What do you guys do about vibration when the tractor is running?

[MainelyWheelhorse 420]

Hey guys, what do you do about the vibration from the engine. Was there something in place from the factory that combatted it? Both my 308 and 312 have significant vibration when the engine is running. It’s almost like something is slightly unbalanced. I have looked at anti vibration pads, and checked the mounts to see if it was supposed to have some sort of dampening. Thanks!

[kpinnc 11,969]

I would check both machines drive belts for a stiff spot. Oftentimes a machine that sits for a while will get hard spots in the belt. It will definitely add to your vibrations. 
 

Your 308 has no balance cancelling in it. Even though your 312 has balance gears internally, many of us remove them as they tend to destroy the engine if they fail. 
 

I would say if you have a bit of vibration at idle, that’s fairly normal of these old Kohler engines. It should clear up as RPM is increased. 
 

As the old saying goes: “Wheel Horse makes it, Kohler shakes it”… 

[adsm08 2,044]

Agreed, some vibration is normal.

 

I grew up mowing with a 310 and I still remember how weird my hands felt after 2 hours of driving it. My hands felt 'buzzy' for lack of a better term, and everything I touched felt like rabbit's fur.

[MainelyWheelhorse 420]

@kpinnc and @adsm08 thanks for the input. The 312 has been pretty babied most of its life, but the 308 was pretty beat up when I got it. I figured I’d check if I was missing parts or something rotted out. Thanks!

 

@adsm08 I remember that as well my parents had a Simplicity that was like that. And I couldn’t hear well for a bit after too. 

[adsm08 2,044]

1 minute ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

 

 

@adsm08 I remember that as well my parents had a Simplicity that was like that. And I couldn’t hear well for a bit after too. 

 

Hearing was never an issue unless I was still on the tractor. My dad has always been obsessive about ear protection.

 

Going to the gun range and shooting even a .22 now he has ear plugs, and a pair of muffs with active noise cancelling.

[MainelyWheelhorse 420]

@kpinnc I wouldn’t be surprised if the balance gears are still in the 312 as all the original owner did was mow his lawn with it.He saved  the bill of sale and all the manuals he got the day it was new.

[ebinmaine 67,380]

@MainelyWheelhorse

It's possible wearing a particular kind of gloves may help quite a bit. You might have to experiment a little to get the right pair.

[squonk 41,048]

Mechanics Wear Impact gloves with the gel palm. 

[953 nut 55,155]

I kinda enjoy the vibration.                  I'm nearly 80 and some days that is the most stimulating feelin I get.            

[rmaynard 15,434]

My wife can't use a hand-held gas leaf blower. It causes her whole arm to go numb. However, that's  not the case with me and I have never had any problems with Kohler single cylinder engines vibrating to excess. I know in 1978 Wheel Horse started using the anti-vibration "shaker cradle". I guess someone thought there was too much vibration going on. I believe that every person has their own level of tolerance for vibration. Maybe mine is high. To me, it's all part of the experience we affectionately call seat time.

 

 

Edited Monday at 03:50 PM by rmaynard

[tunahead72 2,411]

17 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

...  I have looked at anti vibration pads, and checked the mounts to see if it was supposed to have some sort of dampening...

 

I would check all the engine mounting bolts, make sure they're tight.  I know I've seen torque specs for those bolts somewhere, but the one time I tried I couldn't get my torque wrench fitted on the bolts well enough to be useful, so now I just check them every once in a while and make sure they're good-n-tight.

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,524]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I kinda enjoy the vibration.                  I'm nearly 80 and some days that is the most stimulating feelin I get.            

 

Some people spend thousands on massage chairs... 

 

We get it for (almost) free!!! 

[Bill D 1,916]

If the vibration really bothers you, consider purchasing a tractor with a twin cylinder engine.  Definitely a noticable difference in vibration.  The Kohler KT/M series are probably the smoothest followed by the Briggs and Onan, at least in my opinion.  I've had all of them and definitely notice a difference in my hands after an hour of mowing.

[pfrederi 17,694]

1 hour ago, Bill D said:

If the vibration really bothers you, consider purchasing a tractor with a twin cylinder engine.  Definitely a noticable difference in vibration.  The Kohler KT/M series are probably the smoothest followed by the Briggs and Onan, at least in my opinion.  I've had all of them and definitely notice a difference in my hands after an hour of mowing.

 

For long mowing hours C-175 or 418 are my got to tractors  so much smoother...

[MainelyWheelhorse 420]

@kpinnc @adsm08 @ebinmaine @squonk @953 nut @rmaynard @tunahead72 @SylvanLakeWH @Bill D @pfrederi

 

Thanks all for the input everyone! was just curious if the amount vibration was normal. Both have sat outside before I got them long enough so rubber stuff like the shift boot was pretty nonexistent on both the 312 and 308 but more so on the 308. I figured if anything else was rubber like a dampener, it might be long gone too.