C-160 tow release valve

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Guys....hoping for a quick solution here.

 

I have a C-160 auto.  Tow valve is stuck.

 

Is there a safe, non destructive way to free it up?

 

I've drenched with lubricant.  Put vice grips on it.

 

This tractor has a rough week (me too).

 

I went to turn ignition and go out and mow.

No sooner than starter engaged?  The battery went up in flames!  No explosion, just rotisserie style!

Like a moron I try to blow it out huffing and puffing.  No good.  I grab nearby motorcycle storage cover ....stuff it in there ....no good.

(Now I'm down one $75 motorcycle cover)

 

 At this point I'm imagining my demise as the gas tank if full.  Flames cooking the bottom of it.  I grab a fire extinguisher and one squirt puts out the fire.  I was impressed.

 

The flames melted the gas line under the tank and fuel was just pouring out on battery.

 

I quickly turn shut off on tank (one that actually works).  

 

I examine the damage.  The wiring seems perfectly intact!  Melted the dust shield behind the tank.  Gas tank undamaged.

Battery has one corner melted.

 

I believe out of this tragedy.....a miracle occured.  That tank should have detonated!

The fuel line melts and gas poured out on the flames.  I should be in the hospital or worse.

I believe my protector (the Arch Angel Michael) was watching over me this day!

(who is also my namesake and interesting story).

 

There had to be an ignition source (spark)!?

 

I put on many new components.  Made sure all wire connections tight and right.

I had mowed a half dozen times with it without making any changes.

The only significant thing I can note.  The battery was no longer charging.  The ammeter showed no charge when running.

Stator is part of charging system.  However it's been my experience that if stator doesn't function?  It won't start or run. (C-195).

 

I was/am beginning to suspect either the battery itself (3 years old) or possible rectifier failed?

 

I'm going to remove the tank and battery for better inspection.  I wanted to roll it outside for a washing.  The dust you see covering tractor and floor is from fire extinguisher. 🧯 

 

Therefore need to open stuck tow valve.

 

Please no suggestions of heat!  We've seen enough heat.

Edited June 18 by Teddy da Bear62

[pfrederi 18,714]

I hesitate to suggest a bit of heat given your fire experience.  May help... unused tow valves can be recalcitrant.  Soaking and time...

 

 

Edit.  Bad stator will not cause a start/ run issue

Edited June 18 by pfrederi

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Interesting about the stator and start/run issue.  My mechanic told me bad stator on c195 was reason it won't start/run.

Hmmmmmm.....🤔

[oliver2-44 10,781]

The complete tow valve can be removed and soaked/disassembled on the workbench or vice.

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Just now, oliver2-44 said:

The complete tow valve can be removed and soaked/disassembled on the workbench or vice.

Thanks!  I will endeavor to try this!

[pfrederi 18,714]

35 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

The complete tow valve can be removed and soaked/disassembled on the workbench or vice.

 

 

I believe Teddy has a Piston To Piston Sunstrand in the C-160   with a needle valve type tow valve.  It has to be unscrewed.  (The older hydro gears used a port valve which you could remove as a unit.) 

 

\Piston to piston tow valve     If you get it too hot you may damage eh o ring...I have some if you need them

 

 

Edited June 18 by pfrederi

[Ed Kennell 42,173]

I've loosened several with a small pipe wrench.   A good pipe wrench has a much better grip than the vice grips

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

My shutoff was compromised in the fire.  

Need to get a new one.

I believe they are available......

 

Not sure what specs to look for?

Size?  Is there a part number?

The C-160 had standard black poly tank.

[oliver2-44 10,781]

2 hours ago, pfrederi said:

 

 

I believe Teddy has a Piston To Piston Sunstrand in the C-160   with a needle valve type tow valve.  It has to be unscrewed.  (The older hydro gears used a port valve which you could remove as a unit.) 

 

\Piston to piston tow valve     If you get it too hot you may damage eh o ring...I have some if you need them

 

 

Thanks for the correction 

[pfrederi 18,714]

 

  1/4 " shut offs on ebay amazon etc.  Is the nipple on your tank ok

 

 

 

Edited June 18 by pfrederi

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

2 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Wheel horse parts and more

  1/4 "

 

 

You da man!

 

I looked on Google.  The shut offs shown were predicated on size hole in tank.

Almost all were indicating a 33/64" dia. hole I believe.

