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I've got up ten loads so far and the oak trees still have green leafs. Six load over at the farm and four load in my yard. Have four or five more load when the oaks turn loose of their leafs. This is a vacuum I built around thirty years ago.

Here's a quick pic of the hood. Not the best, but you get the idea. Now off to see Wonder - they say it's a great movie!

Well, I'm buzzing on paint fumes, but Emory's tractor is starting to show its true colors. I got the rest of the color and clear on today. Right now, I only have pics of the seat pan. If you go to redoyourhorse.com, you'll notice that I made the rear fender paint match the custom carbon fiber look I had @Vinylguy make up for me. I just thought it would carry the theme all the way through. Still holding onto a little surprise for the seat pan though.

People here are talking about flipping a tractor????? Every tractor I've ever bought,worked on,then tried to sell was a money losing proposition.Think about it.Buy this 418-8 for 200 bucks.Probably plan on a battery.60 bucks.Iknow,I know,people will write that they can get a lawn tractor battery for 20 dollars.where I live,those days are considered historical information.4 tires.At least 300 dollars.Less for crap.A little more for semi-crap.Drive belt and probably new idler pulley.Another 100 dollars.Not going to include anything for labor.After all we all work for free.Right.We're up close to 700 bucks in the tractor we're going to make money on.We advertise it for 12 hundred.Get zero interest.Lower the price 2 weeks later to 1,000 dollars.Still no interest.Lower the price to 800.A couple people come and look and tear it apart.Doesn't have shiny wheels.Has rust spots and dull paint.Gee,the seat is ripped.The muffler looks rusty.On and on and on.This is the reason I have over 80 wheel Horse tractors in my yard and garage.This tractor hobby is just that........a hobby.A hobby that I really love and enjoy and I think I always will.

We’ve heard it said and maybe even said it ourselves, “you can never have enough storage space!” Such is the case with Dad. I grew up in a 1500sq ft ranch style house that was built on a crawl space (no basement!) and so storage was a premium. Then dad was able to acquire a couple of acres from grandpa in the early 1990’s and we built the 2200 sq ft two story that they now live in with a full basement under it. It has a modest garage but not big. In the early 2000’s we built him an outbuilding for the classic cars and a storage place for extra stuff. By about 2010 he was talking about buying one of those preassembled 8’x10’ “barns” for sale at your local box store. I convinced him that we should build a scaled down version of a “real” barn! So that is what we did! It has a Gambrel truss roof with a cupola on top complete with weather vane. If I remember correctly, the footprint is 16’x16’ and about 16’ tall to the peak. It has a loft in half of it for smaller items. It works really well and now that Dad has a couple of we call it the horse barn!

Hi guys, total rookie question here but I'm curious as to what the differences are between say a C100 or a C120 or C160 besides the engine and the decals? This of course is assuming we are comparing 8 spd transmission versions. I have a beautiful C100 that I love and have no plans on changing but should the Kohler tire I might be open to a torque upgrade. This C100 is the first K series Kohler I've ever owned and I really like them. If I ever have the chance I plan on picking up another K series or to just to tinker with. Wouldnt be a a terrible thing to have a freshened 12,14 or 16 on the shelf should the need arise. Thanks guys and Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a video I took yesterday. I didn’t get it uploaded because I didn’t have wifi at the time. Thanks again @Shynon for being part of this transaction. Dad really enjoys Clyde and now he is making memories with his family due to it. Glad you were willing to part with it and that dad could be the recipient...

Well after rearranging the barn this afternoon and squaring things away for winter I found a common theme. It seems that I gravitate toward that beautiful red. Some may think that it is a problem.......but we all know better!

Richard, I considered it, but all of Terry's decals have the same black, red, and silver stripes under or around them. I was afraid it would have been too much if I striped the hood too. I think the decals will tie it all together. And...I painted the stripes and burried them under the clear. Sorry, couldn't rotate the 2nd pic.

.... agree with al the above. If the engine has good compression and spark (take battery with you) it’s a score just for parts ... but why was it parked for ten years is the $100 question (that’s where I’d start negotiating as you can always go up) transmission, steering, electrical issues, ect. The deck also looks to have a hole in the lower left side or heavy rust. Use all this to your advantage and you might just get a cheap Horse .

If I was up in New Hampstah... it would've already been gone.

@Big_Red_Fred I have two gt14 transmissions that I'm not going to use. More than welcome to them if everything were to work out and you need them.

just vacuumed leaves for 3 hours today, and as Lee said, the oaks still have green leaves. I'll be doing leaves until Christmas this year.

Sunny and 50's today so I still had some magnolia leaves to deal with. Got them started into a small pile but then the dogs took over!!!

Here is the one I did, it was even broke, I just fix it anyway. It's on my 312-8.

Would invest in a fuel pump. Vacuum operated, most likely a bad diaphram. About $30 on $bay.

Looking at this one I think if you want a project tractor go for it. When i found my c160 it sat for years out in a field . Grass and weeds and vines grew up through it. But It did have a good engine with very little work to get running. But I wanted to completely go through it anyway. So I did a frame off restore. A lot of time and a little money but it turned out to be my best tractor. The engine is the most money you will have tied up. If it has a good engine you will have a good tractor for years.

The blocks are 20 miles long in Idaho!

I guess it all depends if your playing for love or money. If your wanting to flip and make cash need to get it for less, say $150. For hobby purposes sounds like a buy at $200. So many times I have been asked about the tractors I work on. I explain that those things pretty much keep my sanity. A hobby..... tinkering and trying to make it run again. I would sell, trade, give them to my kids. Most of the time keep them.

If the engine isn't seized,it may be worth his asking price.I've paid a lot more for a lot less.Just thinking.Almost every Horse I've bought needs the same things done to make it useable.Battery,at least a couple tires,carb rebuild,fuel tank cleaning,fuel lines and fuel filter,air filter,all fluids changed,good de-rodenting and clean-up,and the list goes on and on.At least you'd be starting out with a kinda desireable,at least in my book,tractor.And.........all of us here know what a good mower deck is worth.

Wheel Horses are tough, but not indestructible. Ten years in the elements can do a lot of damage and it is likely that this will be a parts donor rather than a satisfying project. First thing I would do is find out why it was abandoned in the first place, chances are it would be a money pit.

They always look better in the pics but what I see is worth $400 all day long. It's been repainted because it appears there's some over spray but paint don't make anything work and it can always be fixed. Here's a pic of what we're looking at guys. Not too many are junk. Even that 73 8hp no name tractor you have will outlast any new POS built today. That thing is 45 years old and still going! Once you get going and comfortable working on them you will definitely appreciate the simplicity of engineering, yet they are rugged, well built machines. Don't always expect to just turn the key and go as they are older machines but the tinkering, maintenance and working on them is half the fun.

????? You don't need a belt to start a C-160. Drive it yes, but the engine will start w/o a belt. Help him install the drive belt. then test drive it. If it is a hydro, ratchet strap it to your bumper and make sure it will spin the wheels.

The C-160 is an incredible machine, for that price you should run, don't walk. I'm very surprised it's still listed. A 2 hour drive is definitely worth it and with that 16 hp engine you shouldn't be disappointed if it runs good. You can even use that small 36" deck on it for the high stuff. Get yourself a snow plow for the 8hp tractor and you'd be surprised how much that thing can push without blowing head gaskets. WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A tractor for every attachment is my motto.

I finally got back from picking up the tractor. I was late getting in and I didn't really look it over. It started and drove on the trailer. When I got back it started and drove off. It was a little tough to start at first and he said it was cold. I didn't notice clouds of smoke. My truck broke down when I was in Delaware (3 hours from home) and no mechanics open on the Holiday weekend. Luckily he was a good guy and brought some tools and took me to the auto parts store. The idler pulley threw the bearings on my truck. It was an easy fix but took up a lot of time. Hopefully there are no cracks in the block or anything. It probably needs a new battery or at least a charge, it would barely turn over but still started. He said he bought it off a friend and said he didn't own it very long and is moving so he's getting rid of things. I'll check it over tomorrow for any problems and get the belts on. It started when I got home, it was dark but I didn't notice smoke then either. It also would idle all the way down without stalling and sounds good.

Well finally got it unwrapped and unloaded onto my smaller trailer and backed it down to my shop, first thing first see if it will turn over and maybe start Got a battery and open the hood, well their was a nice molded plastic tray for the battery, never seen one before, had a hose going down to just above the deck The more I look at this machine the more impressed I am with the care the PO has taken with it. Changed the oil, made sure the gas was getting to the pump, Pulled the plug and cleaned it, Both the throttle and choke are stiff so I unhooked them and operated by hand, the key switch has power to the coil but no crank. Put the aux. start button on and the starter just spins, pulled it and oiled the bendix, worked fine. Put a little gas in a spray bottle with a little 2 cycle oil in it the thing started right up and ran real quiet, but it is not getting any gas to keep running. Time to pull the pump and carb and clean it up and check the pump. I plan on putting it in the shed and getting my shop cleaned up and my project truck finished up. But you all know when a new toy arrives it is to tempting not to play with it.

Here is for some new ones and yes they will fit your tractor https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/steering.html#!/Toro-Wheel-Horse-Tie-Rod-78-2900-78-2900-01-Longer-Length-with-Replaceable-Ends-with-Nuts/p/84932518/category=23548038

The yellow lab has been chocolate a couple of times. And the black & tan coonhound has looked like a black lab more than once.

@Big_Red_Fred Fred get up off the fat wallet and buy both , you need a tractor for each attachment and with two you could figure out all the mods to the FEL unit and them you could trailer it to my place with a Big Red Box tied to it. My birthday is fast approaching .

I prefer to compost rather than burning leaves. Have been gathering them from driveways, flower beads and landscaped areas for the past four days, six pick up loads so far, a couple more to go. I mow about 1.5 acres and on these areas I use a 42" rear discharge deck and a 42" lawn sweeper. Use the compost to enhance the soil in the garden and don't contribute to air pollution. Also, I live on the edge of a National Forest and can't stand the thought of a forest fire.

Would of never guessed the fuel pump! I will investigate! Thanks for the tips!!!

I blew my entire 2stage apart to refurb it, that front gear could be opened up without removing the auger so change the gasket but not the seals, and I work in an industrial facility and happened upon a better set of "quad seals" (flat o-rings) the biggest difference is the factory (left in 1st pic) were I.D. oversize where as the ones I used(right 1st pic) were snug fitting O.D. and I.D., I believe @wallfish used Lubriplate engine assembly grease in the gear box without issue for years, Jeff.

I second the fuel pump. A hole in the diaphragm would pass fuel directly into the crankcase. Since the carb on a 520 is much higher than the tank, I would not think that a bad float would cause your problem. Cleat

That sounds like a plan Jeff. Definitely keeping the Kobalt over that Craftsman. Apparently in 2003 Sears was still playing games with the horsepower ratings. Let's see.....6hp.........120 volts........15 amps............... They used to do that with their vacuum cleaners too.

In your first post you said blades are not sharp. Don't underestimate how much sharp blades will help with cutting grass or taller grass.Speed and blade sharpness is very important.

Perhaps you could take some lessons from @AMC RULES... With proper stacking and filing you too could have a "magic shed"... easily increase capacity to 35 + horses.

Nice pictures, indeed. And I love red barns or sheds......I even have a red shed to house up to 4 or 5 of my Wheel Horses.

