New addition to our Wheel Horse family today C-81

[Tonyp 278]

Very unexpected. I always  search for Wheel Horse parts, decks, whatever, every morning.  This morning this showed up on the  local adds, about 40 miles away. I called early, made an appointment, got up to the sellers home , made quite a deal and brought it home.

 

1979/ C81 ( 8 HP Kohler )

36" rear discharge deck

and

A Wheel Horse Tiller !   Yes all the proper mule power take off attachments and belts came with it.  

 

It runs great and yes even the lights work ! 

 

I was told by the seller that he  acquired it from the original owner , he did some motor work and put it up for sale.  I was also told that it spent all of it's life either in an outdoor shed or a garage.  

 

It's dirty and needs a beauty bath but other than that , well, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it ! 

 

This is #3

 

Price, under 6 for everything  

 

 I have always wanted a C Series and should have bought one new when I made my first purchase, which was an A Series way back in the mid 70's.  Better late than never !    

 

So now it joins the family along with a 310-8 and a 315-8

 

 

Edited September 27, 2016 by Tonyp

[Racinbob 10,296]

NICE!! You got a great deal on that. The tiller looks barely used.

[ACman 7,514]

Nice score there  ! Looks to be an clean original low hour machine . Can you get a pic of the dealer sticker ? It may not be listed on the dealer list thread .

[TDF5G 2,051]

She looks mighty fine!  You did well.

[DougC 2,641]

It pays to keep your eye's open! Great find and fast action on your part.     Congratulations. Nice 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,062]

Very nice score.

[WHX?? 46,814]

4 hours ago, Tonyp said:

I'm not exactly sure what to do with it !

Put it to work!!

Nice find and good price

[c-series don 7,845]

Racinbob is correct that tiller looks like it's never seen dirt. That by itself is worth 350. Great score! 

[Tonyp 278]

6 hours ago, ACman said:

Nice score there  ! Looks to be an clean original low hour machine . Can you get a pic of the dealer sticker ? It may not be listed on the dealer list thread .

 

 

yes, the machine overall doesn't look used or abused. However, the Kohler 8 had to be rebuilt, the original owner somehow allowed it to run low on oil.  The gentleman I bought it from has a full repair shop  and he rebuilt the motor. It runs very strong and smooth. I am told it may have 20  hours on  the rebuild. He even reminded me to check the torque on the head bolts  again in another 20 hours or so. Very knowledgeable guy.  

 

It also came with all the original manuals from the initial purchase. 

 

Original purchase made in Mi, Warren Barber Inc, the dealer tag is still on the machine. It appears the original owner brought  it to NC  around 1989 from paperwork that came with the Tractor.

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2016 by Tonyp

[953 nut 51,775]

             You done gooooood!                  

[Tonyp 278]

So as my wife and I were sitting , talking, having a cup of coffee out in the driveway this morning,  as we do every morning, we looked over at the C-81 parked next to the  315-8....

 

she says," what  are you gonna do with it, we now have 3 tractors , are you just gonna look at it " ?

 

I thought about it for a few seconds and said...

 

"YES". 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2016 by Tonyp

[doc724 924]

 

1 hour ago, Tonyp said:

So as my wife and I were sitting , talking, having a cup of coffee out in the driveway this morning,  as we do every morning, we looked over at the C-81 parked next to the  315-8....

 

she says," what  are you gonna do with it, we now have 3 tractors , are you just gonna look at it " ?

 

I thought about it for a few seconds and said...

 

"YES". 

 

Just wait until your bring home number 4 or (gulp) number 5!

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

I had a similar conversation with my wife. But my road had a few bumps in it, maybe cause I am pushing for number 6. 

 

Glenn

[midpack 804]

4 hours ago, Tonyp said:

So as my wife and I were sitting , talking, having a cup of coffee out in the driveway this morning,  as we do every morning, we looked over at the C-81 parked next to the  315-8....

 

she says," what  are you gonna do with it, we now have 3 tractors , are you just gonna look at it " ?

 

I thought about it for a few seconds and said...

 

"YES". 

 

I told my wife I was too old to keep changing attachments...  so i have one with a snowblower, one for the plow, one with a leaf collector wagon hooked to it, and of course one to mow the lawn!

Plus my 59 Panzer just because it's so cool

 

[WHX?? 46,814]

8 hours ago, JERSEYHAWG / Glenn said:

had a few bumps in it

You mean your noggin will have a few bumps ya bring home #6!!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

One tractor per attachment!  Usually a tractor can only run one attachment at a time so you might have a tractor with a mower, a tractor with a tiller and a tractor with something else but that does NOT count as 3 tractors!  Count as 1 tiller, 1 mower and 1 something else!  That's three distinct tools!  Serving entirely different uses!  Not 3 tractors!  Maybe that will help some?

 

On a side note.  I have a C-81 and a C-85 and I love both!  I also have a tiller.  I've never thought about using it on a 8hp.  I know I've read about a 8hp tiller  (see, not a tractor with a tiller!)  but is 8hp really enough?  I got other tractors to use...

Edited October 1, 2016 by DennisThornton

[c-series don 7,845]

Dennis, as per our last conversation on snow removal you know you and I think alike. One tractor per attachment. This will help you win the argument for a while. One of the last things the bride said was " OK I get not changing attachments but 15 tractors? This is rediculous" The problem here is I have a few more attachments with no tractor to put them on ! Predicaments.........

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Currently here, at  #28...

the Mrs Rules has finally learned...

to just stop asking.     

[DennisThornton 4,769]

55 minutes ago, c-series don said:

Dennis, as per our last conversation on snow removal you know you and I think alike. One tractor per attachment. This will help you win the argument for a while. One of the last things the bride said was " OK I get not changing attachments but 15 tractors? This is rediculous" The problem here is I have a few more attachments with no tractor to put them on ! Predicaments.........

Absolutely!  And seriously, especially in the winter!  Who wants to change from blower to blade for each snow fall?  Or mower to tiller for each time the garden or lawn needs attention!  Indeed, when the tractors were new it would have been cost prohibitive to buy a tractor for each attachment but with today's bargains on good reliable WHs it just makes sense if one can possibly swing it to pay as little as $200 for another tractor to have a complete functional tool with no swapping!  Or price a new powerhouse walk behind snowblower and compare it to a nice 520H with a tall chute that will dramatically outperform it!  The Mrs. will understand the walk behind, as long as one doesn't have several, but have a few tractors and we get accused!

 

50 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Currently here, at  #28...

the Mrs Rules has finally learned...

to just stop asking.     

I think mine has pretty much given up but I also try some other tactics.

 

I bought a 522XI while she was out of town.  Second XI so it shouldn't look that much different to her.  I never mentioned it all and she didn't say a word either.  So I got away with that one!  Then, months later she said "Oh by the way!  I know you brought home another "tractor!"!  Crap!  I really thought I had gotten away with that!  

 

Pretty sure she still hasn't noticed the two Sears Suburbans I trucked home the next time she was gone!  Last time she was gone I brought home a 264H but I told her about it.  Not a word yet!  I think I'm wearing her down...

Edited October 1, 2016 by DennisThornton

[Tonyp 278]

evidently I need a few more attachments  !.

 

So the other night I was out and about and I saw yet another C-81 sitting in front of an old store. I told my wife about it and said I may call. She said what, another ? really, you are going to call ?

 

I said, well, probably not but I probably will , I'll let you know.

 

I have not called yet but will on Monday !  Ya just never know 

[c-series don 7,845]

C'mon ya know ya gotta call !