New to WH and i need help with my 312-8

[DerrickH 2]

A couple months ago i got a WH 312-8 from my wife's cousin. I have mowed with it numerous times and i always had problems making it up my hill. I changed both drive belt and deck belt (he had 1/2'' on them) and put proper belts on from Toro dealer. I also replaced the spring on my clutch pedal (it does not have piston to slow it down). Now my 312-8 will only go up hill in low gears and will not go in 2 or 3 hi at all. 1st gear in hi will move but not up hill.  My drive belt stops moving sometimes when trying hi gear. Please help this newbie! 

[Skipper 1,788]

Can you take a picture of how you routed that new belt? It sounds like belt slipping, and I think you either routed it wrong, or you got the wrong length.

 

It should be routed like in this picture, and the belt should be a 5/8

 

 

If this does not help, and you can confirm the input axle is indeed turning, but tractor not mowing, then check if the axle in the wheel hub is turning inside the hub.

Edited June 27, 2018 by Skipper

[BESTDOGEVER 218]

Make sure you have the right size belt and it is routed properly the belt shouldn't stop moving unless the engine stalls an 8 speed should either spin stall or climb if the belt is right

[pfrederi 17,848]

1 hour ago, Skipper said:

Can you take a picture of how you routed that new belt? It sounds like belt slipping, and I think you either routed it wrong, or you got the wrong length.

 

It should be routed like in this picture, and the belt should be a 5/8

That is a hydro belt routing...I believe the OP has an 8 speed

Edited June 27, 2018 by pfrederi

[Skipper 1,788]

7 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

That is a hydro belt routing...I believe the OP has an 8 speed

 

Sorry, yes you are right. Picture replaced with 8 speed config

 

Edited June 27, 2018 by Skipper

[oliver2-44 9,831]

As you can see lots of good help here. I have a 312-8 and it will climb a fairly steep hill, until the tires loose traction and spin,

Edited June 27, 2018 by oliver2-44

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,088]

Make sure you have the correct belt

 

Transmission drive belt 78-7100 replaced by 7473 - HB x 81.9" or 5/8" x 81.9"

 

Some parts lists for the 312-8 are shared with twin-cylinder models and automatic transmissions which use longer belts.

 

Garry

[Ed Kennell 38,579]

2 hours ago, DerrickH said:

  My drive belt stops moving  when trying hi gear.

You have found the problem.   Power is not getting from the engine to the transmission.         Can we assume the drive pulley and the PTO are turning properly  and the belt is slipping on the drive pulley?

If so, you have the incorrect belt or the tensioner idler pulley is not applying proper tension to the belt.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

@DerrickH  to 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,374]

Another thing to check is the belt guides at the engine pulley if they aren't aligned correctly the belt will slip if not jump off, Jeff.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,847]

[DerrickH 2]

Thank you for all the replies and greetings!  Yes i do have the 5/8 belt #7473. i will check my belt guide at the engine pulley when i get home.  I think the belt tensioner pulley is not keeping proper tension, which is why i changed the spring but that didnt seem to help completely.

[Ed Kennell 38,579]

Check the 1/8" roll pin that pins the clutch lever on the left side of the tractor  to  cross over shaft that activates the clutch tensioner pulley.

Mark the end of the shaft and lever, then press and release the clutch pedal and check if the shaft and lever move together.

[Lee1977 6,766]

If a new correct size belt does not fix your tractor the transmission pulley could be worn out from all the slipping. The stamped steel pulleys will ware out. I have complete worn out  a set of them on my 48 inch deck to the point it would not cut heavy grass with out slipping. A different set of pulley fix my deck.

[DerrickH 2]

Thank you for all your help! It was the roll pin Ed suggested. Put a pin in and now it runs like a champ!

 

[Pullstart 63,054]

For another reference even though this problem is fixed, on the 857 the tensioner pulley has a belt guide/stop on it. It was rubbing on the dash tower and not fully returning, though the spring was trying.  A bit of persuasive help and some wd40, it barely rubs but still comes back.

[Ed Kennell 38,579]

33 minutes ago, DerrickH said:

Thank you for all your help! It was the roll pin Ed suggested. Put a pin in and now it runs like a champ!

 

    Thanks for the update Derrick.        So often we never hear if our suggestions fixed the problem.

 

We luv it when we can pass this knowledge along and help new  owners save these tractors.