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Just a few of our treasures we are after!

Keep a couple wire ties in your tractor tool box, or cup holder. When your a mile from your shop mowing trails. Checking trail cams and deer stands. That's when a tie rod fails and the wheels go cross eyed. A couple wire ties saves a long walk.

Making some progress with the commando I am not good at doing wash, it all turned regal red

Well I have been working doubles and filling in so go figure the first couple days in a row I have off we are on the road heading after another tractor!!!! 😂. No rest for the tractor lover!!! Picking up a truck load lol.. a front reel mower, wheel weights, a tractor, seeder, blade, front weights. We planned to head out last night but as luck would have it we picked our truck up from the shop and the brand new engine was acting up so back to the shop it went and we bummed a ride with my mother in-law and her boyfriend! We might get them into wheelhorses lol... over 700 miles one way! Wish us luck!

Update: Mrs. M came through the cardiac catheterization with flying colors. Turns out that the stress test was a false positive. Nothing major was found that would prevent her surgery on the 24th. Thanks for all the good juju, mojo's, thoughts, prayers and everything else. Now on to the big surgery on the 24th.

Here is the diorama I made to display my 1:25 scale wheel horses. It has come a long way and I’m sure I will add too it. I will post here if I make any changes or progress. i posted some pictures of building the display.

Yeah, I know, I gotta order more Heim joints.

Ok, ok, ok. Yesterday, I picked up Grandpa’s New Holland loader to move some dirt around. I did some other running and he showed up, explaining that he loaned it to me by mistake and he needed to move some sand this morning. I offered my loader to move the sand and we had a deal. Then last night, I’m grillin’ up some deer steaks and I stumble upon a 22 minute old post for a 520XI that was recently replaced by a zero turn. It runs great, but doesn’t cut well. Oil looks brand new, sounds great, we made a deal! My first thought was a quick flip, but now I might part with something or two else to make up the difference and keep this bad boy!

We're heading to the Great North Maine woods !!

Probably doesn't look like much, but it was a long, and tedious push today, to complete all the tin work for this engine. When you're sanding by hand, let me tell you, my poor little shoulder definitely got a workout today.

And finally complete, only five days from start to finish - this winter will be transformed. Now I just need the road sweeper for my new wheelhorse 416-8 😁

Thank you Bob Ellison for such a quick reply. I agree with you about my 312-8 being a 1991 model. All my research online and matching up the decals on my garden tractor points towards it being that year. Like you I found the K802 and K804 dates so my hunch worked out to be right. I'm looking forward to reading through the many posts on this great forum, already I have found wiring diagrams and parts lists. I'm quite sure reading through others posts on restorations is going to be a great help and very interesting. I will be a regular visitor to this forum, now at long last I have found my first Toro Wheelhorse.

Glad to hear Mrs. M. is doing well Bob. I sent another prayer that the surgery will go well.

I acquired a worker 414-8 from my brother nearly a decade ago, and he had it for 5-6 years. For all that time every few times you turned the key the starter would fail to engage, or would click as if it were stuck. Clearly this problem predated my family's ownership since the starter shroud had a dent in it from being knocked with a wrench.. and this was our preferred solution to the problem. A couple of knocks usually did trick.... So this past week it was acting up again, and my son and I decided to clean all the electrical contacts in the starter circuit. The contacts were quite clean already, but as I did this I discovered that there are two nuts on the starter's stud; the outer one for the cable from the solenoid, and an inner one which holds the stud in place. The inner one was loose and there was some play in the stud. Assuming that this was a bad idea, I tried to tighten it. It requires a great deal of dexterity and can only be done with a box wrench. the upshot is that since we did that, we have not had the problem, even with pretty intensive use of the tractor cleaning up from the storm. While it is possible that it is a fluke and the problem will resurface, I am willing to bet that the loose stud was the cause of years of starting issues.. and that no one ever tightened that nut properly because it was so awkward, or they did not have the right sized wrench handy. Just thought I would point this out in case anyone else is having intermittent starting issues.

Thanks alot for the wishes guys. Pretty much is just another day in the salt mine tho. Got some nice gifts from Missus Cindy tho... a pair of ove gloves, they alway come in handy, wheel chocks for the hauler...some pulling forks for when Dan is lame about forgetting his at shows and some rubber food gloves supposedly for pulling meat off the smoker... I have no idea here, I think she saw Dan pulling his pork with his bare hands once and got a little nervous. ..God love her!

