75 C160 Automatic Transaxle/Hydro Fluid Change

[Joker72 96]

Is there any manuals available that would show me how to change the transaxle/hydro fluid on my new 75 C160 Automatic?

[daveoman1966 3,883]

Remove the HEX plug on the trans case bottom.  Replace it...change the filter, then use this no-spill method to refill...  Don't over-fill it as the fluid will foam up resulting in poor performance.  

Run it for a little while, then recheck fluid lever...DO NOT OVERFILL.  

[Achto 31,864]

11 minutes ago, Joker72 said:

transaxle/hydro fluid on my new 75 C160 Automatic?

 

Note - if the fluid that you remove is red then use ATF to refill it. If the fluid that you remove is tan, use 10w30 to refill it. And as with manual tranny's jack the front of the tractor up as high as you safely can to get the fluid to drain over the hump.

[ebinmaine 79,012]

13 minutes ago, Joker72 said:

transaxle/hydro fluid

Should be standard issue 10w30 engine oil in there. 

General consensus on the filter is use a Wheelhorse/Toro brand or get a wix 51410 which is a NAPA Gold 1410.  

 

I'd recommend installing a magnetic drain plug.  

 

 

8 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

then use this no-spill method to refill

Dave AWESOME write up and fast.  

 

Neat idea on the funnel/straw.  

 

 

[Joker72 96]

This is the part that takes 5.5 quarts, correct?

Edited January 6, 2023 by Joker72

[Blasterdad 3,163]

The manual says 6.

I would put in 5.5 & check it as to not overfill it.

Use the straw trick that @daveoman1966 posted, otherwise you will make a mess if you dont...

 

[Blasterdad 3,163]

4 minutes ago, Blasterdad said:

I would put in 5.5 & check it as to not overfill it.

That is assuming you're changing the filter too.

Some oil will always stay in the lift cylinder & lines, you can put 5 in it and run it to work it through the system, then check it to top it up.

[Albireo204 2]

This is a fantastic resource - thank you Daveoman1966 for providing the level of detail and pictures as it's incredibly helpful.

 

I am the owner of a 1975 C160 hydrostatic that my father and his friend rebuilt back in 2007. Both of them are deceased. The friend was an avid Wheel Horse collector that at one point had roughly 20 models. He could diagnosis and fix any issue on those tractors on-the-spot and I miss him dearly.

The tractor is running incredibly well but I'm ready to do the transmission fluid change and have a question. I recall at one point that I was having issues going up steeper hills and my dad and his friend made some adjustments. I can't remember if they increased the viscosity of the oil or if there were other adjustments. My question is, should I use 10w30 or 10w40 oil? If it has the tendency to have some issues climbing steeper terrain, particularly in hot summer weather, would the heavier weight help? Would something like AMSOIL 10w40 be a good choice? I noticed that the Mobile 1 10W40 only comes in High Mileage formula and I don't know if that's good for this application. I use Royal Purple for all of my engine oil needs but don't know if I want purple oil in the transmission. :)

 

And is a simple drain and fill with filter change enough or do I need to figure out how to flush it? It has roughly 325 hours on since 2007 when it was overhauled. It runs like a champ and the only issues I've had over the years is some of the bolts coming loose where the mower deck attaches to the tractor. I want to keep this tractor running well for my life to honor my dad and his friend and someday pass it down to one of my children. I am not a mechanic but can do basic maintenance. Thanks again! 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,257]

Welcome to Red Square. Not a hydro owner so will leave that to the experts.

Since you are new here is a link to two pages of search results for the 1-0481.

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=1-0481&quick=1&type=downloads_file

There are 2 pages from the lube charts in with the OM (Operator manual) Just click on the thumb nails and they will enlarge.

 

Is the last digit of the serial number a 6 or 8?

[pfrederi 20,613]

No  flush it unless you get some really dirty discolored oil when you drain it.  10w-40 is OK.  All hydros slow a bit going uphill and speed up a bit coming down.  As to brand of oil I wouldn't worry over it.   After all these units ran for years on ATF...they were use by other tractor builders who specified their own juice or some used hydraulic fluid.  

 

If it is rally dirty or contaminated you will have to tear it down not flush it...

Edited 1 hour ago by pfrederi

[Albireo204 2]

That's great - thanks for the link, that'll come in handy.
The last digits of the serial # is a 6.

The tractor has an interesting story. My  dad specialized in restoring John Deere 950's as a hobby. He knew I needed a small garden tractor and he found the C160 along the side of the road worse for wear. I found these old photos of when he started working on it for me. Between him and the family friend they fixed this up so nice for me. I think they knew that these machines last a lifetime if cared for properly and what a great gift it has been. Dad passed from glioblastoma in 2019 and this Wheel Horse always gives me a smile when I think of the work he put into it for me.

[Albireo204 2]

Thanks - I'll probably go with the 10w40 and just pick something synthetic off the shelf. The current trans fluid looks pretty good, it's just slightly yellow which is surprising after 325 hours. It is at the low line on the dipstick so I figure it might be good to just drain and fill vs. topping it off at this point.

[squonk 46,664]

I use Mobil 1 High Milage 10w40 in my well worn C160 hydro

[squonk 46,664]

Just now, Albireo204 said:

Thanks - I'll probably go with the 10w40 and just pick something synthetic off the shelf. The current trans fluid looks pretty good, it's just slightly yellow which is surprising after 325 hours. It is at the low line on the dipstick so I figure it might be good to just drain and fill vs. topping it off at this point.

You are 20 minutes from the Big Show in 3 weeks! 

[Albireo204 2]

Sounds like a great option - I almost picked up that the other day cause it's readily available. I think I'll go with that - thanks so much!

[Albireo204 2]

Big show being the Latimore Township one? I've heard of it before just never got to see it!

[squonk 46,664]

3 minutes ago, Albireo204 said:

Big show being the Latimore Township one? I've heard of it before just never got to see it!

Big Show at the South Mountain Fairgrounds

 

https://wheelhorseclub.com/

 

Edited 1 hour ago by squonk

[Albireo204 2]

Oh I wasn't aware of a collector's show at South Mountain, yes that is super close to me. I bet they would know the family friend cause he was a Wheel Horse fanatic. His name was Tom Edwards and was my neighbor growing up and part of my early adult life. What a great guy!