Lefty 57 54 #1 Posted September 20, 2020 Hi there fellow Wheel Horse owners. Just thought I would post a couple of photos on my progress so far with my first Wheel Horse. I bought my 1991 model 312-8 on August 11th 2020, today is the 20th September 2020. The first photo shows the condition it was in when I brought it home. The second photo shows how it looks today. The belt guard and footplates are in my shed, I have sanded and treated the rust, just waiting for the new paint to arrive. Since buying this 312-8 I have replaced the key switch, cleaned all the wiring contacts, added extra earth cables. I removed the fuel pump and carburetor to give them both a good cleaning. I replaced the fuel pipe, added an inline fuel filter, cleaned the fuel tank, added a new fuel tank tap and bung. The engine has had an oil change, fitted a new air filter and a new starter solenoid. I have also cleaned all the dirt and grime away as I find it. The muffler has been rust treated and repainted. The little tractor now starts first turn of the key, the engine runs really strong having now 691 hours showing on the gauge. Still have a few jobs I need to do, the first being a transmission oil change but slowly but surely this Wheel Horse is returning from neglected to respected. It really is a pleasure to work on such a well built machine. No longer will this little tractor sit outside in all weathers, no more UK winters and rain for this 312-8. At the moment I have just a rain cover for it but I am gathering timber in order to extend one of my sheds so that I can keep " Little Red" in the dry and will probably make the shed extension a little larger as I feel an additional Wheel Horse may arrive. I really like the look of the C160 (1974-1977) 16hp Kohler engine versions. I will add photos as I progress further with my sympathetic restoration of this little beauty. Yes the Wheel Horse bug has definitely bitten! 2 7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CCW 1,280 #2 Posted September 20, 2020 Well done Lefty. I too am a proud owner of a 312-8 that was my father's. Fortunately it was always garaged and I expanded my shed for the same reason. Just today I pulled the two rear wheels to get new tires. The current ones are cracked and leaking air. Enjoy Little Red. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,461 #3 Posted September 20, 2020 LEFTY 57, good effort and good work on that ! seams like just a short time ago , you were a new guy with a lot of questions , and you have really gotten after it ! every thing you are doing is / was basic maintenance , and when regularly done ,its very satisfying. your clean up chassis look says it all , and the confidence its giving you shows. i agree with the protection coverage that you are planning , if you can , try to get some heat into that transmission fluid , before you flush it out, don,t forget to raise the front end to increase the drain, mabey a drive down the road ? very good that you are establishing a baseline service, that's what makes your horse live on , all i can add is KEEP IT GOING , PETE 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,174 #4 Posted September 20, 2020 Looks great! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,587 #5 Posted September 20, 2020 2 hours ago, Lefty 57 said: I really like the look of the C160 (1974-1977) 16hp Kohler engine versions Nice work so far Lefty. Our herd has several of the 70s versions you like. One is a 74 C160 with the rare Tecumseh engine. One is my Cinnamon Horse which is the Kohler version. Powerhouse of a machine. Good luck. Ask questions. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,288 #6 Posted September 21, 2020 Very nice progress on your tractor. Might want to make your addition big enough for 3 or 4 or 5.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,549 #7 Posted September 21, 2020 Great job! Honestly the 312 might just be the best horse in the stables. Looks great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
