C160 Auto Tiller Lift Questions

[Mike C160 251]

Greetings!

 

Well... it happened. I have had a 160 8 speed for a few years and i finally stumbled onto a 160 auto that was affordable. I thought this would be great for tilling the garden having the lift assist.

 

So with my old 8 speed, I put a new lift cable on it I got from Lowell a few years back along with a lift assist spring. Worked a treat but was a big pull to lift it up.

 

So I figure the automatic would be were the tiller lives.

 

Some questions

 

1) Does the tiller use the big lift assist spring like the 8 speed? I dont see a mount for it. 

 

2) I need to get a cable for it too. Is it the same cable as the 8 speed or is it different?

 

3) I cant see to find where the cable connects at the front. Any one have photos showing where this goes? 

 

Many thanks in advance!

 

Cheers

 

Mike

[JoeM 8,293]

Mike there are some differences. A quick call to wheel horse parts and more would be a good bet on the cable length question. 

I used the spring with the hydro lift figuring it took some stress off of the cable. 

of course you will need a rear rock shaft unless you are planning to switch the other one over.

 

 

Tiller 36in 1980-82 07-36TL01 OM #810191R1.pdf

[squonk 43,735]

From what I have read, the, 8spd tractors are better for tilling than an Automatic.

[Mike C160 251]

5 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Mike there are some differences. A quick call to wheel horse parts and more would be a good bet on the cable length question. 

I used the spring with the hydro lift figuring it took some stress off of the cable. 

of course you will need a rear rock shaft unless you are planning to switch the other one over.

 

 

Tiller 36in 1980-82 07-36TL01 OM #810191R1.pdf 851.41 kB · 0 downloads

 

Thanks for the reply

 

I dont see a spot near the left rear axle to connect that big spring. I wonder if there is something missing?

 

Cheers

[Mike C160 251]

3 minutes ago, squonk said:

From what I have read, the, 8spd tractors are better for tilling than an Automatic.

Thanks for the reply!

 

Why would that be? I cant imagine why.

 

 

Cheers

[squonk 43,735]

7 minutes ago, Mike C160 said:

Thanks for the reply!

 

Why would that be? I cant imagine why.

 

 

Cheers

Tiller tries to shove the tractor forward. Hydro doesn't hold it back Like an 8 spd. in low range.

[JoeM 8,293]

There is an angle iron bracket that is used on the top of the rear axle mount. The standard bracket is just a flat bar, your 8 speed should have that angle style. Page 3 of the manual shows this bracket. 
8 speed vs hydro I used both like the hydro better, I just pull the hydro a little in reverse to control the tiller. Especially in hard untilled ground. 

Edited May 8, 2022 by JoeM

[Mike C160 251]

5 minutes ago, JoeM said:

There is an angle iron bracket that is used on the top of the rear axle mount. The standard bracket is just a flat bar, your 8 speed should have that angle style. Page 3 of the manual shows this bracket. 
8 speed vs hydro I used both like the hydro better, I just pull the hydro a little in reverse to control the tiller. Especially in hard untilled ground. 

I see it on the 8 speed, but I dont see where it would go on the hydro... see photo below... I dont have the manual for the new hydro one. its a 1977

 

[Goldnboy 1,027]

The axle bracket is shown from a 8 speed 

[Mike C160 251]

8 hours ago, Goldnboy said:

The axle bracket is shown from a 8 speed 

Ah I see... Mine didnt come with one. But is easy enough to make one up

 

Are you using a chain for a lift cable? I think ive heard of this being done. Does it work ok?

 

Cheers!

[lynnmor 7,799]

59 minutes ago, Mike C160 said:

 

Are you using a chain for a lift cable? I think ive heard of this being done. Does it work ok?

 

 

Did you download the owners manual in post #2?  It will answer your questions about the spring, cable and chain.  A chain will give you the adjustments needed for your application.

[Goldnboy 1,027]

The chain goes from the rear rockshaft under seat on tractor to the clevis or slot hitch. 

 

A cable still runs from the tractor lift arm as shown in the picture above to the rear rockshaft. 

 

Different model year tractors had different configurations for rear lift.  I am not positive but I believe most tractors pre 1976 used a cable from lift arm to the implement sleeve hitch.

 

The in 1976 Wheel Horse began using a rear rockshaft under the seat similar to what I posted and changed it again in 1978 models

Edited May 8, 2022 by Goldnboy

[Mike C160 251]

Just now, Goldnboy said:

The chain goes from the rear rockshaft under seat on tractor to the clevis or slot hitch. 

 

A cable still runs from the tractor lift arm as shown in the picture above to the rear rockshaft. 

 

Different model year tractors had different configurations for rear lift.  I am not positive but I believe most tractors pre 1976 used a cable from lift arm to the implement sleeve hitch.

 

The in 1976 Wheel Horse began using a rear rockshaft under the seat similar to what I posted and changed it again in 1980.

 

 

Yeah, geeze.... I am missing that rear under the seat rocker shaft.

 

Any way around this? 

 

Cheers

[Mike C160 251]

7 minutes ago, Goldnboy said:

The chain goes from the rear rockshaft under seat on tractor to the clevis or slot hitch. 

 

A cable still runs from the tractor lift arm as shown in the picture above to the rear rockshaft. 

 

Different model year tractors had different configurations for rear lift.  I am not positive but I believe most tractors pre 1976 used a cable from lift arm to the implement sleeve hitch.

 

The in 1976 Wheel Horse began using a rear rockshaft under the seat similar to what I posted and changed it again in 1978 models

 

 

And the tiller i have is for the 8 speed manual lift. See the photo.

 

I suppose I could make up a cable similar to this and operate in the same way..

 

Cheers!

 

 

[Mike C160 251]

I see Lowell sells the rocker shaft kits complete! cables and all!

 

Perfect. I will do that. I rather keep it original than hack it. 

 

Thanks to all for the info and getting me on the right track.

 

Cheers

[clueless 3,226]

1 hour ago, Mike C160 said:

I see Lowell sells the rocker shaft kits complete! cables and all!

 

Perfect. I will do that. I rather keep it original than hack it. 

 

Thanks to all for the info and getting me on the right track.

 

Cheers

You 8sp probably doesn't have the rear rock shaft either thus the hard pull lift. A rear rock shaft is the best way to go when using a tiller, 8sp or hydro . 

[Mike C160 251]

2 hours ago, clueless said:

You 8sp probably doesn't have the rear rock shaft either thus the hard pull lift. A rear rock shaft is the best way to go when using a tiller, 8sp or hydro . 

 

Yep, you are correct. The 8 speed is a BIG lift  And each time you lift it, you wonder if the cable is going to break again

 

I just got done putting points, condenser, spark plug and an ignition switch into it. Boy, sure does start wonderful now. Purrs like a kitty at low idle.

 

Sheese it would be nice is someone started making aftermarket exhaust cans and safety switches for these things. 

 

Cheers

Edited May 8, 2022 by Mike C160