TravelingSwitft 2 #1 Posted June 7, 2024 Hi all, I'm looking at potentially purchasing a Wheel Horse 312H. We've just purchased a 4+ acre property, mostly cleared with grass, surrounded on 3 sides by woods (lots of leaf fall), and a long driveway. We're coming from a <1/2 acre property where tiny electric equipment was plenty for our lawn / garden maintenance needs. New property has a barn and intention would be to bring horses home in the coming years. We're looking at a Wheel Horse 312H that comes with mower and plow. Looks to be in good condition from pictures, but would love advice on: 1. What to look for / at when we see it in person. What's critical to check? What's a deal-breaker vs common ailments (as any older model will have!) that aren't a big concern 2. Would this small tractor suit our needs of mowing (mowing ~3ish acres, leaf management, and plowing on this small "farm"? Would probably want to tow a small trailer for manure management / moving water buckets down the line when horses are home. 3. We'd love to let ~1 acre of the grass grow up, probably bush hogging 2x a year vs maintaining as true lawn -- could this model pull a small bush hog behind it or would we need to outsource that job? Husband I are not mechanically savvy (currently) but interested to learn basics. We do have my father somewhat locally who has several older tractors he runs on a 50 acre property that we can lean on as we learn. Tractor is super local to us so easy for us to give it a try with low commitment / travel time required. We'd love advice! And if not the right model for our needs....anything you'd suggest instead? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelingSwitft 2 #2 Posted June 7, 2024 Meant to add - tractor with both attachments has asking price of ~$1600. Any thoughts on that price are welcome! Picture from listing below 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,787 #3 Posted June 7, 2024 Several thoughts come to mind. A 312H. Capable? Definitely. IMHO it would do what you want and be very good at it although maybe not as fast as some more powerful machines. The tractors we have in our herd are from the 60s and 70s. I'm not really familiar enough with the newer models to make great comments for what to look for but I will say for that sale price it should have next to no hours and be operationally perfect with extremely minor flaws. The snow plow is worth maybe $200. The deck is worth a little bit more. Here's a list of things we made up to help when looking at tractors or maintaining or even doing a full restoration. @Sparky Is located maybe an hour or a little more south of you. He may be able to comment a little more accurately on that pricing or even availability of other models in the area. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,301 #4 Posted June 7, 2024 That is a good tractor overall, but 3+ acres is a lot of mowing. My grandson mows 3 yards in his neighborhood, one of which is about 5 acres. He started with a tractor with a 48" deck, but soon realized that he did not want to mow all weekend. So he acquired a 60" zero-turn and it still takes hours. Three acres of grass can be very time consuming. As far as pricing, a 312-H with a mower, 48" or 42" to me has a value of no more than $800 - $900 depending on hours and condition. A snow plow can be bought at the Wheel Horse show for under $100. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but $1600 is too much. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,090 #5 Posted June 7, 2024 3+ acres ==> a good zero turn. But ask yourselves if you really need that much grass and the investment (time and treasure) needed to maintain it. A meadow needs only to be kept free of shrubs and trees to be a low-maintenance wildlife haven. $800 for a good clean running 312-H with fewer than 500 hours with a snow plow is a good target. Also useful for towing a garden cart. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,652 #6 Posted June 7, 2024 1 hour ago, rmaynard said: $1600 is too much Agreed. A 312-H is a good machine but no way I'd give over $900 for a "show quality" 312. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,696 #7 Posted June 7, 2024 I mow well over 3 acres no zero turn ...but I do have a 6ft finish mower for pasture. Zero turns are nice but they are a one trick pony. With property you will find lots of things that you need a garden tractor for. So you spend a bit more time mowing, Starting out a new place is expensive rather spend money on a GT than a Zero turn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ohiofarmer 3,372 #8 Posted June 7, 2024 That's a lot of hours to be putting on a finish mower. The engine bhas no oil filter and twenty hour oil changes are needed. Maybe a local guy who bales hay or wants to grow and bale hay could keep the ground clear if invasive trees. I have three and a half acres which joins a larger farm and I have that planted in beans and corn alternate years . I have made as much as twelve hundred on a half and half arrangement with the farmer. A farmer can put out a crop with just spraying the grass down and planting no till. No erosion compared to tilling the earth. There are many old and robust tractors around that will pull a bush hog and the prices have dropped a bit around here. A Farmall H is plenty for that purpose and they can last forever . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailman 1,299 #9 Posted June 8, 2024 (edited) I am a big fan of Wheel Horse tractors and the work they are capable of doing. If I were in your shoes I would put some extra money into a sub compact tractor with a belly mower and a FEL. So many options with bush hog, etc and planning to raise horses it will be worth its weight for all the tasks you will have. The right tool for the job is my MO. Just my $.02. Edited June 8, 2024 by Sailman 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelingSwitft 2 #10 Posted June 10, 2024 Thank you all - lots to think about! The 4 acres we have is a mix of wooded (but brush-hogged between trees), house / barn / driveway, lawn with some trees and blueberry patches dispersed throughout - so it's definitely not 4 acres of straight mowing. Probably somewhere in the ballpark of 2-3 acres but kind of chunked up. Horses are not coming home for several years, as we don't want to put in real riding amenities so it'll be once ready for semi-retirement to trail horse life. I think we're leaning toward a tractor as we'll want some snow removal (~150m driveway), mowing, leaf management, and towing a little trailer. The 312H sale got weird (the seller). There is a 520H that came up near us in good shape with under 500 hours. Thoughts on that one? I like that it accommodates a bigger deck vs the 312H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,787 #11 Posted June 10, 2024 1 minute ago, TravelingSwitft said: The 312H sale got weird (the seller Judging by the price tag on that thing you missed out on nothing. No sweat though. Others will come up. The low hours on that 520H is a good sign but how's the maintenance? Is the underside clean or full of grass? