Major Differences between 312-8 and 308-8

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

Hi all,

The neighborhood small engine guy has a late 80’s 308-8 for $150. It ran as of the beginning of summer and as far as I know now only needs a battery. I’m going to go look at it this afternoon, because if it does run for $150 I can mow with it and put my plow on the 312. Or it becomes a parts tractor. Besides the engine are there any other major differences between the 308 and my 312? Thanks!

[ebinmaine 67,393]

Grab it and run. 

 

What's the diameter of the rear axles?

 

Those little 8 HP Kohler Engines are great. Sip fuel. Plenty of power considering the size. 

 

You'd be better off with 12 HP as the mower. 

Plowing snow requires less power than mowing.  

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

308-8 models in 1986, 1987 and 1988

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=308-8&type=downloads_file&page=1&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

48 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Grab it and run. 

 

What's the diameter of the rear axles?

 

Those little 8 HP Kohler Engines are great. Sip fuel. Plenty of power considering the size. 

 

You'd be better off with 12 HP as the mower. 

Plowing snow requires less power than mowing.  

@ebinmaine After seeing what a good running example goes for on the local FB marketplace I plan to. I’ll look it over and see once I get it home. If the only thing different is the motor, I figured one could mow and the other plow. After having my 312 with the M12 Kohler I’ll bet it won’t take much to get it running.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

You may be limited to the mower deck size with the 308 , you may not be able to use anything larger than a 36 inch deck or the 37 inch SD

[Lee1977 6,655]

Most all 308, 310 and 312  8 speed have 1" axles. I have heard some have 1 1/8" axles but have not seen one. I know the 312's with 1100 Eaton hydro have 1 1/8" axles.

The 308 and 310 has the 3 amp. charging system  with AC for the lights. My 1985  312-8 also has the 3 amp charging system with AC for the lights. 

I have a later model 312-8 with 1" axles and 15 amp charging system, don't know the year model.

Edited September 28 by Lee1977

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

I added it to the herd. It’s in reasonably good condition, it runs great. It’s just worn and rusted a bit. it’s got a seized rear discharge deck roughly the size of the 37” one on my 312. So far it needs just little stuff a knob there and a greasing or lubing there. i think the attach o matic is seized or something broke in it as the handle moves but you can’t pick up or down the deck. I have a couple days off in the next few days so I’ll figure it out. Definitely not bad for $150.

[ebinmaine 67,393]

1 hour ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

i think the attach o matic is seized or something broke in it as the handle moves but you can’t pick up or down the deck

 

 

The Workhorse GT1100 chassis that you're getting the transmission from likely has whatever manual lift parts you need. 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

The Workhorse GT1100 chassis that you're getting the transmission from likely has whatever manual lift parts you need. 

 

@ebinmaine I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just stuck. Most of the issues have been stuff that’s just rusted a bit too much. 

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

13 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

 

@gwest_ca Judging by the info provided, it sounds like it’s an 87. 

[kpinnc 11,984]

2 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

Definitely not bad for $150.

You done good! 

[MainelyWheelhorse 421]

2 hours ago, kpinnc said:

You done good! 

@kpinnc Thanks!