As you can see - the C-160 is highly loved model in the WH lineup , especially with anyone here that has had/has one . The power numbers on the new engines are a gross overstatement - it would take around a 22hp modern twin to match the power of that single cylinder cast iron Kohler , their torque level is insane . I've ran mine with a 48" deck through some very heavy wet grass at high speed just to see if I could really knock it off the rpm band - it just lugs that much harder and barely drops off it's 3600rpm governed speed and keeps going . One clue to engine condition - look around the seller's property . if there are a lot of hills/ditches and they are mowed in line with the higher angles that is a warning sign . That Kohler is a splash lube engine and is rated to run a maximum 25* angle at most - after that it can starve the rod due to the dipper not being able to feed the crank properly . It will usually show up with a mid rpm knock when hot - if you can get him to leave it alone and not pre-start it the day you look at it that's a plus - check the oil and ask what he's been using in it . If it has been fed very high viscosity oil such as 50w , there is a good chance the rod has been egg shaped and it's a knocker - a lot of sellers try to hide that as it's not cheap to properly rebuild that Kohler and their parts if OEM are expensive . Just the fact that the engine is 40yrs old and still running is a clue as to how well they were built - no modern engine will ever last that long . The small block 8hp is one of the most underrated engines ever made and they are amazingly tough and rugged too . Another thing - look very closely at the top fin of the engine block on the exhaust side - if the fins get plugged up with debris as most do with age and no one has cleaned them out there is a chance for that block to overheat and crack - it will be on the exhaust side . I had one that did that from the previous owner's lack of care - it ran for another 6yrs before the rod finally let go , the crack only leaked when it was cold but at full temp it sealed itself from expansion . That one cannot be rebuilt - it goes across the top of the block to the exhaust valve seat so it's not even a good core . Around here a good condition 16hp is hard to find - too many of them have been blown up by the garden tractor pullers and their price market is high now , it's tough to even find good blocks that don't have a large window in them . The unit you're looking has one of the most stout frames , transmission and best engines WH ever used - plus it's still a very simple model to work on compared to others from later years . There can be a few issues here and there from wear/age but those are easily addressed and we have a list of suppliers/vendors here that can provide whatever it needs - it would be sitting in my shed already if it were closer... Sarge

Love that picture and must say that I'm really digging that barn!

Hey Michael, gotta say, that's one very nice looking machine!!!!!

I saw that ad yesterday while perusin' for no particular reason... I agree it doesn't look too bad in the pics. Here's my take: Add up the dollar value of the Parts and make sure it's worth the cash, gas, and (maybe) time value for you to go get it. The seat is likely not awesome and the tires as well. The chassis looks pretty complete overall and it has a mower. If it's not too rusty you'll have your $$ value, parts alone. If you go get it and IFF it needs major work to run that you don't want to put into it, then you won't lose the money. BTW - They're advertising that tractor on at least 3 different CL states so they reeelly want it gone... Might be less than $200 with cash in hand...

If your talking about the 1974-1977 models then there is no difference other than what you mentioned. They all have the same frame, steering and HD 8 speed.

That's great news. I wouldn't worry about the deck. There is plenty of help on here to help you with finding the correct manuals and to offer advice on deck belt installation. The C-160 came with either an 8 speed gear drive or a Sundstrand hydro. transmission. The hydro may have a manual or hydraulic lift for the deck and rear hitch. Either way, $400 for a running driving C-160 with a deck and new deck belts is a steal. OOps, I see John confirmed it is an 8 speed. Much less concern now. If it starts and runs W/O smoking , you have one of the greatest toughest WH tractors ever made at a great price.

That one doesn't (if we're looking at the same tractor). Manual 8 speed trans. Personally I prefer the manual trans but that's probably because that was what I first used and didn't get a hydro for quite a few years. Those 8 speed transmissions are robust. I bought many a tractor without starting or riding them and had very good luck getting them going without too much effort.

I split the tractor and took it to a welding shop. They cut off all the old and made it all new.

A multi generational picture taken of the Don Stertz boys on Clyde in front of the “Horse Barn” we we were blessed with a moderate day today and decided a good pic with Clyde and the rest of the boys would be fun to share with you guys on the Forum... Happy Turkey Day!

LOL...I have identical twin boys - separate rooms in grade school - thought it was fun to switch around...teachers were not amused...

Imagine now...a facebook, or cell phone app telling everyone when it's OK to burn... the whole town would be on fire.