stegs 325 #1 Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) Picked up another horse. Saved it from being parted out and sent to the scrap yard I got a 1989 312-8 12 HP kohler magnum came with a 42" side discharge deck Guy had it for sale for weeks for $950. Dropped the price down to $750 about a month ago I messaged on it to ask questions . He told me it ran great, drove great, all the lights work and the hour meter works. He was in need of cash and ready to part it out/scrap it Well I got it for 300 bucks with the mower deck DELIVERED!! Put the battery charger on it and the headlights work, tail lights work, hour meter is clicking/working I havent tried to fire it up yet, but it looks promising!!! oh, and as the snow melted off it overnight, looking at it this morning it appears to be in great shape. Just needs a good wash. Pics to come shortly!! Pic below is when we unloaded it in the shop (battery was dead so we pushed it inside and let it thaw overnight) Edited February 1, 2023 by stegs 12 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,885 #2 Posted February 1, 2023 NIIIIICE 👍👍👍 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,877 #3 Posted February 1, 2023 @stegs were you wearing a mask on that delivery ? kidding , take advantage of what works , obviousely go over everything . lots of things I would detail do , would especially do the engine run in , for fuel and lubrication improvements . you did more than well , pete 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blasterdad 2,734 #4 Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) This makes #4 From Sikkapedia, it states; Unlike mosquito's the Bug stays active all year long, there's no known cure for it's bite. Symptoms include...Noticeably less space in garages & outbuildings, Noticeably smaller bank statements, Beautiful lawn, driveway, & garden, Irratated / angry spouse, Divorce, Dirty hands & clothing, & a newfound hatred for ethanol laced fuel & mice. I've lived with ALL of the above listed symptoms for years now & have come to accept it. I'm actually quite happy... You'll have 12 in no time.... Edited February 1, 2023 by Blasterdad 3 7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stegs 325 #5 Posted February 1, 2023 Battery that came with it, doesnt seem to be taking a charge at all. So on my lunch break ill stop and grab a new one. Hopefully when i get she will turn over and fire up All the lights do work on it, even the "test" lights so im very hopefull a new battery is all it needs (besides some maintenance) 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,929 #6 Posted February 1, 2023 Very Nice! I'm always a little concerned about the engine when the air cleaner is missing and it has a mower deck on em. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blasterdad 2,734 #7 Posted February 1, 2023 Give her a little shot of gas in a squirt bottle to prime it, once it fires up I keep squirting gas into the carb until the fuel pump primes & starts running on it's own. ( choke open. about 1/2 throttle ) 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,877 #8 Posted February 1, 2023 @stegs drop that carb bowl , before your starting attempt , would also verify what you have for oil in it , if its down , just top it off , would just let it heat up on a fast idle , also use the pto lever to enhance side thrust bearing lubrication . have a number of things I do on a recovery . go slow at it , change the fuel filter . lubricate the choke and throttle cables , good luck , pete 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stegs 325 #9 Posted February 1, 2023 the filter was off because he tried to start it before he delivered it. He was trying to get it to crank but it wouldnt I did drain the bowl. It wasnt bad, but it wasnt great either Installed the new battery, and .........Nothing. No power at all i found a brown wire, coming out of the harness loose by the battery tray. I found a spade connector that was empty, and put the brown wire on it..... She fired right up, no smoke, no noises. Nice and quiet. Trans was good. Idled down and ran sweet at 3/4 throttle Fresh gas, oil change, grease and wash and i think we have a winner!!! 6 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,799 #11 Posted February 2, 2023 10 hours ago, Blasterdad said: Symptoms include... You forgot red in your handkerchief... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,885 #12 Posted February 2, 2023 10 hours ago, Blasterdad said: This makes #4 From Sikkapedia, it states; Unlike mosquito's the Bug stays active all year long, there's no known cure for it's bite. Symptoms include...Noticeably less space in garages & outbuildings, Noticeably smaller bank statements, Beautiful lawn, driveway, & garden, Irratated / angry spouse, Divorce, Dirty hands & clothing, & a newfound hatred for ethanol laced fuel & mice. I've lived with ALL of the above listed symptoms for years now & have come to accept it. I'm actually quite happy... You'll have 12 in no time.... I love that!!! Me n BBT got a good laugh outta that list. @stegs My friend you have work to do... Purchasing work. More Horses. I just told her about this being #4 of yours. She says.... 😃... Lightweight. All in good fun I assure you. She's at 5. I'm at 7 ((??)) And we share one. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,872 #13 Posted February 2, 2023 8 hours ago, stegs said: the filter was off because he tried to start it before he delivered it. He was trying to get it to crank but it wouldnt I did drain the bowl. It wasnt bad, but it wasnt great either Installed the new battery, and .........Nothing. No power at all i found a brown wire, coming out of the harness loose by the battery tray. I found a spade connector that was empty, and put the brown wire on it..... She fired right up, no smoke, no noises. Nice and quiet. Trans was good. Idled down and ran sweet at 3/4 throttle Fresh gas, oil change, grease and wash and i think we have a winner!!! Make sure you have a good ground on that 312 dash panel it only has two 1/4" screws holding it in place. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stegs 325 #14 Posted February 2, 2023 12 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I love that!!! Me n BBT got a good laugh outta that list. @stegs My friend you have work to do... Purchasing work. More Horses. I just told her about this being #4 of yours. She says.... 