Disassembly continues on the C160…

[c-series don 10,913]

@peter lena Funny thing Pete, Friday night before I took out my 418-C to plow the driveway I did in fact lube everything up and thought “Peter would be happy about this!” I was going to take a picture of me doing just that but was in a bit of a hurry, as we had received 5” of snow in under three hours. We ended up with around 8” by morning. 

[peter lena 9,633]

@c-series don thanks for sharing that , had about out the same  ammount of snow . that mower deck spray graphite  on the blade , made a world of  difference on angular snow slide off , MOWER GUARD  BY SLIP PLATE , next to nothing  sticks on the blade , put that on last fall , really unaffected  by snow , lets you do a quick easy  , back plow  on your  edging  . allowing you to  plow toward that  , as you know once it sets up , its a wall , so I always go long  on first movement , pete 

[RoubaixRider 187]

Fabricated some Heim joints for my steering upgrade. Always a good day when you get to spark up the welder. Will be nice to have some adjustability.

[peter lena 9,633]

@RoubaixRider  , happy new year ! been experimenting with heim joints for years , extremely durable , like SUPER LUBE  hydraulic oil  in them , extreme temp range and  rating , love it  on the  pto lever rod end , replacing the  sloppy trundle , the ability to  ANGULATE  SMOOTH MOTION , for any lever end point , eliminates a lot of sloppy issues . use a DIE NUT  3/8  x 24  right over the original 3/8 x 16  threading  , lubricate , heim screws right on , like this , that area is a GOLD MINE  for improvement , glad to share it with you  , questions ? ask away  , pete

 

[RoubaixRider 187]

4 hours ago, peter lena said:

@RoubaixRider  , happy new year ! been experimenting with heim joints for years , extremely durable , like SUPER LUBE  hydraulic oil  in them , extreme temp range and  rating , love it  on the  pto lever rod end , replacing the  sloppy trundle , the ability to  ANGULATE  SMOOTH MOTION , for any lever end point , eliminates a lot of sloppy issues . use a DIE NUT  3/8  x 24  right over the original 3/8 x 16  threading  , lubricate , heim screws right on , like this , that area is a GOLD MINE  for improvement , glad to share it with you  , questions ? ask away  , pete

 

That’s awesome Pete… Appreciate the feedback. Yes… The original ball and socket style steering system are definitely inferior, and I had replaced those on my CASE 444 as well. Made a massive difference in tightening up the steering, especially at high speed!🤣🤣🤣.

my buddy was teasing me about my Heim joint fabrication, asking… “What do you need all that adjustability for, it’s a garden tractor!

some people just don’t understand🤣🤓

[peter lena 9,633]

@RoubaixRider   notice 2nd photo down , the pto outer  swing arm , connection slide pin ? there is a light  extension spring  just visible  on the right outside ? have that attached  to the  frame mount  hitch pin clip , rounded end , that tension , eliminates  all the buzzing , bouncing  , with that set up . always looking for  some improvement  , love REPEDITIVE  ISSUES , ?  take them apart  and improve as you go  , more often than not  , its been  a pretty simple  mod . also like a black vinyl cap on my axel spindle  top , initial snug fit  is just right . also have heim joint on my  clutch  linkage , many years  no failures . good talkin , pete   

[Retired Wrencher 6,246]

On 12/18/2025 at 3:40 PM, RoubaixRider said:

It is now officially in two halves🤣 next step is going to be some serious cleaning and sanding/media blasting. I’m not going gangbusters on the sanding on this one… My hands took a real beating when I redid my CASE 444, so there’s going to be a lot of media blasting work done on this one.

J

 

Personally, and I’m not alone on this. I would just clean everything. Tap and die all all holes and bolts cause there’s a lot of stuff over the years it gets on those threats just slowly reassemble it and enjoy it.

[RoubaixRider 187]

On 1/2/2026 at 3:45 AM, Retired Wrencher said:

Personally, and I’m not alone on this. I would just clean everything. Tap and die all all holes and bolts cause there’s a lot of stuff over the years it gets on those threats just slowly reassemble it and enjoy it.

The project is a full restoration. Complete disassembly, repairs, corrosion treatment if any and repainting to factory original as close as possible. 

Edited Saturday at 08:15 PM by RoubaixRider

[RoubaixRider 187]

On 12/31/2025 at 1:00 PM, peter lena said:

@RoubaixRider   notice 2nd photo down , the pto outer  swing arm , connection slide pin ? there is a light  extension spring  just visible  on the right outside ? have that attached  to the  frame mount  hitch pin clip , rounded end , that tension , eliminates  all the buzzing , bouncing  , with that set up . always looking for  some improvement  , love REPEDITIVE  ISSUES , ?  take them apart  and improve as you go  , more often than not  , its been  a pretty simple  mod . also like a black vinyl cap on my axel spindle  top , initial snug fit  is just right . also have heim joint on my  clutch  linkage , many years  no failures . good talkin , pete   

Hi Pete,

i’m not exactly sure what you mean… You mentioned the second photo down. Could you expand a little bit… It’s always great to get good advice on making improvements. Most of my experience is with case tractors… As well as Bell Helicopters🤣

Edited Saturday at 05:43 PM by RoubaixRider

[RoubaixRider 187]

Finally got the center console base and hood shot with paint after a lot of sanding some very minor Bondo prep and several sanded coats of primer. 
normally, I enjoy painting, but this project has been a little more frustrating, but it’s going slowly. Patience.

[sqrlgtr 1,693]

@RoubaixRider Looks great. Are you still using the Rustoleum Sunrise Red ? 

