paulyv56 148 #1 Posted January 1 (edited) I just picked this up a few days ago. 1996 312-8. 1 owner, 599 hours. Garaged for its entire life. I was providing an estimate for landscape services and noticed this in the Gentlemens garage. It was covered with 3 sheets, only the blower was exposed. After the estimate and an hour of chatting with both Mr and Mrs, I inquired about what was under the sheets. They brought me inside the garage and he peeled back the layers. WOW. Pristine 312-8. Kohler M12. He brought out all manuals, to all his attachments and showed me the records/ maintenance that was done, all documented on the inside of the manuals. Stunning condition. I wasn't in the market for a tractor. I have a Bolens 1556 (safe to say here?) lol. . The rings let go a few months ago, oh160 Techy. It's been sitting. Anyway, I asked if he was thinking of selling. He said he was considering due to health issues. I asked him to keep me informed on his decision. I showed up a week later to sign the contract for Landscape services, and the garage was open. After getting signatures, he asked me if I was interested in the tractor still. We went over the machine outside, and we came to agreement on a selling price. Here she is! I have the original receipt of purchase, with all attachments. $5300.00 1996. Edited January 1 by paulyv56 picture add 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,482 #2 Posted January 1 (edited) Welcome!! They don't come much nicer than that. Maybe time for some maintainence before working it on winter duty. Download the tractor, deck and snowblower manuals here on the forum. Also take the time to look thru the "New to Herd" document started by @ebinmaine - it has a storehouse of owners knowledge compiled in it - kind of a to do list for your first wheel Horse. Bill Edited January 1 by ri702bill 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,743 #3 Posted January 1 What a wonderful way to start the new year. Your 312 looks like new, very well loved by the couple you bought it from. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,624 #4 Posted January 1 to the That's a beauty...great find. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #6 Posted January 1 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: Welcome!! They don't come much nicer than that. Maybe time for some maintainence before working it on winter duty. Download the tractor, deck and snowblower manuals here on the forum. Also take the time to look thru the "New to Herd" document started by @ebinmaine - it has a storehouse of owners knowledge compiled in it - kind of a to do list for your first wheel Horse. Bill Thanks Bill, Prior to supporting the forum, I was on here learning and did print out the Checklist you mention a few days before my purchase. I have been checking them off and the list is about completed. I did notice the gas charged clutch return "spring" is slow and I have ordered a real "spring" to add to clutch linkage. I ordered a new drive belt as well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,145 #7 Posted January 1 Wow ... looks like it was well.taken care of! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,482 #8 Posted January 1 Good - with the correct clutch spring installed, you probably should remove the failed gas charged unit entirely and give it the quick toss.... Search for "clutch spring installation" - you do not want to just grab the hook end with serrated jaw pliers - use either drum brake pliers or a bent coat hanger with a small loop on it to prevent nicking the spring...There are lots of useful hands-on experience items on that Check List - stuff Not found in the Owners Manuals...... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,256 #9 Posted January 1 Niiiice find Pauly!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,474 #10 Posted January 1 thanks for joining and supporting the forum As you've already noticed, there's lots of great information here. And there's a bunch of people willing to lend their experience with these fine tractors. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,442 #11 Posted January 1 Glad to have you aboard, welcome. As an FYI, depending on your tech skills/interest, you can alway down-sample images before posting them. Lots of phones create images that are multi-megabyte in size but for good viewing on the forum they can be a lot smaller. I tend to re-size to 8” wide at 72 dpi. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,700 #12 Posted January 1 Great looking machine you have there ! Congratulations. Now I am predicting a second possibly a third Wheel Horse will be in your garage by August. Funny how they multiply. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,624 #13 Posted January 1 (edited) 9 minutes ago, D_Mac said: Now I am predicting a second possibly I'm thinkin the same thing. IMO the 312 is slightly under powered for the dually snow chucker and a bear to remove and install. And I'm a firm believer in Hydros and lift for snow machines. Look for a dedicated twin cyl. hydro with a cab for the dually. Keep the 312 as a mower. Edited January 1 by Ed Kennell 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,256 #14 Posted January 1 27 minutes ago, D_Mac said: . Funny how they multiply. Interesting concept, that one. Hair covered horses are certainly a herd animal. Somehow our paint covered Horses have acquired that trait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jay bee 909 #15 Posted January 1 to That is a beautiful horse you have there. I predict that you are going to love it. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #16 Posted January 2 9 hours ago, Handy Don said: Glad to have you aboard, welcome. As an FYI, depending on your tech skills/interest, you can alway down-sample images before posting them. Lots of phones create images that are multi-megabyte in size but for good viewing on the forum they can be a lot smaller. I tend to re-size to 8” wide at 72 dpi. Thats something I will work on for future post. Thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #18 Posted January 2 (edited) 8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: I'm thinkin the same thing. IMO the 312 is slightly under powered for the dually snow chucker and a bear to remove and install. And I'm a firm believer in Hydros and lift for snow machines. Look for a dedicated twin cyl. hydro with a cab for the dually. Keep the 312 as a mower. The gentlemen would not separate the thrower from the sale. I will use it to cut a path in so I can access my Sugar Shack from the roadway, its a wood chip path 20' wide x 125'. I have a small walk behind blower for the driveway. Ultimately, I will be purchasing a blade for it. I may consider selling the 2 stage. Its near mint. Edited January 2 by paulyv56 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,145 #19 Posted January 2 9 hours ago, rjg854 said: thanks for joining and supporting the forum I didn't catch he is a supporter already Randy... atta boy Pauly ... helps keep the lights on here and ad free. 8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: I'm thinkin the same thing. IMO the 312 is slightly under powered for the dually snow chucker I dunno Ed ... can't shove it into a snow bank like a 520 but taking it easy and keeping it on the pipe? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,624 #20 Posted January 2 25 minutes ago, WHX?? said: I dunno Ed ... can't shove it into a snow bank like a 520 but taking it easy and keeping it on the pipe? Refrersh me Jim, what's your dually on? I could run mine on a B80 as the only load it will ever see is pumping air. Pauly may see some good stuff up there in Bristol though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,256 #21 Posted January 2 9 hours ago, paulyv56 said: Ultimately, I will be purchasing a blade for it. I may consider selling the 2 stage. Its near mint. Good solid snow blades pop up fairly regular for $150. +/- Your snowblower in that condition is a good purchase at $500.+ I'd be interested... We joke about the Wheelhorse being a Herd animal and somehow self duplicating but in all seriousness, you may wanna hang onto your snowblower to see if/when you end up with a second tractor. Up here in Maine we use a walk behind blower to clear the dooryard, then tractors with plows to clean up. If we get a good amount of snow this year I'll be trying out a Single Stage Tall Chute snowblower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #22 Posted January 5 Well, it looks like I will be able to see how this 312-8 will handle the 2 stage this weekend. I will be in a Loader pushing snow for work so I imagine when I get home, I will have 8-12" to work with. Belts have been changed, fluids, I am awaiting a Clutch spring I ordered on Monday from Wheel Horse Parts, I will rig something up if it's not here by the storm. The Gas shock does not pull back the clutch, but it does hold it back if I use my foot to reset. I will try to get some photos or video . 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,256 #23 Posted January 5 8 minutes ago, paulyv56 said: Gas shock does not pull back the clutch, but it does hold it back if I use my foot to reset You'll be okay using it like that short-term. Not super convenient but it'll get the job done for you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWL216 890 #24 Posted January 5 Beautiful machine! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulyv56 148 #25 Posted January 6 On 1/2/2024 at 4:52 AM, ebinmaine said: I'd be interested. Your first, so I will keep you in mind. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
