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my c125 gets just as much love as the others. i think they are a good looking model, no different than any of the other wheel horses i own. can't resist posting a pic or two of mine.....

Needed to till up the garden and had to get most of the tractors out to get to my Troy-Built tiller out of the garage. My 10 year old son loves tractors and got most of them lined up...so I thought I would take a quick pic. Don't mind the green thing on the end 522Xi C-161-8 520Lxi 518Xi C-161-8 520-8 2320 Deere Still had a 520-H, 520Xi, and another C-161-8 that I didn't get in the picture. Thad (Ohio)

SEEMS LIKE MOST OF THE 300-400 AND 500 TRACTORS THE HOOD HINGES ARE SHOT. THEY CAME WITH NYLON SLEEVE BUSHINGS THAT WORE OUT OT MISSING WITHIN 300 HOURS. THIS IS HOW BEEN REPAIRING THEM FOR NOW. THIS IS THE 1992 310-8 I BOUGHT JUST A FIVE DAYS AGO. THE STEEL BRACKETS WERE EGGED OUT AND MY STEEL ROD WAS GROOVED BAD. I JUST USED A PIECE OF 3/8" OD STEEL DOWEL ROD AND SOME 3/8" ID STEEL BUSHING AND WELDED THEM IN PLACE, THEN I COTTER PIN THE ROD. HERE SOME PICTURES. BOWTIE IN OHIO

Some photos of my dad's original 1962 552 model tractor which I restored as a 1962 502 model.

Picked up a real nice 522Xi. These models are really starting to grow on me Thad (Ohio)

Paint for the show this weekend!

Day two...finally got to meet my neighbor...Ericj. Thanks for the test drive on your 520H w/reduction steering. Quite different from my straight axle 520. Eric had a few on display My string Nice Panzer Gravely puller

Engine is wired and all tins are in place. I will be setting on the frame after dinner. I want to hear it run tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!

And they double as a work bench with that nice flat hood....well mine do.....

So I was in the shop today off and on between posts on here and eating dinner. I spent the better part of an hour trying to figure out how to mount the darn coil. I knew it filled a hole somewhere and I lined up the wires leading to it but I could not find that hole to save my soul. Then it dawned on me that the hole is in the front engine shroud. Picked it up and sure enough there it was. Another lesson learned. Here's an update on what I have done so far. Put another coat of black on the engine shrouds. Painted the black on the hood. Put the decals on the hood. It's a good thing those decals are a bit forgiving. I had a tough time lining them up and took a couple of them on and off several times until I got it where I thought it should go. I like the way they look. Terry should be very proud of his craftsmanship. He does a great job on them and a big service to all Wheel Horse aficionados.

Don't tell me you bottle that too!!!!!

I'll be bringing the sunshine.

For their intended purpose... a cab shouldn't have to be complicated to work well.

This post reminded me of this cab on MTF from a few years ago: http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=90539#/forumsite/20477/topics/90539 Definitely a source of tractor envy. Steve

Not usually, but this time I had my wife and my two daughters on my backside. Throw in the cat and there is no way I could win this one. Besides, I really do want to see this kid get married.

I want to see a video of someone getting in and out of a cab. I have enough trouble getting on and off a horse as it is. I may have go take Yoga classes!

Always thought a really functional modification would be... moving the air in there with a small electric fan so as not to fog up the windows. Can be quite the PITA, when the conditions are right.

The engine is installed and it's alive. I am so proud. I got all the electronics hooked up properly and it started as soon as fuel got up to the carburetor. Engine sounds great. I must have got the valves adjusted properly. No video at this time, I never even thought about it. Last time I tried to upload video, I couldn't get it to work. Must have done something wrong. I can't wait to try that foot pedal. Now I have to get tires and paint the wheels. As this tractor will never cut grass as long as I have it I can't decide what I should do about choosing tires. I need help on this subject. Already planning on what to do to the 417-A. That will be the next project. At least I don't have to tear it down, I did that last year. But first I have to install the electric wench in the attic so I can haul a lot of stuff up there and get it out of the way. I won't be able to get in the shop tomorrow as my Grandson is getting married and my wife says I have to go. And then Sunday is football.

It does look like a Pope Mobile. The fit would have to be better than that for me, I wanna keep warm too.

My C-125 is my first WH. I've only ever owned JD lawn tractors (not the Home Depot consumer stuff). I never expected to get "excited" about a tractor... sorry guys... but, the simplicity and heft are so elegant I couldn't help myself! Now, according to the OP, black hoods aren't considered to be a real WH by some? WOW! I must be REALLY missing out. I can't imagine making a better garden tractor. It continues to impress me every time I take it out. Nice to see so many people chime in. I'm hearing a lot of luv out there for the black hoods. Enjoy your C-145. In my inexperienced opinion, the only way to beat a C Series WH is with a BIGGER C Series WH!! I know, WH makes a lot of fine tractors and everyone will have his/her favorite. That being said, did Toro continue the Black Hoods? Could it be THAT is the "different brand" that the OP has read being talked about?

