266/268 front wheels on 1987 312-8

[svt721 27]

Looking to upgrade the front wheels on my 312-8 to 8" and found a set off a 266/268 machine from the mid/late 90's  Does anyone know if these are compatible with the older 300 series or do I need to stick with looking for 8" wheels off a 400 series?  After some research, it looks like the 8" wheels on the 266/268 machines are compatible with 310's/312's from the early 90's, but that's all I could find.

 

Thanks!

Mike

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

As long as the spindle diameter (3/4") and length (wheel hub) are the same and most likely they are you should be golden....with that you really want the spindles from said 314/5 400 series as well as the wheel size dictates spindle height...or you'll be adjusting the mower deck too.

Edited April 12, 2019 by WVHillbilly520H

[JAinVA 4,638]

From photos it appears they would work.Keep in mind that if you mow with the 312 you will need to address the taller front spindles used with 6" tires

Mount 8" wheels and the tractor will look like an old time gasser dragster.

[svt721 27]

Excellent, thanks for the info guys!  Next step will be to find a set of the larger spindles, but I have someone who's interested in my brand new 6" front tires so if I can swap out the wheels with the ones I found, I can move on to searching for spindles.  Been screwing around with deck adjustment anyway (height adjustment binds up after the 4th notch, seems the adjustment rod is too short), so if I have to readjust temporarily for the 8" wheels on 6" spindles, that's not a problem for now.

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

30 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

From photos it appears they would work.Keep in mind that if you mow with the 312 you will need to address the taller front spindles used with 6" tires

Mount 8" wheels and the tractor will look like an old time gasser dragster.

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

25 minutes ago, svt721 said:

Excellent, thanks for the info guys!  Next step will be to find a set of the larger spindles, but I have someone who's interested in my brand new 6" front tires so if I can swap out the wheels with the ones I found, I can move on to searching for spindles.  Been screwing around with deck adjustment anyway (height adjustment binds up after the 4th notch, seems the adjustment rod is too short), so if I have to readjust temporarily for the 8" wheels on 6" spindles, that's not a problem for now.

I would hang on to the new tires. You will be needing em on your next tractor which you will be buying soon !!  

 

BTW.   to

!!!!

[Ed Kennell 42,225]

Here's my 312 with the original long (6" wheel) spindle and the up graded 8" wheels.   I like it cause it gives me more height under the front axle that allows me to raise the plow frame higher.

I really never had a problem adjusting the mower deck.

[svt721 27]

Tool Crib - if I find another Horse it's going to have an Onan twin - have always love the sound of those engines.  So either a 416 Onan, 516, 518 or 520 would be the choices - all of which have 8" wheels!

 

Ed - looks great!  Interesting you mention the plow height - I got a snow plow back in the fall for the limited snow we get here in NC and was bothered that even using the "extra lift" slot and the solid lift bar, the plow still hung low.  Then again, we got a record 18" of snow that day.  I'm going to follow your lead and run with the stock 6" wheel spindles for now, see how it looks.  Main reason for the 8" wheels is for front wheel weights for the snow!

 

Couple pics in winter and summer trim.  Had the machine pulled apart in the fall to clean it up, eventually want to repaint all the body panels and get a new decal kit.  Not bad for 760 hours and 32 years old.

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

8 minutes ago, svt721 said:

Tool Crib - if I find another Horse it's going to have an Onan twin - have always love the sound of those engines.  So either a 416 Onan, 516, 518 or 520 would be the choices - all of which have 8" wheels!

 

Ed - looks great!  Interesting you mention the plow height - I got a snow plow back in the fall for the limited snow we get here in NC and was bothered that even using the "extra lift" slot and the solid lift bar, the plow still hung low.  Then again, we got a record 18" of snow that day.  I'm going to follow your lead and run with the stock 6" wheel spindles for now, see how it looks.  Main reason for the 8" wheels is for front wheel weights for the snow!

 

Couple pics in winter and summer trim.  Had the machine pulled apart in the fall to clean it up, eventually want to repaint all the body panels and get a new decal kit.  Not bad for 760 hours and 32 years old.

 

I don't know why you would want to repaint and decal that from the above pictures but hey it's yours to do whatever you want...i have my 20+ year old bought new 520H (cab) and another one (snow plow) older that wasn't taken care of...a 312-8 and 315-8...and out of those 4 the only one close to yours is my Anniversary 520H (cab)...with that if you find your Onan powered  remember to get it with hydraulic lift for the Eaton 1100 rear end  (416/520) manual lifts (518) are the weaker 700 series.

[svt721 27]

8" Wheels arrived yesterday and installed them as a test fit before having new tires mounted - love the look.  And this confirms that you all were right, 266/268 wheels are a perfect fit for the older machines.  I think it looks fine with the 6" spindles, so planning to level the deck and see how it works.  Thanks for the help guys.

 

WVHillbilly - thats quite a collection!  If I still lived in NJ and had a big driveway, that cab would be on my list of upgrades for moving snow - very cool!  My 312 looks great from 10 feet but up close the decals and paint are scuffed up pretty good.  Im a bit OCD (see 94 F150 project truck in background as well as a 94 Mustang and 94 Saab convertible, equally obsessed over), so I'm thinking new decals and fresh paint so I can polish and wax between mowings!  Sad, I know.

 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

1 hour ago, svt721 said:

8" Wheels arrived yesterday and installed them as a test fit before having new tires mounted - love the look.  And this confirms that you all were right, 266/268 wheels are a perfect fit for the older machines.  I think it looks fine with the 6" spindles, so planning to level the deck and see how it works.  Thanks for the help guys.

 

WVHillbilly - thats quite a collection!  If I still lived in NJ and had a big driveway, that cab would be on my list of upgrades for moving snow - very cool!  My 312 looks great from 10 feet but up close the decals and paint are scuffed up pretty good.  Im a bit OCD (see 94 F150 project truck in background as well as a 94 Mustang and 94 Saab convertible, equally obsessed over), so I'm thinking new decals and fresh paint so I can polish and wax between mowings!  Sad, I know.

 

 

The F150 Lightening? Or going to be? ...now about the front tire rim combo techinally the 6" rims with tires are only an inch shorter than the 8" rim and tire so maybe a half inch total if that you probably really wouldn't know if you hadn't changed them out yourself.

[bds1984 1,501]

I am guessing that is a 1996 F150 made to look like a 1993-5 Lightning or it is a '96 bumper on one???

[svt721 27]

WVHillbilly - I agree, 1/2" height difference isn't going to make much difference, not worth the money for the different spindles!

 

It's an authentic 94 Lightning (#721 of 4007, which is where the screen name comes from).  I had put the 96/Powerstroke bumper on it with plans of building a cold air intake to pick up behind the vents, but never materialized.  Liked the look though, so stuck with it.