But, at a time leading up to the JD318 was along way away from the IH Cub Cadet Original. IH has had among the very best, strongest garden tractors made. That took JD quite a while to figure out belt drive is not so superior to the IH Cub Cadet drive line and Farmall Cub transmission.
But as an American tractor manufacturer, JD is alright by me! I would most likely go the other rout if I ever decide on a bigger tractor. Like a JD model B !
I would restore the 1650! That garden tractor has a transmission as strong as your JD 455D, and most likely a better one too!