jeepdan 321 #1 Posted April 11, 2023 (edited) My father passed away last week. Today, I brought home his 1990 310-8 that he purchased new back in the day. Still need to get the 37"SD mower deck out of the garage. Always garaged kept, but I'm pretty sure that he never ever washed it. LOL Short term plans are to return it to safe operating order but no restoration. I'm going to do the wash and lubricant soak down that Greasy Pete has mentioned to preserve the patina. Edited April 12, 2023 by jeepdan 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 9,143 #2 Posted April 11, 2023 That is probably a 1989 by looking at the decals. 1990 had the Toro decals on them. Will look nice all cleaned up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepdan 321 #3 Posted April 11, 2023 (edited) 26 minutes ago, JCM said: That is probably a 1989 by looking at the decals. 1990 had the Toro decals on them. Will look nice all cleaned up. Thanks so much for the input. It has the wheel horse embossed seat also. Now you really have me scratching my head. I thought for sure that he bought his 310-8 in the spring of 1990 after I purchased my 312-8 in July of 1989. Do we have a serial number/production date chart here on this site? Edited April 11, 2023 by jeepdan 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,361 #4 Posted April 11, 2023 Simple answer is yes. On my phone right now so I can't link to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,205 #5 Posted April 11, 2023 Sorry to hear of your father's passing. The 1989 310 model number is 21-10K801, 1990 is 31-10K801. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,841 #6 Posted April 11, 2023 Sorry for your loss Dan. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,316 #7 Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, jeepdan said: My father passed away last week. Today, I brought home his 1990 310-8 that he purchased new back in the day Please accept my condolances - not my favorite way for me to get a new-to-me tractor. We still have my FIL's 702 here, honestly, I'd rather have him......... 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,016 #8 Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, jeepdan said: My father passed away last week. Today, I brought home his 1990 310-8 that he purchased new back in the day. So sorry to hear about your loss. Nothing anyone can say can really help, but you can know that others are thinking and praying for you. I'm glad you got his tractor. The longevity of these machines allows for such things, and I hope it provides as much happiness to you as it did him. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EB-80/8inPA 1,641 #9 Posted April 12, 2023 Condolences. It’s sad and unfortunate but there’s nothing for it. Cherish that machine, it will always remind you of him. Long may it run! 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,570 #10 Posted April 12, 2023 Very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ineedanother 1,369 #11 Posted April 12, 2023 Sorry to hear that @jeepdan. My dad had the widowmaker last Friday morning and coded in the ER in Pittsburgh but he's in a rehab unit today. Really makes me think about my mortality and it's tough. I hope you're doing well. BTW, looks like a good worker you have there. I have the same model but a year older. Very capable. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,549 #12 Posted April 12, 2023 My condolences on your loss. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,620 #13 Posted April 12, 2023 @jeepdan sorry for your loss , also agree with your operating order , there is so many things to verify and improve on . that lubrication paint soak does a remarkable job , let it sit , and feed that paint till almost dry , then wipe down with a soft clean cloth , you might even see that start of a clean shine , DO NOT RUSH IT , let the oil soak while you are doing other things , have a lot of original paint that looks awesome . good luck . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,920 #14 Posted April 12, 2023 My condolences on the loss of your father. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 564 #15 Posted April 13, 2023 On 4/11/2023 at 5:37 PM, jeepdan said: My father passed away last week. Today, I brought home his 1990 310-8 that he purchased new back in the day. Still need to get the 37"SD mower deck out of the garage. Always garaged kept, but I'm pretty sure that he never ever washed it. LOL Short term plans are to return it to safe operating order but no restoration. I'm going to do the wash and lubricant soak down that Greasy Pete has mentioned to preserve the patina. I am sorry for your loss jeepdan. I am happy you are keeping that in the family and working! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CCW 1,295 #16 Posted April 13, 2023 My father's 87 312-8 came to me after his passing a number of years ago. It's a great machine. I have the RD deck and wish it were the SD deck so I could put a bagger on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,520 #17 Posted April 13, 2023 Now I know where the new seat is going !!!! The one you bought here Nice job Dan....and sorry for your loss of your Dad. John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 628 #18 Posted April 14, 2023 On 4/11/2023 at 5:17 PM, jeepdan said: Now you really have me scratching my head. I thought for sure that he bought his 310-8 in the spring of 1990 after I purchased my 312-8 in July of 1989. Your Dad did the same thing I did. I purchased my 1990 310-8 in the fall of 1991. Apparently new Horses could set on showroom floors for over a year. How many hours on your tractor. I have the identical set up (only one year newer) ie 310-8 with a 37” SD and a snow blade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepdan 321 #19 Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) Hi all, Thanks to all of my Red Square friends who have expressed their condolences on my fathers passing. I have been doing extensive cleaning & some repairs to dad's 310-8, and the hours spent have been very therapeutic. So far, I have installed a pair of almost new 22x9.00x12 Titan Multi Tracs on the rear and have replaced the very worn out brake drum and it's friction band. And a new shifter boot. Installed a new drive belt and replaced the oils in the transmission and engine. Edited April 25, 2023 by jeepdan 3 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 5,934 #20 Posted April 25, 2023 Looks like it will clean up nice. Your dad obviously took good care of it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,620 #21 Posted April 25, 2023 @jeepdan your baseline salvation is the deal ! add a tye wrap just after the new shift boot , on the steel shifter will hold it in place . thats what I like to do strip it down to get a total look at what you have , correct as you go , good going ., pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepdan 321 #22 Posted May 16, 2023 (edited) I was able to finish painting the Oil filled wheels. LOL New tires with freshly painted wheels sure make a difference in the appearance. Edited May 16, 2023 by jeepdan 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepdan 321 #23 Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) A few more things that I was able to do over the last few weeks have been: Repairing cracks at the two holes at the rear of the hood stand where the fender bracket bolts to. Installing a rock shaft kit from Wheel Horse & More to operate my tiller on this tractor if needed. Sandblasting and painting the foot boards, seat/fuel tank supports, and the underneath of the rear fender pan. I also overhauled the entire fuel system with new components including rebuilding the carb. Edited May 19, 2023 by jeepdan 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites