1990 Toro Wheel Horse 312-H common frame problems?

[Banjo 0]

I think this tractor is being offered for sale by a member here,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wheel-Horse-Toro-Wheel...1QQcmdZViewItem

My question is what years and models does this broken frame issue span? I have never heard of this before,

"Frame is broken at the junction of the main frame and the transaxle. Later model tractors had an improved design to counteract this common problem to this style machine. Not usable as-is, but I can locate/price another frame for you or provide you contact info for such. Figure about $50 for the used part and a few hours of your labor and you

[Rollerman 290]

Banjo my guess is a PO had a young kid who thought it was cool to do weelies.

This can happen to just about any kind of Wheel Horse with the wrong kind of abuse.

Steve "WH500Speacial"...please don't think I'm pointing the finger at you...I beleive you posted about this before that you bought it as is?

Actually that year of tractor would have a stronger frame in that area than it's cousins from the early 60's.

I'll put that one on my watch list though...since I have a frame here.... :whistle:

[Banjo 0]

On my Massey MF10 I admit to on occasion having to get a running start with a loose chain to yank roots out of the ground and/or pull other heavy things that won't budge and make my wheels spin. I think that kind of thing could cause that problem as well now that I think about it.

My 60's MF10 has a nice heavy steel frame as well. I think I would feel bad if I had to try that manueuver on one of my horses, could be arrested for cruelty to animals. :WRS:

[wh500special 2,277]

Hey, NEVER hesitate to point fingers at me - I often deserve it! And, I have thicker skin than you might think.

I've seen/known of many broken frames over the years. This tractor seemed a little "new" to me for such problems but figured it fell into the classic rut. Not sure when the extra gussets were added to prevent this...

I bought the tractor as it is. Sucker ran good too until it got rained on yesterday and - I guess - drenched the seat switch. Kind of a shame that happened since otherwise I don't let ANYTHING sit outside if I can help it.

The PO didn't realize it was broken and I'm not fully convinced it didn't "finish" breaking in the truck on the way home. I'd love to keep it, but know my chances of fixing it up are slim with my schedule.

Steve

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

I can only remember seeing one other Horse broke that bad.... a 1973 14 Automatic that was thought to be a D10 CAT dozer by its owner. Too many running hits on frozen snowpiles with the dozer blade almost broke it completely in two!

It certainly looks like it's worth a frame replacement though! :whistle:

[Stigian 1,234]

Daft thought here , would it not be worth welding it back together

If an extra thick plate is welded onto the inside of the frame (not trans side) it should be strong enough to make that WH usable again.

Id have a bash at welding it first rather than buying a new frame straight away.

BUt then again i am a cheapskate :D

[DMESS 24]

WOW! I've seen plenty with smal cracks around the mounting bolts, but I've never seen one almost severed in half! This had to be a situation of "animal cruelity".

[Banjo 0]

WOW! I've seen plenty with smal cracks around the mounting bolts, but I've never seen one almost severed in half! This had to be a situation of "animal cruelity".

LOL!

[wh500special 2,277]

Yeah, I've not seen one THIS bad before either - not sure it CAN be welded at this point. But the rest of the tractor is in good shape so who knows why it broke the way it did. i suspect though that this was the product of a lot of use after the initial cracks started to form. Once they hit that whole "critical crack length" they must have propagated quickly, then fatigued a larger area and continued to grow.

Animal Cruelty...

In trying to find some other info about this thing earlier today I came across a listing of service bullitins for this year/model...SB #T-20 (I don't have the actual bullitin) refers to replacement of the frame on these 300/400/500 series tractors with a HD unit. So, this probably isn't the only one of these to ever suffer this fate!

Steve

PS - If anybody is wondering why I pulled the auction for the 418-C before there were any bids placed the simple explanation is that the neighbor's mowing tractor is in the shop and he is borrowing the 418 until he gets his back. Being that this is planting season and his dealer is the local Case-IH dealership whose priority it is to keep the farmers in the field, it might be awhile. Sorry to disappoint anybody who had planned to bid! With my luck, a tree will fall on it before I get it back...

[DMESS 24]

Steve, let's keep it away from falling timber. I might want to make you an offer for it one of these days! (the 418-C, not the "flexible flyer")