SHOULD I BUY IT? HELP A GUY OUT!!

[josephvigg 88]

Good morning all. So im ready to buy a tractor for my one acre home. Some hill some unevenness but mostly pretty flat. Started doing some research that included with my love of old school and my hate for everything big box store and plastic has led me to the Wheel Horse. I have one on the line im negotiating with. It was a complete tear down and rebuild from someone that truly knows what they are doing. Its pricey at $1800 but so is a new tractor that's not really rated to do anything but cut grass and hold beer. I like a low cut lawn and I get a **** ton of leaves in the winter - so ideally id like to put a bagger on this from time to time. It also comes with plow blade but im not sure how much id use it for snow. I mow once a week and if last year is any indication two MAJOR leaf hauls if not three. Assuming everything is fully functioning and restored is this - worth it? how difficult is this model to do general maintenance on? (I want to spend more time working less tinkering), are there any fatal flaws with this model? and can I cut my acre of lands grass without issue and suck up these damn leaves into a bag before I garage her for the winter and day dream about running her again! Thank you so much in advance!

[Mike in NC 341]

Welcome to the forum! I have a Wheel Horse very similar to that one. It is a 312-H. I live in the mountains and it does real well. They are a heavy built machine. I have a different Wheel Horse that I use to plowing snow, dirt, gravel, whatever I need to push, it too is a hydro and does great. I will have to let someone else answer about the price. But that one looks real nice.

[D_Mac 8,623]

First off welcome to Red Square. The tractor seems really nice. I am assuming it runs as well as it looks? Have you heard it run and seen it cut? Is there paper work on what was done to the engine? In my opinion 1,800 is high. I would be more comfortable paying 1,000 - 1,200 range. Plenty of Wheel Horse out there they may not look as pretty but perform just as well for less then half of that amount. Then you can have some fun by restoring it yourself.

[rmaynard 15,519]

 

That 312-A looks nice. The 42" deck is just the right size for a 1 acre lot, and it will give you a good cut. However, if you have a lot of leaves in the fall, I would recommend a Cyclone Rake to pick up leaves. I live on a 1.06 acre wooded lot (oak trees), but only mow about 1/2 of it. In the fall, even with 1/2 of leaves, it's a full-time job. 

 

$1800 doesn't seem too high compared to what you get at the big box stores for more money.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

$1800 seems a little steep to me as well, but then again, I know how things add up when restoring these tractors.

 

I'd also check to see if he did anything to the hydro unit as part of the rebuild, and as others stated, any paperwork / build sheets for the engine. A complete overhaul on an engine (bore, rings, piston, crank grind, etc) can get pretty pricey.

 

Also check that the deck was done, bearings, blades etc.

 

Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful tractor. But if you are just looking for a worker that doesn't have to look pretty, you can save yourself a lot of money.

 

Ona  side note, the plow is not just for snow. You can use it on dirt as well, if you decide to do any type of landscaping.

[josephvigg 88]

8 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

First off welcome to Red Square. The tractor seems really nice. I am assuming it runs as well as it looks? Have you heard it run and seen it cut? Is there paper work on what was done to the engine? In my opinion 1,800 is high. I would be more comfortable paying 1,000 - 1,200 range. Plenty of Wheel Horse out there they may not look as pretty but perform just as well for less then half of that amount. Then you can have some fun by restoring it yourself.

Thanks D Mac - nope going to see it today. Yes he has full documentation on the build - he is one of those rare birds that is very mechanically inclined, has money, and probably OCD lol. I would love to restore but I have my 7 month old daughter and another on the way so wrench time might be scarce. I dont mind buying pretty for now but im with you it has to run right above all.

[josephvigg 88]

13 minutes ago, Mike in NC said:

Welcome to the forum! I have a Wheel Horse very similar to that one. It is a 312-H. I live in the mountains and it does real well. They are a heavy built machine. I have a different Wheel Horse that I use to plowing snow, dirt, gravel, whatever I need to push, it too is a hydro and does great. I will have to let someone else answer about the price. But that one looks real nice.

