New from

[oliver2-44 9,726]

I'm new to this forum.

Back in high school (40 years ago)  worked in a Ford tractor shop. I was the flunky that steam cleaned the bigger farm tractors and worked on riding lawn tractors.

At the time I despised the lawn tractors, cause i wanted to work on the big ones! of course i has to start somewhere (lot's of good tractor shop stories) !

 

I currently have a mid 60's White Oliver 2-44 backhoe/loader down at the farm. It's nicknamed "THE BEAST" due to it's poor power-assist steering

Also a fairly worn out 1984 John Deere 316 that has been relegated to mowing around the barn.

At home my weekly mower is a 2003 John Deere LT150 hydrostatic. 

 

 

I like the heavyness of the older garden tractors and have been looking around for one.

I was recently given a Wheelhorse 312-8 and mower deck that been sitting for 5 years, The previous owner said he has bought it new, but did'n remember exactly when, and hasn't replaced anything major on it.. It' all there, minor rust, rotten tires, etc, When I get this one running good I hope to find a front blade & tiller and make it my garden tractor. I typically like to keep things standard paint colors. However my neighborhood has a lot of rules (you can drive golf carts and UTV;s on the street, but not 4-wheelers, etc) I'm thinking this wheelhorse might get a candy apple red & flames paint job with a chrome straight exhaust! hat will look good riding it down to the park/lake! (yes, I don't always follow all the rules )

 

I just poster my carb/starter problems in the engine forum. I would like some help dating this tractor. The vinyl tractor nameplate is faded/unreadable.

 

The engine is a 12hp, Kohler 301s spec 47812 which makes it an 1984 model, The starter flange is stamped 12-84.which matches the engine.

 

The mower deck nameplate is 0542M604 (the 5 and 6 are hard to read) then it has the number 587.15  Can a year be traced from this mower deck number?

 

Interestingly I've peeled the tire off one of the rear rims and found stamper 12X7JA firestone USA 11-77 (wheel Symbol) EWC. The rims are painted Pewter inside and out. 

 

Basted on the engine could this be a 1985 1st year 312-8.

 

Is there any other tractor parts that have date stampings? 

 

[C-101plowerpower 1,605]

 first things first, we like picture's, because 

Anyway   to  

 

 

Koen  

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

Welcome to the forum.

 

The tractor will be model 21-12K801 as 1985 was the only year they used spec 47812.

 

The 0542M604 would be 05-42MS04 as 5 is for mower and the S for side discharge. Also a 1985 model.

 

Garry

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040]

The highest 1985 serial number I've recorded so far was 58399 so your's is likely 58715. Must be late 1985 model year product.

 

Garry

[Amanda 81]

Welcome to the forum

[KC9KAS 4,741]

  and as stated above.....

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,314]

 

Mike........

[Geno 1,929]

Hello and

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

  to !

[JC 1965 1,530]

Hello an welcome to 

[CasualObserver 3,408]

[oliver2-44 9,726]

 Heres some picturest.  As  you can see this 312-8 needs some work. cut the dry rotted tires off yesterday & blasted the rings.. Once I get it movable & running I'll use it some to see the condition of everything. Then fix the those problems and give it  proper paint job. 

[Geno 1,929]

You'll have her good as new. 

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Welcome to the   

[can whlvr 993]

  

[rexman72 210]

welcome to group