Adequate cutting power 312-8 ?

[RichFC]

I now use an MTD 17HP 42" lawn tractor to cut my field in the Catskills (no bagging ). Sometimes the grass is up to 3 feet tall. If I take 1/2 bites at it cutting is tough but it will do it. I found a near mint Wheel Horse 312-8 for $650.00 but it is only 12HP.These old engines seem to have much more torque. Would this tractor handle the tough cutting better or worse than the MTD and is $650.00 a good price .It comes with mulching and bagging decks and a twin bagger . The MTD and the Wheel Horse both have 2 blade decks. I will not be mulching or bagging.

 

[CobyRupert]

Uhmm...
You want to cut a 3 foot tall field of grass with this?:


How big is the field?
Maybe this would be quicker?

 

[CobyRupert]

Pretty sure your MTD isn't as fast as these:

 

[aczlan]

I would look at a used commercial zero turn (either ride on or walk behind). IMO you will be overworking the engine with that much grass.

Aaron Z