Newbie here,help with identification.

[ramairformula74 1]

I recently bought a Wheel Horse 308-8. I have an ID number and a partial number off the body tag. I could not find any other tags on this tractor. I hope someone can help identify the year and answer questions. The engine is a Kohler 8hp. The questions I have: My tractor is missing one headlight bucket, will any buckets from a Wheel Horse work? The mule drive knob is missing off the front, will any WH work? The gear shift boot is almost gone, will any WH boot work? Will a set of rims and tires from a B100 WH fit my tractor? Finally, will the plow from a B100 work on my 308-8?

Tag 21DbK801

167_ _

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,177]

Heres what you have:( 21-08K801 1986 308-8 Tractor 8 Speed Kohler M8S-301511 )

And yes to all your other questions.

Mike........

[ramairformula74 1]

Thanks for the info. I'm considering a light restoration on this just to get it looking decent incase I decide to sell it in the future. I plan on using it just to do yard work since I just bought a zero turn and cannot haul my lawn cart around with that. I asked about the tires and plow as a coworker has a B100 and is selling those items that he no longer needs.

[ramairformula74 1]

Another question, may have many more.

Why are the majority of hood decals maroon and my tractor has silver hood decals? Mine does not have a wrap around decal on the hood but a small WH logo right in the front center.

[tunahead72 2,546]

:WRS:

Where's Cogan Station?

Mike (Sparky) beat me to this, but check your ID tag, see if it might actually be 21-08K801. If it is, yours is a 1986 model. Please don't beat me Mike , but I believe the engine should be a Kohler K181S, the spec number looks right.

The headlight buckets come as a pair, part number 109080, but you can sometimes see them sold individually. The mule drive knob is part number 101851 (you'll also need a roll pin and a couple of washers to attach it to the adjustment rod). The shifter boot is part number 3577. All of these are common to a lot of Wheel Horse models. I can't answer your questions about the B-100 rims/tires or plow, but I'm sure others here can.

With your shifter boot being so bad, you should check your transmission fluid. If it looks milky, you've probably had water seeping in there, and you should drain and flush the old fluid and replace it with new.

The 308-8 was the least expensive 300 series tractor, and had smaller decals than the others, probably just a cost-cutting measure. Yours sound correct, but we always like pictures here.

Do you have manuals for your tractor and attachments? Poke around in the Files tab here on RedSquare, there's several documents there you can probably use, there's others available elsewhere.

Have fun with your new machine!

[ramairformula74 1]

I checked the trans fluid when I test drove it and it looked normal. I found headlight buckets, a boot and a new wiring harness on Ebay. Trying to score them as we speak. The other thing I need is the deck belt covers for a 42" rear discharge. I will take pictures here asap and try to post them. My tractor is ugly as someone painted it and now is faded pink. The good red still shows through so it boggles me, but you can see rust spots, so I am sure they were trying to paint over them. I don't have any manuals and tried to find them. My tractor has a push button for starter, the key works to turn on and off but not for starting. I am trying to get the new harness and will buy a key switch too and rewire this thing over the winter. I plan on changing the fluids no matter what, here soon. I will get the trans boot first before I wash this thing down. What trans fluid should I use and I'd assume 30w engine oil? Should I use detergent or non detergent oil? Any other things I need to know about this tractor willl be a great help.

[ramairformula74 1]

Cogan Station is located in Northern Central PA. I am 1 hour south of Corning, NY. 1.5 hrs North of Harrisburg, Pa.

[ramairformula74 1]

The best I could read of the tag was 21D8K801. I think I put a B earlier. There was a number right next to it as well but I could only get the first 3 digits of 167, I could see two more but the tag was pretty beat up.

[JC 1965 1,532]

:WRS:

[AMC RULES 37,196]

:wwp:

:WRS:

[ramairformula74 1]

Can pictures be uploaded easily or what is the process for uploading pictures to the forum? I know some forums require a photobucket account.

[AMC RULES 37,196]

When you reply to a post here on , click the lower right corner "more reply options"

from this window, at the bottom, you can search your computer files to attach your images.

Just remember to click the "attach this file" button before you click the "add reply" button.

