Volant1006 34 #1 Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) Hello y'all. Just picked this litte gem up this week. My 1st Wheel Horse & my first lawn tractor! 1988 312-8, got it with a snow blade. The hours were kinda high (3100) but hopefully I made a good choice. Used it to cut the grass (0.5 acres) for the 1st time today. Mowed great, didn't miss a beat. Still plan on going through the whole thing chage fluids, filters, check blads, etc. but so far I love it Edited June 29, 2018 by Volant1006 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040 #2 Posted June 29, 2018 Welcome to the forum. That one has been well cared for. Click on the pictures Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,565 #4 Posted June 29, 2018 Looks like a very clean tractor for having that many hours. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,189 #6 Posted June 29, 2018 6 hours ago, Volant1006 said: hours were kinda high (3100) but hopefully I made a good choice You made an excellent choice! The 312-8 is a great worker and will serve you well. If the previous owner went off and left the key on a few times the hour meter may have been running while the tractor was parked, it appears to be a well cared for machine so that is my guess. Be sure to use ethanol free gas to prevent fuel system problems in the future. http://www.buyrealgas.com/Pennsylvania.html 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #7 Posted June 29, 2018 to The 312-8 is a great working machine well up to most tasks that you could throw at it. You made a wise decision to buck the trend of going to a box store, getting dazzled by the new paint and shiny lighting, and promises of trouble free years of cutting on a brand new “throw away” tractor. If continued care is part of your ‘new’ tractors future, it will easily be working for another 30 years. May need a part now and then but that little tractor is built like a tank! Best of luck with it Have fun browsing the site here but be careful, these red machines have been known to mutiply! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rp.wh 1,103 #9 Posted June 29, 2018 you have picked a good first ,alot of great guys here to help with any questions you have! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Volant1006 34 #10 Posted June 30, 2018 Thanx everyone! I'm already looking to add some mods. Maybe some wheel weights & chains for the winter. New gas cap, maybe a hitch. Will definitely try to run good (no ethanol) fuel in it. It sounds like there are a few meetups in my neck of the woods (PA) so I'll keep an eye out. Does anybody use a battery tender on these, or does weekly starts keep it charged? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Volant1006 34 #12 Posted July 13, 2018 Well I feel like a goof. I might have to recind my original post "the hours were kinda high 3100" I checked the hours again & I think I read the numbers wrong. I think it only has 316 hours not 3160! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,981 #13 Posted July 13, 2018 Welcome to Redsqure That's a great tractor and it will last another 30 years. 316 hours its just now gitting broke in. Yes I use Daltran battery tender jr on all my tractors battery's and they work great. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #14 Posted July 13, 2018 Hardly broke in @Volant1006! Great find Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whamm511 13 #15 Posted August 8, 2018 On 6/29/2018 at 6:30 AM, 953 nut said: You made an excellent choice! The 312-8 is a great worker and will serve you well. If the previous owner went off and left the key on a few times the hour meter may have been running while the tractor was parked, it appears to be a well cared for machine so that is my guess. Be sure to use ethanol free gas to prevent fuel system problems in the future. http://www.buyrealgas.com/Pennsylvania.html Is this true of all WHs regarding ethanol free gas? I’ve got a ‘97 520H. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,189 #16 Posted August 8, 2018 Any lawn and garden equipment needs ethanol free gas, even brand new stuff. I also run it in mt street rod because all older vehicles have rubber parts the ethanol will destroy. Also, anything that isn't used regularly will end up with fuel problems because the ethanol decomposes in the fuel system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites