Raider 12 vs. 312-8

[Ol Red 6]

Hey guys,

 

Im thinking of getting my second wheel horse, I got the bug. I saw a Raider 12 with a snow plow on CL for $350 and a 312-8 with a mower deck for $400 both appeared to be in pretty good shape from what I coulda see and I was told both are running with no issues but I haven’t had  chances to go see in person yet. Before I do I wanted to see what your guys opinions were on one vs the other...I would be using it for a little bit of everything ....tilling, plowing, cutting grass, and pulling logs / a small dump trailer. 

[rjg854 12,258]

What's the one you have now?

[Achto 29,433]

Personally I think that they are both great tractors. Both tractors are basically the same but the 312-8 is newer and will have more safety shut downs.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,619]

 

Check them both out and see which one sings to you...!

 

Of course, you could get both - one for plowing and one for mowing...already rigged and ready to go!

 

[Stepney 2,354]

The 312 will come with front and mid tach-a-matic brackets, no issue. The Raider can be adapted to use them quite easy, if they aren't there already. Both gear driven and 12hp. Its an even field mostly. 

That Raider will likely have a limited slip diff though. Something the 312 never offered. Makes going much easier on mud and snow. I also prefer the way an old narrow hood drives. The steering feels smoother on the Raider, and .. while the 312 isn't complex .. the Raider is as simple as it gets. 
Personally I'd take the Raider. 

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

I agree with @Achto on this one. These 

ate both great machines. Alot depends 

on the service records over the years.

 

to

Edited November 23, 2019 by The Tool Crib

[Ol Red 6]

Thanks for all the input guys. I will check them both out and find out about the service records. I have a C-121 now which, if I’m not mistaken, is basically like the Raider 12 with the atach a Matic system and slightly newer by a few years? I love it, it’s an animal and I love the way it operates although I have to do some upgrades on it. The 312-8 runs a cast iron Kohler right? Is the dash also cast iron ? 

[rjg854 12,258]

all 3 of those tractors are similar as they are 12hp, if your happy with the 121, then you should be happy with either of the other 2.  Condition, location and price are your considerations.  If you have the room for them, and the need, then go for them both.  Course, that's how the addiction starts, but you could do worse 

[Ol Red 6]

Alright guys so I picked up a a 312-8 today with a rebuilt k301 12hp motor in it. It was recently repainted and included a rear discharge mower deck and a snow plow. I got it for $350 which was awesome because it’s all I was able to afford to spend anyway with my budget. 

 

My C121 is currently out of commission because the connecting  rod broke In the k301 but I am debating if I should drop this one into the C121 or just use the 312-8. The 312-8 needs a battery and a carb which I can take from the C121 if I don’t drop then motor into it.  I wanted to get your guys thoughts on which way I should go with it/why. 

 

Maybe its it’s just me, but the C121 seems a little beefier / heavier and the rear tires seem larger. Is there any real large difference in the two tractors as far as build and capability. 

 

Also on a side note, on my C121 I have a side discharge deck but the 312-8 came with a rear discharge deck. The deck it came with is in better shape then the one on my C121. Is there any big difference in the rear / side discharge as far as advantages vs disadvantages? 

 

Thanks for your help guys 

[tom2p 2,394]

my preferred deck is 48" SD - but SD and RD decks both have their advantages and disadvantages 

 

can be more convenient to cut near house / driveway / etc with RD deck because deck is symmetrical and grass clippings are directed toward rear instead of side (and cannot get as close to edge with chute side of SD deck)

 

RD deck consumes less space - and even more so when compared to SD deck with chute installed - and therefore easier to fit into tight spots (cutting grass and when parking)

 

you tend to 'wear' less grass clippings when cutting with RD deck - especially in dry conditions - because clippings are directed to rear - and even more so if cutting with an Onan twin powered tractor that creates it's own mini tornado 

clippings, etc from a RD deck get all over the rear portion of the tractor - especially underneath and inside rear wheels

 

SD decks appear to be better suited to high grass because the clippings are better dispersed ;  with RD deck there can often be a lot of clumping when cutting high grass 

 

the rear / mid rollers on a SD deck can leave a nice 'stripe' - so lawn often has better appearance when cut with SD deck 

some like to observe grass being cut - much easier to see grass clippings exit SD deck 

 

48" deck is ideal deck size for many 300/400/500 series Wheel Horse tractors - and I believe 48" deck only offered in SD  *** 

 

( *** 60" deck also SD only ; for whatever reason Wheel Horse did not offer 54" deck ... frown )

 

Edited November 24, 2019 by tom2p

[953 nut 60,377]

3 hours ago, Ol Red said:

I picked up a a 312-8 today with a rebuilt k301 12hp motor in it. It was recently repainted and included a rear discharge mower deck and a snow plow. I got it for $350 which was awesome

[Ol Red 6]

That is classic lol