Thanks for the advice Mike!

[Gregor 4,846]

  to  .  If you are planning to use a simple bagger attachment to suck up leaves, I can tell you now, IT WON'T WORK!  While it will pick up leaves and blow them into a bag, it won't shred them much, and it won't compact them. You will be filling your bagger on every round. If you are going to pull a leaf vacuum system, that would probably work, I have never pulled one. $1800 ?  Maybe a bit high, but you won't buy anything like it for less. That's assuming it was a quality re-build, by someone that knew, and cared, what they were doing. I'm guessing it will outlast my green tractor, I paid over 4K for, a few years ago. worth.  Greg

[josephvigg 88]

12 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

 

That 312-A looks nice. The 42" deck is just the right size for a 1 acre lot, and it will give you a good cut. However, if you have a lot of leaves in the fall, I would recommend a Cyclone Rake to pick up leaves. I live on a 1.06 acre wooded lot (oak trees), but only mow about 1/2 of it. In the fall, even with 1/2 of leaves, it's a full-time job. 

 

$1800 doesn't seem too high compared to what you get at the big box stores for more money.

I was looking at the power rakes pretty cool stuff - I may be totally off base here but is the idea that if I can find a bagger system that may have to be retro fitted to mount - but is designed for a 42" side discharge deck that they are compatible or am i looking specifically for a WH bagger system for that model 

[josephvigg 88]

3 minutes ago, Gregor said:

  to  .  If you are planning to use a simple bagger attachment to suck up leaves, I can tell you now, IT WON'T WORK!  While it will pick up leaves and blow them into a bag, it won't shred them much, and it won't compact them. You will be filling your bagger on every round. If you are going to pull a leaf vacuum system, that would probably work, I have never pulled one. $1800 ?  Maybe a bit high, but you won't buy anything like it for less. That's assuming it was a quality re-build, by someone that knew, and cared, what they were doing. I'm guessing it will outlast my green tractor, I paid over 4K for, a few years ago. worth.  Greg

Thanks Greg - I figured im going to have to get creative with the leaves - my town down a vacuum program - you dump it all on front edge of lawn they come and vacuum up so collection more than mulch would be a tremendous help albeit probably an infinite amount of fill and dumps - but hey could be some fun..... 

[josephvigg 88]

17 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said:

$1800 seems a little steep to me as well, but then again, I know how things add up when restoring these tractors.

 

I'd also check to see if he did anything to the hydro unit as part of the rebuild, and as others stated, any paperwork / build sheets for the engine. A complete overhaul on an engine (bore, rings, piston, crank grind, etc) can get pretty pricey.

 

Also check that the deck was done, bearings, blades etc.

 

Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful tractor. But if you are just looking for a worker that doesn't have to look pretty, you can save yourself a lot of money.

 

Ona  side note, the plow is not just for snow. You can use it on dirt as well, if you decide to do any type of landscaping.

Thanks 71 - that what I was figuring when looking at price the other option was dropping 1600 on a Troy Bilt super bronco with a fab deck and ten on the clock but again ---plastic and ill get with good maintenance and some luck 5-6 years of trouble free operation - maybe. I waiting on the full doc of rebuild - pics, paperwork etc. but for example this is the kind of work he does so im bordering on comfortable - i think he might be a unicorn 

[peter lena 8,644]

@josephvigg hello joe , welcome , agree with others on the high price , while it is a nice looking piece , think  12 to 14 hundred is a about right. ,also agree with @rmaynard  on that cyclone rake tow unit , takes a load off the engine, and makes clean up easier . until you see it , hear it , drive it , cannot compare this to a box store , diecast aluminum and plastic . how many hours? maintenance records?  tuff call when you already have it in your sights , be courteous , common sense talk will hopefully  get you to an agreement . good luck , pete  

[oliver2-44 9,764]

 You've found the friendliest most helpful tractor forum on the planet!  No wrong questions to ask here, but maybe a little friendly ribbing after you've been around a while.

