My daughter was offered this nearly 50 year old John Deere, model 312, last fall. Been passed around my wife’s side of the family since new. I guess its her turn now. Hadn’t run in years. Needed a battery and a new starter. The carb has damage from the last person that worked on it. I was lucky to save it. Wiring was a disaster. In spite of being abused and neglected the hydraulics for the plow still work and it seems to still run well. I found the lever drive hard to use. Wants to creep in neutral some times. I believe the break pedal is suppose to disengage the drive but it doesn’t work. Short video. https://youtu.be/zV321vBFK_0?si=HlMF9TliSz9FSP9k
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.