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Picked this 312-8 up this morning! Might be the nicest original one I ever bought! Has a bagger and a plow thats just as nice. Got it running after a carb clean and new fuel lines. I was just gonna flip it, but I don't know about that now. It works pretty great! 20260801_170738.mp4

August 2, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rams an American PT (patrol torpedo) boat, No. 109, slicing it in two. The destruction is so massive other American PT boats in the area assume the crew is dead. Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including Lt. John F. Kennedy.

I think that may be a Walbro carb. Had one on the 1988, 312-8 I sold last year. Any pictures of the carb. Tried to replace it with a Kohler carb, but the air cleaner plate was different.

Bought a rebuilt starter from DB Electrical Thanks for the recommendation @Achto a year ago and it finally decided to quit, of course no where near the shop..So it was time to release the belt and SLOWLY PUSH THE ROUGHLY 800 LB Tractor with SDdeck towards the shop. Can't complain it's been noisy since I bought it around 6 or 7 years ago. The starter is an easy replacement but fortunately I had removed all the bolts and put never seize on them that hold the tins on. Putting the tins back on is a slight pain in the rear. Super quiet now.

And the message relayed was carved into a coconut... that momento sat on his desk while President.

So you bought the seat and got the rest for free. BUT< YOU MAY HAVE OVERPAID.

@ Mikes Horse Barn, great pick up on that ! regular for me on any pick up . is to , quickly / easily get a paint save going on ? like a penetrating oil spray down , let it soak in a few days , then wipe it down with a , soft clean cloth , next stage , rubit down with clean miner oiled cloth , that paint condition , should pop right thru , any grunge . preserving / enhancing what you have is , is vital , after that , a clean mineral oiled cloth rub down , will keep it looking fresh . those plows , really really come to life , with QUADRANT SWING ACTION , DETAILING , SQUESE LEVER START, DETAILING , very easy , luck you ! pete

Just can not find the like Richard. I am Computer illiterate. I just get buy.

I didn't have a disc with the arm so I made one.

I know, I know....... one of these days.... During the Covid, my job was threatened and I was getting things together TO retire. Well, long story short, I survived, got a BIG raise, and am still doing what I've been doing. I like doing what I'm doing and have a pretty unique niche compared to others in my position, so I'll stick around maybe a couple of more years. Keeping an eye on some investments, if they reach a certain level I have in mind, I might convert them to income-producing investments, retire, and start taking my pension. If some other things change, we might move things up.

So glad to see it getting the treatment it deserves. Keep up the great work.

Nice score on that 312-8. Mine is my go to mowing machine, so I definitely agree with you,

Absolutely.We bought three grab bars and will install at least two. The wall I was dealing with is an outside wall so i left it intact as possible and used hardwood for maximum hold. Drilling an undersize hole so the threads grab without splitting. The other walls will get solid blocking and a block for a third grab bar in case there is need for a caretaker within the shower. this house was bought in case we would have to take care of a parent, but its only two miles from here and the need for an easier property for us is a possibility. It is a step in shower that fits a five foot opening. Its nice and rigid and solid Vickerel where the cplor goes all the way through

Inside work is all done except putting the shelves and books/knickknacks back in place.

I wouldn't knock yourself out looking for VR1 oil over Rotella. These are lawn mowers. Not Indy cars or space ships!

I just bought a 312-8 today! Already love it although I haven’t mowed yet. What is the best spark plug I can use (Champion RH-10C?) and the best transmission belt? I don’t mind spending a bit to get the best quality. Thanks in advance!

The surest way is to look up the model number of the potential donor and check the parts listing. And that assumes it was not transplanted at some point To add to the confusion if you want to put an 8 pinion into a 10 pinion tranny you have to make sure you have the 2 piece mushroom gear

I was on you tube a few weeks ago, and I found this page that had a case dealership in Connecticut I believe.. He had this new tool that I’ve never heard about how to safely clean the top end of the engine and the head. It’s nylon attached to steel that you can put in your drill or whatever. You spray it down with like fantastic or some kind of household cleaner, but let it sit for about 10 minutes. These nylon attachments made the whole head and top of the engine clean within a 10 minutes. I was truly impressed on that. The other bonus it doesn’t leave any scratches or gouging of the material which according to this video it’s the first place where carbon will build up. So here’s a couple pics before and after this was about 10 minutes worth of work. The orange is course this kit came with two others gray, which is a medium grit and I believe the blue is a fine grit. I’m sold on this so far much easier. I used to use steel but at left a lot of scratches.

