Overview & Specs

John Deere 318G Review, Specs & Owner Ratings — 2026 Canada Guide

The John Deere 318G is the top of Deere’s small-frame G-Series skid steer lineup and the only one with a vertical-lift boom, sitting above the 312GR, 314G, and 316GR. With 65 gross horsepower from a Yanmar diesel, a vertical-lift boom, a 1,945 lb rated operating capacity, an optional two-speed transmission, and a 6,475 lb operating weight, it combines the highest lift in the small-frame skid-steer class with vertical-lift geometry for truck loading — all in a 62.9-inch width that still fits residential gates. It is the wheeled skid-steer counterpart to the 317G compact track loader, which shares the same 65 hp engine and vertical-lift boom on tracks. As of 2026, the 318G remains in active production in Deere’s current small-frame lineup.

This guide is built for Canadian buyers, not for brochure readers. You’ll find the full spec sheet, real Canadian used pricing, owner feedback, common reliability notes from operator forums and trade press, and a direct comparison against the machines you’re actually cross-shopping: Bobcat S66, Cat 246D3, Kubota SSV65, and the John Deere 317G track loader.

Aglist quick take: The 318G is the pick if you want the most lift and vertical-lift truck-loading geometry in Deere’s narrow small frame — 65 hp, 1,945 lb ROC, optional two-speed, and a 62.9-inch width that fits gates. Vertical lift keeps the load close to the machine through the cycle and gives reach and dump height at the top for loading pickups and dump trailers. Where it loses ground: as a wheeled machine it gives up soft-ground traction and flotation to the 317G track loader, and heavier vertical-lift competitors outlift it on paper.

On This Page

Quick Verdict — Who the 318G Is For

Buy it if: you load material over the side of pickup boxes and dump trailers, want the highest lift in Deere’s small-frame skid-steer line, and need a narrow machine that still fits residential gates. The vertical-lift boom is the right geometry for truck loading and pallet stacking, the 65 hp Yanmar gives strong performance, and optional two-speed travel speeds up larger sites. The most capable wheeled small-frame Deere.

Skip it if: soft, muddy, or snowy ground is your daily reality — the 317G track loader gives flotation and traction the wheeled 318G can’t. Skip too if your work is mostly mid-height grading and digging, where the radial-lift 316GR (same engine, lower price) is the better-matched geometry, or if you need more lift than the small frame offers, where a mid-frame machine is the answer.

1. Full John Deere 318G Specifications

Below is the consolidated spec sheet for the 318G, sourced from John Deere’s official G-Series spec book and authorized dealer technical pages. Both metric and imperial values are listed for Canadian operators.

Category	Spec	Value
Equipment type	Skid steer loader	Small-frame G-Series
Model designation		318G
Engine	Manufacturer / model	Yanmar 4TNV86CHT, 4-cylinder turbo diesel
	Emissions	EPA Final Tier 4 / EU Stage IV
	Gross power (ISO 14396)	65 HP (48.5 kW) at 2,600 rpm
	Net power (SAE J1349)	61 HP (45.6 kW) at 2,600 rpm
	Displacement	2.1 L (128 cu. in.)
	Peak torque	153 ft-lb (207 Nm) at 1,690 rpm
Loader performance	Rated operating capacity (35%)	1,945 lb (883 kg)
	ROC with counterweight	2,095 lb (951 kg)
	Tipping load	3,890 lb (1,766 kg)
	Lift path	Vertical
	Bucket breakout (foundry)	6,000 lb (2,724 kg)
Hydraulics	Standard auxiliary flow	17 gpm (63 L/min)
	System pressure	3,450 psi (23,787 kPa)
	Quick-Tatch	Universal Quik-Tatch™
Travel	Drive	Hydrostatic; single-speed standard, two-speed optional
	Travel speed (2-speed high)	up to 10.1 mph (16.3 km/h)
Tires	Standard	10 x 16.5
Dimensions	Length without bucket	103.0 in (2.63 m)
	Width without bucket	62.9 in (1,600 mm)
	Height to hinge pin	120.0 in (3.05 m)
Weight	Operating weight	6,475 lb (2,940 kg)
Controls	Standard	Manual foot-and-hand controls
	Optional	EH joystick (ISO pattern) with performance package
Fuel tank	Capacity	19 gal (71 L)
Warranty (Canada)	Basic	24 months / 2,000 hours

