Letter and number relationships

[Jim anderson 77]

I know this is probably a very simple question for most on this forum, however I haven’t really figured this out.  Can someone please explain to me how the letter series “B, C, D” are related to the number series?  Are the letters just older models that were replaced by the numbers “300’s, 400’s, 500’s”?  If so is the 300 the same frame as the B, 400 the same as the C, and 500 the same as the D?  Finally, what defines a short frame vs a long frame?

 

thanks in advance!

[ebinmaine 73,030]

There's a lot to explain there and I don't know all of it but I can give you a start

 

The difference in frame length is from the front step mount rod (or Stirrup rod) to the front of the tractor. 

 

Short frames were the early models and were mostly Small blocks (8 HP or less).

Long frames became available in the mid 60s to accommodate the bigger engines and Implements.

 

B series from 74 to around 77 were medium frames.

B series from 78 - 81 were lighter duty with vertical shaft engines. (Lawn mower).

 

C series from 74 to (83?) Were 3 different models and all long frames.

 

D series were an entirely different animal all together and were made for Wheelhorse. (In Germany?)

 

Number Tractors... 3,4,5 series were all long frames and successors to the C series.

Someone else can chime in to explain those better.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D series were an entirely different animal all together and were made for Wheelhorse. (In Germany?)

 

 

Only the D-250 was built in Europe.D-160    D-180    and D-200 were built on this side of the pond.The rest of ebinmaine's info is correct.

Edited February 4, 2019 by Pollack Pete

[953 nut 60,393]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

D series were an entirely different animal all together and were made for Wheelhorse. (In Germany?)

Eric, that was a very good summery except that only the D=250 was European made.

Pete is too fast for me, he posted while I was typing!

[Racinbob 11,991]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

There's a lot to explain there and I don't know all of it but I can give you a start

 

The difference in frame length is from the front step mount rod (or Stirrup rod) to the front of the tractor. 

 

Short frames were the early models and were mostly Small blocks (8 HP or less).

Long frames became available in the mid 60s to accommodate the bigger engines and Implements.

 

B series from 74 to around 77 were medium frames.

B series from 78 - 81 were lighter duty with vertical shaft engines. (Lawn mower).

 

C series from 74 to (83?) Were 3 different models and all long frames.

 

D series were an entirely different animal all together and were made for Wheelhorse. (In Germany?)

 

Number Tractors... 3,4,5 series were all long frames and successors to the C series.

Someone else can chime in to explain those better.

 

The 74 & 75 B's were the medium frame and the 76 & 77 B's were long frame like the C's and 300-500 series. The only difference between the B's and C's in 76 & 77 were the rear tire size, 22.750 vs 23.850, low back vs high back seat, 13" vs 15" steering wheel, headlights were optional on the B's, std on C's, only 7, 8 and 10 hp on the B's and a couple other minor things.  Starting in 78 the B's became lawn tractors as you mentioned. There were no more short or medium frame tractors after 75 not considering the lawn tractors. The 300's varied through the years but were the same frame as the 400's. For the most part the tires on the 300's were smaller and some had the 4 pinion transmission with 1" axles and overall had fewer bells and whistles. In the later years towards the end the 300 series was all they offered in the traditional Wheel Horse and had the larger wheels and 8 pinion transmission. As always with these tractors a few exceptions were made.

[Jim anderson 77]

Ok, quite a lot to digest.  So is it safe to say that generally: between the later B, C, 300, 400 models attachments would be interchangeable?   If I’m correct, Ould any other models fall into thi group?

[Racinbob 11,991]

Yes.....with a few exceptions. You can add the 500 series to that as well. I'm using a 48" deck that I bought in 76 on my 2005 Classic GT. 

[ebinmaine 73,030]

1 hour ago, Jim anderson said:

later B, C, 300, 400 models attachments would be interchangeable

if the B series is from 1974 to 1977 and has a horizontal shaft motor that is true.

 

if the B series is later than that and has a VERTICAL shaft engine that is NOT true.

 

 

[oliver2-44 10,784]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

Yes.....with a few exceptions. You can add the 500 series to that as well. I'm using a 48" deck that I bought in 76 on my 2005 Classic GT. 

But not the 50XI series. I believe the XI had a wider frame so it’s at front and belly hitch was different .  

 

 

 

 

 

[ericj 1,579]

the only exceptions that I can think of would be some attachments won't work on the 520's with swept front axles. The snow plows need the extension kits to keep from rubbing the front tires when the wheels are turned and the 42" side discharge decks will rub the wider tires on the 520's Although I have seen a few 42" decks that did work , haven't been able to figure exactly what the difference was, must be something in the axle for the ground wheels. The 42" rear discharge decks will work with out rubbing.

 

 

 

eric j

[dcrage 630]

37” SD decks need the 6” front wheels to operate freely. Some 300 series tractors have them, some don’t. 

 

Oh, and C-195s were a different tractor and had several unique attachments. 

Edited February 4, 2019 by dcrage

[Jim anderson 77]

Thanks all, quite informative!