snrusnak 2 #1 Posted yesterday at 01:22 PM Hello, new member. I just picked up a 308-8 real cheap in decent shape. I really didn't know anything about these tractors (and still don't know a ton) but my main mower started acting up last weekend and with grass growing by the hour this time of year I thought it'd be good to have a backup mower. I decided to buy a cheapo riding mower on craigslist or marketplace and my wife came across this tractor for similar pricing. I figured this may be a better route long term vs a cheap modern disposable unit. I went to look at it (was told it had a couple minor issue) and found that you have to jump the starter solenoid to get it running which is not a huge deal, I assume the solenoid is bad or possibly wiring/key ignition cylinder. I was also told the PTO engagement had an issue and you had to put pressure on the clutch/brake assembly (whatever the proper term is) and as I looked closely I noticed the pin was not properly installed. I spent about 10 seconds fixing the pin and the PTO engages fine now. It also had a slight miss to the engine that developed just in the few minutes I test drove it and after getting home found the spark plug was very loose. Tightened it up and it purrs pretty good now. Seemed like a solid little tractor so I offerred him a little less and he accepted. I went back to pick it up yesterday and brought it home. I can't read the label behind the shifters as it's sun faded so not sure what year it is but from what I see online looks like the 308-8 was only made from 86-88? I put a new spark plug in it and changed the oil and I tried to mow a small patch of grass and it really didn't seem like it was cutting at all. I will say the grass was not high and I think the deck needs adjustment. I went and put some new blades on it though (the old ones looked like bullnose counter top edging....) and matched up the mule belt length at the parts store as it was looking pretty rough. While all the deck spindles and mule sheave bearings are not perfect they all spin free and the deck tensioner seems to be in working order. I want to make sure it's going to mow alright before investing any real money. I did grease all the deck and front end (and steering shaft) zerks and tested the PTO after doing all that and the belt change and it engages but for some reason it just seems like the blades aren't spinning very fast (can't even really hear any difference other than the initial momentary bog of the engine during engagement). The friction material on the PTO has some thickness (not sure what it's like new but it seems to be holding and not slipping) and I made sure the belt is routed properly based on other pictures I've found online. And I'm using the larger PTO sheave to get more speed on the deck. With the newer mowers that I'm used to the blade noise is really loud. Does this seem normal that I can't hear the blades? I thought maybe since they are such small blades they don't make as much noise. I forget what deck it is but it's small, like maybe 42" or so. It has 3 blades, the middle one is larger than the 2 side blades and it's a rear discharge. Once it dries up I'll do a test mow and see how it does. Pretty much everything works on the mower, even the lights lol. Only thing that doesn't is the parking brake. It's old, used, and not perfect but it is pretty functional and not beat to heck and back. I'm pretty excited about it. I attached a couple pictures. Ignore the huge greasy mess, the guy for some reason was spraying the whole area down with WD40 when he couldn't figure out why the PTO wasn't engaging. I already cleaned it up and cleaned the friction material up best I could with some brake clean. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,022 #2 Posted yesterday at 07:02 PM Welcome!! You may a bad bearing(s) on the deck spindles. Remove the belt between them, they should turn freely with no play. Look this over - all sorts of great stuff compiled by members. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,527 #3 Posted yesterday at 07:23 PM Hard to tell, but the second picture the belt seems loose to me that would certainly cause the deck blades to not come up top speed. Looks like you got a good deal! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 27,632 #4 Posted yesterday at 08:17 PM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snrusnak 2 #5 Posted yesterday at 08:34 PM Hey thanks for the welcome. Sorry that second pic was just to show how the belt is routed (deck was off at that time so the belt is disconnected). I have the belt tensioned to where it has roughly 1/2" of deflection with "medium" pressure between the PTO and mule drive sheaves. As said the bearings on the deck and mule drive aren't perfect but they spin freely so I don't think that's the issue. Havne't been able to test again as it won't stop raining. I swapped the solenoid with a known good one off another mower and it still didn't work. So may be a wiring or ignition cylinder issue. I may just buy a new ignition for $10 on amazon as an easy try or may break out a wiring diagram and actually diagnose it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,527 #6 Posted 23 hours ago Wiring diagrams are in our manuals section, all may be downloaded for free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,878 #7 Posted 23 hours ago 25 minutes ago, snrusnak said: I may just buy a new ignition for $10 on amazon as an easy try or Please do NOT use cheap electrical parts. It'll come back to haunt you..... This Redsquare site has several great vendors that can supply you with quality OE or aftermarket parts. Remember this: 7 hours ago, snrusnak said: I figured this may be a better route long term vs a cheap modern disposable unit. Absolutely correct. Remember why you bought a very good quality machine. 25 minutes ago, snrusnak said: may break out a wiring diagram and actually diagnose it.. This is the way. Every time. A 12 volt test light is your friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 975 #8 Posted 23 hours ago That's a 36" rear discharge deck. I used one for a while. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,266 #9 Posted 20 hours ago The decal below the front of the seat may be the ID decal with model and serial number on it. That is where they started out in 1985 and eventually moved to under the left side of the seat on the fender pan. Post all the numbers off the engine decal including the serial number and we may be able to identify. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snrusnak 2 #10 Posted 18 hours ago Thanks for the additional input. I have been searching the manuals section and found appropriate wiring diagrams. There is a wealth of knowledge here for sure! I checked out redhorse and they have a lot of parts that I'll likely eventually need but I didn't see the ignition for this particular unit. I can't read the ID decal between the seat and the shifters as it's so sun faded. I will see what info I can find on the engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,878 #11 Posted 18 hours ago 2 minutes ago, snrusnak said: parts Brian Badman is an excellent source. His handle is @76c12091520h Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,052 #12 Posted 17 hours ago @snrusnak Welcome, As a fellow 308-8 owner, as far as your starting issue goes have you checked the 15A fuse on the right (PTO) side. If it’s not the solenoid, it could be that the key switch, like you mentioned or possibly the safety switch for the PTO lever. Once I adjusted the PTO lever on my 87 after intermittent starting. it starts no problem. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
