Jman6 1 #1 Posted September 22, 2008 If you have been following my previous posts then you know that I picked up a 312-8 that was not running for 295.00 that came with a snowblower attachment and roto-tiller attachment as well. The previous owner had told me that he thought it was the fuel pump and all signs pointed to that. So I went through and cleaned the spark plug, wires and terminals (all that I could find) siphoned the old gas out and checked for debri, blew the lines out with the air compressor, put new gas in and some other minor stuff... Well after talking to all the parts shops, I foudn that I needed the part number off the old fuel pump as there were two types that were made for this year. So I took it off and got the number. Figured since I had it off I might as well take it apart and completely clean it, did that and after a few cranks testing the battery, put a new one on, the thing fired right up and ran like a champ! I was shocked that it actually worked! Figured for sure I would be spending more cash for the fuel pump and maybe a starter...so I changed the oil, put some new stuff in there and started it right up and started mowing! Course wife came home and saw me, so she wanted to get on the thing and take over the mowing...well the mowing is her passion so I figured why not... here is a pic of her on the machine. Course she was shocked that I had it going, I am not much of a wrench turner, I can do it, but just don't have a lot of experience. I was a bit offended that she thought I could not do it! Hehe take that doubter! Best part about the whole thing is now she is excited about it and wants to paint it! I plan on putting a in-line fuel filter, changing the tranny fluid, getting all new belts old ones look a little ratty and saturating the engine in de-greaser to get it clean. Anything else I should think about changing or working on? Thanks, Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,606 #2 Posted September 22, 2008 Congratulations on getting it running. Ain't nothing better than fixing something that's broke and doing it yourself. :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #3 Posted September 22, 2008 Thanks Treed! Only problem I found was the the mower deck when it was up would not allow you to turn left too hard or it was catch on the front wheel...when it is down it is fine though. Gonna go through the owners manual again and see if I can adjust it somehow out and get it out of the way. Also I need to get a new choke cable as the old one is frozen solid. Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #4 Posted September 22, 2008 Good job on the repairs! Always makes ya feel good when it fires off. I have to say though... The picture evokes a little bit of property envy. That's a great looking view for a yard! :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #5 Posted September 22, 2008 Yeah, our view is great. I am currently trying how to get a rack put on the back of the WH for carrying deer out of that canyon you can see...fresh venison is just a hike away Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #6 Posted September 22, 2008 Congrats on getting here running. Keep her maintained and she will take care of your needs for a long time. You may wish to replace the entire fuel line if its condition is questionable. I''d also throw a new air cleaner in her if you haven't done so. Since you already have the bagger on there you have the perfect place to mount a utility rack. The shute, bags and hinged lid all come off without tools and you will see that you are left with a pair of sturdy verticle steel rods. If you can fashion something to slip down over these rods that support the bagger it should be plenty strong enough to carry 100-200 lbs. The bagger support is carried right on the drawbar mounting pin. That IS a fantastic view. Where are you located? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #7 Posted September 22, 2008 Dmess, we are in Cashmere WA. That view is right out the back door, Cascade mountains are gorgeous in the spring and winter. Fall and summer it turns yellow, but when it is all green it is awesome! Yeah am planning on putting a whole new air filter on it as the old one looks kind of black, but it seems to work good the engine purrs and there is no smoke, but I am so happy with this thing and for the price I got it, I can afford to replace all the misc parts and do a serious clean start so that by the time snow hits all I gotta do is crank her up and snow engage the pto snow blower! :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #8 Posted September 22, 2008 WOW! You've got to be our most northwestern member by a LONG shot! Pretty cool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #9 Posted September 22, 2008 Well thing about this toro is it seems to be a TOUGH machine. After working on it, I am so impressed with the construction of it, I can not even imagine going to anything else. I am very surprised there are not more of them out here. I think part of it is that there is only one toro dealer in our town and the service sucks at that shop. Called them 3 times for parts on thurs and fri and never once got a call back. Ended up going with a small private shop. My father-in-law has a JD and it is a good lawn mower, but nothing like this lawn tractor! Just wish they were more popular in this area. Be nice to call someone and ask them the length of their choke cable, as I can get some generic ones from a auto parts store for like 10$ and pick it up, versus ordering