4 pinion or 8 pinion

[Forest Road 594]

I have two 312-8 tractors. Both in perfect running order. Cosmetically the 2001 is hands don the winner.

My question is which to hold onto to. I plan to push a lot of dirt and snow. As well as drag my http://www.drivewaygroomer.com/ on a 1900' driveway. So should I be concerned that one trans has the 8 pinion diff and the other has the 4 pinion.

The 1991 has the 8. And although the 2001 has the 4 pinion it also has the over head valve 12.5 Kohler.

My main concern is really whether there's a noticable difference in the pulling strength of one machine vs the other. Without breaking anything.

Thanks once again!

[rmaynard 15,712]

If it could be done, I'd take 8 pinion tranny from the 1991 and put it in the 2001. Then put the 4 pinion in the '91 and sell that one.

Bob

[Don1977 604]

Keep them both, you can never have too many. Just like you can't have too much fun!

I only have one and when it's down I hate to have to use my dad's old Snapper.

[rickv1957 72]

Ive been pushing snow,dirt and gravel with my old raider 12 that I installed a 4 pinon rear 8 years ago with twin weights and use this tractor lots with no problems, Rick

[Rideawaysenior 25]

The true difference can really only be found when you are working it excessivley in some hard core pulling applications. The 4 pinion rear will do as much garden tractor work as the 8 will. I've seen an 8 pinion pull 6,000 lbs of dead weight and I've seen a 4 pinion pull 4,000 of dead weight. Neither of those weights will equal the stress of garden tractor work IE plowing dirt and dragging your driveway. The tranny in both applications was over built. If you like to go fast, keep the 8 pinion, it goes .2mph faster than the 4 pinion which is rated at 5.3 mph giving you a whopping 5.5 mph.

[Forest Road 594]

So no real difference! Thanks guys. When my wife finally pushes hard enough I'll make the decision as to which one goes.

[Duff 206]

So no real difference! Thanks guys. When my wife finally pushes hard enough I'll make the decision as to which one goes.

So when and if you do decide to sell one, what part of the world are you in?

Duff :D

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,348]

When my wife finally pushes hard enough I'll make the decision as to which one goes.

Humm.... In that event I'd keep the tractors :thumbs:

[Forest Road 594]

She's a great girl. But when the bug comes bitin a 312 will have to go!

[Pirate 0]

She's a great girl. But when the bug comes bitin a 312 will have to go!

If you sell one, what will be your Back Up mower?

Everyone needs a back up!

"Dear, do you know how much it would cost to have the lawn cut, if our "only" mower was laid up?"

I only have 1 Wh (414-8) but picked up a MTD made hydro model, in great running shape, but with a totally busted up engine cover, for $75, and it came with a towed dethatcher

Now the Horse, gets to focus on more horsely deeds. Like pushing a plow,

[Jim_M 178]

When my wife finally pushes hard enough I'll make the decision as to which one goes.

Humm.... In that event I'd keep the tractors

Karl,

I took that to mean he would decide if the tractor goes or the wife goes. I guess we were thinking alike.

Jim

[Forest Road 594]

Very funny guys. I agreed to live by a few simple things when we got married. No motorcycles, I live 30 from NYC, no fire dept, been there done that, and no dangerous jobs, well I was Lineman for the electric company here at the time so she let that one go. Wheelhorses weren't part of the equation at the time. Therefor I might just grow the herd a bit more. I've been watching a 518-A on Ebay....she'll have to get over it:)