Model C160 Mowing Speed

[ric44 0]

Picked up a 160 today in a trade and of course had to try it out in the yard as soon as I got it home. One thing I noticed right away is although it has 6 forward gears Ive yet to find the right speed for mowing .  Ive tried it in 2nd Hi and while it mows fine its really too slow, I can bump it up to 3rd Hi and its way too fast for mowing. Kind of a dilemma it seems ?  The rear tires are not stock but are tractor type and I assume the same size -height . Is there any thing to be done that can further regulate speed ?  Thanks ,  Rick

Edited December 18, 2013 by ric44

[IthacaJeff 151]

Mowing? The grass is under 8" of snow. . . 

 

Same dilemma has come up many times. My solution is to get used to mowing in 3rd. That 16 hp should handle it no

problem, as long at the grass is not too thick.

 

Jeff

[ric44 0]

Yeah lol just had a thaw out here in WKY and I can see yard again. Thanks for the response .

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

 

The ratios are terrible in the gear drives - which is why I mow with hydros.

 

Swapping the engine pulley to the larger hydro version (5.25" vs. 4") will speed up second gear enough that you might be satisfied.

Decreasing the size of the tranz pulley is another option, but you'd have to get one from an aftermarket supplier.

Naturally, you'll have to get a shorter drive belt in either case.

[ric44 0]

Hey the engine pulley swap seems to be a good bet. Thanks for the input. And yeah why would they build something that either crawls or mows at breakneck speed ?

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,882]

Mowing gets ya out of the house, when the kids are going crazy, I prefer to mow in low 1!

 

When using the 8-speed, I mow in 2-high, 3 is a little too fast.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Third / high might be alright for an open area that's smooth.

My yard is "rougher"  -  with many obstacles. I have mowed here with both gear drive and hydro tractors.

Same tractors (Onan-powered 416 models) - one 8 speed, the other a hydro - same 48" deck on both tractors.... took 20 minutes longer on the 8 speed. 

[JackC 617]

Hydros for mowing for me.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

You get used to it. Try to enjoy the seat time

[WH nut 553]

And have a beer or 3

[Racinbob 11,938]

I agree that 2nd is a bit slow but it doesn't bother me with the smaller yard I have now. But I'm intrigued about that engine pulley swap. Does that cause an issue with the drive belt guard? All the geometry needed to get the belt to stop when the clutch is depressed?

[Racinbob 11,938]

The problem with that, WHnut, is that the bouncy ride causes the beer to get foamy and go flat. I found the solution though. Drink them fast!

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

I agree that 2nd is a bit slow but it doesn't bother me with the smaller yard I have now. But I'm intrigued about that engine pulley swap. Does that cause an issue with the drive belt guard? All the geometry needed to get the belt to stop when the clutch is depressed?

Belt guard issues would be dependent on model.

The "wide body" '78 & up guards are made to work on either drive type and the belt guides at the engine are adjustable.

 

Older models might need a little tweaking.

[papaglide 542]

The problem with that, WHnut, is that the bouncy ride causes the beer to get foamy and go flat. I found the solution though. Drink them fast!

Thats why I cut grass in high 1, slow enough to keep the beer tasting good!

[Racinbob 11,938]

Mines a 2005 TT. I'm gonna be checking it out. I love playing!

 

Proof again papaglide, I'm never too old to learn something new.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Third / high might be alright for an open area that's smooth.

My yard is "rougher"  -  with many obstacles. I have mowed here with both gear drive and hydro tractors.

Same tractors (Onan-powered 416 models) - one 8 speed, the other a hydro - same 48" deck on both tractors.... took 20 minutes longer on the 8 speed. 

TT do you think the time difference was all in the mowing speed, or the fact that the hydro could be turned around and headed a different direction quicker? I know the mowing speed can be quickly changed faster/slower on the hydro, so maybe it was all "mowing" time.

[leeave96 490]

I have grown to appreciate the 2nd gear mowing speed on my 314-8 as my mowing is not lots straight runs, but most importantly the yards I now are fairly rough.

I've got an IH Cub Cadet model 126 gear drive and it's 2nd gear is to fast at 3.9 mph whereas the Wheelhorse is 3.2 mph. 3.9 mph jars my teeth, makes my back ache from the bumpy ground, but gets the yard mowed fast.

I am intrigued with the hydro pulley swap to a gear drive.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

TT do you think the time difference was all in the mowing speed, or the fact that the hydro could be turned around and headed a different direction quicker? I know the mowing speed can be quickly changed faster/slower on the hydro, so maybe it was all "mowing" time.

It's definitely both, but I can do everything in 40 minutes on a hydro tractor vs. one hour on a gear drive. Saving 20 minutes might not be a big deal to most, but I spend enough time around grass and mowers at work - and I don't drink - so I like to get it over with as quickly as possible.  

[bo dawg 518]

I for sure rather mow with the hydros for all reasons. But I guess you can always let the grass get taller and would have to mow in 2nd gear. So Instead of mowing every week you mow every other week. You'll have less time on the tractor then. Lol! Just saying! 

[47JDG 65]

I think 2nd high is plenty fast on an 8 speed C-160. I always mow in 1st high on my C-81. 3rd high is ridiculously fast for mowing on my tractors. Yes they can do it, but that don't mean you should. It's harder on everything when you go that speed, and your cut isn't going to be as nice. Leave the high speed stuff to the commercial zero turn mowers, that's what they are made for. I am pretty easy on my equipment though, probably more so than most.

[daveoman1966 3,841]

The short answer.... HYDRO

[RJR49 138]

I never got used to the 8 sp so I bought a C-160. I didn't notice your location but if you don't like mowing you will hate snow blowing.

[ric44 0]

Wow lots of opinions here lol.  I think Im gonna tinker with the pulley ratios when spring rolls around. I have a John Deere 317 Hydro thats a mowin jesse but get tired of sitting on Green all the time. I also have about 2 acres that I mow so it kinda takes the "thrill of mowing " away after a while. Just a mile or two more an hour would speed things up considerably. Hey I did look under the rear end while ago and to my surprise it already has the brackets for the blade attachment. Now to find a front blade.........grin.

[Racinbob 11,938]

Actually, I liked the 8 speed for snow blowing. I did have a hydro for a while and I loved it for plowing the snow. More ground speed = more momentum for the drifts. It was only a 10hp but when it comes to snow they all run out of traction before horsepower when pushing it.

[cruisnblue48 856]

Why mow in 3-high gear? Slower means more seat/play time. I mow my 1/2 acre with a 314-8 in 2-high (3.2 mph) at full throttle which gives me a much better cut than 3-high (5.5 mph) anyway.

Edited December 22, 2013 by cruisnblue48