"The Wheel Horse 312-8, 12 horsepower, 8 speed, is mostly terrific. The high/low range transmission is flawed. The cheap, cheap mechanism that selects high or low range has failed twice. Once fixed under guarantee, once by me. The dealer took about 2 weeks to complete the work. It took me, decent, untrained mechanic, about 40 hours to remove the transmission and replace the cheap component. Otherwise, the transmission looks very, very rugged. I would suspect that a real tractor mechanic would need about 10 hours to complete the work. My tact is to change range with the tractor NOT running, and to use a world class lubricant. And I slightly overfill the trans. If it fails again, I will rig the trans to use only high range. The Kohler 12 horse all cast iron "Magnum" is one terrific, reliable engine. Before you buy one of these second hand, be aware that the tractor must be completely stopped to change gears. In low range I have pulled about a half ton trailer, with a rigged one and seven eighths inch tow ball. BEWARE! If your proceeding downhill with a heavy load. The brake is a little less useful than stopping by dragging your sneaker. Happy motoring!"

"Have a 8HP Wheelhorse with 36 tiller and snow blower. Just bought a farm king tractor with 3 pt hitch and snow blower. No motor, found 16HP Briggs; good engine."