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Different seat, special stack. Racing stripe hood, 6-12 Ag tires on rear

This old GT-1600 is my absolute favorite machine! The Magnum 10 runs perfect every time and never fails me. Woke to a 5”-6” covering of the white stuff and it was on the heavy side. Shot the blade with some WD-40 to prevent snow stickage (is that even a word?) and went at it. Less than an hour (of pure fun!) and my driveway and mailbox were clear as well as a path to the oil fill. Video attempt.....from my IPhone. 3AF656D2-AC4B-489F-B4F0-BB1895509C70.MOV

I've been tossing ideas around in my head for quite some time about building a rat rod project with a manual trans if I found the right candidate, I believe I have with this one, an actual built 312-8 that some *@@# has already hacked on but still mostly there, believe it or not the hour meter shows just under 450 and the M12 started up cold (38°) this morning NO smoke and after some starting fluid idled decent, the factory wiring harness is completely gone and last owner started rewiring with a new ignition switch eliminating all the safety switches, the mid attac-a-matic has been removed as well as the PTO lever front head lights, came with all the removed parts aside from missing engine tin and air cleaner assembly, shift boot looks ok but P.O. drained rear flushed with gas and lost drain plug, also got a fair to decent 42" SD deck and a couple extra no WH seats, since my main plan is turn it into a rat/hot rod most won't be going back on anyways and the M12 is probably going away for a Predator 670 swap as I actually find time to see what I have and don't some things/parts may be coming available, Jeff.

Lowell was definitely a savior for me with my pump issue. I was quite sure that I had turned my hydro pump into a boat anchor. We finally had a day above 30 on a weekend day so I decided to put a fresh coat of red paint on the floor of the shop. I even managed to get a little paint on some of my parts. I have most of the ruff and small parts painted. These parts got 1 coat of self etching primer, 2 coats of VanSickle 171 red oxide primer, and 3 coats of VanSickle acrylic enamel paint with gloss hardener added.

I already hooked Dan up!

New member ...and another old-Iron guy here...with my 1st Wheel Horse tractor. I was looking for something mainly for pulling an old aluminum boat (18' starcraft) around the property. Capability to mow and haul yard waste would be a bonus. 2 weeks ago, a C85 showed-up on CL for a song. He couldn't start it for me and it didn't take me long to figure out why... This will be a running thread / rolling-restoration as I bring her back to her original, Black-Hood glory! (DISCLAIMER: I'm an engine-wrencher ...I have the tendency to leave my foot off of the project's gas when the engine starts drinking it!)

Why buy an older tractor?

It is not a serial number...it is a casting date. D13%1 equates to D = 4th month = April. 13 is the day. the 1 after the % = the year 1961 So your transmission case halves were cast on April 13, 1961. Note they did not use the letter "I', they skipped it...so "J" would be September

Trans all buttoned up, new bearings bushings and seals, flipped the axles . Pretty tight but it all turns properly. Bolted up to the frame, dropped on the power. Did some more wetsanding.

Before and after of the k181 Yes, I primed it.

Hello all. Just wanted to share a few pics of my 69' Raider 10 at roughly 85% complete! Still debating whether or not I want to totally repaint the tins or just wet sand and hit it with clear. I'm not doing an all original resto. Just repowering with a K181 thats been torn down and cleaned, new seals and gaskets, electrical connectors, wire replacement (about 90%), gas lines, points and condenser, rebuilt carb, and primed/painted. While I had that on the bench I rewired the chasis, scraped/cleaned/painted the tank tray, dash, various other parts, new nuts/bolts as needed, new tank, rewired lights with LED bulbs, new headlight cover, and LED tail-light. Some of the custom mods: All new stickers made to OEM specs , New Ags and rims for the back, new tires / rims on the front, stack muffler (Not pictured I think), and here is the one thing I did that I couldn't be happier with....I added a red LED light mounted on the dash wired straight to the ignition switch. When that key is on the light is on. No more running my battery dead by bumping the key when I get off, or just flat out leaving it on! I highly recommend this as it's already saved my keester about 4 times and I haven't even fired the motor. LOL. Now that I'm a supporter I can fire away with the pics! Wait for my next post. I just picked up a C120 that's been sitting in a barn for 35 years. I LOVE IT! Any advice on the final steps of making the changeover from SS to Points? I'm using the Kohlers ignition switch and wiring. I'd love to replace it though. Any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks all! 🤘✌ More pics..

maybe that's the compact model

Got the exhaust fitted today. I now have a Wheel Horse with a Cherry Bomb!!

Check the drive belt, a rubber belt will grab, fabric covered (Kevlar) works well.

pretty close though ...one step forward 5 back half the "fun" of this hobby, Jeff.