Source: John Deere G-Series spec book and authorized Canadian dealer technical pages. Always confirm final configuration on the build sheet with your local John Deere dealer — control type (manual vs EH), two-speed option, EH performance package, cab vs ROPS, and cold-weather package all change the as-delivered configuration.

2. Owner Reviews & Ratings on Aglist

The 318G has been on the Canadian market since 2017, so the field-hour base is mature. As Canadian owners share their experience on Aglist, the rating system tracks:

Reliability — uptime, dealer warranty experience, fault-code patterns
Performance — lift confidence, attachment compatibility, push power
Comfort — cab noise (ROPS vs sealed cab), seat, HVAC
Value for money — how it feels against new and used Canadian sticker
Ease of maintenance — Quik-Tatch reach, swing-out rear door, cab tilt access

If you own or have operated a 318G in Canada — whether it’s a 2017 ROPS unit on a hobby farm or a 2024 cab machine on commercial landscape work — please leave a star rating and a short note in the form below. Real operator feedback is what makes Aglist different from a brochure aggregator.

3. John Deere 318G vs Competitors

The 318G sits in the small-frame, vertical-lift 65 hp class as the top-capacity wheeled Deere. The machines you should actually be cross-shopping are:

Spec	John Deere 318G	Bobcat S66	Cat 246D3	Kubota SSV65	John Deere 317G
Gross HP	65	74	74.3	64.4	65
ROC (35%)	1,945 lb	2,250 lb	2,150 lb	1,983 lb	2,125 lb
Lift path	Vertical	Vertical	Radial	Vertical	Vertical
Undercarriage	Wheels	Wheels	Wheels	Wheels	Tracks
Operating weight	6,475 lb	8,591 lb	8,184 lb	7,684 lb	8,195 lb
Width (no bucket)	62.9 in	~66 in	~66 in	~66 in	65.1 in
Two-speed	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	n/a
Aux flow (std)	17 gpm	~18 gpm	~17 gpm	~17 gpm	17 gpm

Where the 318G wins: the narrowest, lightest vertical-lift machine in the comparison — fits residential gates the wider Bobcat, Cat, and Kubota can’t, and stays half-ton trailerable at under 6,500 lb. Vertical lift for truck loading plus the highest lift in the wheeled small-frame Deere line. Optional two-speed travel and EH performance package. Strong Deere dealer parts support across Canada.

Where it loses: the Bobcat S66 and Cat 246D3 are heavier machines with higher rated operating capacity. The Kubota SSV65 is close on capacity but heavier. And on soft ground, mud, or snow, the 318G’s wheels give up traction and flotation to the tracked 317G — which shares the 318G’s engine and vertical-lift boom but rides on rubber tracks.

Real-world picking guide:

Narrow, light vertical-lift truck loader → 318G
Same machine on tracks for soft ground / winter → 317G
Maximum lift capacity in the class → Bobcat S66 or Cat 246D3
Radial lift for grading at lower cost, same engine → Deere 316GR

4. Real-World Performance

Lift Path & Loader Work

The 318G is the only vertical-lift machine in the small-frame G-Series. Vertical lift keeps the load closer to the machine through the lift cycle, reducing forward pitch under heavy buckets and giving more dump height and reach at the top of the cycle. For dumping over the side of standard pickup boxes, single-axle dump trucks, and dump trailers, and for stacking pallets, this is a real practical advantage over the radial-lift 312GR, 314G, and 316GR. It’s the same lift geometry as the 317G track loader.

