Restoration questions 310-8 please ! thanks...

[Tonyp 285]

hello..new to this forum...Been a WH fan my whole life, as a kid I used to watch a neighbor plow his long driveway ( snow) with some sort of WH tractor..thats all it took!.  Preface..I am very handy and can do MOST things  myslef...I am not afraid to tackle something that looks difficult.

 

I have owned 3 different WH tractors thru the years, two I purchsed new, one I bought used, did some minor repairs and sold it, even made a few bucks.

 

I currently have a 310-8 which I bought new  in 87 or so while up in Ct, this is a fine machine, I cut grass and pushed snow for years with this tractor, it never let me down. But, as time went on I moved to NC and the machine needed work so I used it less and less, now I only use it for year end yard maintenance. pulling an aerator with weight, the final cut etc...The mower deck has had a few different repairs ,mostly from rust holes coming thru...I currently cut grass with a 36"" Keyes commercial Walk behind to give you an idea...36 so I don't scalp...

 

I am in the process of bringing the 310-8 back to regular use so I have a few questions..

 

The Kohler 10 runs fine but could use a tuneup..I have always changed oil and filters so even after 25 years it still runs pretty darn good.

 

BELTS...where do we find belts these days ? Drive and Mower...I have been using "auto" belts with the appropriate lengths..never really had an issue...

 

Transaxle, what grease do I use ?  

 

Tires, I replaced two last year and  two need replacement right now..I did find them on line , one front and one rear...

 

Mower deck pully's...I guess it would be apprpriate to replace them now ? Although they do work ok...thoughts  ?

 

 

The main thing that is keeping me from using the tractor regularly is obviously tires, belts and not knowing if I should change the transaxle lube and perhaps the deck pully's...Once I tune it up and put a new battery in it , it will start and run

with no issues...

 

 

I hate the thought of selling the WH and the new mowers, tractors etc..don't come close in my opinion, this is one rugged machine and the fact that over 25 years later it is still in a psotion to be somewhat rebuilt and used daily says a ton.

 

 

I recently purchased a Husqvarna lawn tractor, 22 HP, 46 deck...it's nice enough but bulky and it just looks cheap, no way will it last 25 years !  I am probably going to return it to Lowes...The thought that this thing runs on all sorts of various belts has me really concerned...

 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated

 

thanks

 

Tony

[jay in nc 210]

there are still wheelhorse -toro dealers in NC.  i buy my parts from hudsons hardware in clayton.  or from clays in fuquay-varina.  to redsquare there are quite a few members here. where are you located? i also have a 310-8 that is my current favorite tractor!  Jay

[Tonyp 285]

Hi Jay, thanks for the reply..I am in Charlotte ! I'll seek out a dealer, the one that was here closed !   I'll also check out Hudsona..good tip..thanks !

t

[MarkPalmer 81]

Transaxle- 90W gear oil. 

Belts- Tractor Supply Co., Farm and Fleet or most other farm goods related store.  I like the Kevlar ones but virtually any type work fine. The store should have a belt stretcher/sizing gauge. 

Kohler tune up kits- (points, condenser, plug)- E-Bay vendors or most lawnmower/small engine shops who deal with Kohler.

Pulleys- E-Bay, or one of the parts suppliers who sell here on the forum will likely have what you need. Some are still available new from Toro parts suppliers.

Tires- Online vendors are still the best bet for price/availability.

 

-Mark-

[Tonyp 285]

Ok thanks for the nice replies !

 

I got a lot done in a short time..

 

Acquired two tires locally and at a discount !  Had them put on the wheels and They are on the Tractor as we speak.

 

Deck is in ok shape, pulleys appear to be in very good shape , just real dirty..I power washed it and it needs a few more RUST hole repairs but all in all not as bad as i ahd thought

 

I did forget that Ihad a new mower belt  stored away..The Drive belt is still good but I want to repalce it with a new one so I don't ahve to deal with it again for 10 years or so .the Tractor is apart...no better time than now.

 

 

Transaxle...I'll drain it and replace  the  lube with 90W  ..as mentioned above...

 

 

Also the gas tank needs to be cleaned and the fuel line/filter replaced...easy stuff...

 

 

Right now I can see that the biggest issue is just plain dirt and grime from sitting under cover for a year or more...and the transaxle lube  change.

 

Cleaning and lubing are going to go a long way here...

 

I am hoping to bring it out to cut grass in about two weeks...

 

thanks folks...

[Forest Road 594]

An old family friend has a 1979? C100 basically same machine you have, which he too bought new. The fiberglass fender is long gone. Its weathered beyond recognition, the mower deck tosses as much grass out the rear as it does thought the rust craters. The trans doesn't have a dry spot on it. There's oil everywhere! He checks the trans and motor oil regularly and keeps on going!

I sold him a 2000 312-8 a couple years ago and he still uses old reliable regularly. Just get some fresh parts and oil in her. You can't really go wrong with these little red wonders!

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Hey Tony, Welcome to Red Square from Southern Orange County. I've been restoring a 310-8 that I bought from Jay. I actually drove it some this evening after swapping out the old M10 for a K301 12hp. Best of luck to you with your Restoration!

[darg 7]

I don,t know if there is a agri supply in NC or not, but one in Petersburg va. Try the for some parts like belts pulleys.

I have a 312 8 speed parts mower, if you are interested in some parts

darg

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Right here, you have the very best resource available to you for getting that ol'  of your's up and reliable again.