Searcher60 208 #1 Posted March 1, 2015 (edited) Hello everybody, new guy here, thanks for having me. Not new to Wheel Horse, have had a YT12A, 416H, and 520H in the past. Now, I have a chance to buy either one of 2- 314-8's, or, a 312-8. The 312-8 is a very late Toro. Has been sitting for 2 years, no deck. Needs carb fuel/system carb cleaning, ignition switch, battery. Looks great, only 109 hrs showing. One 314-8 has over 1000 hrs., no deck, will run, needs at least battery. Showing some wear. The other 314-8, no deck, threw a rod. Over 1000 hrs.. Does not appear to have come through the block. Will need at least an engine rebuild, or engine. Battery, fuel system cleaning. None have a deck. All need battery and fuel system clean. The 312-8 is nice, low hours. Paint is nice. Is the 312-8 a 4 pinion differential? Is it weak? Will the 312 spin a 48" deck? Tiller? Should I buy one of the 314-8's with higher hours that show wear? Is the 314-8 an 8 pinion diff.? Is the 2 hp that important, or is there more to a 314. I would restore the 314's if I got one, rough looking. But not too bad. What do you think these are worth? Again, thanks! Edited March 1, 2015 by Searcher60 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dhodge 528 #2 Posted March 1, 2015 48" deck is a lot to ask out of a 12 hp on a regular basis or thicker lawns. Personally a 12hp in my opinion should have a 42" deck on it. Rototiller is not a problem at all for even a 10hp and even a 8 hp. That's what low range first gear is for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,909 #3 Posted March 1, 2015 Check the ID number on each unit. With that, you can find out what transmission they have. If the ID tag is not available, at least find out the year of each unit The 12 HP may be a little weak for powering the 48" deck in high or wet grass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #4 Posted March 1, 2015 Hi searcher, wellcome aboard. Your in a great place for your wheel horse hobby. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,295 #5 Posted March 1, 2015 109 hours looks inviting. I don't see a problem with a 48" deck. I had two, one was on a GT-1100 and that 11hp Briggs did fine. My Dad also had a 48 on a Raider 12 for over two decades. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #6 Posted March 1, 2015 What makes you so sure the 312 is a 4 pinion? Many 312-8 from approx 1990 on were 8 pinion. My 1992 was verified during a rebuild. Should you see an 1-1/8" axle just assume its 8pinion. Personally I'd take a running CLEAN 312 w a good motor vs either of those 314s. Just my $.02. It'll run a 48. Might big down a little more in the thick stuff. Good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Searcher60 208 #7 Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks for all the replies! Forest Road, I do not know which it is. Not sure there is anything wrong with a 4 either? Also, if the rod does not come through the block, is the 14hp generally rebuildable? I may buy the 312, and the blown 314. Looking for something to tinker with. Without decks, would anybody hazard a guess as to a price range? I cannot hear the 109 hr. 312 run, but it looks great. I got a good idea what a running 312/314 is worth complete and running. But as you know, decks ain't cheap. Thanks again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 991 #8 Posted March 1, 2015 yes the 14 hp is rebuidable if its not torn up the inside to bad,hopefully the bottem end would be allfight but not allways,its a gamble till she is torn apart,inspected and measured,value is all over the map Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,231 #9 Posted March 1, 2015 (edited) I think it is a plus when they do not run or have not run in a while...might get them a little cheaper. Guessing how much they might be worth is a crap shoot...depends where you are at, how much you want it, and how much the buyer is willing to let it go for. I would say this...you are not messing with a hydrolic (sp) transmission here...that is a plus when they do not run. An 8 speed is easy to fix and get parts for...so the trans is not an issue. You just need a deck and maybe some engine work. Piece of cake...maybe. BTW...WELCOME TO RED SQUARE. Edited March 1, 2015 by stevasaurus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #10 Posted March 1, 2015 if you gotta do all that work you gotta buy them right because you are going to spend money on them and you are taking a gamble on them once running, maybe the hr meter didn't work for a long time and the hr meter is wrong, so the cheaper the better. i personally wouldn't go over $300.00 on the 312 and try to keep it under $ 200 on the 314 that runs and even less for the one with a blown motor. the problem come in here that the tractors are worth more in parts then whole. you don't say what years the 314 are 1000 hrs on an old k series kohler don't always mean much, but then again it might smoke like a freight train when you get it started so you are taken a gamble. and like said above you never know how torn up inside a motor is till opened up so but it cheap eric j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Searcher60 208 #11 Posted March 1, 2015 I think I can do that, I think you are right on the money. Not a penny more. He is going to have to come way down, we will see tomorrow. He says a running Koehler 14hp motor is worth $400 alone? I may offer what you said for all three. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #12 Posted March 1, 2015 i have a 14 hp kohler that i rebuilt a couple of years ago and that cost me $ 400 or $ 500 to have rebuilt and i already had the motor and the crank turned, i had it bored and put new main bearings in it. so if it ain't running good it's not worth $ 400.00 eric j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #13 Posted March 1, 2015 As far as a fair asking price goes its a crap shoot. You're best to tell us what the seller is asking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Searcher60 208 #15 Posted March 2, 2015 Ok, 312= $450, Blown 314=$250, "worn" 314=$400, No decks. Thanks to all of you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #16 Posted March 2, 2015 it's hard to tell with out pictures but if i were selling those tractors i would be a $ 100.00 less on all of them because that's about all the market in my area would pay with out attachments eric j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,503 #17 Posted March 2, 2015 The 312-8's can be confusing. Just came across this - 1-1/8" axles and 4 pinions. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,768 #18 Posted March 2, 2015 Prices sound a little high considering the condition of the units, might be OK if they had decks. Don't know how plentiful are in your area, but the only one I would consider of the three is the 312-8. I have run a 48" deck on one of my 953s for years (9.6HP) and it does great. Good luck and keep us posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #19 Posted March 2, 2015 If its truly 109 hours and very clean.... I'd go with the 312. If your primary use is mowing don't spend a minute worrying about 4 vs 8 pinion. I've seen plenty of beat up 8-12 hp tractors that got the job done. And they're all going strong! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #20 Posted March 2, 2015 i have a mid 80's 310-8 with 1" axles and i put a 12 hp k series kohler on it and never looked back i plow snow with it and have mowed with a 48' deck last fall i used a 42" deck with a power flow bagger on it with no problems. i even plow snow with wheel weights, ag tires and chains and the 1" axles took it all. the the 312-8 does have truly 106 hrs on it it would be the best bet. you spend a lot more then $ 200.00 to fix up the 314's eric j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #21 Posted March 2, 2015 There is not that much difference between a 4 pinion and and 8 pinion. If you were building a Pulling Tractor you need an 8 pinion, but most things done around the house you won't see a difference. People brag about the old sears tractors and they don't have near as much transmission as a 1" axle 4 pinion 312-8 Wheel Horse. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites