A tale of two horses

[clueless 2,975]

I'm planning on doing some down sizing of my GTs soon. I have two nice 8sp, a 1997 416-8 with 225 hr, and a 1988 312-8 with 600 hr. I am the second owner, both original owners kept them maintained and garaged as have I. I have a Z turn now that does 95% of my grass cutting, and I don't do much with the tractors now days, a little grass cutting, tilling, grading and trailer pulling. I still use my C160 auto, and the 704 (Mikey) for most of that but still want to keep an 8sp. Here is my dilemma if you can call it that, the 312 (Magnum) is more than capable of doing everything I need, and the 416 (Onan) is over kill, but it's damn near new. The 312 is pretty basic, the Onan not so much, as some of you know electrical is my weak point, on the 312 i got the wiring down pretty good, on the 416, forget about it. Over the years I've seen a lot of posts about the Onans problems, valves, electrical, overheating, carb and other issues, and while the magnum can have issues other than an internal catastrophe they are a fairly easy fixes. I talked to Boomer, a member here a while back about the Onan, he told me I was over thinking it, that a well maintained Onan with a little over 200 hrs should have many years left on it with out any real problems if I just keep up the maintenance. I'm sure I will put less than 15 hr a year on which ever one I keep, they will probably out last me. The 416 has way more nut than I need, but it's so nice. Opinions 416 (onan) or 312 (magnum) ?

Edited October 13, 2019 by clueless

[ZXT 2,401]

+1 for the Onan! With that few hours, its capability and how Onan's sound, I'd have to keep it if it were my choice.

[JoeM 7,871]

What a problem to have! I've have had an Onan 20 with more than 1500 hours, now used by a friend of mine, still running fine, and a 312-8 over 2000 hours and run great, sold it.

I would say sit on each one of them and look down and pick the one you like the best. Anything can happen, at any time, to these old machines, and I suspect you will fix it.

I bought a 516 a few years ago. Engine was in great shape but the 700 Eaton was locked. Change the hydro to a 1100 model cleaned up and painted some of he metal. Runs great, looks okay. (no hour meter). I have been wanting to sell it but just haven't, not sure why, cause it is the back up to the back up? Makes no sense to keep it, but it is still here.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

Which one do you LIKE using the most? Go with it...

 

Both great tractors...

 

[clueless 2,975]

10 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Which one do you LIKE using the most? Go with it...

 

Both great tractors...

 

other than the sound and the bigger pedals on the 416, if you close your eyes you really can't tell which one your using. 

[tom2p 2,394]

Both are barely broken in  lol

 

Concerning Onan 'electrical issues' - I believe the large amount (or majority ?) of the Wheel Horse Onan electrical issues can be traced to the care of the tractor - and possibly primarily where the tractor is stored.

 

Check the threads on Onan electrical issues including the pictures - large number of the tractors are neglected / weathered and/or sat outside in wet / damp areas.  ( And not limited to Onan ).

[tom2p 2,394]

I have a 312-8 (Magnum) and 416-H (have two)

 

both are great - but 312 does not compare to the 416 ; the power difference is significant 

 

I do give the reliability nod to the single cylinder cast iron Kohler Magnum

 

Edited October 13, 2019 by tom2p

[Pullstart 62,783]

The biggest tractor I’ve run is a 10 horse.  I don’t suspect you’ll be running a 2 stage snowblower and time soon, I bet the magnum is plenty enough for what you need Chris.  Best of luck with your decision making!  

[clueless 2,975]

23 minutes ago, tom2p said:

I have a 312-8 (Magnum) and 416-H (have two)

 

both are great - but 312 does not compare to the 416 ; the power difference is significant 

 

I do give the reliability nod to the single cylinder cast iron Kohler Magnum

 

Tom, reliability is my issue, can I fixes the problem with out a lot of effort and money, Kohler-yes, Onan-no. Like I said the 312 has all the power I need but 2.5 times more hours?

[clueless 2,975]

23 minutes ago, pullstart said:

The biggest tractor I’ve run is a 10 horse.  I don’t suspect you’ll be running a 2 stage snowblower and time soon, I bet the magnum is plenty enough for what you need Chris.  Best of luck with your decision making!  

Kevin, the last time I drove anything with a blower, was in 1975, it was an altered 65 Fairlane , and that was just a little over 11 second and I was holding back.

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

For mowing duty in Florida, I vote for the 312.     IMO, the twins throw too much heat for summer use.   I consider my singles(312 & C-120) summer mowers and the twins (417 & 520) winter snow movers.

[JoeM 7,871]

3 hours ago, clueless said:

I fixes the problem with out a lot of effort and money, Kohler-yes, Onan-no

Sounds like you answered your own question.

I do have one issue with the Onans, those carbs are like babies when they set.

 

[clueless 2,975]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

For mowing duty in Florida, I vote for the 312.     IMO, the twins throw too much heat for summer use.   I consider my singles(312 & C-120) summer mowers and the twins (417 & 520) winter snow movers.

Thanks Ed, not much grass cutting with either, but most of what I'll use it for will be done in 70 + degrees, at the least 55 degrees, below that it can wait till spring, #southerman.