New guy - wondering about my dad's 310-8

[brndn 0]

My dad has had a 310-8 since it was new and has taken awesome care of it. Fires right up, always garage kept, oil changed, greased, etc... I haven't seen one just like it yet, but it's a 4 speed that's all red. I think the deck is a 42 or so and is a rear discharge., I will double check the next time I'm over there for the exact deck size. At some point in time, I'd love to have it, but was just wondering if it was something that might be somewhat rare? Does anybody have any nice pics of some 310-8's they can post?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Does anybody have any nice pics of some 310-8's they can post?

Have you tried the photo gallery?

[TJ 184]

:notworthy:

My experience with the 310-8 is that they are tuff, reliable and easy to maintain.

They are very common, so parts are easy to find.

Mine was a piece of junk when I got it, but with a little work, it has ran year round for 5 years with no problems.

The way your dad has maintained his 310, you will have a tractor that will last a lifetime.

Tom

[Raider12puller 1]

I dont have a 310 but the have a 312 and it out mows my grandmothers john deere (18hp briggs) hands down. Also have a 416 that is basically the same tractor besides bigger motor and beefier transmission.

Which motor does yours have a k or m series kohler?

:notworthy:

[rickv1957 74]

The 310s are very good tractors and plentiful,sounds like your dad has taken great care of his,I would keep it,Rick

[can whlvr 994]

the 300,s are great machines

[whfan74 2,071]

You can't go wrong with a 300 series tractor..........more importantly one that has sentimental meaning and you know the history about. Sounds like a definite keeper to me.

[kpinnc 14,619]

My experience with the 310-8 is that they are tuff, reliable and easy to maintain.

They are very common, so parts are easy to find.

Mine was a piece of junk when I got it, but with a little work, it has ran year round for 5 years with no problems.

My thoughts about mine exactly. I have a dozen or so tractors at any given time, and my 310-8 is easily the most dependable, most flexible, and favorite of my tractors. It was my first, and will be the last one to go if it came down to it.

Kevin

[brndn 0]

How about the rarity of it? I don't see many with a rear discharge deck, and also now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the transmission is a 3 speed. Also, what about the rarity of it being all red?

[whfan74 2,071]

I could be wrong but the fact that yours is entirely red lends me to believe that it is one of the cheaper version of the 310-8 that was sold at Big Box stores for a short period. Still a great tractor but doesn't have all the bells and whistles. I may be completely off so a little help would be appreciated.

If I am thinking right yours has a primary color of silver decal down the sides of the hood.

What makes you think yours is a 3 speed? Does it have a high/lo lever in front of the gear shift? If it does then you have an 8 speed. Also by the posting..........310-8, the 8 stands for 8 speed.

Honestly........still a fantastic tractor.

[brndn 0]

My dad bought it from the local Wheel Horse dealer. The decals on the side are in fact silver and as for the hi/lo switch, I can't be completely positive. I haven't mowed with it in years.

[bitten 134]

Hello and

The 310-8 red hoods as far as I know were only made in 1985. The model # should be 21-10K801. There was a 308-8 and a 208 red hood and I think the 308 was a 1986, but not to sure on that. My red hood 310-8 was sold from our local dealer and it is the same as any other that I have seen. I did have to add a rear lift and adjustable height stop on it to run the tiller, dont know if the maroon strip came with these or not.

Very good garden tractor.

[hodge 6]

Your dad has a very solid and plentiful tractor. The 310's and 312's are everywhere, and about the same. The red hood and rear discharge are no big deal, as far as I have witnessed. There are a lot of rear discharge decks out there, and the red hood does not really add any value to it. Personally, I don't really care as much for the red hood, so I would not be as apt to buy one as i would a maroon stripe. That is my preference.

Either way, it is worth keeping, and will not only keep going for a long time, but it will be easy to maintain, since there are so many and so many parts are interchangable.

Anybody here would tell you that you are much better off to keep it, then get rid of it. You will kick yourself in the future if you let it get away from you.

[can whlvr 994]

i have a 308-8,bought it new in 86,still have it and its been to heck and back,i fully agree with kpinnec post about first and last,and most reliable

[brndn 0]

I wasn't planning on getting rid of it, was just wondering about the rarity of it. I've spent a lot of time on these forums over the past few days and have learned a lot. I look forward to owning dad's Wheel Horse in the future.

[rickv1957 74]

Owning the first wheelhorse is all it takes,then a second,a third Rick

[kpinnc 14,619]

310-8s are fairly common, so I'll have to agree with the previous posts in that respect. But, I have not seen many of the "all red" hooded versions, so I would say those are certainly less common. Not rare mind you, just not the most common version.

Again, I can't say enough about my 310. It's not the biggest or strongest WH out there, just a great "right down the middle" machine. 10hp is plenty for most anything (tiller, 42 inch deck, dozer, 10 inch moldboard, whatever). The tractors have the 1 inch-axle 8 speed transmission, with the 4 pinion differential. Plenty for most any chore around the house.

Definitely a keeper.

Kevin

[can whlvr 994]

my 308 was a red hood direct from the wheelhorse dealer,so the big box theory doesnt allways aply