Compare/Wheel Horse 312-8 vs Wheel Horse 612-Z

Wheel Horse 312-8 vs Wheel Horse 612-Z

Verdict: Wheel Horse 312-8 vs Wheel Horse 612-Z

The Wheel Horse 312-8 and the Wheel Horse 612-Z 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 612-Z is the lighter machine (309 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 612-Z holds more fuel (11.4 L vs 8.5 L) for longer stints between fills. Wheel Horse 612-Z is the newer design (1990 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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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

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel HorseReference

Wheel Horse (a part of Toro)Reference

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

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

Engine

Fuel tank

8.5 LReference

11.4 LReference

Displacement

29.1 ciReference

23.7 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

86 x 83 mmReference

84 x 70 mmReference

Power (gross)

8.9 kWReference

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Starter volts

12Reference

Compression

6.6:1Reference

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Rated RPM

3600Reference

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Sparkplug

Champion RH10Reference

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Sparkplug gap

0.635 mmReference

—

Oil capacity

1.9 LReference

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Power

—

8.9 kWReference

Starter

—

electricReference

Transmission

Type

belt-driven gearReference

hydrostaticReference

Gears

6 forward and 2 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverseReference

Oil type

SAE 90 GL5Reference

—

Transmission

—

Eaton 780Reference

PTO & Hydraulics

Front PTO

independentReference

—

Clutch

mechanicalReference

electricReference

Mid PTO

—

independentReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

115 cmReference

106 cmReference

Weight

248 kgReference

309 kgReference

Front tire

15x6.00-6Reference

11x4.00-5Reference

Rear tire

22x9.00-12Reference

18x9.50-8Reference

Lawn/turf front

15x6.00-6Reference

11x4.00-5Reference

Lawn/turf rear

22x9.00-12Reference

18x9.50-8Reference

Length

165 cmReference

182 cmReference

Width

92 cmReference

101 cmReference

Height

107 cmReference

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Shipping weight

297 kgReference

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312-8 Serial Numbers

1985

21-12K801Reference

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1986

21-12K803Reference

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1987

21-12K804Reference

—

1988

21-12K805Reference

—

1989

21-12K806Reference

—

1990

31-12K801Reference

—

1991

31-12K802Reference

—

1992

31-12K804Reference

—

1993

3900001 (73380)Reference

—

1994

4900001 (73362/73380)Reference

—

1995

5900001 (73362)Reference

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1996

6900001 (73362/73363)Reference

—

1997

7900001 (73363)Reference

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Location:

Model codes shown.Reference

Serial number plate on the left side of the machine, behind the left drive wheel.Reference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

15Reference

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Battery CCA

160Reference

280Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery AH

24Reference

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Attachment overview

612-Z Serial Numbers

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.