Jump to content
ronhatch

short frame 857 vs B80

Recommended Posts

ronhatch

Can someone tell me the difference between a 857 and a B 80? Is the B 80 a short frame? Is there more room under to hood to fit a 10 to 16 HP Kohler without chopping up the hood. I was going to put a 10 HP Kohler in my 857, but because it wasn't going to fit very well, I just went ahead and rebuilt the original 8 HP Kohler. Thanks, Ron

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Sparky

If your asking whether a 10-16hp Kohler will fit under the hood of a B-80....the answer is yes.

Mike..........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
slammer302

I've put a 10hp on a b-80 fit no problem I think a 10-16 would not fit easily on a 857

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
boovuc

Hi Ron,

 

A B-80 is a long-frame tractor. It can have various engines placed in it other than the K-181 it came with. Your 857 as you already know is a short frame and is limited in the size motor you could repower it with. The B-80 also has the much improved PTO/Atach-matic system that was used on most WH/Toro tractors from the late 60's to the mid to late 90's. The 857 used the slip-belt pulley on the older decks and implements. I love my 857 and it can mow, plow and till with the best of them but the horizontal shaft B-tractors, C-Series, 300, 400 & 500 series tractors are more versatile and friendlier to change out implements and to repower if you need to or you so desire.

Notice I wrote " horizontal shaft B-tractors" as the B-Series line was eventually transformed into vertical shaft lawn tractors that were not as heavy-duty as the garden tractors and would not work with the GT implements. If you find a B-series tractor, make sure it is powered by a horizontal shaft engine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
tbarnhart

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that there was a year model change for the B-80. Some were short frame and some were long frame. I don't know when the change happened. The long frame models were essentially a c-series with a small block Kohler. Have to do a little more research.

 

I found some more info here.

 

 

It seems the '74 and '75 B-80s had the short frame, I don't know if the big-block would fit or not, as some of the B-100s may have had the short frame as well. I guess you have to tray it and see.

Edited by tbarnhart

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Theroundhousernr

I thought the earlier B-80s where not quite as short as the short frame tractors but fall somewhere in between. Also , some B-80's where 4 speed and others where 8 speed.  Its gets tricky with these.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
slammer302

I believe they were 2" shorter and there was sum 4 speeds the one I put a 10hp in was one of thesee7c2cdf9f88972dcaa03a7484d0719d3.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
sorekiwi

Early B-80's were 2" longer than a short frame tractor.  Later ones were long frame (4" longer than a short frame).

 

A big block Kohler will bolt right in once you remove the motor plate.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Racinbob

857's had a 41 1/4" wheelbase, 75 and earlier B-80's had a 43 1/2", 76 and 77 were 45 1/2" and the same as the C series. Later B's were lawn tractors with a vertical shaft motor. It is a snap to put a big block Kohler on a 76-77 but I'm not sure about the others. :)

Edited by Racinbob

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
smoreau

My 74 B100 is the same length as my 74 C160. I fact they look about the same all the way around, but with skinner rear tires. Same sun strand transmission and same hood and dash.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
scotty

I always thought my 74 b-80 was a long frame. So they made a mid frame machine? Mine uses the long frame snow plow too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Racinbob

With Wheel Horse it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they had both. All you can really do is look in the owners manual or that years brochure. I've even seen contradictions there too. The B series seems to be one of the models that varied a quite a bit over the years. :)

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...