1979 C-161 Hydro Very limited forward motion

[wembly71 0]

Hey there all,

 

My dad gave me a 1979 C-161 Wheel Horse with the Kholer engine and hydrostatic transmission.  I brought it down home and ran it for about an hour with everything working fine.  At the end of the hour, it developed an issue with moving forward.  On level ground it will still move forward with limited speed and very little power at full throttle. Going up a small incline on a paved driveway, it comes to a halt.  Reverse works absolutely fine, full speed and power when going backwards.

 

I checked the tow valve was in the proper location. linkage under the front seat, pully to engage the pump and the transmission fluid.  It did have some sort of Hydrostatic transmission fluid in it originally, which I changed out to 10w-40 and changed the filter on the transmission.

 

Quite honestly, I know enough on mechanical issues to get myself in a lot of trouble, but as it is not that usable in its current condition, don't think I can make it much worse and rely on the manuals to get things back together.  Anyone have any suggestions on where to start?

 

Thank you much!

[Tim 97]

check the frame where it bolts to the rear end.  when the area fatigues, the tractor becomes bowed and it messes up the linkage

it happened to me.  Hope it is this simple.  there is a fix to this and there are plenty of threads on it

[Wheelhorsedairyfarmer 13]

Could be the pump getting weak. I've got a charger 12 with a hydro in it and it does what your's does in about 20 minutes. 

[wembly71 0]

Should have mentioned that it  is like this all the time now, with no need to run any time.  As soon as the tractor is first started it has the forward issue.  TY Tim, will take a look see at that area to see, I hope it is that myself.And Ty for the reply Wheelhorsedairyfarmer....hoping it is not that.

[meadowfield 3,076]

Check the forward acceleration valve, the spring may have broken. Would explain reverse being ok, if not that then the motion lever is out of adjustment.

Though I'm speaking for sundstrand here, it still sounds feasible that an eaton would have the same valves....

[Jeff-C175 7,209]

 

It did have some sort of Hydrostatic transmission fluid in it originally, which I changed out to 10w-40 and changed the filter on the transmission.

 

What does "...some sort of Hydrostatic transmission fluid..." mean exactly?

 

Do you mean it was NOT motor oil?

 

I wonder if it's possible that mixing oil with "...SSOHTF..." has caused an 'issue' ?

[wembly71 0]

All I was told was there was Hydrostatic transmission fluid in it when I got it, apparently purchased at Tractor Supply..  It was while that was in it that the issue occurred,  before changing out the fluid.  When I did change it I completely drained the Transmission, filled it up with 10-40, just ran it enough to try and flush oil throughout, then completely drained the transmission again and then changed out the filter, and filled again with 10-40.  

[Wheelhorsedairyfarmer 13]

Alright, I'm almost 100% on this, but what it sounds like to me was in the tranny was Hydraulic Fluid or Universal Tractor Transmission Hydraulic fluid, and I don't know if its ok to use for these trannys or not. Another question, does the transmission get very hot when it doesn't want to move? Would (so very sorry to say) also be an indicator of the pump going out. 

[CRE1992 143]

Private Message MattD860 or read up on his C161 Hydro fiasco...

[Jeff-C175 7,209]

What did the stuff you drained out look like?

[SousaKerry 503]

Should be 10W30 not 10W40.   10w40 may be  bit thick and cause issues also.  Only way to ensure that all the fluid is out is to split the case and disassemble the pump and motor. 

[wembly71 0]

TY for everyone that has replied....was going to take a looksee at some of the things to answer questions when all sorts of water started coming into the garage from a storm that went through, not one thing it is another .

The fluid color that I drained out was a may have had a tint of brown but was very light. 

 

I don't remember how warm the pump was quite honestly, once I see if I can get a look at the forward check valve to make sure there is no issue there, I will see on that.  I had thought I remembered it seaming warm, but at this point I can't say for certain.  On the "interesting side" on that transmission....I seen out there on one of the sites that specialize in lawn equipment parts wanted about $2000 dollars (yes, 3 zeros after the 2) for a rebuilt pump and trans motor for that tractor....think I will continue on trying to repair.