[pfrederi 18,714]

Most under hood tanks had a nipple molded as a part of tank.  Sorry what I showed was for under seat tanks

 

 

Edit went down to the barn looke4d at C=160 the stuff from WHEEL horse parts is whet you want

Edited June 18 by pfrederi

[Pullstart 67,042]

If you are to the point that things just plain break, I have a spare hydro.  But, it may be easiest to remove the fender and left floorboard while you work at it!

[Racinbob 11,989]

18 hours ago, Teddy da Bear62 said:

My shutoff was compromised in the fire.  

Need to get a new one.

I believe they are available......

 

Not sure what specs to look for?

Size?  Is there a part number?

The C-160 had standard black poly tank.

 

Based on what I see in your pictures your tractor is a 76 or 77. Paul is correct that most under hood tanks having a molded nipple on the bottom but it was changed on the later models. I believe that era had the push in valve and bung. At least that's what my 76 came with. 

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

If you are to the point that things just plain break, I have a spare hydro.  But, it may be easiest to remove the fender and left floorboard while you work at it!

I was thinking of just pulling tire/rim off to get at it.

 

Sorry to be so slow guys.  I had another disaster.

I tore up my left calf muscle now.  I was pushing one of my trucks off my car hauler.  Apparently it didn't want to roll off as one or more calipers is frozen.

 

Makes it near impossible to get up and down (normal motions to fix wheel horse x100).

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

23 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Most under hood tanks had a nipple molded as a part of tank.  Sorry what I showed was for under seat tanks

 

 

Edit went down to the barn looke4d at C=160 the stuff from WHEEL horse parts is whet you want

Not certain, but I think there is a "boss" molded into bottom of tank.  Can't look just now, need to go do some things.

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Guys(and Gals) please bear with me in my old age.  I may not remember to check on things you ask me to. 

I'm more easily distracted now.  And at times overwhelmed with projects that all need attention at the same time.  🙂

 

Just remind me if I let info or reply lapse.

[ineedanother 1,674]

I started to battle a tow valve a couple weeks ago myself. Grabbed it with vise grips after soaking for a week and didn't get a good feeling about it. It's soaking some more before I put a pipe wrench on it...it's been over two weeks at this point. I suspect I'll be looking for one to replace it with after I tear it up.

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

I came up with hillbilly solution to roll the C-160 outside and wash it.....lol

 

I put a floor jack under tire I wanted to take off anyway (get at that tow valve).

 

Normally with both tires on the ground?

When pushed with valve close?

The tires lock up.  One wants to roll in opposite direction of the other.  (kind of like positraction on my 72 Grabber).

 

However, with tire off.  Floor jack securely in place.  It rolls without resistance!

 

It's now washed after the fire extinguisher put fire out.

 

I robbed a starter off other tractor.

God willing it won't take a crap as well!!!

All should be together tomorrow.

[squonk 43,939]

Tire and floorboard off.  "Rigid" brand small pipe wrench. 

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

Tire and floorboard off.  "Rigid" brand small pipe wrench. 

I tried it.  Didn't budge.

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Tractor is up and running!

Different tank w/working shutoff.

Another tractors starter.

And a little bit of new fuel line.

 

Man, I could hear the grass getting longer.

[ineedanother 1,674]

On 6/21/2025 at 10:20 PM, ineedanother said:

I started to battle a tow valve a couple weeks ago myself. Grabbed it with vise grips after soaking for a week and didn't get a good feeling about it. It's soaking some more before I put a pipe wrench on it...it's been over two weeks at this point. I suspect I'll be looking for one to replace it with after I tear it up.

Well @Teddy da Bear62 glad you got things rolling again. With the holiday and then everything getting flooded here in NC, I've been having to work pretty much around the clock so this has pretty much been sitting and waiting on me. I soaked it with penentrant for over a month now and tonight I put a pipe extension on the pipe wrench and just decided that it was time to move it along. It ain't pretty but it's out and now I can get moving on the reassembly.  I don't think that thing had been turned in years.

 

[Teddy da Bear62 103]

Glad you got it.  I have not had chance to revisit it.

 

I've had one thing after another go wrong for me.  I fix one thing, and two things break..

 

Now my new car won't start.

48" deck spindles won't take grease.

Mechanic can't find engine to resurrect my 87 Ford Ranger.  Power steering going out on Expedition.  Tire rot on numerous tractor tires.  And I never get time to do just something I want to do