and waiting. Speaking of that, anyone at home have a 312-8 in the early 90's model they can measure the choke cable for me real quick? Thanks, Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 15 #10 Posted September 22, 2008 You might try taking the choke cable off, coiling up, and immersing it in a container of penetrating oil. If it doesn't have a plastic sheath around the cable you can soak it in some carb cleaner and almost, if not all, the rust and old lube should rinse right off. Lube it up with some white lithium grease and it ought to last a few more years. You can even cut a plastic sheath off for cleaning and replace it with shrink tubing. If it is too stiff to roll up, just thread it into one end of a piece of small diameter tubing (Copper water pipe) that's capped on the other end and fill the tube with whatever cleaner you plan to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
htopjimmy26 3 #11 Posted September 22, 2008 Dmess has a very good point as far as replacing the fuel line if it is at all questionable, it reminds me of a story about a 30 year old tractor, the 3 times the carb was of and the mystery of were's all the black stuff coming from thats making the float stick open? :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #12 Posted September 23, 2008 that'a a great machine at a great price. :horseplay: your wife looks pretty happy on it. on the up side, you'll have more timr for deerhunting. on the downside, you may never get to ride the tractor again. :USA: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #13 Posted September 23, 2008 Great Job!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 15 #14 Posted September 23, 2008 Oh yes! Now that your wife has a Wheel Horse, are you looking for one for yourself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #15 Posted September 23, 2008 Linen, LOL! She would prolly kick me to the couch if I got another one. We have three teenage drivers, plus my truck, her car and her work car, so we have a total of 6 vehicles! It looks like a dang used car lot, so I am very limited on parking space around our house. I am probably gonna put up a shed to park this in, as she is not gonna put up with me parking it in the garage. Worked on it last night, put the new choke cable on. Works great. Plus figured out the lights wiring! So all I have to do is put a new air filter on and a in line fuel filter with fuel shut off. It has been a fun project and so far all I am in to it total is 340$ which by the time I add all the fun I have had fixing it is way worth it in my opinion. Just so satisfying taking something that doesn't run and making it work again. Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #16 Posted September 23, 2008 Wait till your moving snow this winter while sitting comfortably one that horse. You'll find it would be worth 3 times what you paid for it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 15 #17 Posted September 23, 2008 Used car lot? Just a good start. I have a '05 Toyota Sienna, '97 Volvo 960, '85 F-150, '80 T-bird, (2) '72 T-birds, '66 Falcon Futura, '66 Fairlane, '65 T-bird, '65 Honda 65 c.c, '63 Buick Special, and nine tractors that I can think of right now. We're looking at houses in the country with room to build a warehouse (With a storage lean-to on the side.). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #18 Posted September 23, 2008 Dmess, well you should see the dang driveway! The area where we park has about enough room, for 5 cars to park and back out room behind it, then you go about 50 yds to the bottom turn and from there 500 yds to the road. I am hoping that this works good enough not to have to have the brother in law plow it, least on the turn, which is a fairly steep hill that way he can not screw up the road anymore. I can't wait! Just so excited for snow to hit lol Wonder how far the snowthrower is gonna toss the snow Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #19 Posted September 23, 2008 Linen, ok, you win! Yoiu definitely have more cars After next year the youngest graduates so no more animals for FFA so we are going to tear down the pig pen and level it out and put a nice sized parking garage there. Wife even agreed that I need more room to park my stuff lol I plan on making that my big storage area, like least a 2 car garage with room for one side to be snowmobile storage, then the other will hold the WH and double as a work bay for wrench work lol Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #20 Posted September 23, 2008 Did someone say SNOWMOBILE? :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #21 Posted September 23, 2008 Dmess, yeah I like to sled! So do the girls, currently have two triples, one polaris ultra 680 and a yamaha mountain max, both are very fast and fun. Course the kids try and hi-jack them but I keep the keys lol Once I get the storage place built, that will be awesome! Room for a couple more sleds and some wheel horses even lol!!!! Jman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #22 Posted September 23, 2008 Maybe even a combo? Wheel Horse Snowmobile? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #23 Posted September 23, 2008 Jschahl, that is awesome!!!! Never seen anything like that! Very cool!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMESS 24 #24 Posted September 23, 2008 two triples here as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jman6 1 #25 Posted September 23, 2008 Nice sleds Dmess :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