Bucket breakout force around 6,000 lb (foundry bucket) is the strongest in the small-frame line, and rated operating capacity of 1,945 lb (2,095 lb with counterweight) is the highest among the wheeled G-Series machines. The 65 hp Yanmar’s torque sustains performance through dense material and loaded lifts.

Hydraulics & Attachment Capability

Standard 17 gpm auxiliary flow at 3,450 psi handles the full small-frame attachment list: augers, hydraulic hammers, levellers, trenchers, power rakes, snow blowers, brooms, and grapples. The Universal Quik-Tatch™ is fast and reliable, and Deere has 100+ Worksite Pro attachments validated for this size class. For sustained high-demand mulching or large planers, the 318G is at the upper edge of its envelope — those jobs point toward larger frames.

Cab & Operator Experience

The 318G is offered in open ROPS and enclosed cab configurations. The G-Series cab is roughly 25% larger in volume than the older E-Series, with a pull-down lap bar, deluxe instrumentation, and clear forward sightlines to the bucket cutting edge and Quik-Tatch lock indicators. Manual foot-and-hand controls are standard; the optional EH joystick performance package adds switchable ISO/H patterns, creeper mode, adjustable boom/bucket speed, and differential steering for tighter maneuvering. Cab with heat and defrost is the right spec for Canadian winter work — and the 318G’s EH option is the same well-regarded system praised on the 317G.

Travel & Undercarriage

The optional two-speed transmission lifts top travel speed to about 10.1 mph — a productivity gain on larger sites. As a wheeled skid steer on 10 x 16.5 tires, the 318G is faster and cheaper on running gear than the tracked 317G — no track sets to replace. The trade-off is traction and flotation on soft ground, mud, and snow, where the 317G has the clear advantage. The choice between 318G and 317G usually comes down to ground conditions: firm and finished favours the wheeled 318G; soft, wet, and snowy favours the tracked 317G.

5. Common Problems & Reliability Notes

Transparency note: the items below are aggregated from operator forum threads, independent reviewers, and trade press. Not every 318G will see these. Always confirm specific machine condition with a dealer pre-purchase inspection.

Joystick sensitivity on EH controls (operator-adjustment item). Operators new to EH controls coming from older mechanical machines sometimes report the EH joysticks feel touchy until they’re dialled in. The EH performance package adds adjustable response and creeper mode that address this. It’s a learning curve, not a defect — worth a demo before purchase if you’re moving from manual controls.

DEF / SCR system fault codes (general Final Tier 4 issue). Like every Final Tier 4 machine in this class, the 318G’s Yanmar diesel uses DEF aftertreatment. DEF level sensors and SCR fault codes are documented across the platform — not unique to Deere. Mitigation: keep DEF fresh, never let the tank run fully empty, and pull fault history during used-machine inspection.

Tire wear and cost on hard surfaces. As a wheeled machine, the 318G wears tires on abrasive surfaces — concrete, gravel, demolition debris. A replacement set of quality skid-steer tires in Canada runs several hundred to over a thousand CAD depending on type. Check tread and sidewall condition on used machines.

Battery and electrical wear on older units. Used 318Gs at 2,000+ hours commonly show corroded battery terminals, intermittent starter solenoid issues, and parking-brake sensor faults. Routine wear items, not platform-specific defects, but common pre-purchase findings on older machines.

No specific catastrophic-failure pattern documented. The Yanmar 2.1L Final Tier 4 diesel in the 318G has a strong reliability reputation in operator discussions, with no high-profile pattern of injector or engine failures. The most common feedback is that the machine is mechanically straightforward and well-supported by the Deere dealer network.

6. Price Range in Canada (2025–2026)

Below are real Canadian dealer and used-listing reference bands. Final price depends on cab vs ROPS, control type, two-speed, EH performance package, tire choice, attachments, and provincial tax.

