312-8 I was going to scrap...decided not to.

[Rollerman 290]

I picked this abused 312-8 up off C list last spring.

It was advertised as haveing a blown engine, but other wise in good shape with a nice 48" deck.

The add couldn't of been farther from the truth, since it was rusted, busted, & neglected.

The deck had been propped up inside the barn & the end on the ground had rusted off.

But the trans was worth the price so I loaded it up.

I never intended to fix it up...so I didn't bother with "before pics".

Without any snow to push this winter, things were pretty dull so I turned my energy towards the 312-8 figuring I had enough parts laying around the garage I could reassemble it, fix it up & throw a quick paint job on it & use it for a tiller/beater tractor.

I was originally going to put a B&S 11HP engine in it, but later found a good running older K301.

(PS the original tires were so dry rotted they fell apart when we loaded it & two rims were also rusted at the bottoms)

Repairs to the rear sheet metal fender brace.

Seems pretty common for the 300/400 series to break here.

Thought I'd give bedliner paint a try for the frame & front axle.

I think it turned out pretty good.

A shake down run with the K301 installed.

Stickers!

I bought these of ebay years ago...I don't like the "Toro" logo either, but it's what I had on hand.

Still have to finish pieceing together the PTO, the one from the tractor was laying in the dirt & badly rusted.

Also undecided on the front of the hood too, but the reds growing on me.

Thought I'd share my repurposed 312-8 mutt with my RS friends though.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,348]

That sucker came out real nice Stephen! To good to be called a beater . And the red nose looks fine....keep it.

Mike..........

[smoreau 658]

Looks good Stephen! Was that the one in the shop when I was down there? if so its come a long way! That will make a great beater tractor for the new place this summer!

[whfan74 2,066]

I am loving the stickers in the last picture! The tractor turned out really nice Stephen! Glad you were able to get it done. You have been busy for sure!

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,331]

Nice save on this one !! I believe that when the po placed it in the dirt spot in the barn it probably was in good shape but he may have not remembered how long it was sitting in the dirt....

[can whlvr 993]

looks pretty spiffy for a tractot that was headed to the bone yard :thumbs2:

[Steve B. 30]

looks pretty spiffy for a tractot that was headed to the bone yard

Indeed! Nice save.

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

Looks good Stephen! Jake

[kloe0699 12]

I'm glad you didn't scrap it. Looks like it came out real nice! :handgestures-thumbup:

[Rollerman 290]

Thanks for the comps guys.

Looks good Stephen! Was that the one in the shop when I was down there? if so its come a long way! That will make a great beater tractor for the new place this summer

Scott M from MI....same tractor!

I am loving the stickers in the last picture! The tractor turned out really nice Stephen! Glad you were able to get it done. You have been busy for sure!

Scott M from IN...I thought that was a pretty good place for your M&G decal too.

Nice save on this one !! I believe that when the po placed it in the dirt spot in the barn it probably was in good shape but he may have not remembered how long it was sitting in the dirt....

Steve to be honest I was trying to keep the thread short, but the deck was in really, really bad shape before it was leaned up in tha barn.

Thats okay, the shell will be recycled & probably made into a Kia & the spindals will be headed to Norway soon. :handgestures-thumbup:

[AMC RULES 37,132]

Looks great Steve. I'm really liking the blacked out chassis, just suprised you didn't go black on the wheels too. :dunno:

[Rollerman 290]

Looks great Steve. I'm really liking the blacked out chassis, just suprised you didn't go black on the wheels too.

Nah I like them off white...looks more vintage.

But I guess I could paint them black like all the diesel truck hot rodders around here....but then I'd need a ridiculous 12" stack & truck nuts on back too. :hide:

[speedyleedy 205]

looks really sweet stephen ! :bow-blue:

[kpinnc 12,136]

Looks great Stephen!

And THAT was a junker? :bow-blue:

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Thank you for saving that sweet 312 Steven. They are my all time favorite!

[Rollerman 290]

That first pic really makes it look nicer than it was, I had cleaned it up a bit & swapped some parts by the time I started documenting the build.

I need to give a big thanks to TT, he helped me a bunch explaining the 3amp chargering circuit.

[Kelly 1,029]

Looks good, gotta love the cheap ones that turn out nice

[massey 118]

You did a nice job on it, it looks great. :handgestures-thumbupright:

[Lars 526]

Nice job on it stephen looks good now

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Nice job! I too am glad you didn't scrap that stallion.

Matt :flags-texas:

[Operator 7]

Very nice!