Hodge71 665 #1 Posted May 30, 2014 I'm in the market for a tiller for my 1974 C-160 before its too late to plant the 100 bucks in seeds I have sitting here. Something was bought to my attention after I recently found 2. One is from 1985 and the other is from 1973. I was told that theres a good chance that neither of these will my fit my 1974. I was told there was many different iterations of the Wheel Horse tiller and many were year specific. Correct me if I'm wrong as I never had a tiller but I thought all implements from the B, C, 300, 400, 500 series tractors were interchangeable. I would like to know for sure as I only make about 1000 a month at this new job and for me to spend $350 on something hurts big time. Its a weeks worth of work to me. Please advise before I end up hosed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,450 #2 Posted May 30, 2014 1973 and 1974 both used the 7-1251 tiller Bulletins Newer tillers on older tractors Relocation of the fuel tank seems to be the biggest change which affected the lift cable. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #3 Posted May 30, 2014 Thanks Garry...It sounds like the 1985 should fit with no issues but the 1973 is a direct fit for the tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,839 #4 Posted May 30, 2014 Just about any 36" tiller made from mid 70s will fit the C-160 although the rear lift cable may vary from one to another, depending on the model year of the tiller. The lift mechanism is virtually the same, with slight differences in cable attachment and / or routing of the cable at the tractor. The tiller has the same hitch assembly from the mid 70s to current years. Years prior to the mid 70s MAY fit the C-160, but you'd need to make a a lot of modifications to the tiller for it to work right. Here are two pics to compare.... note the circled hitch assy area and the difference. The 1st pic shows what is suited to the C-160. The 2nd pic is for a tiller of earlier vintage (circa pre '73 or '72). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #5 Posted May 30, 2014 Pulled the trigger on the 1973 tiller today. Got more info on it as well.....Used about 4 times and has sat covered in the back corner of the garage since 1977. He can't find the pulley set up or the belt... he is going to look tonight and the price for it all was decent....FREE!!!! Well not really as I dickered with him and I'm going to stain his brand new 25'x15' pressure treated deck for him. He's probably 70 or so and neither he or his wife can do it so we made a deal....I stain the deck...I get a free tiller.... nothing wrong with a little sweat equity!! Hope to pick it up tomorrow!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #6 Posted June 1, 2014 It sounds like you're all set so you don't need this information. The older style can easily be made to work on the later tractors. It has a different axle bracket that has an idler on it. The lift is done with a bar in the slot hitch. The drive belt is done the same way as the newer style but if I recall correctly you might need to get a different belt. The idler assembly on the old style that mounts just in front of the transmission isn't used. The only down side to the set up is that the different axle bracket doesn't work with a snow blade. It may be possible to modify it but I never looked at it with that in mind. I used the blade on a different tractor and the tilling tractor was the blowing tractor in the winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #7 Posted June 1, 2014 Thanks Bob. The one thing I noticed on the tiller I got vs the pic of the B,C, 300,400,500 series is that my tiller idler is spring loaded and that one seems to be bolted fast. The front idler set up for the mid tach a matic is rigid and the newer ones are spring loaded there instead of on the tiller Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #8 Posted June 1, 2014 I'm not sure I'm following that Jeff. I used a newer style set up in the mid mount. It was spring loaded. The small idler that's on the tiller mounting bracket on the newer models obviously isn't on the older style. Instead it's mounted on the rear axle bracket. It's adjustable by moving to different holes but not spring loaded. Installing the older style was a pain due to the idler set up mounted at the front of the transmission. It also required two belts. I sure wish I could post a picture but that tractor was sold when we moved here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #9 Posted June 1, 2014 If you look at both pics Bob, the tiller in the first pic had a rigid mounted idler in front of the tiller drive pulley (Circled area). The tiller I bought has a spring loaded idler in front of the drive pulley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #10 Posted June 1, 2014 Ahhhh, got it. My Dad had one with the rigid idler. I've never seen one set up like yours. Pretty neat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