What does the 'Lost In Space' robot have to do with this thread?? Seriously, we all need reminders. I almost lost sight in one eye from a blast of bleach at least 20 years ago, now I've have gotten lazy about eye protection. Glad you were one of the lucky ones John.

Never hurts to poke around and ask what they're gonna do with them. Don't tell them you're shopping, just looking. You may get them for free or close to it. If I was up there they'd probably already be gone.

I'm down with the whole eye safety thing... but, do they go out of their way when designing this stuff.. to make you look like a dork when wearing it? Just sayin'...look at this guy here? If they made 'em so everybody looked like Thor... then every one would be wearing 'em.

Wow nice guys, and thank you all for the info. Mine is not anywheres near that nice "yet" it was sitting outside for a few years. The guy that owned it thought the motor was seized so I gave him 50 for it. I got it home and when I started on it the starter was lodged , I removed it cleaned the gas tank put it all back together and it fired right up and drove it around with no problems. I will post some pics once I get it back together but everything was so crusty I wanted to get it all free and clean before to much running. The only problem I have with it is my wife seen it and said "is that a hydro?" I said yes why, she goes, well that ones mine!

Yes some very nice tractors on this thread!! I am intrigued by black hoods myself and also don't know very much about them. A neighbor of mine has one that unfortunately just sits out in front of his garage and hasn't moved since the day I noticed it. I have never met him but often think about stopping to ask about it. There is also a 520 near me that has been outside for over 2 years now that moves randomly and occasionally that I am always scoping out, can u say addicted . Anyway if I ever meet that neighbor I am going to find out about it. If I had the room and an understanding wife id probably be like Geno I put that wrong shes understanding just accuses me of being crazy.....and I only have 2

83 16hp Backed out from going to Scotts

Nick, there might be a clue in your analysis. All your tractors are twins. Mine were single cylinder. It is a sure bet that the vibration amplitude at the hinge pivot points is different with the different engines and the direction of the vibration is different as well since the twins are horizontal opposed while the singles are vertical. I never would have considered the difference!

Plate and shield is in, starting on the live circuit first. Battery cables are installed, the 8 gauge hot and ground feeds are at the blocks. The alternator wire is also run. I'll also put some pics at the bottom to show how we do connections.

There are those that will look at this and start to wear safety glasses, and there are those who will still say that it won't happen to them. I have been lucky in my 64 years. Even when wearing safety glasses, last week I managed to get a tiny bit of aluminum in my eye while cutting with a sawzall. It came out with eye wash. We also read all the warnings on here about proper breathing protection when painting, but I bet many still ignore it. A lot of these problems don't show up right away, but later in life when you can't breathe like you used to, you start to think about the dumb things you did earlier in life. Please listen to John and those who have warned about proper safety equipment. You only get one set of eyes, and one pair of lungs. Protect them! Thanks for sharing your experience John.

sorry, no free lunch, you choose fix it right or do a hack job and cross your fingers. My opinion is that the real problem is/was caused by a lack of maintenance keeping the engine clean so it could cool properly

Was that from a wire wheel? In younger, dumber and indestructible days I opted not to use saftey glasses... but once I started picking pieces of wire out of my shirt and cheeks I put them on and never looked back. You just never know when it can happen, and it only takes one piece of debris to royally foul up your eye.

I'll look around squonk ... maybe we'll get lucky for you.. If so I'll get some. My first trip there ,, getting anxious,, are "green bottles" supposed to be returned to the gifter ??

Blackhoods, I have two words !! My first tractor was a C-100 then I joined this forum and saw a blackhood for the first time.. Now Im obsessed with them... I have my eye on about 3 of them that will make it to my stable eventually! I love the design!

This is a C-161 with the initial Fiberglass Blackhood and Briggs 16 Opposed Twin......Now that I have most of the mechanicals worked out, I really like it so it will be getting the full spa treatment in near future. I really like the ride and profile of my new to me GT 14's. Feels more steady and the hydro speed more consistant yet it is slower max speed than the C-161. So II will keep both!

There is a drain plug in the bottom of the transmission just to the left of the hitch. It should use a 1/4" Allen wrench to remove. Drain the oil by lifting the front end of the tractor to get all the oil over the hump in the bottom of the transmission. Refill with 2 quarts of 85-140w gl-5 gear oil. The oil can be poured in through either the dipstick tube, or by removing the shift lever and putting it in there. Do not use the plug on the side. You will not get enough oil in through there. If you find that your oil has a lot of water in it, there are many threads on here about how to flush the transmission. Just do a search for "flushing transmission".

My first and only 'Horse is a C-85 Black-Hood. Still working on it and still loving it. It's a love-hate relationship sometimes, but still loving it! When I brought it home... After a little TLC.

Currently my '80 C-105 is what I grab for the odd-jobs around the house, like moving my woodpile. I did mow with it one summer with a 42" RD.