She's alive!!! Listening to it on the headphones, she's running a little rich... I'll tune it up when I put the air cleaner back on (waiting on a gasket). I shift into "wheelie gear" at the 5min mark. Any tips on getting that clutch less "grabby" would be appreciated!

Let me introduce the newest member of the herd Spent about two hours out there and had a nice chat with the fellow. He said he had about 40....... yes 40 garden tractors. Health was not good anymore and was selling them all off except for two 1960s colts (from the Case series). All that was left was the ranger and another colt. And........ once he knew I like wheel horse he told me he sold a senior some years ago. A guy saw it and offered him 1,000 for it. It was all there and running. Anyway........ I was told I would love it and yes........ I do. Do I sound excited yet? Drove it around for 20 min. when I got home. Not 100% original but don't care. How bout now....... excited? I like the look of the bug eyed headlights. Right size for hood. And the Bullitt taillights too. Kinda reminds me of the early farm all and my 68 massey. Some attention needed here and there. And the deck needs work but very solid. Some Ags maybe? Enough rambling.......... 😎 🐾 🐾 🐾

Based on the engine color this is not the original engine. Your comment about the lack of a voltage regulator got me thinking. You said you measured voltage from the stator. Was their only one wire or were there two. The original engine would have had a 15 amp system. There would have been two white wires from the stator and they should output at least 30 volts AC at speed. That would go to the regulator and be changed to 14 volts +/- DC. Now if this is replacement engine it may have the 3 amp unregulated charging system...only one wire from stator with a diode inline turning out 13-14v DC and would explain why the regulator was removed.

Went to the show Saturday and saw several familiar faces from the Big Show and from Red Square. Said hi to Kate and renewed My Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine. There was a huge turn out for the show, I guess the big tractor auction helped a lot. Here's some pictures from the show, no Wheel Horses just mostly the big boys.

Week-2 update on my C85. Once I cleared-away the coke, I discovered she has a 10-over piston in it... reflected in the bore measurements: dressed the head...I ran out of sandpaper before I could clear that last part...couldn't fit a feeler gauge in there so I think we're good: new head gasket lightly coated with permatex Cu spray: - also lapped the valves and set the clearance Installed the head with new Grade-8 bolts (doubled-up the grade-8 washers to keep the same thread-length as the original bolts/washers): Video Summary: Part4 (cold start, a few laps up/down the driveway & a leakdown test!) ...coming soon

I've seen that video before. He wanted to use a Renault engine but he didn't want to have to work on it every half mile!

Would this one from Home Depot do the trick? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Raider-Fuel-Shut-Off-Valve-07-7118/203655956?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=sBW7BiWnK|dc_mtid_8903tb9251

A police officer pulls over a speeding car. The officer says, "I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir." The driver says, "Goodness, officer, I had it on cruise control at 60; perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating." Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: "Now don't be silly, dear -- you know that this car doesn't have cruise control" As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, "Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once!!?" The wife smiles demurely and says, "Well dear you should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did or your speed would have been higher. As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "Woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?" The officer frowns and says, "And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine." The driver says, "Yeah, well, you see, officer, I had it on, but I took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket." The wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving." And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks, "WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??" The officer looks over at the woman and asks, "Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am? I love this part....... "Only when he's been drinking." NOW THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE

I was just going through the pictures section and came across the never (I think) produced C-171. Somebody had some information on this tractor, speculation or fact I don't remember. I wonder if one was ever made and where did it go? Or was that just a C-161 with 171 decals for the brochure? I remember the first time I saw this tractor in the brochure and thinking " I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of a C-171!" It kinda looks like a Briggs in the picture but I thought someone said it was to come with a Kohler twin? I have a C-161 twin automatic so that's my reference. Also have both C-161 8 speed and automatic, so a C-171 in the collection sure would be nice! Maybe the only one ever made is sitting in someone's garage just outside South Bend? Maybe belonging to an old gentleman who worked at the factory and happened to be in the right place at the right time when they said "we're not going to produce this tractor so take this one of a kind home!" Here's the topic, run with it boys!.......

