Back on a horse 55 #1 Posted November 11, 2019 I just joined this fine group of folks and wanted to make a post saying Hello. When I was a kid my dad wisely bought a used C-160 because we had a lot of grass to cut. I spent most of my adult life here in a small city with a couple of old Snappers. Well, we got hit by hurricane Michael just over a year ago and I REALLY could have used a small tractor because the Snapper couldn't even help itself much less me. About a month ago, I started looking for a small tractor / lawn mower that might actually be useful to me and I was shocked to learn that Wheel Horses were still available. I looked at just the right time too as I found a 1996 314-8 with about 250 hours on the clock and it was about 5 hours away. There aren't nearly as many Wheel Horses for sale down here in Florida as you all have up north. I'm still swamped with work from the hurricane so I don't have pictures and I haven't had time to do anything with the tractor, but I have made a list of the TLC it needs. It only has one original front rim and the other is a mis-match. The inner bearing on the original front rim appears to be mostly gone. Hopefully the rim and spindle are not damaged. I'm going to take a look in the classifieds, but if anyone has an extra original 8" rim for a 300 series, please let me know. Thanks to everyone for such a great forum. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,722 #2 Posted November 11, 2019 @Back on a horse! @clueless Is in the pan handle, he might be able to help you with parts... or know someone who can! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 88vic #4 Posted November 11, 2019 Welcome ! You will soon discover that this is your second home. The door is always open and friends who become family welcome you with open arms. Theres no other like it anywhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Back on a horse 55 #5 Posted November 11, 2019 (edited) Thanks for the welcome. Pullstart - when you mentioned local members I checked the member map and was surprised at how many owners are around me and in the state of Florida. I have included the pictures that were listed on Facebook marketplace but I will try to get some better ones. It seems to be a good solid machine and the 42" mower deck appears to be in GREAT shape. The clock says 207 hours and I paid $950 for it to a guy down near Ocala. I thought it was a decent price, especially considering how rare really nice ones are down here. It was a STEAL compared to what the local hardware stores want for their new piles of tin and plastic. It makes me sad that me and my father have neglected the old C-160 for so many years. LIfe happens and then one day you awaken and realize that 20 or 30 years have gone by. I'm going to try to make some time to give some attention to that old C-160 this winter ... I hope there's not too much moisture in the old 8-speed transaxle. Anyway, here are some pictures: Edited November 11, 2019 by Back on a horse 6 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 857 #6 Posted November 11, 2019 I would be careful hanging around this site, these guys and these WH tractors are very addictive. So if you hang around and get hooked all I can say is welcome to a very knowledgeable group of wrench turners. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 857 #7 Posted November 11, 2019 Also that's a great looking machine, good luck with it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 8,611 #8 Posted November 11, 2019 Also a To from the other side of the big Pond. Nice Rig 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #9 Posted November 11, 2019 Welcome from the Get that C-160 sorted out. One Wheel Horse is not enough. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12Horse Paladin 1,038 #10 Posted November 11, 2019 Welcome!😊 OOOooohhh...i am no expert like so many here, but that 314...is it an anniversary model? A c160 is high on my list of wants; i hope you can get it back up and running👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,332 #12 Posted November 11, 2019 to the best darn tractor site on the planet. This is !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,876 #13 Posted November 11, 2019 Back on a horse. Nice find. That C 160 is a work horse. Just take your time with it. There a bit hard to find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,556 #14 Posted November 11, 2019 (edited) Nice looking tractor! It's really great to hear that your Dad's C160 is still around. It will be a great tractor to keep & maybe even restore. Few of us are able to own such a keep sake full of memories. Edited November 11, 2019 by Achto 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,682 #15 Posted November 11, 2019 9 hours ago, Back on a horse said: It only has one original front rim and the other is a mis-match. The inner bearing on the original front rim appears to be mostly gone Most 300 series came with 6" front rims but many of us have swapped to the 8" rims for a better ride. Replacement sealed bearings can be had at a reasonable price on and if you will meed spindles and rims do a post in the classifieds on here. You could use the spindles and rims from the C-160 for the time being if needed. Lots of parts are interchangeable from model to model on a . