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I see where your coming from Craig but I think it's ok, the levers stand back fairly well plus the boom is down so that's as 'shut' as it gets. You would have to put your fingers in the boom ends, which you could do with any loader (if you didn't want your fingers). Had another rush of blood to the head and blitzed through bucket bracket and ram mount without pictures,...sorry. This is where this design (without additional linkages between ram and bucket) comes unstuck. Because my one piece boom has a steeper angle down and up compared to a two piece boom of a FEL, crowd and dump angles are more limited. If this machine had to dump its bucket at full height effectively, l would have had to make up a linkage that would have given the bucket more 'throw'. For my needs however this wasn't necessary because I will be loading or spreading at ground level, the highest thing I have to load into is about a metre high. Working low ment my priority was a good crowd angle, running around with a bucket of stone without spills, etc. Chaining up the boom to put it on stands ment I could move the bucket/ram through its full range to get the best position for the 500mm stroke ram/ bucket bracket. Once found, marked, tacked, checked and finally welded up. This shows I've cut off the angle used to keep things square on the boom and welded in a 200x50x5mm between the booms down by the bucket. I also had a play at reusing the seat pan, it could be done, but I think the mud guards would wobble about too much and I prefer the open wheel f1 look anyway.

Went to Tractor Supply today to get a tractor cover, didn't find one but picked up one of these... His name is Cole (for now at least)

As the 3 round hood fasteners seem to be hard to come by or at the least very expensive.....I bought a set of knurled thumb screws from Fastenal hardware for like 8 bucks including shipping. They work great and are available in 1" and 1/2" lengths. They are black anodized but similar in design to the originals. If you don't need OEM.....you might check them out on Fastenals website. I dont remember the model number but they are easy to look up. Not original but way nicer than 1/4-20 bolts or plastic knobs.

Hello, I have a 1992 520h that I use to cut about 4 acres of grass and it mows beautifully I love it, but I really like my d250 because there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have to work on it. That machine is kind of a pain to work on and where in the world do you find parts for it. I found this fourm and had to join. Thanks Tom

Scored a rough c121 with 42" blade and 36" sd deck for $200 and a running '71 jd 120 with 48" deck for $200. The 8 speed out of the c121 is going in one of my b80's and the jd's going to be up for sale.

A free C-160 is worth anyone's time!

Picked up this wheel horse dump cart yesterday for $75. Completely solid. I know it's not the original rims or tires but hey are brand new.

Hi Gang! My 15 year old JD LT155 is on its last legs. I've always found the classic Wheel Horse series of tractors interesting. There is a nice looking 314 Hydro available locally. It's a '97 with 575 hours and a 48" deck. The only other attachment that it comes with is wheel weights. My questions are: Are parts still available for this model? (My friends and family will think I'm nuts buying a 20 year old tractor!) Any issues to look for? She's asking $1,300 (we're in N.E. Ohio,) what do you think a fair offer would be? I very much appreciate your help. Greg

I got a new coil for my 1988 520-HC. I was having problems starting it when hot. I tested the old coil primary and got 3.3 ohms, the new coil was 3.4 ohms. The secondaries were open on the old coil and 21.66 k-ohms on the new coil. I got some metal bar stock with holes in it at Lowes to make brackets. I used a hose clamp to attach the brackets to the coil. I clamped the brackets to a large socket and cut a little at the bend so it would bend completely around the socket. Then I beat it around with a hammer to form the curve to go around the coil. The tractor started right up and ran great. I was about to mow with it and I noticed I had a flat in one of the front tires It would not pump up and it has a tube in it.I took the wheel off and the tire off the rim and found a big hole in the tube then I found a lot of wire coming out through the bead where it contacts the wheel I have four lawns to mow tomorrow and I desperately need a tire or tire and wheel. @ericj do you have anything I can use? I tried to pm you and it won't let me. It says " ericj cannot receive messages. " when I try to send it.