The 312 is a great all around tractor and sips gas compared to my C160.  I just have Kohler engines and find them a little easier to work on than Onans.  but if you need the power of a bigger twin engine, everyone says the Onans are worth it.   As others have said the price may be a little high.  I refurbished a 1984 312-8 gear drive for my son.   But if he truly went through the engine ie cylinder bored, crank ground, vs just honed and re-ringed, the cost really add up.  That one should have the Eaton 1100 hydro transmission which is tough. There is a lighted duty Eaton (700 I think) that is good, but not up to ground engaging equipment like a dozer blade.   

 

Regarding bagging,  I live in the south and have lots of Oak leaves. I have a box store mower and bagger that I'm wearing out before I switch to mowing with my C160.  Wheelhorses are a little scarcer here and I've yet to see a bagger for sale for one down here.    I mow the leaves using a mulching blade and a homemade flat plate over the discharge  (no true mulching baffle) and have the cut set a little higher than normal to grind them up some.  Then I mow with bagger and deck at regular height and it really makes a difference on how much gets packed in the bags.  I have a neighbor with a trac-vas and it  awesome, but $$$ and a lot more to store than a bagger setup. 

 

PS if you haven to look at gear drive tractors (any brand)  you want to be wary of water in the transmission if they were stored outside uncovered.  With age, the rubber boot around the shift lever cracks and rain water runs down the stick into the transmission.  sometimes they can just be drained and flushed with diesel, a lot of times they need  to be split, pitted gears replaced, etc. Also on the gear drives you have to come to a full stop to shift, they are not syncro-mesh transmissions. Shifting on the go usually results in some gear grinding.  you can open one of these transmissions and the condition of the cluster gear immediately tells you if they shifted on the go.
 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,605]

[71_Bronco 1,072]

31 minutes ago, josephvigg said:

Thanks 71 - that what I was figuring when looking at price the other option was dropping 1600 on a Troy Bilt super bronco with a fab deck and ten on the clock but again ---plastic and ill get with good maintenance and some luck 5-6 years of trouble free operation - maybe. I waiting on the full doc of rebuild - pics, paperwork etc. but for example this is the kind of work he does so im bordering on comfortable - i think he might be a unicorn 

 

What I meant, was that you can find really nice, used 312's, 314's etc. for less money, that are solid workers (run and function fine), but just don't look as pretty.

 

Even an "ugly" wheel horse (if there's such a thing), can still get you what you need, as long as you dont care if it's a show-tractor.

 

Though, if wrenching time is not very plentiful (lots of us have small kids and can relate), buying a re-done tractor that starts every time may be better suited.

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

Compare it to what $1800 will get you in a retail store and you will find your answer. 

[josephvigg 88]

10 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said:

 

What I meant, was that you can find really nice, used 312's, 314's etc. for less money, that are solid workers (run and function fine), but just don't look as pretty.

 

Even an "ugly" wheel horse (if there's such a thing), can still get you what you need, as long as you dont care if it's a show-tractor.

 

Though, if wrenching time is not very plentiful (lots of us have small kids and can relate), buying a re-done tractor that starts every time may be better suited.

Thank You!

[josephvigg 88]

30 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

 You've found the friendliest most helpful tractor forum on the planet!  No wrong questions to ask here, but maybe a little friendly ribbing after you've been around a while.

The 312 is a great all around tractor and sips gas compared to my C160.  I just have Kohler engines and find them a little easier to work on than Onans.  but if you need the power of a bigger twin engine, everyone says the Onans are worth it.   As others have said the price may be a little high.  I refurbished a 1984 312-8 gear drive for my son.   But if he truly went through the engine ie cylinder bored, crank ground, vs just honed and re-ringed, the cost really add up.  That one should have the Eaton 1100 hydro transmission which is tough. There is a lighted duty Eaton (700 I think) that is good, but not up to ground engaging equipment like a dozer blade.   

