i967mustang 21 #1 Posted October 18, 2013 I posted a week or so ago about changing a C160 8 speed over to a hydro with hydraulic lift. It has been a monster project changing the 8 speed to hydro then putting all the gear parts back in the hydro tractor. As of today I am waiting for an idler pulley and belt for the hydro (former 8 speed) and the 8 speed (former hydro) is up and running, even cut some grass with it today. I don't know that I would want to tackle this project again but it sure was a learning experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #2 Posted October 18, 2013 Was that the red and the blue tractors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
i967mustang 21 #3 Posted October 18, 2013 The red one was the gear tractor, and I found another C160 that was hydro with hydraulic lift that I swapped everything over. The Blue one is a Charger 12 all that gets used for is a plow tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #4 Posted October 18, 2013 Why not just swap the motor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
i967mustang 21 #5 Posted October 19, 2013 My 8 speed tractor was all redone a couple of years ago from the frame up and I basecoat clear coated the entire thing. The engine has 5 hours on a rebuild, and the tractor is still very nice. The C160 auto needed everything done from the frame up to make it as nice as mine and it took less time to change the hydro than it would have to rebuild the second tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
876wheelhorse 46 #6 Posted October 19, 2013 yeah i have a c141 here with hydro id rather have the 8 speed been easier just swap motors and called it a deal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
i967mustang 21 #7 Posted October 20, 2013 Well, its finally all done. I took the (new) hydro for a ride around the yard then went over the front yard and mulched and blew all the leaves off the lawn. It is so much nicer going around the trees with hydro than having to stop shift to reverse then stop shift back again. did the front yard in about 10 minutes less than I used to be able to do it and my bad ankle never had to push on a pedal. My brother took the other Wheel Horse C160 home with him tonight so he is going to work it a bit tomorrow giving his yard the final cut of the year. This was a long drawn out project, but so worth it for my with a really bad left ankle not to have to use a clutch to mow the lawn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #8 Posted October 20, 2013 Well, its finally all done. This was a long drawn out project, but so worth it for my with a really bad left ankle not to have to use a clutch to mow the lawn. Well, that explains it all right there. I'm more of a gear guy but do know someone with a bad left anke too who really appreciates the hydro tractors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