New (2025–2026, Canada):

New 318G ROPS / manual-control configurations: typically CAD $72,000–$88,000 before tax
New 318G with cab, heat, EH performance package, two-speed: typically CAD $90,000–$112,000 before tax
Promotional financing has been available at participating Canadian John Deere dealers through 2025–2026 — confirm current terms with your dealer

Used (2025–2026, AgDealer / Supply Post / MarketBook listings):

2018–2020 318G with 800–2,500 hours, cab: CAD $50,000–$70,000
2021–2023 318G with low hours (under 800 hrs): CAD $64,000–$86,000
Older 2017 units or higher-hour machines: CAD $38,000–$54,000

7. Best Use Cases in Canadian Conditions

Truck and trailer loading (across all provinces). Vertical lift plus 120-inch hinge pin height makes loading over pickup boxes and dump trailers practical and confident. This is the 318G’s defining strength over the radial-lift G-Series machines.

Commercial landscaping and material handling (Ontario, Quebec, BC Lower Mainland, Maritimes). The highest lift in the wheeled small-frame line, combined with the narrow 62.9-inch width, makes the 318G a strong material-handling machine that still fits residential gates. Pallet forks, buckets, and grapples all work within its capacity.

Hobby farm / acreage operations. Under-6,500-lb operating weight trailers behind any half-ton or larger pickup with appropriate trailer rating. The vertical lift and higher capacity handle heavier feed, bedding, and material tasks, and the strong dealer parts network supports Canadian operators.

Light construction support. Vertical lift, 6,000 lb breakout, and optional two-speed travel cover driveway, foundation, drain-tile, and site-prep work. Auger, trencher, breaker, and grading attachments handle most utility tasks.

Snow removal (residential / light commercial). Strong push power for the size and good lift for snow stacking. Snow pusher, snow blower, and angle plow attachments fit. Cab with heat and the EH performance package is the right spec for Canadian winter operators. For the heaviest traction-demanding snow contracts, the tracked 317G is the better tool.

8. Maintenance & Service Intervals

The 318G follows the standard small-frame G-Series service schedule. Below is the practical Canadian-climate summary — always check the operator’s manual for the authoritative schedule on your specific year and configuration.

Every 10 hours (daily): engine oil level, hydraulic oil level, coolant, DEF level, air filter restriction indicator, tire condition, grease zerks per Quik-Tatch routing
First 50 hours: initial engine oil and filter change, hydraulic return filter change, hardware torque check
Every 250 hours: engine oil and filter, fuel filter check, in-cab HVAC filter
Every 500 hours: primary and secondary fuel filters, hydraulic return filter, drive-chain inspection
Every 1,000 hours: hydraulic oil change (or per fluid analysis), DPF inspection
Every 2,000 hours: coolant flush, DEF system inspection

When John Deere Plus-50 II oil and a Deere oil filter are used, engine oil-change intervals can extend to 500 hours — worth confirming with your dealer.

Canadian winter add-ons: cold-weather starting package and block heater for sub -15°C starts (factory option, worth specifying on cab builds), winter-grade diesel discipline, DEF awareness (DEF freezes at -11°C but thaws in a heated tank — never dilute), and spare fuel filters on hand for cold-weather gel events.

The swing-out rear door and tilting hood make daily checks accessible at ground level, and a single person can lock the boom and tilt the operator’s station for drivetrain access in about two minutes.

9. Where to Buy the John Deere 318G in Canada

The 318G is sold and serviced through John Deere’s authorized Canadian dealer network — both Construction & Forestry dealers and many Ag & Turf dealers. Major dealer groups carrying small-frame G-Series inventory and parts in Canada include Brandt (Western Canada — the largest Deere CTL/skid-steer dealer network in Canada), Premier Equipment, Green Tractors, Huron Tractor, and Delta Power Equipment, among others.