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelingSwitft 2 #12 Posted June 10, 2024 Looks clean and description says it's been through a full tune up - but hard to tell from pictures (clean and shiny, but limited pictures). Seems to be set up as a snow removal vehicle. Has new tires, wheel weights, and 2-stage snowblower + cab for $1700. Hows' that price? Would probably need tobudget another $500 for mow deck I'd think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,787 #13 Posted June 10, 2024 14 minutes ago, TravelingSwitft said: Would probably need tobudget another $500 for mow deck I'd think? Depends on the size you want. For a 60" that's about right. A 48" can be had for half that. 15 minutes ago, TravelingSwitft said: Has new tires, wheel weights, and 2-stage snowblower + cab for $1700. Hows' that price? So let's separate things. Steel Weights have been $200 ish. Plastic are less. Two Stage snowblower $500-$600 Cab can fetch $400-$500 You're at $1100-$1300 before you add the tractor. So that leaves you with a $400 to $600 price on that. IF it's all in good operable decent condition... IMHO: That's reasonable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelingSwitft 2 #14 Posted June 10, 2024 Thank you Eric! Appreciate the helpful responses 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,301 #15 Posted June 10, 2024 For a 60" deck, the 520H will need a swept-forward axle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelingSwitft 2 #16 Posted June 10, 2024 Ignorant question...but how can I tell if that is what this 520H has? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,787 #17 Posted June 10, 2024 9 minutes ago, rmaynard said: For a 60" deck, the 520H will need a swept-forward axle. 6 minutes ago, TravelingSwitft said: Ignorant question...but how can I tell if that is what this 520H has? Not an ignorant question at all. If you look at the front axle on that tractor you can see that it's kind of canted forward from the center point. That gives you additional space for the deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,833 #18 Posted June 10, 2024 3 hours ago, TravelingSwitft said: Looks clean and description says it's been through a full tune up - but hard to tell from pictures (clean and shiny, but limited pictures). Seems to be set up as a snow removal vehicle. Has new tires, wheel weights, and 2-stage snowblower + cab for $1700. Hows' that price? Would probably need to budget another $500 for mow deck I'd think? A full tuneup, what does that mean? Maybe 2 spark plugs. Were the valves adjusted? A 60" deck is what you need for over 2 acres of mowing, but keep in mind the 60" deck weighs approximately 340 pounds and will beat the snot out of a tractor if the lawn isn't rather smooth. Expect to pay more than $500 for a good deck and be sure that the proper mule drive with the spring loaded pulleys is included. All 520H tractors from 1991 up had the forward swept axle to accommodate the 60" mower. If you want a snow plow, keep in mind that a plow that wasn't made for that tractor needs an extension kit to clear the front tires. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,738 #19 Posted June 11, 2024 The WH 520's are a beast of a small riding tractor. The Onan engine is a strong runner, but can be finnicky on a few things. They ALL have their finicky items. In your case, its a small plus that it was just used as a snow machine. The rear cylinder on that engine can overheat if the cylinder fins are not kept clean. These are air cooled engines, so they need air to circulate for cooling (no radiator like your car) Mowing grass can clog them up. Oil leaks give something for the grass to stick to and gradually built up. But this is not a show stopper, Its just a maintenance item to check and clean them from time to time. If the rear cylinder fins are clogged, that cylinder can overheat and the valve seat come loose. While repairable $$$ that typically the end of that engine. Many people mow with a 520, so as I said not a show stopper. With good maintenance that engine can run 2000+ hours. The ONAN fuel system likes to be kept clean (they all do) Ask them if they have been using Ethanol free gas. Its OK if they haven't, but it might need a fuel system cleaning in the future. Whatever you buy, many on here suggest using only ethanol free gas. You pay more for the gas, but prevent fuel system problems later. Since your not mechanically inclined (yet, lots of good friendly help here) it might be worth having a reputable small engine shop look that 520 over. The Eaton 1100 hydro transmission is excellent. It too has cooling fins that need to be kept clean. A leaf blower and or air hose after every mowing, and once a year removing the rear fender and engine tins to clean inaccessible areas. ANY new tractor or zero turn is going to need similar engine and transmission areas kept clean for cooling. The later 300,400,500 series are good machine, good Eaton 1100 hydro transmission. They have a few more electrical safety switches which is good, bur can be a headache if you have a electrical problem. There are some 3,4,500 series (312A, 4xxA, 518A, others?) that have an Eaton 700 hydro transmission that does not have a changeable filter. This transmission is not as rugged as the 100 and is not meant for ground engaging equipment (plowing etc) The C series have less electrical components an most have a good Kohler engine. The older C's C120, C140, C160 have a Sundstrand Hydro transmission or a gear drive transmission. For mowing with a lot of turning back and forth, a hydro transmission sure is nice. With the gear drive transmissions you have to come to a complete stop to shift gears. Good simpler machines, but tend to have more hours on them. The C121, C141, C161 could have a Sundstrand or Eaton 1100 Hydro. The C125, 145, 165 would have the Eaton 1100 Hydro. Note, most brands of these small garden tractor transmissions with gear drive transmissions do not have synchronized gears and you have to fully stop to shift gears. keep asking questions,. We re here to help you learn, that how we learned!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,787 #20 Posted June 11, 2024 46 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said: Ask them if they have been using Ethanol free gas. Its OK if they haven't, but it might need a fuel system cleaning in the future. Whatever you buy, many on here suggest using only ethanol free gas If the tractor is in Massachusetts or Connecticut it's unlikely they've been using E-Free because there's no availability. NH and Maine have Ethanol free. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites