Compare/Wheel Horse 12-38XL vs Wheel Horse 312-A

Wheel Horse 12-38XL vs Wheel Horse 312-A

Verdict: Wheel Horse 12-38XL vs Wheel Horse 312-A

The Wheel Horse 12-38XL and the Wheel Horse 312-A are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 12 hp. Wheel Horse 12-38XL is the lighter machine (186 kg vs 584 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Wheel Horse 12-38XL is the newer design (1993 vs 1986). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

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Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

12 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

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Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel Horse (a part of Toro)Reference

Wheel HorseReference

air-cooledReference

The Kohler M12S replaced the K301 on the Wheel Horse 312-A starting with the 1987 model year, tractor model code 21-12KE03.Reference

Original price

$1,699Reference

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Engine

Power (gross)

8.9 kWReference

Starter

electricReference

Starter volts

12Reference

Fuel tank

—

11.4 LReference

Displacement

—

29.1 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

—

86 x 83 mmReference

Power

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8.9 kWReference

Compression

—

6.6:1Reference

Rated RPM

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3600Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion RH10Reference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Oil capacity

—

2.4 LReference

Transmission

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

infnite forward and infinite reverseReference

Transmission

—

Eaton 700-0015Reference

Dimensions

Weight

186 kgReference

264 kgReference

Wheelbase

—

115 cmReference

Front tire

—

15x6.00-6Reference

Rear tire

—

22x9.00-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

—

15x6.00-6Reference

Lawn/turf rear

—

22x9.00-12Reference

Length

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164 cmReference

Width

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91 cmReference

Shipping weight

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312 kgReference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Battery volts

12Reference

38" Mower deck

Type

gearReference

belt-driven hydrostaticReference

Cutting width

96 cmReference

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312-A Serial Numbers

1986

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-unknown-Reference

1987

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-unknown-Reference

Location:

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Model codes shown.Reference

Attachment overview

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.