1990 312-8 Restore/Refresh

[Hanzmoto 11]

Well lemme start by introducing myself. I live in Indianapolis IN and I work in aviation building interiors for private airplanes. I'm 29 and I think my love for Wheel Horse's started way back when I was very young. I spent every summer at my grandparents house and one thing that has always been a great memory to me is Grandpa's tractor. He always owned a Wheel Horse from when I can remember. I remember many days after riding on his knee mowing the yard we would stop for lunch and you'd be sure to find me sitting on the tractor eating mine. I would do anything I could to ride on the tractor with him, who can resist such a cute face :). Many times me and my older brother would sneak down to the barn just to try and start it with out Grandpa knowing about it. We would wash and wax the tractor any chance we could get. I'm sure he was appreciative of that since it kept his Horse clean and kept him from having to do it! We would ride around in the cart hooked up to it until he kicked us out! So many great childhood and teenage year memories were made with Grandpa and his tractor. He sold his Wheel horse in about 2007/08 and got a zero turn. He couldn't swing his leg over the shifter and steering wheel anymore. 

This is me and him on what I think is his old C-120. 

Here is my older brother on the same tractor

Here's me eating lunch as usual on his last Wheel Horse. The same model I picked up , a 312-8

Me (in the red hoodie) and my Cousin riding on Grandpas lap on his C-120

My mom is driving in this picture. She thinks its around 1975-1976. Not sure of the model tractor.

Heres me and all the cousins getting pulled in the cart with his 312-8


One last one, me on his lap, my brother on the bar and my cousin in the cart.



Grandpa passed away in 2010 and life kinda went on for me just enjoying those memories. Until recently. Me and my wife moved into a house in October of 2014. We got a decent amount of snow her in Indy and there was no way I could shovel our driveway. So I decided I could just smash it all down with my truck. That worked kinda until I got the car stuck in the driveway on my way to work one morning. After about 20-30 min I was able to get out and once I was at work I text my wife and told her we are either getting a new car, a snow blower or a tractor with a plow. Well, she wasnt going for the car and a good snow blower will run you $450-650 so I opted to find a tractor with a plow. I knew it had to be a Wheel Horse since I knew how reliable and versatile they are. I also have a soft spot for them since I have so many good memories with one. To Craigslist I went and until two weeks ago I couldn't find a good deal. I found this 1990 312-8. I came with a snow blower a 42" deck, wheel weights, chains, and all the original owners manuals. Tractor ran great and started right up when I went to look at it. By no means is this thing pristine though, but it had everything I needed and it was all in working order. Here she is on all her glory. Only paid $450 for everything.






I will upload many more tomorrow, but for now I have to go, the wife is requesting my presence! Hope you guys enjoy and hopefully this turns out as nice as I hope it will!
 

[Lane Ranger 10,520]

Hansmoto :  Great to have you join Red Square!    I enjoyed reading about your Grandpa who instilled in you a love for the Wheel Horse tractors !

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Welcome to Red Square, and hello from another Hoosier!
Very nice story about your love affair with Wheel Horse tractors.
Enjoy your time here at RS.

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Welcome to the site, and a great story about your love for wheel horses. Look forward to seeing what happens to the 312

[AMC RULES 36,954]

[muz123 1,191]

welcome! Great story!

[Brian01 481]

Welcome Hanzmoto...I too are new to Red Square. I'm 28, been working on a raider 10 I bought from another Red Square member. Who lives, not too far from me. We are in Missouri.

[bds1984 1,385]

I have a very similar story. Luckily my grandma has my grandpa's 312-8 and uses it to this day! 26 years old and 456 hours on her!

[Hanzmoto 11]

So I've mowed the grass twice with this. I sharpened some extra blades that came with it and the grass it cuts looks nice but it's uneven. I measured the deck off the floor and noticed a 3/4" difference on the height. Doing some reading I found that this is supposed to be what is adjusted to even it out. It looks like something might be incorrect. Notice the pin is the only thing holding it in the hole. I'm assuming it needs a washer?! 

I also changed the the plug and the crankcase oil. I opted for AMS Oil cause I run that in everything and love it. 

Any help with the deck would be great!
 

[PaulC 341]

Welcome and nice story!! I believe my grandpa is how and why I got into wheel horses as well. His 1985 312-8 is stil in my dads possession and I had it at my house when we first bought it until I found my own. I currently have 5 horses 5 decks 2 snowblowers and a plow so a word of warning this can be addictive!! 

Your deck leveler should have a washer and that is where u will adjust it. Pull out the pin adjust the trunion on the threads and reinstall. 

You have found the best place on earth for wheel horses. Good luck Paul 

[roadapples 6,981]

I`m sure grandpap would be proud!