310-8

[Hampton 95]

Going to look at one tomorrow. Anything to be aware of? Owner says it only needs a mower belt.

[Pullstart 62,854]

 

If it’s stored outside, or even inside, check the transmission oil.  It should be oil, not milkshake.  Check the front end and steering for tightness and if you’re able to run it, check all gears high and low in full throttle.  Obviously, engine oil should be full, clean, etc.  Verify it starts well WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.  If it’s hot, that is sometimes a sign they are hiding something.  If you can inspect the carb, throttle and choke shafts should be tight in the body but that’s not the end of the world if they are sloppy.  

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

@Hampton As I am sure you know Virginia humidity is a bear . My transmissions on my 6 tractor all have a milky look to the fluid from the humidity . All tractors are kept inside . Remember to come to a complete stop before changing gears.  1st gear low is a creeper gear. Grand maw was slow because she was old , the creeper gear is a lot slower.

[JCM 9,163]

They are a great tractor. This one was headed to the scrap pile and I saved it. Not mint by any means but a great worker. Before and after pics. You will like it if you buy it. Good luck and to 

[moe1965 738]

If it comes with a mower deck grab each blade and give it a wiggle up and down to check if bearings are wiped out.     Not  while running of course 😂😂

[953 nut 55,224]

17 hours ago, Hampton said:

Anything to be aware of?

Condition is the key to value. If it appears to be well cared for, starts and drives well then it should be a good buy.

The 310-8 is a very rugged machine and depending on your mechanical skill level and desire to take on a project you may want to keep looking if it has been abused.     

[peter lena 8,625]

@JCM  nice clean up / save on that !  did you oil lubricate that finish ?  a thorough baseline service and operational check of everything is your status . found that the time to look for problems , is when things  are working , that way its a quick backtrack  , to an area that had some issues , that needed help . also a regular  look see , will keep the gremlins away .  looks clean and solid , good luck with it , pete

[ri702bill 8,319]

@Hampton Buying a pre-owned tractor is kind of along the same lines for a pre-used car or truck. The key is to find a good one that is used, not used up.

[Hampton 95]

Link removed. Don't know how to attach pictures. 

 

Edited August 11, 2022 by Hampton

[953 nut 55,224]

19 minutes ago, Hampton said:

Here is the link.

Links like this are not allowed on this site, the moderators will take it down soon.  They would allow you to edit the link out and copy pictures of the tractor you are looking at. It looks about average for the $ 400 price range, go give it a ride.

Edited August 11, 2022 by 953 nut

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

1 hour ago, Hampton said:

Link removed. Don't know how to attach pictures. 

 

If your link was to a site such as Craig’s list ..those are not allowed per forum rules.

use the red “click to choose files”towards the bottom left to add/down load pictures.

 

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

[Hampton 95]

1 hour ago, Terry M said:

If your link was to a site such as Craig’s list ..those are not allowed per forum rules.

use the red “click to choose files”towards the bottom left to add/down load pictures.

 

It was to Facebook. 

[tunahead72 2,412]

I just checked out his ad, and noticed a couple of things you'll want to check out and ask about...

 

The mower deck looks a bit muddy, and may need pulley covers.  And the left front tire looks like it's been scraped somehow.  Actually, all the tires and the condition of the deck indicate that this tractor may have run on wet ground on some kind of regular basis.  That's not a problem necessarily, but I would at least reach under the deck and see how much grass is clumped up in there.

 

Also, the brake pedal appears to be too far forward, possibly because the footrest is bent at the corner there.  That's usually easily fixed, but make sure there's no other problems in that area.

 

$400 is a pretty fair price for a good running 310-8 and deck, at least around where I live, assuming it doesn't need anything major done.

 

Good luck!

 

[Hampton 95]

13 minutes ago, tunahead72 said:

I just checked out his ad, and noticed a couple of things you'll want to check out and ask about...

 

The mower deck looks a bit muddy, and may need pulley covers.  And the left front tire looks like it's been scraped somehow.  Actually, all the tires and the condition of the deck indicate that this tractor may have run on wet ground on some kind of regular basis.  That's not a problem necessarily, but I would at least reach under the deck and see how much grass is clumped up in there.

 

Also, the brake pedal appears to be too far forward, possibly because the footrest is bent at the corner there.  That's usually easily fixed, but make sure there's no other problems in that area.

 

$400 is a pretty fair price for a good running 310-8 and deck, at least around where I live, assuming it doesn't need anything major done.

 

Good luck!

 

I'll check those out but not planning to use it as a mower. Have a zero turn at home. This while be stored on another property at the garden 

[Hampton 95]

Well, I went ahead and got it. Seems to be in workable condition. Now I need to figure out how to put a middle buster (potato plow) on it. Then find a tiller.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

59 minutes ago, Hampton said:

Well, I went ahead and got it. Seems to be in workable condition. Now I need to figure out how to put a middle buster (potato plow) on it. Then find a tiller.

Please share a pic of the potato plow in action when you get if working..😎

[ohiofarmer 3,265]

On 8/10/2022 at 2:03 PM, Hampton said:

Going to look at one tomorrow. Anything to be aware of? Owner says it only needs a mower belt.

 

 

 

 This is one of those little things that can seem minor ,but is often overlooked on the 3-500 series. Take the time to take the side cover off on the transmission belt. Where the idler pulley shaft goes through the sheet metal to pivot,, there may be a plastic thin little bushing to keep metal away from metal. they wear through quickly and then the sheet metal cuts into the shaft. Mine was a sloppy mess and vibrated like crazy. I finally managed to put a thicker brass bushing around the shaft, but it was not easy. While you are under there,also check the idler pulley itself and the spring or air shock which pulls the idler snug.

  When you change that mower belt, .make sure the belt tensioner is not frozen in place because of dirt or rust. Ii will make your belts last longemachiner. none of this would make me say no to the purchase, but it should be done when you buy that machine

Edited August 13, 2022 by ohiofarmer

[953 nut 55,224]

On 8/11/2022 at 9:13 PM, Hampton said:

Well, I went ahead and got it. Seems to be in workable condition. Now I need to figure out how to put a middle buster (potato plow) on it. Then find a tiller.

You are in an area that was rich in  dealerships so finding parts and accessories shouldn't be too hard. Depending on the brand of middle buster you will need a slot hitch or a Clevis hitch. I have attached a drawing of the parts and pieces of the clevis. The pivot point is the pin that holds your trailer hitch and you will also need a lift cable and conduit sold by @wheelhorseman.  

 

[Hampton 95]

3 hours ago, 953 nut said:

You are in an area that was rich in  dealerships so finding parts and accessories shouldn't be too hard. Depending on the brand of middle buster you will need a slot hitch or a Clevis hitch. I have attached a drawing of the parts and pieces of the clevis. The pivot point is the pin that holds your trailer hitch and you will also need a lift cable and conduit sold by @wheelhorseman.  

 

This is what the back of mine looks like. Just saw a picture from wheelhorse website. Now I understand. 

Edited August 13, 2022 by Hampton

[Hampton 95]

Found a hitch in marketplace. I'll just need the rest of the parts.