Happy Sunday, I drug an empty Yaall Haul up to the Michigan Thumb and a 312 jumped in and wouldn't get out. It followed me all the way home. Mom said I could keep it if I cleaned it up and found a place to store it out of her sight. I saw this Horse sitting by the side of the road up near China TWP, Michigan when I was headed to a pre-bid walk thru at a natural gaspumping station near China. Have you ever stood on top of 4 billion Cu Ft of compressed natural gas? I stopped and knocked on the door but there was no answer so I left a business card with a note that I was interested in the tractor in his front yard. 4 hours later after I had returned to Detroit the owner called me and said he would sell it. Long story short another trip to China with a trailer and a hand full of twenties, ten of them actually, and it was mine. He also threw in an aftermarket seat that wasn't all torn up, which may go on my C101 when I get to restoring it, and a Brinley thatch rake. Here are the particulars- ID 2112K804 20067 The other number is not readable. 1058 Hours on the meter, Three out of 4 tires hold air, none of them are dry rotted or weather checked. There is a minor electrical glitch. The parking brake warning light stays on until you turn the key on then it goes out. In the meantime it drains the battery. The steering seems to be to be tight and the engine starts right up and runs strong. Do all of the Kohler magnums idle extremely slow? The transmission is full of brownish glop that will get drained as soon as I get a chance. And the engine is up to the full line with black tar looking sludge. It was raining today when I got home so didn't have much chance to mess with it. Will post more when the sun comes out and I can give him a bath and tear into it a little. Right now he is in the back yard sleeping under the tarp with his big brother 416.

Depending on the year the seat will change.

It should look like this, this is my C-120 Auto, the 160 should look basically the same, don't think they had an hour meter, just an ammeter... Almost forgot, 2 Should be more pics in the picture gallery too...

When restoring a unique piece of history like this I feel that you need to celebrate the imperfections that it must have had when new. You are fortunate to have a local old school hardware store, not too m,any around any more.

You said your old JD hasn`t given up yet. In one month, 22 days you could come to the big show in Pa. and have plenty of great deals to choose from and meet a lot of good people.. and

while that's more then I would pay personally, although I did pay over $ 3500.00 for a brand new one back in 99. I also have close to 30 tractors, so unless it is a must have I wouldn't pay that much for myself. Now on the other hand if you want a good mower and it checks out ok, no smoke or noise in motor and or deck it is well worth it. like said above what would you have to pay from a box store or a dealer of another color and still not get the quality of tractor that you would get from that 314-H. You must expect that you will have some issues with it from time to time. that is where we on here come in, from advice to parts vendors. If I needed it and could afford it, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. good luck P.S. most of us guy's are cheap scates and that's why we say we wouldn't pay big money for a tractor like that. I have a friend that is a dealer and he gets GOOD money for the used 520's and hdyro's that he sells becuase people know that he has gone over them and will stand behind them when they have problems. Us collectors can't pay big money when we buy a tractor becuase we know sooner or later we might have to sell it to make room for another must have tractor and can't be in too deep to at least get our money out of it. eric j

Thanks, Garry. Just an update. I was able to get the 42" blade off dad's old C-161 set up on the 606. With the shorter coupling it lifts nice and high. I was able to rework the direction lever off the 54" blade to fit the 606 since it wouldn't work in the 161/54" blade combo.

As I have stated in recent inquiries about these aftermarket carburetors, that you should look for a seller who states in his description that he has the correct choke, and that all the screws used in the carburetor are SAE (US). My go-to seller on eBay is "cfamily10". Never been unhappy with his carburetors, and they need no modifications.

New to the forum here so forgive me if this question has been already. A while ago I was given an '87 John Deere 214 from my wife's grandpa and it started an interest in restoration. Lucky for me, it had been garage kept for the last 15 years. Long story short, a friend of mine got to talking and he said he has an old Wheel Horse C-160 Automatic that he was going to scrap. He said if I can come get it, I can have it for free. Seems like the tractor is mostly complete other than the headlight assy., gas tank, and a cover in the center where the shifter would go on the 8-speed models. Not sure of the year but is has hydraulic lift 48" deck (some rusted spots) and seems to be in decent shape for being outside for the last 5 years. My main question is "does anyone have any pictures I can compare to so I can see what else is missing?" Trying to figure out if it's worth my time. Thanks for the help!

for all the Birthday wishes. Had a great day, after church and Sunday School the wife took me out to lunch at a local eatery that I am quite fond of. We had to stop off at the pharmacy on the way, took forever, (I should have known something was up). When we arrived there were a couple dozen of our friends and neighbors waiting. Came home after lunch and found a new gas grill waiting for me on the deck. Life is good! John, you know how to make an old man's dreams come true!

