312 wouldn't start. Has 45 psi for compession so off with the head and low and behold a blown head gasket. Easy fix, and I'll do the valves while I'm at it. Great seat and brand new rears. Yes......... $100 bucks. Same day I picked up a 418 hydro as well for $400. Runs and drives great just needs a little tlc here and there. Key switch is wonky but at least the steering wheel is custom and it came with a second deck. 3 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,985 #2 Posted August 25, 2019 I wish I could find things cheap like that over here. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rfp55 33 #3 Posted August 25, 2019 Like the custom 416 steering wheel, where from? A heavy ladder in garage on the plastic maybe, but triangular is rare. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 12,259 #4 Posted August 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Stormin said: I wish I could find things cheap like that over here. I wish I could find them that cheap right here I think people think they are made out of gold if they are more than 10 years old Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,211 #5 Posted August 25, 2019 Sell that green thing... and you got the two 's for free. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,845 #6 Posted August 26, 2019 You did well enjoy both of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,354 #7 Posted August 27, 2019 That 165 may surprise you. I had a 160 at one point. It had fallen into a pond and been dragged up, mower shop claimed it was a loss. So the owner left it out back and bought a new home depot JD. Well the new JD died and while I was there helping get it patched up, I saw the wreck of a JD 160 5 speed. I only asked about it because of all the machines I had ever seen, it was by far the roughest, holes through the floor pan and all. I wound up taking it home, and after putting a new carb and a starter on it ran fairly well. Never smoked once. Ran it for a few months then the deck fell to pieces. Had to clear that end of the yard to tried to sell it off cheap as parts. Nobody wanted it. Scrap time came so we deliberately tried to kill it. That thing took out 3 old cube body Sears mowers, half a dozen old sheds, burnt off 2 sets of rear tires after a pulley swap, then proceeded to mow the lawn with another deck, with a mix of maple syrup and ATF in the oil pan. (Interesting bets I make some times..) Well all that couldn't kill it though it sure looked deformed.. Finally loaded the pan up with some gravel and water and fired it up. Ran nearly 10 minutes before heat locking. Came loose, ran again. Starter died right after that.. it surely would have kept going.. even the gas warning light on the dash was still working when we scrapped it. Moral of the story .. throw anything at it, it'll take it. One of the last 'good' JD's in my opinion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,613 #8 Posted August 27, 2019 The JD 165 was one of the best lawn tractors made in the late 80s, Kawasaki engine, Eaton hydrostatic transmission, excellent turning radius, and good mowing deck. It was part of the 130, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 and 185 lawn tractor line made starting in 1986 till about 1990. The "0" on the end indicated a 5 speed Peerless gear drive, while the "5" indicated an Eaton Hydrostatic Drive transmission. That line replaced the 108, 111, 111H, 112L, 116 and 116H lawn tractor line made from 1979 to 1985. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #9 Posted August 27, 2019 (edited) Was this playing in the background when you pulled away! Nice find congrats !!! 542F6C59-4670-4699-95EB-8805A13C965B.MOV Edited August 27, 2019 by The Tool Crib Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,406 #10 Posted August 27, 2019 On 8/25/2019 at 11:48 AM, The Gman said: Guy advertised a package deal. A 165 hydro for $200 and a 312-8 for $100. Didn't want to sell separate. So what the heck got em both. Quite pleased with 165. It's either an 88 or 89. Stout and heavy for a riding mower. The 312 wouldn't start. Has 45 psi for compession so off with the head and low and behold a blown head gasket. Easy fix, and I'll do the valves while I'm at it. Great seat and brand new rears. Yes......... $100 bucks. Same day I picked up a 418 hydro as well for $400. Runs and drives great just needs a little tlc here and there. Key switch is wonky but at least the steering wheel is custom and it came with a second deck. Horses and Deere often seen grazing in the same field. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
