308 ready for action

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,321]

  Finished setting up the 308 for plowing duty today. She’s going to spend her winter at my in-laws and I’ll use it to clear snow at their place.

  Just a 42” plow, don’t wanna stress out that little Kohler 8 under the hood  .

  50# outer and 25# inner weights with chains should get me all the traction I’ll need. 
 

 

 

 

  

[SylvanLakeWH 25,596]

Favorite son in law status assured...

 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Ready to roll!!

[D_Mac 8,619]

308-8 was my first Wheel Horse. I used to flip a lot of mowers years ago. I have a friend who then, and still does most of my engine repairs, I would bring him something to work on and he would ALWAYS call it junk and say " when are you going to bring me something good to work on ? ". I would say that I did bring him good machines. I said I bring you JD's, Cubs, Ariens, Snapper... what do you call good ? He said "bring me a Wheel Horse". I had never seen one in person before. Then I was buying newer machines because they are easier to resell.Then one day I seen an ad for a WH 308-8. Went to go look at it. Loaded it up on my truck and brought it over to my friends. He was so excited about it. We unloaded it and he told me stories of one he had many many years ago. He started telling me about all about how easy they are to work on, how easy the deck comes on and off, how well built they are and how durable they are. From that day on I was convinced that I had been buying junk. I still will buy the junk if I think I can make money on them but I would never keep any of them. I also would never bring one home that would need as much TLC as I have with some Wheel Horses. So as of today I have 3 Wheel Horses in my garage. Several that have come and gone. I have no use for any garden tractor as I live in the city and have a postage stamped sized yard. So why are there 3 in my one car garage ? Because I love them and appreciate the quality and style of these machines. If I had a bigger garage I would have more.

 

Side note... My 308-8 had the all red grill, no black. Was there any reason for that one year change?

Edited November 25, 2022 by D_Mac

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,321]

2 hours ago, D_Mac said:

308-8 was my first Wheel Horse.

Side note... My 308-8 had the all red grill, no black. Was there any reason for that one year change?

 Not sure what drove WH to go all red for 1986. I like both the all red and the black/red like mine.

  I also think the all red was only offered on the 308 and the 310, pretty sure the 312 was black/red. 
  

[D_Mac 8,619]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

 Not sure what drove WH to go all red for 1986. I like both the all red and the black/red like mine.

  I also think the all red was only offered on the 308 and the 310, pretty sure the 312 was black/red. 
  

Also the decals were different color

[davem1111 2,030]

2 hours ago, Sparky said:

 Not sure what drove WH to go all red for 1986. I like both the all red and the black/red like mine.

  I also think the all red was only offered on the 308 and the 310, pretty sure the 312 was black/red. 
  

 

My 1987 312-A is black/red. Interesting that they did the "all red" in 1986, but personally, I don't like that color scheme. I like the black on the front of the hood - I think it just looks better on the ribbed area. 

 

39 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

Also the decals were different color

 

Also interesting - I didn't catch that detail right away.  And I also like the darker background on the decals, and the stripes. My 1982 GT-1848 also has the darker decal color scheme and the black ribs on the front of the hood.

 

Personal preference, I suppose. 

[Darb1964 1,043]

I never had much interest in the little 8. Last year I had the opportunity to get a bucket, something I always wanted. The bucket was attached to a little 8. The price was right, been sitting for a year or so. Clean the points, charged the battery, first crank, off and running. Did a complete service and the little 8 has, what a good friend, ( rest in piece Lester my friend ) referred too as" LITTLE GUY, S DISEASE" he's not good looking and don't have the big single's thumb, but don't let that fool you, little big man gets the job done.

Now, my bride calls him LITTLE BIG BROTHER. I call him PEDY.

"See me later Lester"

Darb

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

Looking good Mike. They will be happy for your efforts.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,321]

10 hours ago, Darb1964 said:

but don't let that fool you, little big man gets the job done.

 

And don’t forget… the little 8’s just sip fuel