Pollack Pete 2,273 #1 Posted May 15, 2020 Well,with being stuck home for a while now,{ I don't go many places anyway },I decided to resurrect a few of my " someday" horses that have been sitting in my bone yard.First one was a 312-8.Mowed with it a couple years ago,stuck it in my barn,then outside when I needed the room indoors.New battery,new rubber fuel lines and fuel filter,oil change in engine and tranny.Runs like a new tractor now.Second was a 1979 C-161.New battery,new fuel lines and fuel filter,new shifter boot,new condenser,filed the points,Fresh oil in engine and tranny,One new Carlisle rear tire,and sandblasted and primed and painted the rim that the new tire went on.Runs great.Third one started yesterday,a 1972 Raider 12.Pulled the cooling shroud off,found a very impressive mouse nest.Pulled the drain plug on the tranny.About a qt of water came out before the coffee shake looking gear lube.Will drain the engine oil today and probably install new fuel lines and fuel filter.The point of this story is how the simplicity and quality has changed since that Raider rolled off the assembly line and the 312-8 did.The basics are just about identical.Kohler engine and heavy transmissions.Frames and front axles seem about the same.Noticable difference in the gauge of the sheet metal..Raider 12 and C-161 have the manual hood latch near the dash.312-8 has the flimsy rubber hood latches.Decent hood hinges on the Raider and C-161.Wobbly sheet metal hood hinges on the 312-8.Simple PTO lever on the Raider with no safety switch.Complicated lever assembly with flimsy plastic bushings and PTO wiring nightmare on the C-161 and 312-8.The list goes on and on.Ya know,maybe it's a good thing Wheel Horse went under.If they were produced today,they would be comparable to a Craftsman or MTD.Like everything in life...…..things sure have changed.Still love these little red tractors.Stay safe everyone. 11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,355 #2 Posted May 15, 2020 Excellent topic, could be greatly improved with some pics. Just saying. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #3 Posted May 15, 2020 Here's some pics.The Squaw had to take them.I don't have a smart phone.The C-195 with no seat or fender pan is my tow vehicle for dead Horses. 5 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