The TORO / Wheel Horse number for your 312-8 drive belt is 7473 which is a 82" X 5/8" V Belt. Many of us have used the Tractor Supply Kevlar belts with good results. Bew very cautious about buying belts on that are listed with TORO numbers, many of them are not the correct width and will not work. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/huskee-v-belt-5-8-in-x-82-in-oc-4461826?

That spot is white paint over the red, I'd live to know what happened there lol

Its good and tight. I'll grab a pic of of it. If I was going to replace it I'd have to find a other walbro. I believe the correct one would be a walbro #52

@Brockport Bill those 37,s are rough for functional gain / improvement . major reason ? idler pulley , lubrication failure / incrementive belt hang up , starting a BELT BOUNCE , quickly overpowers any all ,function , gave one away that I got in a swap , for a regular 36" R/D deck , very easily refitted , with bearing lube change out / up grade , CLUE ? the belt bounce on those 37,s , is showing / telling you what is failing . just my own experience pete

My 05-32YS01 deck has a different rear wheel adjuster arrangement. BTW, it is for sale for $100. NOS...never been on a tractor.

Very nice Mike. Enjoy the tractor!

There's actually two. The second one is hidden in the pic.That disc has to move. The added arm is relieved to clear the brass nut, the holes tapped to, I think 4-40, JB Welded to together, bolts have Loctite, then ground flush on the backside for clearance.

The Master Bathroom has a walk in shower. The tub is for 3 young grandkids and a fourth on the way.

One thing I don't like about the carburetor on this though is that it has a fixed main jet. Didn't know they had those 40 years ago. My 314 is adjustable.

It looks great! awesome job!

Big 312-8 fan here. Have had mine for 37 years. I can mow my yard 3 times compared to once with my Kohler Twins on the MPG. Good luck with it.

I'm a glutton for punishment. Born and brought up learning to do everything the hard way. @Brockport Bill No kidding. The pictures should show you. Kleen Strip Aircraft paint remover, 1 1/2'' and 3'' wire wheels on an 18 volt Milwaukee cordless, lots of different grades of sandpaper etc etc and a right shoulder that's just about had it. Not perfect but doing the best I can with what I have. Thank you for the nice comment I'm enjoying bringing this 420 back to action, feels good.

Couple a pics of C160 with the new to me rear wheel weights.

Whenever the cable is connected directly to the holes in the disk that happens. Very fast throttle response. A Wheel Horse spec engine would have a small arm that was welded to the disk so the cable connection was a bit farther distance away from the center fulcrum point. Therefore it would take a longer distance to travel from idle to full rpm. This is what that arm looks like

It would be difficult to put my Milwaukee 18V grease guns in a wallpaper tray. They rest on a piece of cardboard. The only leak or spill is from the working end of the hose and that is not much.

@Retired Wrencher that fuel, oil related varnish , is the issue , 2 things I changed to years ago , sta bil , enhances fuel cleaning debris , another major cleaner ? zinc, been adding rislone zinc , typically 2 to3 oz to a fresh oil change , also like the valvoline 10-30 VR1 flat tappet oil , no smoke or varnish . repetitive problems , are simply something I have to get after . after EVERY USAGE , I go after a regular check over , for FEED BACK , HOW IS IT DOING ? WHAT IS IT DOING ? need a tweak ? over 40 years , regular maintenance , go to what makes it bombproof , my screaming pto neighbor , has no clue , pete

Seems that nowadays few enough people use wallpaper that the tool supplies are limited. I found that a 24" windowsill planter box is readily available from home depot for about $14 delivered. Some planter boxes have drain holes so I'll line it with shop cleaning cloths. When it arrives I'll set it on 2 or 3 long pegboard pegs.

