The Kidd 5 #1 Posted April 4, 2020 Been browsing while trying to decide what brand Garden Tractor I wanted. Basically came down to John Deere or Wheel Horse. I have been using a Snapper RER for 20 years and wanted something with quality without the cost of new. Found a Wheel Horse 312-8 that looks excellent for being more than 20 years old. Now am interested in adding an electric lift to the rear. Doesn’t look like much frame or room to connect to. Anybody done anything like this? I know Johnny sells an electric lift but according to their instructions I don’t see enough frame to mount to. Also $650 cost 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #2 Posted April 4, 2020 Really nice tractor! There is an electric lift kit in our classifieds, contact the seller about fitment. Lift kit 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #3 Posted April 4, 2020 Welcome to the forum! That is an excellent looking machine you have there. You'll be glad that you went with WH over a Deere in the long run! I'd definitely go with @lynnmor's suggestion for the lift! What are your plans for the tractor and the lift? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,307 #4 Posted April 4, 2020 JD certainly has a place in the world. Trina and I are very frugal, practical people and we choose to keep Wheelhorses for rugged build, ease of maintenance and repairability. We have 4 now, more to come. You'd be quite happy with a Horse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Kidd 5 #5 Posted April 4, 2020 I went with Wheel Horse for the same reasons stated above. Heavy duty to last. Simple tp work on. Parts are not so high I basically want a rear lift for moving my utility trailer with very little tongue weight and my boat with about 100 lbs of tongue weight. I could easily get off tractor and crank the tongues up or down, but what fun is that. I’m new at this but the ad mentioned above seems to be for an electric deck lift. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #6 Posted April 4, 2020 Imo this tractor would outlast any thing from a big box store and yes there are lots of parts out there. Very nice looking tractor!! TO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #7 Posted April 4, 2020 1 hour ago, The Kidd said: I’m new at this but the ad mentioned above seems to be for an electric deck lift. The lift for the deck also doubles as the lift for rear attachments such as a tiller. Since you're wanting to move trailers around, you're looking for something more along the lines of a 3pt hitch, which never existed for that model (as far as I know). You might could build something to work if you're that adventurous. Older sears GT's had an electric 3pt hitch on them, adapting one of them to your tractor might be a possibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,696 #8 Posted April 5, 2020 The electric lift could be used with a WH sleeve hitch to move trailers. Sleeve hitch are made to fit your tractor, vs a 3 point would be a custom build. Check the vendors section. Lowell at Wheel Horse parts and more reproduces everything (except the electric lift) you need for a sleeve hitch. You can also probable find a used one at A-Z tractor. he's also in the vendor section. They also show up used in the Clasified section. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Kidd 5 #9 Posted April 5, 2020 16 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said: The electric lift could be used with a WH sleeve hitch to move trailers. Sleeve hitch are made to fit your tractor, vs a 3 point would be a custom build. Check the vendors section. Lowell at Wheel Horse parts and more reproduces everything (except the electric lift) you need for a sleeve hitch. You can also probable find a used one at A-Z tractor. he's also in the vendor section. They also show up used in the Clasified section. since I am knew to this I have a couple of questions. You mentioned sleeve hitch. Do I need a clevis hitch as part of the sleeve hitch. Is a sleeve hitch multiple pieces? Sorry for the many questions but just learning. Thanks everyone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #10 Posted April 5, 2020 25 minutes ago, The Kidd said: since I am knew to this I have a couple of questions. You mentioned sleeve hitch. Do I need a clevis hitch as part of the sleeve hitch. Is a sleeve hitch multiple pieces? Sorry for the many questions but just learning. Thanks everyone Sleeve hitch is a clevis hitch which as stated above is operated from the mower deck lift mechanism and attaches similarly as the Craftsman style "3pt" to use sleeve/clevis hitch style attachments such as plows cultivators discs rear scraper blades or in your case a ball hitch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
