Working Tractor question "C series"

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Looking at an 80

[wh500special 2,281]

The C141 is practically the same tractor as your 312 with the exceptions of styling and transmission. If the 312 has been up to the task for lo these many years I suspect that with proper care the C-141 will be equally satisfying and capable.

The only "watch outs" that occur to me on that tractor/loader setup really are no big deal as long as you're a believer in preventative maintenance and are not afraid to turn wrenches every once in a while:

1. Before you buy you need to evaluate the condition of the transmission. Ideally you'd be able to WORK the tractor under normal conditions for at least a half hour to thoroughly heat up the hydrostatic transmission. You should experience no loss of power from the tranmission (no "slipping" sensation) and the transmisson should be able to move/pull/push dig as powerfully when hot as it does when cold. If the performance drops off appreciatively, you might be looking a a future rebuild. If it checks OK, then make sure you regularly change the tranmission oil and use a genuine Toro filter on the thing every 100 hours or so. Hydro's are nothing to be afraid of, but they are more prone to damage from poor maintenance than anything.

2. Check the frame for cracks/repairs where it bolts to the front of the transaxle. This is a probably the weak point on this style of tractor and most prone spot to damage. It is not irrepariable nor expensive, but -especially with a loader - it needs to be in good condition.

In my opinion that C141 will be a much better tractor than any D-series for your task. Your 312 attachments will fit and you'll find that Kohler to be a very long lived engine. Taken care of - and fixing the occasional "little issues" - will make it the better choice than the D. I'd leave the loader on the C-141 personally, but you could move it to the 312 should you desire. You might prefer the hydro for mowing.

I have long maintained that the C-series really were the best working tractors WH ever made. Very tough, very simple, and implements from the early 70's thru 2007 will fit on them usually with no modifications. I've had all the D's at one time or another and have never been as impressed as I am with the classic simplicity of the C-series. The D's are big, but not really that much more capable than their smaller brothers. And you can't beat the parts availability of a classic C either.

These tractors are all getting old, so you should expect some things to break from time to time. But the C-series are usually as reliable as a stone fence and are exceedingly simple to work on.

Good luck!

Steve

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Thank you, that was exactly what I was looking for.

I believe I will try to get a look at it this week.

A 520H has also been located although it appears to be well used and in need of some care.

Given a choice between the C141 in good shape and the 520 in fair shape would you have a preferance?

Thanks for the help, I will get back with a follow up.

[C-Series14 15]

The C-141 was made from 1978-1979...I have an Ark 550 Loader on my 1979 C-161 8-speed and have for many years with no problems. A great setup! :thumbs2:

[gwgdog66 23]

It is hard to beat a C Series :thumbs2:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

It is hard to beat a C Series

My thoughts exactly :thumbs:

[can whlvr 994]

going to go look at a 1975 c120 auto,not orig motor,but if the price is right i will have my favorite era of wheelhorses :thumbs2:

[wh500special 2,281]

Given a choice between the C141 in good shape and the 520 in fair shape would you have a preferance?

Whoops, I didn't notice this part...

While the 520's were fantastic machines, they do have a unique set of caveats that the earlier C's do not. The 20 horse Onan is a great engine, but poor routine maintenance can lead to loss of the valve seat(s) in the rear cylinder if the PO wasn't particularly judicious about removing chaff and grass from the cooling fins.

Being a 20 hp, it is quite a thirsty engine. Not a fault or bad design, but it just takes more gas to make more power. It is a torque monster, smooth, and quiet compared to a one cylinder Kohler.

The electrical system on these is prone to gremlins. Nothing is terribly hard to deduce or fix if you have some electronics sense and can follow a diagram, but often corrosion and bad connections will plague the gage package and indicator lamps and can cause some reliability problems. Again, not insurmountable but annoying.

That's been my experience anyway with almost all the 520's I've ever had anyway.

Honestly, it comes down to preference. I'd personally go for the C141 but once you've driven a 520 it may be hard to go back in time. They ride and steer a lot nicer than the earlier tractors but typically come at either a monetary or incidental annoyance cost unless you get one that is in very good shape.

Good luck with this!

Steve

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,557]

Where in New England are you??

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Have not been able to get back as things got busy.

The C141 & the 520 both fell thru but I did end up with a D200.

It is a lot more tractor than my 312.

It's still on the trailer and I will not get a chance to unload until tuesday.

The engine appears strong, trans tight and the whole machine has been refurbished.

There is a loader that is home built (appears to be a nice job), and the 3pt also is home built (again nice but will need some tweeking).

Additional items; rear wheel weights, 48" (?) mower and a rear home built grading blade for the 3pt.

I will get back early next week with some pictures and, I am sure some, questions.

Thank you to everyone that helped in my search.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Congratualtions.

You do know that now you have 2 horse you will not be able to stop at that number?

Keep us posted

:ychain:

[Operator 7]

Looking forward to the pictures.

Randy

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http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s205/Sp...h_6-29-09-8.jpg

Hope the pictures work. Summer has been wet and busy and I have run out of time.

I am having trouble getting use to the hand hydro but all else is good.

Reciently, I have a electrical issue - no elect at all - and am starting by looking for a safety switch falure.

As time gets better, I will post more.

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Trying this for a better picture.

[hodge 6]

She looks to be in nice shape, and the loader sure doesn't look like a home built job! Very nice, and congratulations!

[Duff 206]

Somebody spent some time refurbishing that machine! You?

Really, really nice!

Duff :thumbs2:

[TJ 184]

Nice looking tractor. :thumbs2:

[gwgdog66 23]

Cool!! :thumbs2: