Compare/Wheel Horse 212-5 vs Wheel Horse 312-8

Wheel Horse 212-5 vs Wheel Horse 312-8

Verdict: Wheel Horse 212-5 vs Wheel Horse 312-8

The Wheel Horse 212-5 and the Wheel Horse 312-8 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 212-5 is the lighter machine (207 kg vs 547 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Wheel Horse 312-8 holds more fuel (8.5 L vs 5.7 L) for longer stints between fills. Wheel Horse 212-5 is the newer design (1988 vs 1985). 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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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

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel Horse (a part of Toro)Reference

Wheel HorseReference

Variants

212-H

hydrostaticReference

—

212-5

5-speedReference

—

Engine

Onan E125VReference

The Kohler M12S replaced the K301 on the Wheel Horse 312-8 starting with the 1987 model year, tractor model code 21-12K804.Reference

Fuel tank

5.7 LReference

8.5 LReference

Displacement

23.7 ciReference

29.1 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

84 x 70 mmReference

86 x 83 mmReference

Power (gross)

8.9 kWReference

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Power

8.9 kWReference

—

Compression

—

6.6:1Reference

Rated RPM

—

3600Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion RH10Reference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Oil capacity

—

1.9 LReference

Transmission

Peerless 920-009Reference

—

Type

belt-driven gearReference

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

6 forward and 2 reverseReference

Oil type

—

SAE 90 GL5Reference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

113 cmReference

115 cmReference

Weight

207 kgReference

248 kgReference

Front tire

15x6.00-6Reference

Rear tire

18x9.50-8Reference

22x9.00-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

15x6.00-6Reference

Lawn/turf rear

18x9.50-8Reference

22x9.00-12Reference

Length

160 cmReference

165 cmReference

Width

78 cmReference

92 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

91 cmReference

—

Shipping weight

207 kgReference

297 kgReference

Height

—

107 cmReference

212-5 Serial Numbers

1988

E2-12K501Reference

21-12K805Reference

1989

R2-12K501Reference

21-12K806Reference

1990

R2-12B501Reference

31-12K801Reference

1991

R2-12O501Reference

31-12K802Reference

1992

R2-12O502Reference

31-12K804Reference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Battery volts

12Reference

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Charging amps

—

15Reference

Battery CCA

—

160Reference

Battery AH

—

24Reference

Attachment overview

PTO & Hydraulics

Front PTO

—

independentReference

Clutch

—

mechanicalReference

312-8 Serial Numbers

1985

—

21-12K801Reference

1986

—

21-12K803Reference

1987

—

21-12K804Reference

1993

—

3900001 (73380)Reference

1994

—

4900001 (73362/73380)Reference

1995

—

5900001 (73362)Reference

1996

—

6900001 (73362/73363)Reference

1997

—

7900001 (73363)Reference

Location:

—

Model codes shown.Reference

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.