TonyBer 71 #1 Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) Just picked up a nice C160 and a few things going on prompting a seat replacement. I have a hip issue that limits my flexibility and on my other 8Hp the seat sits slightly higher (foldable with armrests) and makes a huge difference in comfort me. The C160 seat is 1 piece (no arm rests or folding) and I'm looking to get something slightly higher and a lot more comfortable with arm rests. I've seen some mention Northern Tool / Michigan Seat, and wondering what is the best upgrade option? Is anything plug and play or do I need to do some drilling. Should I add springs? Thanks!! Edited November 18, 2021 by TonyBer 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #2 Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) I would definitely add the springs. Just put that same seat on my 520 and like it... That is not the original seat for a C160. Springs would add about 2 inches in height Edited November 18, 2021 by roadapples 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyBer 71 #3 Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, roadapples said: I would definitely add the springs. Just put that same seat on my 520 and like it... That is not the original seat for a C160. Springs would add about 2 inches in height Thanks..I fixed the "original" part. Standard springs...like all over Ebay? Edited November 18, 2021 by TonyBer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #4 Posted November 18, 2021 Yeah, I think most wheel horse springs are alike and most seats will fit. The 520 with the adjustment is different. The seat I just put on like yours I had to drill new holes in the rear and install nutserts . That seat has a metal pan so armrests wouldn't be that hard to add. Put an add in our classifieds want adds. Someone on here may have a set of springs. Although the last set I bought off of eBay, I gave $15 for... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,072 #5 Posted November 18, 2021 That's a beautiful machine Tony. I've got a set of seat springs I'll give you a fair deal on. Other side of the same coin if you decide to sell that existing seat please keep me in mind. Our rough terrain here makes it so we prefer to have no seat suspension and short backs. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyBer 71 #6 Posted November 18, 2021 2 hours ago, ebinmaine said: That's a beautiful machine Tony. I've got a set of seat springs I'll give you a fair deal on. Other side of the same coin if you decide to sell that existing seat please keep me in mind. Our rough terrain here makes it so we prefer to have no seat suspension and short backs. Thank you very much. I'm a year into WH and really enjoying the machines. Sure I'lll take your springs just PM me the price including shipping and how you want paid? I will keep you posted but I think I'll be inclined to keep it by first trying the springs you are offering to see if it solves the issues I have. Thanks for your input and sure I'll buy your springs. Tony 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,072 #7 Posted November 18, 2021 40 minutes ago, TonyBer said: Thank you very much. I'm a year into WH and really enjoying the machines. Sure I'lll take your springs just PM me the price including shipping and how you want paid? I will keep you posted but I think I'll be inclined to keep it by first trying the springs you are offering to see if it solves the issues I have. Thanks for your input and sure I'll buy your springs. Tony PM sent... 😀 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,813 #8 Posted November 18, 2021 I've had this seat on my C-160 for over 12 years. I love it. Added springs and it's adjustable. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395377_200395377 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyBer 71 #9 Posted November 18, 2021 15 minutes ago, squonk said: I've had this seat on my C-160 for over 12 years. I love it. Added springs and it's adjustable. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395377_200395377 Thank you...was looking that model previously and seeing on your tractor I think seals the deal. I'm going to add springs and this seat. BTW...did you have to do any mods to attach? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,427 #10 Posted November 18, 2021 I’ve read on here if you mount the springs backwards on the fender pan the spring offset hole spacing moves the seat another 1” to the rear. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,916 #11 Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, oliver2-44 said: I’ve read on here if you mount the springs backwards on the fender pan the spring offset hole spacing moves the seat another 1” to the rear. Backwards or upside down? The holes are spaced further back on one side of the springs. And since there are 3 sets of fender pan holes, it is conceivable you could get farther back just flipping them 180 degrees. But backwards would make the seat lean back permanently and offer no softening of the ride without tilting the seat forward. Not sure how it works, but would be interested to see it. Edited November 18, 2021 by kpinnc 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,813 #12 Posted November 18, 2021 1 hour ago, TonyBer said: Thank you...was looking that model previously and seeing on your tractor I think seals the deal. I'm going to add springs and this seat. BTW...did you have to do any mods to attach? I don't remember but I think it was a bolt on. The only mod I did I think was thinning the bolt heads on the seat tracks so the would clear the slider. The adjustable seat goes quite a ways back. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 874 #13 Posted November 18, 2021 I know some will frown on this , but a lot of seat springs from green tractors have long slots in the seat springs and you can get infinite adjustment for your seat. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,813 #14 Posted November 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, Moparfanforever said: I know some will frown on this , but a lot of seat springs from green tractors have long slots in the seat springs and you can get infinite adjustment for your seat. Heck, they are in the junkyard, why not use em! 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,427 #15 Posted November 18, 2021 4 minutes ago, Moparfanforever said: I know some will frown on this , but a lot of seat springs from green tractors have long slots in the seat springs and you can get infinite adjustment for your seat. A spray can of Regal Red fixes green recycled parts 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 874 #16 Posted November 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, squonk said: Heck, they are in the junkyard, why not use em! Yep !! They do work really well !! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,281 #17 Posted November 18, 2021 Click on the fuzzy picture to read the bulletin and again on the next page to enlarge it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailman 1,299 #18 Posted November 20, 2021 One thing I have learned about the OEM springs on the wheel horse tractors... You cannot drill new holes in those suckers!! Trying to fit an aftermarket seat and no way could I drill new holes! Maybe its just me but..... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,072 #19 Posted November 20, 2021 9 minutes ago, Sailman said: One thing I have learned about the OEM springs on the wheel horse tractors... You cannot drill new holes in those suckers!! Trying to fit an aftermarket seat and no way could I drill new holes! Maybe its just me but..... Ain't just you. That's some very hard steel. Takes special drill bits. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 832 #20 Posted November 20, 2021 It's much easier to drill the seat pan than drilling springs . Roadapples mentioned nutserts, I didn't think of that, but the old style michigan seats are real easy to brake down and weld nuts to the top of the pan. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparkie333 265 #21 Posted November 29, 2021 On 11/18/2021 at 6:53 AM, squonk said: I've had this seat on my C-160 for over 12 years. I love it. Added springs and it's adjustable. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395377_200395377 that is where I got my seat replacement-------But u don't need that thing to make u sore --I will find it a good home for it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 9,491 #22 Posted November 29, 2021 That tractor is so nice I think it’s worthy of a nice original seat. I know they can be hard to find and pricey but they do pop up from time to time. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #23 Posted November 30, 2021 On 11/19/2021 at 9:52 PM, Thor27 said: It's much easier to drill the seat pan than drilling springs . Roadapples mentioned nutserts, I didn't think of that, but the old style michigan seats are real easy to brake down and weld nuts to the top of the pan. What I used are a lot like pop rivets with threads in them. Really handy.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,916 #24 Posted November 30, 2021 Also not a bad idea to make an adapter between the springs and seat. I use 1/8 steel, so it stays low profile but is plenty strong. I've made several, and it is much easier than modifying the seat or springs. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
