EthanL 68 #1 Posted July 8 Just picked this up today. New to me C161 twin automatic. It’s going to be designated lawn mower as my 11hp struggles on hills. The engine was swapped to a 18hp Briggs. It needs a carb clean and adjustment. I’m going to order a decal kit as the hood reads “twin eight speed” but it’s a hydro. I’m an huge fan of the black hoods on these. What does everyone else think on the 161s? Also the rear fender looks like it’s swapped off a 520 or similar unit. Anyone know where I can find an original metal fender for it? Or just wait till a parts unit comes up for sale. 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 70,982 #2 Posted July 8 Congrats, I’m sure that’s going to work well for you! The black hoods came with a very brittle plastic fender, and the steel fender from later models became the next best thing for replacement. You could locate one from a later C-series to be closer to the era, but I think yours looks just fine on the machine. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 70,982 #3 Posted July 8 (edited) 16 hours ago, EthanL said: I’m going to order a decal kit as the hood reads “twin eight speed” but it’s a hydro. @Vinylguy Terry has been known to customize decals in the past. C-185 Automatic sounds pretty beefy Edited July 8 by Pullstart 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 13,268 #4 Posted July 8 2 hours ago, Pullstart said: Congrats, I’m sure that’s going to work well for you! The black hoods came with a very brittle plastic fender, and the steel fender from later models became the next best thing for replacement. You could locate one from a later C-series to be closer to the era, but I think yours looks just fine on the machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EthanL 68 #6 Posted July 8 5 hours ago, Pullstart said: The black hoods came with a very brittle plastic fender, and the steel fender from later models became the next best thing for replacement. Wow thanks for that info @Pullstart. Metal fender is here to stay if that's the case. I agree it doesn't look bad at all @Vinylguy these look fantastic and I will be ordering soon. Thank you! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,796 #7 Posted July 8 3 hours ago, EthanL said: Wow thanks for that info @Pullstart. Metal fender is here to stay if that's the case. I agree it doesn't look bad at all @Vinylguy these look fantastic and I will be ordering soon. Thank you! Just make a notation in the note to seller box during checkout ( This is for a C-185 twin automatic) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,580 #8 Posted July 8 18 hours ago, EthanL said: Also the rear fender looks like it’s swapped off a 520 or similar unit. No way I would change that fender for a plastic one, and I'm purist at heart. I never liked the big plastic fenders on the black hoods, but some do and thats all right too. I think they look so much better with that style fender you have on her right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EthanL 68 #9 Posted July 8 1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said: No way I would change that fender for a plastic one, and I'm purist at heart. I never liked the big plastic fenders on the black hoods, but some do and thats all right too. I think they look so much better with that style fender you have on her right now. Yup the metal is here to stay. I didn’t realize the originals were plastic. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EthanL 68 #10 Posted July 8 After mowing this evening, this C161 is quite the upgrade from a manual 11hp 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 13,268 #11 Posted July 9 13 hours ago, EthanL said: After mowing this evening, this C161 is quite the upgrade from a manual 11hp Being a hydro makes a world of difference, especially if your mowing, pushing or blowing snow. Not having to shift every time you change directions makes the experience so much sweeter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,580 #12 Posted July 9 58 minutes ago, rjg854 said: Being a hydro makes a world of difference, especially if your mowing, pushing or blowing snow. Not having to shift every time you change directions makes the experience so much sweeter. A few years ago, you couldn't give me a hydro Wheel Horse, but I have really warmed up to the 520H's with the Eaton 1100 transaxles'. 1 hour ago, rjg854 said: especially if your mowing, pushing or blowing snow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EthanL 68 #13 Posted July 9 @sqrlgtr @rjg854 you guys are right on. I will still be using my manual tractor for ground engaging work such as plowing and discing in my garden. It did great this year, no need to switch that up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