Always ask your dealer for:

Build sheet in writing before deposit (cab, controls, two-speed, EH performance package, cold-start kit)
Current promotional financing terms
Extended warranty options (Machinery Scope or Deere extended coverage)
Trade-in appraisal if applicable
Local parts inventory confirmation

10. John Deere 318G FAQ

How much horsepower does the John Deere 318G have? 65 gross horsepower (48.5 kW) and 61 net horsepower (45.6 kW) from the Yanmar 4TNV86CHT 2.1L Final Tier 4 / EU Stage IV turbo diesel engine.

What is the rated operating capacity of the 318G? 1,945 lb (883 kg) at 35% tipping load, rising to 2,095 lb with counterweight — the highest in the wheeled small-frame G-Series. Tipping load is approximately 3,890 lb.

Does the 318G have vertical or radial lift? Vertical lift. The 318G is the only vertical-lift machine in the small-frame G-Series, giving more reach and dump height at the top of the cycle for truck loading and pallet stacking. The 312GR, 314G, and 316GR are radial-lift.

How much does a John Deere 318G cost in Canada? New 318G in Canada (2025–2026) ranges roughly from CAD $72,000 for ROPS / manual builds up to CAD $112,000 for cab / heat / EH performance / two-speed configurations before tax. Used machines on AgDealer and Supply Post typically range CAD $38,000–$86,000 depending on year and hours.

Is the John Deere 318G still in production? Yes. As of 2026, the 318G remains in active production in Deere’s small-frame G-Series skid steer lineup, alongside the 312GR, 314G, 316GR, and the 317G compact track loader.

What’s the difference between the 318G and 317G? The 318G is a wheeled skid steer; the 317G is a compact track loader. They share the same 65 hp Yanmar engine and vertical-lift boom, but the 317G’s rubber tracks give better flotation and traction on soft ground, mud, and snow, while the wheeled 318G is faster, cheaper on running gear, and better on firm surfaces. Choose by ground conditions.

What’s the difference between the 318G and 316GR? Both run the same 65 hp Yanmar engine, but the 318G is vertical-lift and the 316GR is radial-lift. The 318G loads trucks better and has higher rated operating capacity; the 316GR favours mid-height grading and digging at a lower price.

Is the 318G good for snow removal in Canada? Yes for residential and light commercial snow, with strong push power and good lift for snow stacking. Cab with heat and the EH performance package is the right winter spec. For the heaviest traction-demanding contracts, the tracked 317G is the better tool.

318G vs Bobcat S66 — which should I buy? The S66 has higher rated operating capacity and is a heavier machine, but the 318G is narrower (fits gates the S66 can’t), lighter to trailer, and has strong Canadian Deere dealer support. Choose by whether maximum lift or narrow, light trailerability matters more, and by local dealer coverage.

Where can I read real owner reviews of the 318G? On this page, in the Reviews & Ratings section below. Aglist publishes operator-submitted reviews of the 318G from Canadian owners — leave yours to help the next buyer.

11. Related Models on Aglist

John Deere 317G — compact track loader version, same engine and vertical lift, for soft ground
John Deere 316GR — radial-lift version, same 65 hp frame, for grading and digging
John Deere 314G — lower-power radial-lift skid steer, one step down
John Deere 312GR — entry small-frame skid steer
Kubota SSV65 — primary Kubota competitor in this class
John Deere G-Series — full small-frame lineup overview

Disclaimer

All specifications sourced from John Deere’s official G-Series spec book and authorized dealer technical pages, supplemented by independent equipment spec guides. Pricing collected from Canadian listings on AgDealer, Supply Post, and MarketBook between 2025 and 2026; actual transaction prices vary by configuration, financing program, trade-in, and province. Reviews on Aglist are written by real users and moderated for spam — opinions are personal. Always confirm critical specifications and service history with your dealer and the operator’s manual before purchase, service, or repair.