300 Series Specs

[v65animal 0]

I've seen some posts that there are differences in the 300 series over the years, other than cosmetics.

Axle

Tires

Other?

I like the classics with the nice rubber molded running boards and the thicker steering wheel.

Which model years have the bigger axle?

Are the 300 series with the bigger axles, the same size axle as the 400 and 500 series?

Which model years have the bigger tires/wheels?

Thanks in advance!

Sam

[Duff 206]

Sam, I think the answers to many of your questions will be in this thread:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...t=0entry55893

The short answer, if there is such a thing, is the 308-8, 310-8 and 312-8 all used the tranny with the 1" axles. The 314-8 switched up to the 1-1/8" beefier axles. There may be exceptions, but generally this is what I believe to be the way they were produced.

Sheet metal was pretty consistent across the 300-series line. Some of the 308-8's came with an all red hood. There's much speculation about how/why this came about.

The 312-8 with a 37" SD mower deck used 22" rear tires to allow room for the mower under the tractor. Otherwise 23" was the standard. As far as I know, 6" front tires were pretty much the standard (definately in combination with the 22" rears on the machines with the 37" decks), but I've heard some were made with 8" fronts for other applications/attachments.

The tranny with the larger axles used on the 314-8 was the same one used on the 400-series machines and, I've heard, on the rare 520-8, and is pretty much identical to the tranny used on the larger (and older) C-series machines.

Owners have swapped parts and pieces around over the years (this is one of the many great advantages of these tractors!) so a used machine, unless you know its exact history, may actually be custom modified to suit the current owner's tastes and needs. Similarly, if you can get a really clean used machine it's very easy to build it up to your own needs, especially among the 300- and 400-series machines where parts are readily and widely available.

I'm sure the day will come when many among us (myself included) will try to restore 300-series machines to original spec with the same respect and affection our round hood owning members have given to their tractors, but for now folks don't seem to be too uppity about the 300 and 400 series machines being rebuilt and modified to individual taste - there's a really good supply of these tractors still to be had. [DISCLAIMER - I mean no disrespect to those who already restore 300's and 400's to factory spec! ]

Long and the short of it, Sam, is to spend some time searching through old posts here and you'll find an incredible amount of good information on just about anything Wheel Horse!

Best wishes,

Duff :omg:

[jpmcleod 4]

I like Duff's respose as I have had to change a few things on a couple of my tractors to complete them. Parts are not available in Florida as in the Northern states so you do what you can with what you have.

I like the C series the most and second is the 300 series. I find them very usefull and attractive machines.

I say go for the style you like and make it happen. This is a great site and each has their own opinions. I respect all of them. Good luck with whatever you wind up with.