If you prefer the aggravation, you can use photobucket here as well.

:popcorn:

[ramairformula74 1]

As far as fluids, engine oil 30w or 10w30? Detergent or non detergent? Rear gear oil 80w or 90w? What is recommended for these tractors? I don't have a manual yet and need to hunt one online. Thanks again for all the help.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

:WRS: You can use either oil, but i prefer 30 myself. The rear end should be 80 90 GL-5 I believe.

Matt :flags-texas:

[can whlvr 994]

i have a 308-8 21-08k801 and it is a magnum(or was)not a k,so mike is correct,sorry tuna head,ita a m8s-301511,i bought her new from the dealer,so it wasnt a box store thing,we didnt have those box stores up here when i bought mine

[tunahead72 2,546]

i have a 308-8 21-08k801 and it is a magnum(or was)not a k,so mike is correct,sorry tuna head,ita a m8s-301511,i bought her new from the dealer,so it wasnt a box store thing,we didnt have those box stores up here when i bought mine

Interesting ... I'm looking at a Parts & Service Manual for the 1986 300/400 series tractors. For the 21-08K801 308-8, it lists the Kohler K181S that I mentioned, spec. number 301511. But on that same page, it also lists what I guess is an engine mounting plate for the 308-8, but pictures it with an engine that's definitely not a K-series. And later, there's a photo of the hood decals for the 308-8 that shows an engine that looks more like a Magnum than a K-series.

Looks like you guys are right.

I apologize for the confusion. :oops:

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,499]

There are 2 manuals for the 1986 model year. The 1st difference in the manuals is the engine oil capacity was changed to eliminate false low oil conditions by adding an extra 1/2 quart.

Both manuals list the K181 for the 308-8 but the point gap is na so the model name is the 2nd mistake. Should be M8

Service bulletin 301G shows the 308-8, 420-LSE and 718-Z as the only 1986 models to use the M-Series engines.

Garry

[ramairformula74 1]

What is the engine oil capacity and rear gear oil capacity?

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Might be helpful.

http://www.wheelhors...ce%20manual.pdf

[ramairformula74 1]

Thanks alot for all the help guys, I know it can be frustrating with us newbies asking a ton of questions. I'm just trying to learn what I can to take care of this tractor and improve it. I will get pictures here tonight of it and post them. I may get more info on it when I do. Thanks again.

[tunahead72 2,546]

Cogan Station is located in Northern Central PA. I am 1 hour south of Corning, NY. 1.5 hrs North of Harrisburg, Pa.

Just to crowd your brain more, this puts you less than 3 hours from the big Wheel Horse show near Biglerville, June 22 & 23 this year, pretty much a straight shot down US 15. From my vast experience with Wheel Horse shows (I've been to exactly one, this one last year), I can tell you it's well worth the drive if you have the time. :handgestures-thumbup:

[ramairformula74 1]

Here are some pictures of my 308-8. I started to take it apart then took pictures. I removed the deck to have a rust hole repaired then found more split metal at the mounting bracket bolt holes. Planning on a light resto just to repair problems and make it a problem free tractor. I have a few parts on order to correct items I found.

[boovuc 1,090]

:WRS: I'm about 45 minutes from you in Mill Hall, Clinton County. If you need anything, this is the place to be. I have a 310-8 that is the exact same tractor as yours with just a 2 HP bigger engine. It is my main go-to everyday tractor. Feel free to PM me if you have a question though it's best to share any question with the whole group here. The talent and wisdom of many people here will iron out any issues you may have going forward!

Good Luck!

[ramairformula74 1]

I appreciate the info and help. I got the previous owner to talk to his family member who welds and will fix this deck up for me. I will put on new blades and was thinking of having the underside powdercoated to protect it. I'm sure it would chip off eventually, another thought was Eastwood's chassis black or something like that. I will use this to mow my rental properties if I need to and mainly to do yard work towing a lawn cart or tools around my property.

[ramairformula74 1]

Is there a cost to post on the classifieds? I'm selling for a family member a 42" RD from a 520. Been stored since 96, used one season and replaced with a SD. Great shape, looks just dirty. Asking $500.