 

Regarding bagging,  I live in the south and have lots of Oak leaves. I have a box store mower and bagger that I'm wearing out before I switch to mowing with my C160.  Wheelhorses are a little scarcer here and I've yet to see a bagger for sale for one down here.    I mow the leaves using a mulching blade and a homemade flat plate over the discharge  (no true mulching baffle) and have the cut set a little higher than normal to grind them up some.  Then I mow with bagger and deck at regular height and it really makes a difference on how much gets packed in the bags.  I have a neighbor with a trac-vas and it  awesome, but $$$ and a lot more to store than a bagger setup. 

 

PS if you haven to look at gear drive tractors (any brand)  you want to be wary of water in the transmission if they were stored outside uncovered.  With age, the rubber boot around the shift lever cracks and rain water runs down the stick into the transmission.  sometimes they can just be drained and flushed with diesel, a lot of times they need  to be split, pitted gears replaced, etc. Also on the gear drives you have to come to a full stop to shift, they are not syncro-mesh transmissions. Shifting on the go usually results in some gear grinding.  you can open one of these transmissions and the condition of the cluster gear immediately tells you if they shifted on the go.
 

Thanks Oli - lots of very helpful info here - this might be the most helpful friendly forum on the planet period!

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

52 minutes ago, DoctorHfuhruhurr said:

Compare it to what $1800 will get you in a retail store and you will find your answer. 

 

 

I would approach it that way myself, given that you are looking for a 'worker'.  It looks like you would be getting a "new" heavy duty tractor for much less money and it will last longer... MUCH longer!

 

Some guys on here might not like the idea of actually USING a tractor in that nice a condition.  But they are the 'collectors'.  You wouldn't believe how many machines some of these guys have!

 

A 42" cut is good... but for an open expanse of 1 acre I would be looking for a 48".  You can always hunt that down later though, they are out there...

 

The pinstriping on the mule drive (that thing on the front that the deck drive belt runs through) is a nice touch.

 

What's he want for the truck?  I might be interested in that!  

 

Is he selling all that stuff?  The Power King looks a BEAST, and the other WH is pretty nice too!

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[josephvigg 88]

1 hour ago, DoctorHfuhruhurr said:

Compare it to what $1800 will get you in a retail store and you will find your answer. 

Exactly

[josephvigg 88]

14 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

 

I would approach it that way myself, given that you are looking for a 'worker'.  It looks like you would be getting a "new" heavy duty tractor for much less money and it will last longer... MUCH longer!

 

Some guys on here might not like the idea of actually USING a tractor in that nice a condition.  But they are the 'collectors'.  You wouldn't believe how many machines some of these guys have!

 

A 42" cut is good... but for an open expanse of 1 acre I would be looking for a 48".  You can always hunt that down later though, they are out there...

 

The pinstriping on the mule drive (that thing on the front that the deck drive belt runs through) is a nice touch.

 

What's he want for the truck?  I might be interested in that!  

 

Is he selling all that stuff?  The Power King looks a BEAST, and the other WH is pretty nice too!

 

My thoughts exactly - i can ask about the truck he wants 1200 for the power king with a new motor on it and 200 hours overall - the PK was hard to turn down lol

[JCM 9,196]

to   The 312-A should have a 12 HP Kohler with an Eaton 700 Hydro. Great engine with a decent trans but not as strong as the 1100. Very different paint scheme but nice.

[Ed Kennell 38,244]

 to the  Joseph.

 

That is a great looking 312A.        But, IMO,  the A is the problem.  That has a manual lift and every manual lift I have ever seen has the weaker Eaton 700 transmission.

The 312H has the stronger Eaton 1100 and the hydraulic lift.      

[Lee1977 6,673]

If the 312 doesn't have a oil filter on the left side behind the rear wheel, I would pass on it. The price is way two high to take a chance on it with a 700 Eaton as it's not strong enough for a garden tractor.

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

Yup, with 700 Trans and manual lift, wouldn't give half that. Even if it is purdy...