What do you think...so far, 33 years of the military life. Spit shine and me go way back Madge, almost as far as you soaking your hands in the old Palmolive.

More progress here today.

So I usually don't ask anyone for anything, but this group, like no other, has been a rock to so many people. It all started for me with a little boy named Maxx Nunn who had cancer and wanted to sell his Wheel Horse to be able to buy a 4-wheeler. RedSquare responded and helped him and his family until his sad passing at age 7. Then when my first grandson had to undergo open-heart surgery at age 9, you all came through for him with much love and well-wishes. He is doing fine now at age 16. When I had to have spinal fusion surgery back in 2015, again RedSquare supported me. Now, unfortunately, I am asking for my wife. Many of you who attend the Big Show refer to her as Mrs. M and are familiar with her chocolate-chip cookie bars. Well, Theresa (Mrs. M) is scheduled for spinal fusion surgery on August 24. She is in tremendous pain from a large benign arthritic cyst at the L4 level, as well as some other disk issues, and can barely move at times. The date of August 24 was booked back in June, as it was the first available date and time due to Covid-19 set-backs keeping hospitals from performing major surgeries. Two weeks ago, she went for cardiac clearance and the doctor said her tests were not normal, so she is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization this Friday. If nothing major is found, the 24th surgery can proceed, however if something else more serious is found, it could delay the back surgery for months. This would be horrific. So with this in mind, I am humbly asking that my fellow brothers and sisters here on RedSquare keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I will update this thread as warranted. Thank you!

recently been experimenting with 1/4" poly tubing , cut on length, to use on a cowl noise issue, you can probably pick up a few feet at your local h/w store , or big box store, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1%2F4+in+poly+tubing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlurWwsid6wIVOv3jBx2nJw0nEAMYAiAAEgKvVfD_BwE&hvadid=267939633997&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003310&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10217430521638813034&hvtargid=kwd-447744249588&hydadcr=24657_9648987&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_68kkwlzyvo_e , emphasis on twisting and bending it flat , do not kink it , so it sits on table with any bends or curls. i use a razor blade or exacto knife , to slice a straight line end to end on my measured piece , just slide it over the cowl mounting side and secure your hood , my noise is gone , with this easy improvement , just my own experience, pete

Hello from the UK, I am a new member to the Toro Wheelhorse forum and have just purchased my first Wheelhorse. It's a 312-8 and I am trying to find out the year it was manufactured. I have researched online and think it maybe a model made in 1991 or 1992 but I maybe years out. The model number on the silver label beneath the seat says: R112K803 and the serial number says: 1030005. The engine cowling has the words Kohler Magnum 12.5hp. I have bought it as a restoration project, it is a runner although at the moment it starts by hot wiring it against one of the solenoid pins. I will be going through the wiring as it could be a faulty ignition/key switch, a blown fuse, faulty solenoid, PTO switch, Neutral switch or oil level switch that's preventing it starting on the key. The paintwork needs restoring, the cutting deck needs a few areas of welding, the seat needs replacing, it needs headlights as they are both broken, I have also got to find the correct air filter and air filter housing....the list goes on. I have been researching the Wheelhorse garden tractors and have been searching for months to find a 312-8 as there is something about the quality of the Toro Wheelhorse that really appeals to me. I have restored many vintage lawn mowers and have wanted a garden tractor for some time. I intend to do a full nut and bolt restoration as I feel these little tractors need saving. Any help or advice I can get from fellow members is much appreciated. Sorry for long post, I am new to this site, just wanted to give out as much info as possible to help with identifying the year. Also on the hours gauge it says :690 Hours which I think is very low for this year model. The engine certainly sounds healthy.

Started at 6 am this morning and stopped at 6 pm, but that included several hours of reorganization in the garage. Worked on the 418-A for a bit to figure why I needed so much pressure on the Hydro lever to go in either direction, picture tells the story. Shop vac came out and a long flat blade screwdriver to loosen debris and then lubed all moving points for now and will re visit after 420 is back on it's feet. Worked on the motion control assembly on the 420 and finished that up but never took pics, long day, will take a few tomorrow and post. Sanded the side covers on the 418 and ready for paint.

If your a 1054 fan, you may want to consider 953 also.