I've got an '83 C-175 here... hands down, one of my favorite workers.

Might have to resort to fabricating the hitch " pipe" from a bit of pipe to try and make it look original. The welder has seen a lot of use recently fabricated a new deck shell from 3 mm steel:) If anyone knows of the castings or a whole trans please let me know.May be willing to pay shipping from USA? Thanks Thomas

I wear safety glasses once in a while but not clearly as often as I should. I'll being wearing them more often now! Took a really good hit directly in the eye ball from the end of a piece of wire. Looked much worse when blood was pouring out. Today it's much more sore and I look like a prize fighter with the black eye.

It’s fun wrenching on and running these things for my own enjoyment, but even better when my boys can get enjoyment out of them too. When I first got into this a few years ago, I hoped these tractors would be something we could enjoy together. They still don’t have the patience for working on them much, but they love to drive them, especially the hystats. Don, you were right about the cause of the noise. I thought maybe it was some slight fraying of the belt causing it, so I replaced the belt with a new one from Toro, P/N 7478. Unfortunately it wasn’t until after I got the new belt on that I learned how important position of the belt guard is. Like many out there, this tractor has a broken tab on top of the belt guard, so the alignment is less precise that it is supposed to be. On my test drive, the belt started smoking and I ended up turning my brand new $40 belt into one that didn't look quite so new. After adjusting the guard, the rubbing issue was gone, as was the rattling sound that was the initial problem. The next area I turned my focus to was the engine. It ran great at 90% throttle and below, but it coughed and sputtered periodically when running at full throttle. I initially suspected the carb was just gunked up but after running a tank of gas & Seafoam through it, it was still doing it. I then discovered the screen inside the tank on the inlet of the fuel valve was crushed, and after replacing the valve and fuel line the coughing was cured. Along with fixing this stuff here and there, I have been getting some seat time on the tractor. It handles the 48†deck that came with it better than the C-120 that had been wearing it temporarily. In places where the grass would bog the 12-horse, the 16-horse seems to hardly lug. When I first put the deck back on the C-160 I did notice it wasn’t cutting as evenly as the C-120 did. After trying to figure out how to adjust the side-to-side level of the deck (you can’t), I finally tracked it down to wear in the tach-a-matic hitch. Swapping the hitch from the 120 to the 160 fixed the level problem. The grass clippings had been building up so I decided to rake them, mainly because it gave me a chance to play with my rotary rake that I bought to help clean tornado debris out of the yard and hadn't found much use for since. My oldest son was lobbying for seat time anyway, so it let him be productive while he was making laps. I have also been playing around with a rear hitch. I installed a sleeve hitch to help the neighbor plow up his yard. He gave up on trying to get the glass and debris from the tornado out and decided to just tear it out and start over. It’s not the kind of project you would do if it wasn’t necessary, but we made the best of it by getting some seat time on our tractors. Initially I couldn’t get the hitch to go low enough to get the plow in the ground, so I brought out the 854 to get things started. Eventually I did rig it up to work, but it needs some more work before I use again. In addition to the C-160 and 854, the C-120 got in on the fun, as well as the neighbor’s Steiner. Up next is some more parts swapping with the C-120, and a few changes here and there to get it ready for a plow day at the end of the month.

Sounds like you're looking for something along these lines Glenn.

Great work Geno. Like Martin said it is really nice to have a metal man so close. When I was building Amateur Radio equipment, it was drill and nibble. Who ever hear of a plasma cutter. So nice. This is going to be an interesting thread. Is that a stainless steel plate or are you going to paint it?

It had a little smaller battery that worked fine for years so the customer let us have the space behind it. We are putting a much wider plate for the electrical there and made a heat shield to help with heat. We got it in the shop last night and have been getting the plate and shield mounted, running new battery cables, and 8 gauge feeds to the distribution blocks on top this morning.

Still masked, ill upload shots from the show after the weekend!

There isn't really much to say in regard to a story. The Blackhoods were a design change and it was one of those love/hate things. You can easily mount a 300 or 400 series hood on a blackhood and "poof"......... You have a more modern wheelhorse! My first wheelhorse was a blackhood which I still own. (C-175 8-Speed). Great tractor and for the record, anyone who has tried to plow or mow at night with the older design WH hoods/lights knows the Blackhoods out-shined everything up to that time with their sealed beam headlights. Down side to the BH's were the fiberglass tub fenders. Most converted to the steel pans and many were ordered or altered by the dealerships back to steel.

Garry, Which manual did you pull that from? I havent found it in mine (though I might not have looked hard enough). I would like to print the full size page for my garage... Thanks!

Possibly different type of Solenoid, but I had to do a full strip and clean on both tractor's Solenoids. the original style was not available in UK when I did them, so had no option. Covered the subject in picture form on my C-120 Refurb on here. Hope this link points to it, if not, it's on page 2 about 3/4 of the way down, Post number 46 - They are both still working just fine, so like you did, it's well worth the effort.