The Perfect Tractor?

[Jack45 69]

I just saw WH500's post about downsizing.  I am fairly a newbie at wheelhorses but have come to realize that my little suburban is a bit small for the farm work I want to do.  It is great for hauling a load of old hay around and plowing a small garden spot but I need something that could do a bit more work.  I would like to be able to grade a worked over pig area for instance with a plow and disc.  The suburban is a bit low and running through those pits is hard on a body.  If I ever get that 702 running then maybe that will do better.  Mowing the lawn is ok but really not what I need in a tractor.  Major brush cutting along a fence line is though.  What would the experts suggest?

[daveoman1966 3,841]

IMHO...  The C-160 of mid 70s with the Kohler K341s  is the best ever made...C-160 Auto over the C-160 8speed ...hands down.  The 300 and 400 series ...and even the 520H... are not as good and they have too much to go wrong that the average joe would have trouble diagnosing.  i.e., electronics, safety switches etc.

Also partial to the Bronco 14. 

Edited August 16, 2016 by daveoman1966

[rmaynard 16,321]

I am partial to the '76 or '77 B/C Series (B-100, C-120, C-160) as well, but I prefer the 8-speed over the hydro. Just my personal preference.

[Retired Wrencher 5,809]

I am with Bob. Early 70`s C models big 14/16hp`s. Later 70`s had the cradle mount I had one did not like it at all power robbers. Good luck with your search. And.

Edited August 16, 2016 by T1257 RETIRED WRENCHER.

[JC 1965 1,532]

Yep , C-160 for me too.     

[russellmc301 600]

c-160 right here too

i prefer 8 speed over hydro

[elliot ness 1,916]

The C-160 is the King of the all around working tractor . But if you can find a C195, they are simple to work on, and have a great wt. distribution for pushing and pulling things, plus you can have a real 3-point and a rear PTO. Now the problem is finding one and then the cost. So maybe just the C-160?

[Jack45 69]

Thanks for the advice.  Now I know what to look for.

[Ed Kennell 42,081]

The  C-160s are the BOMB.

 

                                                                               

 

[WHX?? 51,820]

Thats sweet Ed @Jack45 I do know where ther is a nice C-160  for sale on CL here in WI  ....decent price and not real far from you.  .. PM me for a link

Day late & a dollar short Jack ...it's sold dang it...woulda shoulda coulda got it myself ...300 clams

Was over the other side of Winnebago in Brillion

Hey Ed @Ed Kennell if you don't put that pic in the calender thread I am gonna be po'ed!  

[Jack45 69]

I may have seen that one before but didn't know what I was looking for then.  Will keep watching.  Thanks!

[Ed Kennell 42,081]

14 minutes ago, WHX7 said:

 

Hey Ed @Ed Kennell if you don't put that pic in the calender thread I am gonna be po'ed!  

 Don't want you po'ed Jim.    Just put it on the calendar thread.

[WHX?? 51,820]

Ya sorry Jack ..snooze ya lose I guess ... I shoulda got off my @$$ and moved on it last week when it was posted...will keep lookin

 

You da man Ed and if I could vote on it again I would, just a plain out cool photo with that big hay rack in there!

[bds1984 1,499]

I have a C165. Great tractor, plenty of power to do anything you'd ask it to... don't be afraid of the "cradle mount" engines, I've had mine for twenty years and no issues. 

[daveoman1966 3,841]

I like the C-160 Auto for (1)...hand operated motion lever eliminates frequent gear changes (stops) for motion / speed control in grass or gravel.  (2) much easier to mow around all the junk..trees...biushes... in my yard, without clutch / gear changes back and forth...just move motion control lever. (3) ability to increase momentum on-the-fly when slamming into a big pile of snow or snow drift. I concede that the 8 speed is better for use with a tiller, but that's all.

Just MHO.

ps...like the duallys on the C-160    

[Ed Kennell 42,081]

                                                                                                            

 

For really great motion control, Put a foot control on those hydros  Daveo.      Frees up a hand to operate the lift for jumping the deck over stump roots and for raising the snow plow and blower.

I have foot control on my 312 and 520 hydros.

[BOB ELLISON 2,981]

1 hour ago, daveoman1966 said:

I like the C-160 Auto for (1)...hand operated motion lever eliminates frequent gear changes (stops) for motion / speed control in grass or gravel.  (2) much easier to mow around all the junk..trees...biushes... in my yard, without clutch / gear changes back and forth...just move motion control lever. (3) ability to increase momentum on-the-fly when slamming into a big pile of snow or snow drift. I concede that the 8 speed is better for use with a tiller, but that's all.

Just MHO.

ps...like the dually on the c160

I'm with you daveoman1966. I have 2 c160 and I can plow with out spinning a tire. I just ease into the snow and it will walk and if I push hard it will fly through the snow.

1 hour ago, daveoman1966 said:

 

[BOB ELLISON 2,981]

14 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

                                                                                                            

 

For really great motion control, Put a foot control on those hydros  Daveo.      Frees up a hand to operate the lift for jumping the deck over stump roots and for raising the snow plow and blower.

I have foot control on my 312 and 520 hydros.

Ed the foot control that Matt sales will not work on a c160 . It will only fit on 300 400 500 series tractor. I wish someone would post a way to make a foot control for the  b and c tractors.

I did see one sometime back when I was reading here on RedSquare. 

[BOB ELLISON 2,981]

This is the perfect snow pusher 1974  C160 auto for me . And I'm starting to bring the 1977 C160 back from the land of the dead.

[Ed Kennell 42,081]

Here ya go Bob. I wasn't referring to Matts foot control.  This is the control I put on my 312 and 520 and it will work on any hydro with the console located stick like the C-160 and the early 520s.

[squonk 43,865]

Notice in this pic. I had a parts tractor that I robbed the hydro control out of. cut it and fabbed it on the hyd. lift control. I can steer with the right hand and drop a couple of fingers down and run the lift. Meanwhile I run the motion control with the left. Reminds me of an old dozer! 

 

[kudzu3 323]

Interesting post, great info. I had no idea the C 160 was so popular, I don't believe I've ever even seen one, but of course, there aren't many Wh's in the southeast .I always thought  the D's were the "Hoss" of the horses. My first WH was a D 180, and man what a tractor it was!

[BOB ELLISON 2,981]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Here ya go Bob. I wasn't referring to Matts foot control.  This is the control I put on my 312 and 520 and it will work on any hydro with the console located stick like the C-160 and the early 520s.

This is the perfect snow pusher 1974  C160 auto for me . And I'm starting to bring the 1977 C160 back from the land of the dead.

I like it I will try to make me one for my c160 . Thanks Ed

[can whlvr 994]

ok I agree that the 160 is about the best wheelhorse around,i have an auto and 2 8 speeds,all kohlers,love them but any large frame wheel horse will be satisfactory,and I also have quite a few maroon stripes and they are great workers too,and with the magnums the engines are so easy to maintain ,your suburban is a great little tractor but when you get a larger tractor you wont be disappointed,ya I prefer the larger engine horses,but the 8,10,12 hp tractors are very capable too,so don't not look at a wheelhorse just because its not a c160