Thats what I'm doing. Watertight heat shrink connectors for each individual wire.

Put down some stripes this afternoon with my ‘02 - 315-8. Wish all my mowing machines had cup holders

Congratulations on retirement. I retired in 2015 after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. After recovery, I thought that I might have the time to do things that we'd been putting off like travel, tractors and naps. Seems that when you are working you have a schedule. Friends and family knew when you worked and when you were off. However, when you retire, everyone thinks you are always available. Your time is never your own. Though I love to help my family, I also miss downtime where I don't have to answer to anyone. You have to learn how to say "no, today is mine". Then go take a nap.

To answer you source question, Little Red Barn bought out I Save and is a reliable source. https://www.ebay.com/str/lilredbarnpowerequipmentsupply Safety switches will not cause your problem, please do not molest them! Have you been using gasoline that has alcohol in it, if so STOP that stuff deteriorates fuel systems. you can find a gas station that sells alcohol free gas at this website. https://www.pure-gas.org/. Place the shift lever in neutral and block the rear wheels to be sure the tractor will not move while you are working on it. Starting at your gas tank, clean and/or replace the fuel shut off valve and its screen, replace your fuel lines and filter and be sure fuel flows freely from the tank to the end of the hose where it connects to the fuel pump. After the fuel line has been connected to the pump turn the engine over to see if the fuel is being pumped out, if not then inspect the pump. If a kit is needed contact Then and Now https://www.thenandnowautomotive.com/antique-auto-parts-store/AC-4S-K-Kohler-Fuel-Pump-Kit-p816753504 or consider using a low pressure electric pump. Once the fuel pump is working then the carburetor is the next place to go. The cheap aftermarket units are generally unsatisfactory, rebuilding the one you have is not difficult. Hope this has been helpful.

Try Brian Badman. 570 492 9706 I have been doing business with him for a while now. Nice guy. He has a lot of original parts. Also there are other venders here in the vender section on this site..

A little more progress…. drive flange complete - I made it the same PCD as my sons 4x4. (only tacked at the moment - just in case something needs to change) one side done

I also put the key that I got from @JCM on it.

Got the carb cleaned up and gone through and was able to start it. After that, I had to mess around with the drive pulley to get it to go on all of the way. The surging in the video is because I forgot I had my gas turned off at the tank. I was able to drive it around a little bit tonight. I put about a quart of an unopened thing of ATF that I found in the back of my grandma's garage that I think is older than me but I figured it's good enough for temporary to help flush the tranny. Tomorrow I need to swap the wide front axle onto our 1257 and take the narrow axle I put on the 1257 onto my 845. I also need to mess with the governor some.

The last couple of days I've done the little nitpicky jobs like welding some hood mounts on, wiring up the kill switch, installing the throttle and choke cable, putting oil in the engine, and running the fuel line. I'm close to being able to run and drive it I just need to get the carb straightened out because at the moment it only runs on a shot of brake clean and isn't getting fuel. I did pop the line if the carb to make sure I had fuel going to it but I think the main problem is that its all gummed up from old fuel because when I took the bowl off it smelled like varnish and it was very dark and cruddy.

Today's progress so far has been welding up a cracked seat pan, putting the tranny on, putting the front axle on, putting wheels on it, cutting the top of the tower off because it was too tall, putting the fenders together and putting them on, measuring where to cut the too long steering shaf, and setting the little bits and pieces on it for mock up.

Got my steering put together and drilled the holes in the f plate reinforcement plate

I got my cracked f plate welded up today. How come you gave a frame with a cracked f plate Kevin, I want a refund. At least it gave me some welding practice.

I retired at 62.5 and used COBRA for 1.5 years. Still had to buy health insurance for 1 year before I was eligible for Medicare. Mrs.K is a few months younger than me. I asked my insurance guy what to do when I took Medicare and Mrs.K was not eligible? His answer...wrap her in bubble wrap. BTW, that one year that I had to buy health insurance cost 4X what I paid for my first house.