leeave96 487 #1 Posted January 9, 2014 the most popular model tractor Wheelhorse ever made! It seems when I log onto craigslist, I can almost always count on seeing a 312-8 for sale or trade! Don't know what the numbers were for production, but I see a ton of them out there. Next up seems like 520H, then 310-8 and from time to time a 314-8 (or 314-H) and 414/416, but the 312-8 seems like they were in a lot of hands. What are you seeing? Thanks! Bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #2 Posted January 9, 2014 I have had (3) 312-8's and they are great tractors for sure! One of my favorites! The first Wheel Horse I actually bought was a 312-8! I would still have the really nice one, it is just that it was a pain to mow with cause we have so many trees to mow around and I was always shifting, so I opted for a hydrostat (I use a Bronco 14 now). The 312-8's always seem to bring good money and hold their value. That 8 Speed trans with the 12 Horse Kohler sure is a nice combo! I reckon you see so many of them is due to the fact that they probably sold so many as they were a nice average Wheel Horse to buy (not a cheapy, but not something expensive either). I sometimes regret selling mine, and may have to get another one someday if I find a nice one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #3 Posted January 10, 2014 You know my feellings Bill. I love the 312-8's!!! The 12hp motors had just enough power to turn a 48" mowing deck, and plenty of power to run a tiller attachment. The 12hp engine did not have the reciprocating mass of a 16hp engine and therefore was alot smoother and more fuel efficient. Upgrading the rear wheels to the 520 size (with wheel weights) and upgrading the front wheels from 6" to 8" were really all I needed to do to my 1991 312 to make it look and feel like a garden tractor. My 312 has the 1 & 1/8" rear axles. The pic of it in my avatar is before the front wheel upgrade and before adding the rear wheel weights. Like Taylor said, they can be kind of a pain to mow with if you have to mow around alot of trees, but hey thats what they make chainsaws for. Too bad Wheel Horse never made a chainsaw attachment !!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #4 Posted January 10, 2014 My first Wheel Horse was a 312 H. Like Wheel-N-It says "The 12hp engine did not have the reciprocating mass of a 16hp engine and therefore was a lot smoother and more fuel efficient." I never did like the little front wheels but it was one great running machine. They were a really nice combination with a 42" deck for mowing mid sized yards. Now I have an M16 and an M14. The 14 reminds of the 12 just has more power. Much quieter and smother than Thumper but I love Thumper too 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6.0 powerstroke 62 #5 Posted January 10, 2014 My favorite bodystyle, the headlight buckets and nose are a similar style of the iroc z camaro of their day. Also, weren't the third gen camaros designed by a ferrari guy? Ferraris are red,...maybe just a coincidence... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #6 Posted January 10, 2014 Like Taylor said, they can be kind of a pain to mow with if you have to mow around alot of trees, but hey thats what they make chainsaws for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