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,671 #16 Posted November 11, 2019 Welcome to the RS Forum! Very cool that you have retained the tractor with so much family history. That will be a fun one to rebuild. We recently restored this one which my dad bought a couple of years before I was born... Thats me “driving it” at about 2 years old. As the years went by, I used it for mowing, blowing, and garden work. This is me and my youngest a couple of years ago after we finished the resto. I promise you, start a thread in the restoration section of the forum, and we will love following along. If you have any vintage pictures of the C-160 those would be very much enjoyed here! Every time that I start and drive the old 875 it brings back a ton of memories and I have no doubt that your c160 will do the same for you. I also happen to own a 314-8. Mine is a couple of years older than your model but I love it. They are tough and simple little machines designed and built for decades of work. I’m sure that we will be able to help you with any parts that you may need to get it back to full operation. Glad you found us! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,898 #17 Posted November 11, 2019 Welcome from another Northwest Florida WH owner. What year is the C160. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,722 #18 Posted November 11, 2019 9 hours ago, troutbum63 said: I would be careful hanging around this site, these guys and these WH tractors are very addictive. So if you hang around and get hooked all I can say is welcome to a very knowledgeable group of wrench turners. The warnings you heed... like we and tractors are a bad thing? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,067 #19 Posted November 11, 2019 great looking tractor , all of you issues or questions ,will find answers here, i agree with the 8" front wheel upgrade, they just look better on that horse. that water issue in the transaxel ? probably a torn shifter boot , easy to replace. change that oil after using the tractor a bit to warm it up , also jack up the front end to increase drainage. 85x140 oil . from the looks of that paint , i think it will buff out , with a light paint cutter , like meguires deep crystal paint cleaner, i use a 6" palm electric buffer ,for quick easy work. getting that horse with those hrs in that state condition , in today's Chinese junk world , was a very good deal, good luck with it , keep us informed , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Back on a horse 55 #20 Posted November 12, 2019 Wow, thanks so much for such a warm welcome! I already feel like I have been here for years! The C-160 is probably in better shape than I implied. I know the shifter boot is shot so I am just worried about how much condensation has collected inside the transaxle over the years. Dad had the top end redone about 15 years ago. It has always been under a pole barn roof, but it is rusty and scattered. @12 horse Paladin - What would the anniversary be? The 314 has a gold wheel horse emblem between the headlights if that means anything.. Model 73402. @953 Nut – I think the parts manual says 8” rims on my model. I’ll check again though. @Peacemaker Jack – Those are great pictures and you did an amazing job with that restoration! @cluless – I don’t know the exact year. I’ll have to look at the plate. @Peter lena – 85w-140 for the C-160-8? The owner’s manual for the 314-8 says SAE 90. Can you elaborate on that? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Back on a horse 55 #21 Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) Went to Pensacola today and got some toys. Also got a bottom plow that is not pictured. The guy in Pensacola has a poor old C-160-8 for sale that has no reverse. I told him he had a leaky axle seal so I pulled the dip stick ... stick is corroded and covered with mud. It hurt to see that. He said he wanted to restore it for his son but his son doesn't want it. I didn't buy the tractor. (I hope I am not breaking forum rules ... I know I can't post a link to the ad). Edited November 12, 2019 by Back on a horse 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,722 #22 Posted November 12, 2019 I really like that leafy faded look! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Back on a horse 55 #23 Posted November 12, 2019 Camouflage. It cost a little extra! 2 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,898 #24 Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, Back on a horse said: Went to Pensacola today and got some toys. Also got a bottom plow that is not pictured. The guy in Pensacola has a poor old C-160-8 for sale that has no reverse. I told him he had a leaky axle seal so I pulled the dip stick ... stick is corroded and covered with mud. It hurt to see that. He said he wanted to restore it for his son but his son doesn't want it. I didn't buy the tractor. (I hope I am not breaking forum rules ... I know I can't post a link to the ad). Not sure how I missed that one. I'm always glad to see someone get into the WH thing down here, but you can't just be coming into my backyard and snatching these things up . Need to see a pic of your c160. Edited November 12, 2019 by clueless 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chip61 655 #25 Posted November 12, 2019 Actually not a bad looking C160-lots of potential there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