Thanks for the replies, I should have taken pictures when I went over but it was pouring down outside and I wasn't even going to attempt to load it into the truck without a winch lol. I'm going to try to get it next Sunday with the trailer, then maybe I'll have some pics for you.

Congratulations, the C-160 is a great machine. This one is a 1974, the seat and fenders open to the back, After 1975 the fenders are bolted down.

575 hours is nothing for a as long as it has been well maintained. The hydro can be tested with a tree and a chain, hook it to an immovable object and see if it will dig in to the ground. As said by others, open up negotiations by offering less based on comparable offerings on Craig's List or the local paper. Telling someone it is over priced will just make them dig their heals in; showing them will open them up for negotiation. As nice as that looks it is probably worth more than most, but anything over $ 800 would be hard to justify where I live.

Excellent Horse! Nice deck too! Most parts are available. Wheel Horses are more than interesting, the Stallions are forever. Price? Ouch! Others will chime in, "Great Horse." I think most might think, "Priced high." Good luck. Price is still OK if you consider the junque sold at the big box stores.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD... You may need Some help with all those candles !!!

Homer is a typical Southern man. When a tool breaks, he moves it to his backyard to be repaired another time. Turns out I'm the repair guy and have been attempting to barter for an old C-120 and a Commando 7 buried in the yard. He surprised me with the C-125 black hood a while ago after numerous mower, chain saw, weed wacker and whatever repairs. The horses are all out of a shop in Joplin now gone after the big blow... Soooo, 1 repaired old Sears LT and another that I took apart just so he could see after running without oil that the cam was in 4 pieces and the rod in 5 and he said I could have the 120. We pulled it out of the dirt with 4 flats, destroying several ant mounds in the process. Truly, not bad condition thanks to Homer's attention to the use of tarps. He tells me the 301 was bored .030 over and his mind is sharp for a 92 year old so I'm inclined to believe him. May be able to save that Commando in the near future if I repair that old Bolens GT14 first - and so on. So, my collection is now at a lowly 2. I don't think I'll restore this - will just make her a reliable runner and make the wife happy The deck can use a little metal but seems salvageable. Another C saved!

Similar, the 416 was bought new, and the c-160... well...

A 1977 model here. 71-16K801 1977 C Series Garden Tractor C-160 8-Speed Kohler K341S-71128A 16 Wheel Horse 103907

yes if it is an original 97 it should have the thicker rubber floor mats that go up the back of the foot rest. although somebody might have changed it. I think they went to that style decal in 94 so it could be a 94 or 95. good pick up there eric j

Our "little" guy still thinks he can fit in the cat's bed. Labs are great dogs, oops, I meant people.

Duke, Its so cool to see the parts you had cut from the CAD file I provided. I hope that you are able to make good use of them. What am I saying...With that arsenal of tools in your shop (very envious!!!), you'll get it together. Looking at what you're working with, I sometimes wonder how I got my build done...A borrowed 220V MIG welder set up for flux core because I didn't want to lug the bottle back to my place from my dads shop, a grinder and a lot of careful measuring for cuts done by a third party. Those welds on your bucket look primo. I wouldn't want to put mine into service if my work looked like that! I'd be afraid I mess it up! -Andy

Nice pup...But...Ah....blue collar? What, they didn't have one in Regal Red???

Today I had made plans to go and look at a 1995 520-H rolling chassis. When I showed up to the gentleman's house, he opened the garage door and showed me the tractor. It had numerous parts pulled off of it and stacked in a pile. He had pulled the Onan P220 (736 hours) of off it to put on his Cub Cadet pulling tractor. He claimed it was a running, working tractor up until he yanked the engine last year. The only thing missing was the wiring harness. He told me to make him an offer, so I did. I then asked if he had any other Wheel Horse tractors or implements for sale. At first he said no, but a few seconds later he changed his mind, "Yes, actually I do!". So I followed him out back behind his shed and there sat a pretty rough C-85. He said the tractor isn't for sale, but he pointed and said, "I'd sell that." As I walked around the tractor and I see a sickle bar mower laying in the weeds, somewhat attached to the C-85. He had bought it, along with the tractor, a few years ago and didn't know much about. I made an offer and brought it home. Here are a few pictures. I think this is a SMS-425, but I'm not sure. I don't know too much about these sickle bar mower, but it's obvious there are some parts missing. Besides the front mounting bracket/"mule drive" and travel hook, is there anything else that is missing?

