Question about 312-8

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Hello,

I am thinking about starting my own garden tilling and possibly mowing and leaf pickup business this year to make some extra money. The tractor that I would use is my 1986 Wheel Horse 312-8 with a 12 hp K series Kohler motor. The tractor is in nice shape and has about 650 hours on it. Up to now, I have just been using the 312-8 for tilling my 30’ x 30’ garden and mowing my grass which is less than half an acre.

So my question is this: Do you guys think that the 312-8 is a big enough (both in size and hp) tractor to handle the hard work of tilling and mowing several gardens and lawns each week (Depending on how much business I get), or should I try to buy a bigger tractor?

Thanks for the Help and Input!

[tunahead72 2,553]

I can't speak from experience, but it sounds like a quite reasonable thing to do with your 312-8. There's a guy on this forum named jachady who runs a tilling business using his custom C-125, a tractor that's slightly older but otherwise very similar to yours.

Here's a link to his restoration and customization thread:

http://www.wheelhors...33-c-125-custom

Aside from the usual advice to make sure you keep your machine very well maintained, the only other thing I would wonder about is whether there's any major differences between the two transmissions -- anybody know off the top of their head?

[312hoss 0]

Hi,i have a 312-8 and have cut up to 8 yards a week.Very strong and dependable.Hope that helps you.

[kpinnc 14,711]

Aside from the usual advice to make sure you keep your machine very well maintained, the only other thing I would wonder about is whether there's any major differences between the two transmissions -- anybody know off the top of their head?

The 312-8 has the "lighter duty" transmission- meaning it has 1 inch axles and a 4-pinion differential. Most of the C-series 8-speeds used the heavier 1 and 1/8th inch axles and an 8-pinion differential. By no means is the 312-8 transmission weaker when used for tilling and mowing. It's still a very rugged unit, just not as tough as the heavier axles and differential. Unless you try pulling stumps repeatedly from areas you plan to till, you will never have any problems.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,284]

Does it have a hour meter? If not it might be worth adding one so you can keep track of the hours and make sure the oil is changed on time. It would be real easy to loose track in your head if you end up with a bunch of steady accounts.

Mike............

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Thanks guys for the comments and advice! I think that I will try it out this year and see how it does.

It does, in fact, have an hour meter, but that is a really good idea of how to keep track of the oil and also the hours. I never really thought of doing it that way.

I have a couple of more questions that I would like to ask:

First, after how many hours do you guys usually change the oil? When I was using it for my own garden and lawn, my goal is to change it once in the spring and once in the fall. But now that I am going to use it alot more than before, I really don't know how often to change it.

Secondly, do you guys have any tips or advice for running a tilling and mowing business, like how much you usually charge for your work and any other tips that might help me out?

Thanks Again!

[can whlvr 994]

i would change the oil every 20 hours,i think its a cheap way to ensure that ones engine stays running strong,remeber theres no oil filter,and they only take 2 litres,the old saying,you can pay me now,or pay me later(an old fram oil filter commercial)

[Duff 206]

Taylor, not knowing your area, here are a couple of ideas on how to set up your business....

-Figure out what you'd like to make per hour for your own time.

-Try to estimate what it costs to run your equipment. This is not only gas, but anticiapted oil changes, parts, repair charges unless you do your own, and the like. Figure in what it costs to run your truck or tow vehicle as well.

-Get a quote on personal excess liability insurance (a rock gets tossed through a window by the mower or the neighbor's cat gets wound up in the tiller or some such "mayhem" like in the insurance commercial).

-Since this sounds like a sideline for you, you probably don't need to figure in health insurance, but do keep in mind that any money you make is *technically" taxable, so factor in how much bite the government is going to take.

-Depending on what arrangements you have with your customers, you may want to figure in a little reserve fund in case of a break-down and you have to rent a machine.

Alternately, or perhaps as a measure of the accuracy of your own figuring, make some subtle inquiries among the professional lawn services one or two towns away from you, keeping in mind their prices are likely to be higher if that is their full-time gig because they'll have higher overhead and tax liabilities.

This is just a quick list. I'm sure others here can add more.

Duff :thumbs:

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Thanks Don for letting me know how often to change the oil. Also, Thanks Duff for all the great tips about running a tilling/mowing business. I appreciate all of the help.

Right now, I am still in the planing stages of my business, so all the tips and advice that you guys can give are much appreciated!

Taylor

[can whlvr 994]

hey duff thats good info there for alot of buisnesses,and your right about the insurance,seems if you have it you wont need it,if you dont you till up a major phone line or a window etc

[tunahead72 2,553]

Hey Kid,

Do you have owner's manuals for your tractor and engine? There's maintenance schedules in both of those that should help you decide when to do what.

The official recommendation from Kohler is 25 hours between oil changes. You should also be paying attention to the air filter, spark plug, etc. at regular intervals during the season, and more major things like points, valve clearances and cylinder head at the beginning of the season.

And keep in mind that some of these things should be taken care of more often if you're working under dusty and dirty conditions (like tilling) -- 20 hours between oil changes is not a bad idea.

Likewise for the tractor itself, you need to stay on top of things like gear lube level, chassis lube, tire pressures, battery, belts, fuel lines, all that good stuff and more.

Another thought just occurred to me -- Troy-Bilt used to provide information about setting up a tilling business with their equipment. I may have something laying around here, but I'll have to dig for it, I'll let you know if I find anything useful for you.

Have fun with it!

[can whlvr 994]

for me where i live cutting the grass can be very dusty,i try and cut when its raining or just after,when i can,but thats not all the time,thats why i like to change the oil more often

[tunahead72 2,553]

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