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Repowered Wheelhorse 310-8 Garden Tractor
Dana Curtis, Bristol, Vt. (ph 585 703-2586; danacurtis@hotmail.com): “My Wheelhorse 310-8 garden tractor is a well-built old machine, but it’s a bit underpowered. After stumbling across a website that sells universal air-cooled diesel engines, I decided to repower the tractor.
    “The entire conversion was completed in one day with only basic fabrication and welding skills. My cost was just under $700, including the new engine. I needed to relocate the battery under the seat to where the gas tank was. The gas tank brackets made great mounts for the battery. I adapted a driveshaft to the original drive pulley and pto clutch. The diesel engine has much more power than the original gas engine and is very fuel efficient. It came with electric start, a charging system, and a recoil backup starter.
    “So far I’ve burned a variety of fuels, ranging from regular diesel to used automatic transmission fluid and waste veggie oil. I haven’t had a chance to use the tractor in the cold with the snowblower attachment, but the engine has a glow plug and I’m told it’ll start in the cold with a good battery.
    “The company that I purchased the engine from also sells smaller engines that can be used to convert most any machine that originally came with a horizontal shaft air-cooled gas engine. I’d be happy to share any details with anyone who’s interested in a similar conversion.”



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2011 - Volume #35, Issue #6