😃... Lightweight. All in good fun I assure you. She's at 5. I'm at 7 ((??)) And we share one. LOL Give me time!! I enjoy the hobby, but the biggest thing is my kids seem to enjoy garden tractors Im in my mid 30s and i got 3 boys. 5, 4 and 2 They all seem to like to "work" on them, wash them and mostly drive them around in the yard I figure, if you can buy them for a good price, get them running ......its a cheap hobby that keeps the kids outside and lets them be boys Go get dirty, go play in the woods, go drive the tractors, haul fire wood to the house, get in trouble (within reason LOL) Just go enjoy being young....... This hobby seems to work out for me and my kids (so far). I just pray everyday that my kids continue to enjoy these things (outside, dirtbike, golf carts, garden tractors etc) 3 5 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,487 #15 Posted February 2, 2023 Well said Stegs... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,885 #16 Posted February 2, 2023 22 minutes ago, stegs said: Go get dirty, go play in the woods, go drive the tractors, haul fire wood to the house, get in trouble (within reason LOL) Just go enjoy being young.. That's my life right there! I've told Bunches of people over the last few years, my age range is from 7, 17 or 27 depending on present company and situation. I tried being "grown up" for about two decades and quite frankly, it sucked. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blasterdad 2,734 #17 Posted February 3, 2023 10 hours ago, stegs said: Im in my mid 30s and i got 3 boys. I stopped in late my late 30's with twins after I finally figured out what was causing them... I also figured out that 's are ALOT cheaper to have around... But seriously, they grew up driving the tractors around, quads, go carts, snowmobles, BB guns & slingshots, (for that get in trouble within reason you mentioned) & tree forts in the woods. I totally agree, kids need to get outside & be kids. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brockport Bill 1,748 #18 Posted February 3, 2023 16 hours ago, stegs said: LOL Give me time!! I enjoy the hobby, but the biggest thing is my kids seem to enjoy garden tractors Im in my mid 30s and i got 3 boys. 5, 4 and 2 They all seem to like to "work" on them, wash them and mostly drive them around in the yard I figure, if you can buy them for a good price, get them running ......its a cheap hobby that keeps the kids outside and lets them be boys Go get dirty, go play in the woods, go drive the tractors, haul fire wood to the house, get in trouble (within reason LOL) Just go enjoy being young....... This hobby seems to work out for me and my kids (so far). I just pray everyday that my kids continue to enjoy these things (outside, dirtbike, golf carts, garden tractors etc) Agreed about involving the kids in Wheel Horse World -- in the two photos riding our new 312 tractor is my son in 1989 at age 8 -- then working on the mower deck is his son - my grandson, age 14 in 2021 reassembling its rehabbed deck 32 years later 4 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,799 #19 Posted February 3, 2023 23 hours ago, ebinmaine said: my age range is from 7, 17 or 27 Oddly enough, mine is closer to 7+17+27. ...wait a minute. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
23 Reo 229 #20 Posted February 3, 2023 Really nice Horse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stegs 325 #21 Posted February 3, 2023 14 hours ago, Blasterdad said: I stopped in late my late 30's with twins after I finally figured out what was causing them... I also figured out that 's are ALOT cheaper to have around... But seriously, they grew up driving the tractors around, quads, go carts, snowmobles, BB guns & slingshots, (for that get in trouble within reason you mentioned) & tree forts in the woods. I totally agree, kids need to get outside & be kids. yep thats the goal. Go outside, build forts, get dirty, explore, etc I like these tractors, but my boys seem to be taking a interest.......so it works out for both of us. Nice part is the gear drives i can put in 1st gear and let them go. Not really have to worry too much lol 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHGuy413 2,766 #22 Posted February 4, 2023 On 2/1/2023 at 9:36 AM, Blasterdad said: This makes #4 From Sikkapedia, it states; Unlike mosquito's the Bug stays active all year long, there's no known cure for it's bite. Symptoms include...Noticeably less space in garages & outbuildings, Noticeably smaller bank statements, Beautiful lawn, driveway, & garden, Irratated / angry spouse, Divorce, Dirty hands & clothing, & a newfound hatred for ethanol laced fuel & mice. I've lived with ALL of the above listed symptoms for years now & have come to accept it. I'm actually quite happy... You'll have 12 in no time.... This is true word for word. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHGuy413 2,766 #23 Posted February 4, 2023 On 2/2/2023 at 9:17 AM, stegs said: LOL Give me time!! I enjoy the hobby, but the biggest thing is my kids seem to enjoy garden tractors Im in my mid 30s and i got 3 boys. 5, 4 and 2 They all seem to like to "work" on them, wash them and mostly drive them around in the yard I figure, if you can buy them for a good price, get them running ......its a cheap hobby that keeps the kids outside and lets them be boys Go get dirty, go play in the woods, go drive the tractors, haul fire wood to the house, get in trouble (within reason LOL) Just go enjoy being young....... This hobby seems to work out for me and my kids (so far). I just pray everyday that my kids continue to enjoy these things (outside, dirtbike, golf carts, garden tractors etc) This hobby is perfect for kids. My boys are both into them. This is their score from last December that they spent their hard earned money on. My youngest at 11 years is a member here on the forum and really has been bitten by the bug. He always wants to work on them any time he’s home. It’s great having them involved, staying off video games and learning valuable life skills. 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites