My first Wheel Horse, very nice 1985 312-8

[Roanoker494 0]

I had been looking for a "real" mower for quite some time and I decided to grab up on this minty 312-8. I gave the original owner $500 trade value towards a Jeep Cherokee and after mowing the yard I do feel that I have made a wise decision. This tractor runs and mows as smooth as a babies bottom, the blades sound like a fan running instead of a old thrashing machine. There is not a spot of rust anywhere, the paint is original, it was always garage kept and only has around 300 hours. I may consider some new decals in the furture, but I am pretty happy with it for now, and I have already ordered a new set of headlight bezels because the one light makes a very annoying buzzing noise. The owner even included a large package of original manuals, photo copied manuals so I can keep the originals clean, sales brochures and recipets. Any of ya'll Wheel Horse Veterns have any tips of tricks for the 300 Series??

[Roanoker494 0]

Now lets look under the hood

The high back seat was added for comfort but the original seal was included

[Wheel-N-It 2,972]

If this is your first WheelHorse, I hope you know what a really fine machine you have, and how fortunate you are to have scored this. In my humble opinion the 312-8 is one of the best tractors WheelHorse ever produced. I have owned mine for 21 years, and it has never let me down. Congragulations, and let us know how you are enjoying it.

[decksetter 50]

:eek: That's a nice tractor! Looks like you got a good one there.

[Roanoker494 0]

If this is your first WheelHorse, I hope you know what a really fine machine you have, and how fortunate you are to have scored this. In my humble opinion the 312-8 is one of the best tractors WheelHorse ever produced. I have owned mine for 21 years, and it has never let me down. Congragulations, and let us know how you are enjoying it.

I have very quickly become aware of how fine this machine is. In fact I cleaned out a place in the barn so I can keep it out of the weather, I have never even considered putting that much effort into another mower. Since I have a bunch of extra concrete here I may even pour a deck because, in my opinion, dirt is one of the leading causes of dry rotted tires, the only thing I rank higher is products applied to tires to make them shine.

[Foozerush 40]

Looks like a worker!! Regular maintance is key to a healthy horse.... I have a 416-8, and really happy with it, I got a second one, my go-kart the tiny 8-25!! Since you have the Koehler engine, they are tough and should provide you with all the power you need. Yes this is the place to to get answers to help keep her running, there are guys here who know them better than the engineers who designed them....welcome to RedSquare!!

[Irv 115]

I second the fact that the 312-8 is one of the best ever. I have 2 of them and they can do it all. Good on gas too! Great buy you made, I know you'll be happy with it. :WRS:

[bowtiebutler956 650]

:WRS: Your definitely getting started off right! Thats a fine looking machine!

Matt :flags-texas:

[moose76 0]

I also have an 85 312-8, I use mine to cut grass and plow with and have never been let down. Thats a great looking machine, you will not be disapointed!

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

:WRS: Great find! 312-8's are for sure on of the best WH tractors ever produced! I have had 2 of them so far. Currently, I have a 1986 with the 12 hp K-Series Kohler motor with about 650 hours on it and it is an awesome tractor! They have enough power to do everything. I use mine for tilling, mowing, picking up leaves. I hope to get a snow blower for it sometime later this year. I keep mine indoors too! Good luck with yours! Take care of it and it will last you a long time!

[tunahead72 2,535]

Very nice indeed, you even got a cup holder in the deal!

Hope you enjoy your stay here!

[Ken B 3,173]

Very nice machine. Good choice to clear out a space in the barn. I hate leaving a nice machine out in the rain even for just one night. Keep the oil and all lubes fresh, the spindles, bearings etc. well greased. I also like to pull my mower decks off and scrape, clean and then paint the bottom of the deck to prevent rust. Your deck looks to be in nice shape so ya wanna make it last.

[AMC RULES 37,179]

You done real good.

:WRS:

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

:WRS: That is one nice tractor and you got a great deal on it! Jake

[Duff 206]

Great tractor! I've got two 312's and a 310, and I love all three! Like the fellows above have said, keep it clean and the fluids fresh. Don't hesitate to lube all the moving linkages at least once a year. If anything should happen (even Wheel Horses can have parts wear out or break but far less often than most of the other brands!), there are a whole bunch of us here willing to help you out!

Oh...and !

Duff :thumbs:

[bean 85]

just out of curiosity, what size rear tires are those? it looks like the rear wheels are old style, 5" wide. could just be the camera angle. I am debating doing that myself.

I own a 310-8, I can tell you that they are great tractors

[Roanoker494 0]

Thought I would put up a couple pics of the manuals and documents I got with this tractor.

This one looks to be a sales/info magazine about the different models that were available and dated 1984

This one looks like a great resource to have around. It has parts diagrams, wiring diagrams and service information.

This one appears to be instructions on deck assembly, installation and maintaince. There is also a photocopy of a parts breakdown for the deck.

Owner's Manual

just out of curiosity, what size rear tires are those? it looks like the rear wheels are old style, 5" wide. could just be the camera angle. I am debating doing that myself.

I own a 310-8, I can tell you that they are great tractors

I will have to check it out tomorrow when there is some light.

[bean 85]

I will have to check it out tomorrow when there is some light.

ok, thanks. my guess is 22x7.50-12 0n 5" wheels. I really like the look and may just have to steal the idea :banana-tux:

[Kelly 1,033]

Nice tractor a good all around machine, as for the rear rims I'm guessing they are the 6.5 rims not used on many tractors.

[bean 85]

as for the rear rims I'm guessing they are the 6.5 rims not used on many tractors.

I didn't even know there were 6.5" wheels. learn something new here everyday :)

[varosd 1,185]

Looks super clean! a lot of 12hp Kohler Wheel Horses were produced over the years...meaning it was a solid well made machine and a lot of folks bought one!!! Good score

[Roanoker494 0]

Bean,

Check those rear tires today and they are Carlisle 22-7.50x12. I did not have anything with me to measure the rim width but I would say they are no more than 5-6 inches, measured from the bead surfaces like you do on automotive wheels. I will have to dig out rim clamp to get a accurate measuement.

[can whlvr 994]

as stated allready regular maintance,especially air filters and engine oil,if you do them more often than not that kohler will out live you,i would change the rear end oil,it uses 80-90 weight gear oil,i beleive 2 quarts,its well worth doing to preserve the bearings,dont forget to grease all the zerks,and the mower ones are really important too do,i have a deck from 86 and the bearings are still orig because ever since i bought it new i greased it every other time i mow,just a few squirts and thats all she needs

[bean 85]

Bean,

Check those rear tires today and they are Carlisle 22-7.50x12. I did not have anything with me to measure the rim width but I would say they are no more than 5-6 inches, measured from the bead surfaces like you do on automotive wheels. I will have to dig out rim clamp to get a accurate measuement.

I appreciate it. I have been thinking about going with the 5" wheels on my 310-8. it has the same 22x7.50-12 tires as yours. I wondered what it would look like. I think it looks great, and the tires probably picked up an extra inch in heigth. my tractor sits a little high in the front, and that should level it out, and speed up 2nd gear, for mowing

thanks again

[Roanoker494 0]

as stated allready regular maintance,especially air filters and engine oil,if you do them more often than not that kohler will out live you,i would change the rear end oil,it uses 80-90 weight gear oil,i beleive 2 quarts,its well worth doing to preserve the bearings,dont forget to grease all the zerks,and the mower ones are really important too do,i have a deck from 86 and the bearings are still orig because ever since i bought it new i greased it every other time i mow,just a few squirts and thats all she needs

That is another one of the best parts of this deal..... The feller changed all the fluids, greeased all the fittings and installed a new air filter before he brought it to me. Then he gave me a extra new Oregon brand air filter and filter wrap. The fluids in it looked fine to me but he insisted he wanted to do it. I bought myself one of those mini hand-held grease guns the other day just to keep everything greased up, I am planning to use the marine grade grease unless someone here has a better suggestion? Is there any particular brand and/or weight of oil that I should be using in the engine?