Saw this one Craigslist. Since I know the listing will eventually disappear, I wanted to save this here for posterity for all you wild fabrication freaks. Can't quite get a handle on what it would be like to pull with 54 hp. Some one has a distinct overabundance of time, money, skill, and imagination.....

the sheriff from smoky and the bandit's tractor eric j

I had talked to Ed Cole several years ago about the C161 twins, He said that Wheel Horse did durability and reliability testing on Kohler's new KT17 and it failed, surprise surprise surprise. Then for shits and giggles they threw the Briggs & Sration 16 twin on and tested it. Surprise it passed so they rushed it into production. He made it sound like they had to modify the C161 single chassis with a custom hood. But looking at these pictures they already had the hood design down. He had said something about becuase it was rushed into production they went with the fiberglass hood modified to fit the older C series for 2 years till the redesigned the dash on the C xx5 series tractors.. We have to remember to talk to Ed Cole about this at the big show, that leaves me out I can't remember what I did Yesterday let alone remember to ask him a question 4 months from now eric j

Thanks for the advice. It was the seat safety switch. I did it to myself most likely letting the seat bounce up and down on the tow trip home. I dug around in my junk drawer and found I piece of rubbery plastic to replace it. Fired it up and tested the PTO and success! Had to try it out on our 5" snowfall we got last night. It was awesome. I am going to love this. Next it to clean it up and check for leaks. BIGMIKE

pics here:

This could get interesting.....

That part is entirely up to you - in all honesty we can't give input because it's not our pet as you say . If it were mine I would keep her around due to her desire to continue to live despite the health problems - gotta give that pup a lot of credit for being amazingly tough, she sets an example for the rest of us. Sarge

This may become the basis for my "Frankenstein/Rat Rod" project, Jeff.

If it has the older Cole Hersee ignition switch they are designed with very heavy contacts to handle the starter load. It's still not a bad idea to use a solenoid hidden somewhere if you want to keep the clean looks - removes that battery power out of the dash and from behind the fuel tank. Same design on my old 1277 - always disconnect the batteries on those prior to touching anything in that dash, lol....or boooom. Sarge

Part #8023 is still available from Toro, but pricey. About $47.00. Handy Andy Tool Set brings back memories. Here's mine.

Good deal cat!. C85 machines are awesome. That transmission is way over built for that engine. That cracked seat pan can be replaced with a later model metal one. Brian Miller sells a solid mount kit for repairing those worn out motor mounts. Welcome to Red Square!

Diving into the K181 Onion... surprise around the 3:25 mark (dental pick in the intake should be a hint)

Can't help you with the valve, but I bought my younger cousin a Handy Andy Tool Kit for his birthday while I was in the Navy.

See too many at big box stores looking at stamped frame lawn riding things. Tractors? Not! Better deals at the scrap yard. Would rather repair a hurt Horse. The Horse will work, be your Stallion forever. I offered to haul, for free, a 1641 2-cyl Briggs Work Horse. Was in a barn for 10 years, not being used. No Charge. Had a new 48" deck. Got that too. Of course, needed TLC but not much. I even had the TSC seat in my barn!

I hope you don't mind me moving your thread, but I think it would better be served in this section. It looks like it is going to be an excellent rebuild. Great pictures. I don't think you can beat a K 181.

It's a very hard decision. One my wife and I had to make. Rosco had seizures a couple of months apart at first and he would come out of them like he was a puppy. He had to go check out every room in the house like he had never been there before. We got him on medication after he started having them every couple of weeks. He went for 3 months on meds without a seizure and was really just like his old self. He would run and play with the others and you would never know anything had happened to him. After the 3 months the meds stopped working. We believe he had a brain tumor as his moods starting changing after the first couple of events. Finally he had one and came out of it aggressive and actually bit my hand when I tried to give him his medicine. He didn't hurt me but I knew something was up. He had never been violent towards me. After I left for work he had several more and on one instance went after one of the other dogs. They were his buddies, playmates so my wife called me at work and we made the decision to have him put down. We had the grandkids coming over for Christmas break anyways and couldn't take a chance on him biting one of them. I miss him but I feel better knowing he is not going through this anymore. I wish you the best John. It's not easy but if she starts having them every other day or every day, it's hard on their little bodies. I know you will make the best decision for her.

I knew Steve would have the answer!

@stevasaurus you need to start writing a book on what you know about these machines. After your gone all that knowledge will be lost and we'll have to guess what it all means. Thank you for all the help you give us . I for one am great full for all the knowledge you pass on to us.

Want to tackle the Sundstrand input shafts for the D's and save them from the iron pile ? LOL....figured you already had those done, but couldn't remember. Sarge

Holy crap! That's pretty impressive. I'm also thinking eventually that guy is going to flip that thing!

I found one of those Handy Andy tool boxes in a pile of junk at an auction. All rusted up with a couple of nails rolling around in it but nothing else but dirt. I wandered around for days looking for Andy.

Nice action on the video. I had about 3" of the fluffy stuff this morning. I got 15 quick minutes of seat time on the 312A plower. Had to hurry before it all melted. Forecast is 75F high on Tue.

Might want to bring it along this year Jay!

Yes, I got a Handy Andy tool set for Christmas about sixty years a go....sorry I can't help with the valve either..