Take a look at the Red Square Classifieds. It may give you some ideas on pricing. Remember that some of Tractors are fully restored by the guys that collect them ( some are better looking then from the factory ) and some are the workers.Pricing depends on the location and condition. Take a trip to the Big Show in Pa. in June you may find the that you want and meet a great bunch of folks.

The 314H is capable of work that your old LT155 couldn't dream of. Far better than anything from a big-box store. If the price is acceptable to you, that's fine. But I would recommend bargaining it down a little, if possible. You never know -- some sellers will add some bargaining room into their price, others won't. It's perfectly fine to keep looking a little longer, too -- great values do pop up from time to time. Bottom line is, you be sorry going for a good Wheel Horse!

I am kind of a newb around here too, but here are my three newbish opinions: 1300 seems too high, but it seems affordable compared to looking at HDs offerings. At about 700, you can have your pick of quite a few wheel horse tractors. Instead of buying a 20 yo tractor, I would buy a 40 yo tractor. It seems like 1970s wheel horse tractors go for 300-400 (good runner without hydro), and you could replace it a few times for under 1300. The real value is buying a package deal of attachments. Maybe you should hold out for a package deal. Ohio seems to be a hotbed for wheel horse BST.

It is amazing how easily we bruise as we get older. You should see my arms after playing tug of war with the puppy. BTW, we bleed easier also. I like to pick scabs, so this is not a problem.

Fit test of the bumper/ hydraulic tank before making the pump bracket and hood support. Then on to the hose connections.

I mostly agree with things said above. But when it comes to price, I use the old philosophy "Value is solely dependent upon the moods of the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction". However, in this case, I think the seller is a bit overly optimistic. Offer less, but prepare to pay her price.

575 hrs?...it is just getting broke in..it isn't just a "lawn mower".....

There aren't too many John Deere 120s out there, as there wasn't a lot of them made. It's basically a stripped down 140H3, but are great machines. JD really raised the bar when they made the 140H3, and the 120 was made to be a bit more affordable. Of course, it isn't a 140H3, but still........

Richard, YOU LOOK SO YOUNG!!!!

This may seem like a silly victory but, I've been looking for strait head screws for some of the assembly. After searching several stores I was only able to find what must be the new industry standard which is a dual head machine screw ( strait / Phillips) Normally I would choose any type of screw head other than a strait head but I'm trying to stay period correct on this build. Today I stopped at a local hardware store and found a couple of screws that I wanted so then I started digging to the bottom of the bins. After a half an hour of digging threw bins to find the older stock I was finally able to come up with the hardware that I wanted. They will get a nice coat of red along with the sheet metal tomorrow.

Well, here as promised new tyres, I didn't really have to get these as the original marked turf savers held air and had tread, but my luck would mean they'd probably let go after the rims had been painted. (bit of dry cracking) These are 10.50/12 6 ply and 6.50/8, the ags on the rear should give a bit of bite for steering. A couple of other things, firstly note the rust, this picture was probably taken 8 months later. It shows one of the two tabs I made and welded to the towers to bolt the dashboard/steering assembly too. Around the same time I made up a bracket to carry the spool block, it falls nicely to hand here, plus the 'in' pressure line can be routed neatly under the main boom pivot. My plan was to make the 'out' return line drop down then go back in between lift ram and tower. Bucket bracket, crowd and dump ram tomorrow.

I only saw it said once so I will say it again just in case...show up on Thursday!! If you show up on saturday it will be over by 1:00pm. There is camping...$20 for thursday and of you stay over till Sunday too (total of $40). Thursday, tou can get there at 9:00am...No early birds, and sunday you need to be out by 9:00 am

Happy bird day

my in box is full and not sure how to clear it, need to renew my supporter membership, if you have a forward swept axle, no I don't have any any, I have some for the 3/4 front rims, but they all need at least a tube. tractor supply or west side Walmart should have tube and maybe a tire. although they might only have 16x6.50x8 instead of the 16x7.50x8 tire that should be on a 520 with the foreword swept axle. I did send you my phone # in one pm if you still have it, good luck eric j

Here is a couple pictures of mine you will notice mine does not have holes for the guard either and did not have a hole for the lift rod until I got the measurements from Tom and drilled one in.