I am back in the club !! New to me Horse.

[D_Mac 9,299]

Well fellas since I had to sell off my Wheel Horses I felt like I didnt belong anymore. The Lambert and the Speedanza are cool but THIS IS a Wheel Horse Fourm. Well guess what....... Im back in ! Picked this up a little while ago. Saw it on CL and jumped right on it. Not a model I know anything about but it does say Wheel Horse on the side of it ! I am so excited to have it and the best part is that it runs and drives!!! It does need some work... I think the hydro is leaking as a saw a puddle of oil on top of the deck. Checked the dip stick and was hardly any in there. When you raise the deck it seems to come up higher on one side then the other. Seat is horrible, someone glued vinyl on it. Front head light lens busted, rear one is busted and no lights work. came with wheel weights for the rear but nothing else. Still trying to figure it out. I just got it home and off the truck. As usual any info I would love to hear about it. I dont know the year, I believe thats a 16 hp Kohler, not sure but it runs really good. Not a fan of driving it by a stick, seems like something you have to get used to then maybe like. Right now it just seems funny but I only did a little lap in my yard. I think I got a smoking good deal on it that makes me even happier. 

[kasey54 305]

Looks like a good one! I've seen some c-161 twins( B+S)

[kasey54 305]

The 16 hp single cylinder kohler is second to none.

 

[Achto 29,229]

 Nice looking tractor!! The C161 was only made in '78 & '79. 16hp Kohler is one beast of a thump-er.  The hand operated hydro may take a bit to get used to. I spent my child hood driving a hand operated hydro so a foot operated hydro seems foreign to me.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,078]

NICE! 

 

And this one's the right color!!! 

[c-series don 9,786]

I believe the 78-79 C -161 automatic was the pinnacle of the C series. Some may argue that because of the shaker style engine mounts, however to me it’s the Cadillac of Wheel Horses because soon after they started making things too complicated with wiring and electronics that are totally unnecessary. I have most of the 78-79 C-series models made. 

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

SWEET.

😊😁😊👍🏼

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,388]

Added your serial number to the list. Could not read the build date at the bottom.

Garry

[chip61 664]

Nice!! You can't beat the C160/C161. No frills, easy to operate and easy to work on.

[tom2p 2,394]

great looking C-161

 

D_Mac is back !

 

[D_Mac 9,299]

I have a thousand question but I will start with this one..... why are some C series hoods black and others red?

[ZXT 2,401]

23 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

I have a thousand question but I will start with this one..... why are some C series hoods black and others red?

On that style hood, I don't think you'll find a black one. Later tractors got the different hood and it was black depending on the year.

[squonk 43,336]

Well the garage is full now!  Going to need a bigger yard! 

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

VERY nice C-161.Been ressurecting a C-161 Eight Speed.Mowed with it for the first time yesterday.Love the 16 horse Kohler.Have fun with your new toy.

[953 nut 59,216]

                           Not only is D Mac back, now he is the newest member of the "Black Hood Club".                 

 

[Pullstart 65,737]

Awesome save!  
 

If you hit the brake, does it actually stop / return to neutral?  If so, you’re ahead of all of my hydro units.  If not, that can be adjusted fairly easily.  

 

As for the leak, if you can get to it, see if the source is near the motion control system.  There are a couple o-rings in that part that tend to flatten and leak.  @pfrederi taught me that.  

 

 

[squonk 43,336]

3 hours ago, 953 nut said:

                           Not only is D Mac back, now he is the newest member of the "Black Hood Club".                 

 

Only with a can of spray paint! 

[D_Mac 9,299]

3 hours ago, 953 nut said:

                           Not only is D Mac back, now he is the newest member of the "Black Hood Club".                 

 

Is it still considered a black hood? 

 

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

Awesome save!  
 

If you hit the brake, does it actually stop / return to neutral?  If so, you’re ahead of all of my hydro units.  If not, that can be adjusted fairly easily.  

 

As for the leak, if you can get to it, see if the source is near the motion control system.  There are a couple o-rings in that part that tend to flatten and leak.  @pfrederi taught me that.  

 

Yes when I press the brake it stops and goes to neutral.

 

Alright gentleman. Was out early this AM giving my new Horse a look over. The previous owner glue a piece of vinyl all over the seat. Wrapped it up. Looked horrible. I got the vinyl off but glue all over the tractor. gonna need a new seat. Right now its serviceable. I notice the hood gets real hot after its running. Its that comman because the muffler is so close to it? Even the air cleaner is real hot. Speaking of the air cleaner.... I noticed it is cracked and ready to break off. In the picture you can see the crack, with the engine running and vibrating crack appears much longer. Not going to last very long. What are my options? Other then the lights not working it seems to run really good. It came with rear wheel weights. If I have no plow or snowblower do I need them? One is really good shape the other looks like it has been run along side a curb. What the value of them? I aslo would like to take the deck off. Does the hydro make it any different then my old 308? I would like to address the crack on the carb first. I can not find a tag on the engine.

Edited May 26, 2020 by D_Mac

[peter lena 9,186]

D-MAC , looks like you have a very solid piece there, in addition to anything you look at that needs maintenance , a very thorough baseline service  ,  all oils , greasing , lubricate all cables for function , get some seafoam in the gas , look for wire chafing and posible mounting issues. the seat issue is easy , look at agri fab for exact w/h mounting seat pattern ,and good prices . you really scored with a good solid looking horse, keep us informed , pete 

[peter lena 9,186]

D-MAC , here is that seat site , https://www.agrisupply.com/universal-tractor-seat/p/14119/   pete

[D_Mac 9,299]

5 minutes ago, peter lena said:

D-MAC , looks like you have a very solid piece there, in addition to anything you look at that needs maintenance , a very thorough baseline service  ,  all oils , greasing , lubricate all cables for function , get some seafoam in the gas , look for wire chafing and posible mounting issues. the seat issue is easy , look at agri fab for exact w/h mounting seat pattern ,and good prices . you really scored with a good solid looking horse, keep us informed , pete 

 

Oh no doubt I will go through all that. I will change all the fluids. They tranny oil was really low I just added some. I will change it. Right now my plate is full with the Lambert. I want to address the carb before I make a mess of it.

[Pullstart 65,737]

That air cleaner base comes off the carb.  It looks like it’s been siliconed on?  Try pulling it apart to inspect for overall damage.  There should be three screws holding the base to the carb.

[D_Mac 9,299]

3 minutes ago, peter lena said:

D-MAC , here is that seat site , https://www.agrisupply.com/universal-tractor-seat/p/14119/   pete

So you think I should get a yellow one?

[D_Mac 9,299]

2 minutes ago, pullstart said:

That air cleaner base comes off the carb.  It looks like it’s been siliconed on?  Try pulling it apart to inspect for overall damage.  There should be three screws holding the base to the carb.

Yeah I thought it was all one piece. Didnt make seance to me but I am no mechanic. I thought about JB weld but if it comes off I will look for a new one

[Pullstart 65,737]

I might just need some screws?