[AlexR 2,340]

Very nice job on that hood!!! 

[RoubaixRider 187]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

@RoubaixRider Looks great. Are you still using the Rustoleum Sunrise Red ? 

Yes sir. It’s been a tricky paint to use… Either runs or orange peel… Obviously that is application error. Unfortunately I don’t have my good paint gun with me in the shop at the moment so it’s rattle can action.

[sqrlgtr 1,693]

14 minutes ago, RoubaixRider said:

Yes sir. It’s been a tricky paint to use… Either runs or orange peel… Obviously that is application error. Unfortunately I don’t have my good paint gun with me in the shop at the moment so it’s rattle can action.

 

My experience, If I try and go back over it with another coat it will orange peel on me. I have got in the habit of barely covering with first coat (can still see primer/old paint) just barely wet and then quick as I can throw the paint to it or try and cover with first coat and quit after that. If I try and do 2 or 3 coats it will orange peel every time. If i want to go back over it after that may as well figure on a month of cure time before starting to paint again  Of course everybody has there on procedure and this might not work for everyone. This is when using rattle cans. If you're for a spray gun you will have more control over cure times and such.

[RoubaixRider 187]

On 1/2/2026 at 3:45 AM, Retired Wrencher said:

Personally, and I’m not alone on this. I would just clean everything. Tap and die all all holes and bolts cause there’s a lot of stuff over the years it gets on those threats just slowly reassemble it and enjoy it.

You know, I’ve been thinking about this reply for the last week or so and I’m confused by it. Do people think it’s a mistake that I’m doing a restoration on this tractor?

[SylvanLakeWH 30,087]

11 minutes ago, RoubaixRider said:

You know, I’ve been thinking about this reply for the last week or so and I’m confused by it. Do people think it’s a mistake that I’m doing a restoration on this tractor?

Your tractor your choice. Always going to have people chiming in with opinions. To be expected. Difference with this site vs elsewhere is that those opinions are respectful.

 

You're doing a great job and I am enjoying tagging along.

[Treepep 956]

54 minutes ago, RoubaixRider said:

Personally, and I’m not alone on this. I would just clean everything. Tap and die all all holes and bolts cause there’s a lot of stuff over the years it gets on those THREADS.   Just slowly reassemble it and enjoy it.

 

 

Fixed it

[Handy Don 15,527]

39 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Your tractor your choice. Always going to have people chiming in with opinions. To be expected. Difference with this site vs elsewhere is that those opinions are respectful.

Grownups here who recognize that other grownups get to make their own decisions! 

Whatever makes you smile about that tractor is what you should go ahead and do. 

[RoubaixRider 187]

Ran out of daylight, but the reassembly fun continues… right now a lot of it is just dry fitting all the parts and making sure all the holes and everything lineup nice and putting things back in the proper order. Was really happy with the way the aluminum dash console cleaned up on the inside… It was quite a mess with corrosion! I was not able to get the pin out of the steering wheel… No matter what I tried… Even a hydraulic press. So I decided to just sever the steering shaft and it will get reinserted and spot welded. Fortunately, I’ve got lots of leather and fireproof blankets to throw over the machine when I weld the steering shaft back together.

should make for an interesting video lol.

Edited 21 hours ago by RoubaixRider

[SylvanLakeWH 30,087]

11 minutes ago, RoubaixRider said:

steering shaft and it will get reinserted and spot welded. Fortunately, I’ve got lots of leather and fireproof blankets to throw over the machine when I weld the steering shaft back together

Could just use a shaft collar. That way you can easily take it back apart if need arises... 

[RoubaixRider 187]

55 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Could just use a shaft collar. That way you can easily take it back apart if need arises... 

Very good idea. I picked one up the other day that will do the trick…much easier than re-welding it surrounded by freshly painted parts, even with all my protective blankets.🤓

[Retired Wrencher 6,246]

18 hours ago, RoubaixRider said:

You know, I’ve been thinking about this reply for the last week or so and I’m confused by it. Do people think it’s a mistake that I’m doing a restoration on this tractor?

A lot of times when people get into this hobby, they make a mistake where they want it to shine and look new. I’ve been there done that a few times. Much time involved and I guess when you get older, you just think that it’s not worth it. That’s why I’m at it happily just enjoying what I have for what it is. Just my two cents.

Edited 12 hours ago by Retired Wrencher

[rjg854 12,711]

The only ones I've painted were the ones some else had already messed with.  I'm of the idea they are only original once.  And I like them to show their age and yet they still perform like new.  I do like clean wheels, that to me is the eye catcher.    

Edited 8 hours ago by rjg854
add

[RoubaixRider 187]

On 12/31/2025 at 5:27 AM, peter lena said:

@RoubaixRider  , happy new year ! been experimenting with heim joints for years , extremely durable , like SUPER LUBE  hydraulic oil  in them , extreme temp range and  rating , love it  on the  pto lever rod end , replacing the  sloppy trundle , the ability to  ANGULATE  SMOOTH MOTION , for any lever end point , eliminates a lot of sloppy issues . use a DIE NUT  3/8  x 24  right over the original 3/8 x 16  threading  , lubricate , heim screws right on , like this , that area is a GOLD MINE  for improvement , glad to share it with you  , questions ? ask away  , pete

 

Pete,

I checked out your link showing your PTO shaft Heim joint upgrade. I’m going to do the same. Looks fantastic and must be so much more positive a feel of engagement.

[RoubaixRider 187]

22 hours ago, Treepep said:

 

 

Fixed it

🤣🤣