Now with the loader.

You can also use car door edge protector. It comes ready to apply,is inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors.The front edge of the black hood has a red door guard section applied.It is a little faded from the sun but still does the job.

WELCOME TO REDSQUARE. I found this in the master list. There's no listing for the R1-12K803. But I would think if the 802 was 1990. And the 804 is 1992. I'm pretty confident yours is a 1991 R1-12K802 1990 Garden Tractor 312-8 8-Speed Kohler M12S-471527 R1-12K804 1992 Garden Tractor 312-8 8-Speed Kohler M12S-471527

file:///C:/Users/ekenn/Downloads/Mower Rotary 42in SD 1986-88 05-42MS05 OM %23810403R1 (1).pdf This manual will show the belt routing. Note the front support bar on your deck needs to be reversed. The forked plate needs to be on the right side of the deck. BTW, your deck appears to be a 48", not a 42".

I could have advised you, we would get ‘em both in there!

Anyone spot the Kohler Magnum in the second photo? That's on a big walk behind mower. Don't know the make, but that could find it's way North one day.

now... something’s on the trailer again!

He won't when we stick a plow behind it and roll some dirt!

Loaded up n ready for tomorrow

Took a trip down to South Wales to take SWMBO to meet her long lost sister and family. While there exploring their farm and buildings, I stumbled on a trials motorcycle covered in 20yrs of dust and grime. After a pressure wash it looked a little better. 1982 SWM 125 TL. Italian built with Bombadier 2 stroke Rotax engine made in Austria. Very popular in their day and ridden by some of the top riders. Before we left, minus front wheel and handlebars, it fitted nicely in the back of my car. It's now at it's new home. Engine turns over but no spark. Think it's a wiring problem but could be ignition. CDI set up. I'll investigate that later when I've done some research. Started the strip down this morning, so some photo's of progress.

I had a roll of seat trim. Sold all I had for the same purpose.

Happy Birthday Jim from the Stertz Gang... lots of great memories over the last five years or so... There’s my Plow Dog buddy!!! Hope you had a great one, thanks for your friendship and investment in my family👍🏻

Here's the thread on my 312- I've learned a lot since then. PS These guys turned me on to using Enamel hardner with the Rustolem Regal Red paint and I now use hardner with any oil base enamel I apply. Even used it on the kitchen cabinets and lawn furniture.

The 48" decks have the rear wheel height adjuster lever on the left , the 42"ers are on the right. Yes, the spring goes on the longer bolt between the nuts. I find it is easiest to hook the spring first, then install the belt. I find I can push the idler pulley extending the spring with one hand and roll the belt on the left spindle pulley with the other hand.

dave 383 stroker , nice job on that ! , recommend LUCAS GREASES ON THOSE SPINDLES , red n tacky and heavy duty , with a 550 drop point the grease will not liquify , which creates a common bearing failure. walmart has it in stock for 5 $ . I use it on all my grease fittings and also on my pto needle bearing , for solid / smooth operation . pete

Beautiful job on the detail and use of material.

Looks like an XI series

I think SWMBO would have something to say with a motorbike and a big grasscutter in the car. Wouldn't fit anyway.

There are those who run 2 ply on purpose. Better ride. A little more forgiving. Easier to mount. Quite possibly better traction as well because of the tire being able to flex more. I run 4 ply on the Cinnamon Horse because it's our heavy load mover. Otherwise 2 would be fine.

My ole man has been installing flooring for over 40 years. When I were a little littler we had a roller ALOT like that which was for pressing the vinyl flooring into the cement. It weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 pounds.

Waiting to hear when my PATINA plate is finished, then I can mount it on my B100.... Spent the latter part of the day putting the 312 back together....what a good feeling to hear it run so darn smooth again, no more SNAP...CRACKLE....POP But its name remains.... SNAP on its license plate

Can we get back to where Craig got four NOS rims?😂😂

Happy birthday ya ole coot. Had a bloody at 8:00am in your honer. BTW. For got to tell you. I checked out your cabin for storm damage. Real nice place, crapper is plugged though.

While the cats away the mice will play....

Half the tarmac has been laid, workers and trucks all over the place and the air is thick with the oily smell of roadworks 😊

Got my touch to the belt cover. Mines ready. . Still some paint and bolts to go into lil bits.