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This is something I've wanted to do for a very long time and finally took the plunge. I have always been fascinated by vintage garden tractors. I'm sure it's the memories of my grandfather doing every conceivable outdoors chore with his wheel horse (unfortunately it was sold decades ago with all implements). Regardless, I love restoring antique machines and tools and now I have something I can restore and enjoy for years to come. I'm now officially the second owner of this garden tractor. Other than the faded paint it was well maintained and cared for. It was tucked away under a tarp when I arrived, no fluid stains under the mower and no mouse nests in it lol. Removed the tarp, pushed it out of the garage, pulled the choke, turned the key then she fired right up and came to life like she was just turned off. The engine block was cold and had cobwebs on the vent screen so it definitely was not started before I arrived. No smoking, no knocking, idles and runs smooth. The gear driven rear discharge deck is definitely cool and a first for me. This is going to be a cool project.

I’ve been a Ford guy my whole life...but I’m starting to see GM trucks outnumbering the Fords here in the yard...the only Ford we have left is the trusty old 89 F250. Then we have an 02 Suburban, my 98 Chevy 2500, and just added this 99 GMC Suburban to the fleet...Mom and Dad bought this new in August of 98 and tonight I bought it from them. 179k miles...only rig in the yard with under 200k on it

then I seen this!

I sure do! After this one is done I'm sure I will want another wheel horse. I love this K181 engine. When I saw it was only 8hp on craigslist it wasn't dealbreaker but but loved the look of the tractor. Then I started and rode it. Not a problem at all. Especially when the engine didn't flinch when engaging the deck blades. Hell my modern craftsman riding mower Boggs for a split second when engaging the deck. It may be 8 horses but these are clydesdale horses. Not 15 shetland ponies🤣

Hey @bds1984 I’m not the only CL buyer in Michigan! @P2mfknj! Nice tractor there, they sure do make plenty of grunt for just 8 horses Don’t worry about fine cracks, most automotive rubber these days can show signs of dry rot within a year... these bad boys are 54 years old and still going strong! As for me buying all the Michigan studs, here’s an example or three of what they tease me about... The girls and I use these fine examples of old iron as often as possible here at the Pullstart Stables.

Decals!!!

'Bout time we got you startin to learn somethin.... Hopefully you didn't use a metric heat wrench to trim it...... never fit that way.....

Thank you for all of the support! This place is great! I live that two tone seat and definitely need to order one. I do love the patina rat rad look and also love restomods. I'm still torn on what I'm going to do with it. I know I will love it no matter what type of restoration I do and grab another one when this one is finished.

Why the long face?? Hey Wilber !! Where is the water wagon??

@P2mfknj Here is a before and after picture of 1977 c- series wheels and original tires utilizing the deck of cards trick I learned on here. These guy's are nothing short of genius, and maybe a few on here as well. Consider leaving the original patina you might like and if you don't you can always repaint. Some tricks on here to do both. Many very talented members with many years experience behind them. Good luck

Must be my week to find old red ish trucks. I spied this '48 Willy's in a local parking lot & had to go talk with the owner. He stubbed a GM metric frame on to the front for independent suspension and disc brakes. Under the hood a mild GM 350 powers a 700R4 transmission and finally a Ford 9" rear end puts the power to the wheels. From the factory these Willy's trucks had a top end of about 45mph, 50 if you where gong down a big hill & pushed the clutch in. With the modifications that where done, this truck is now a real nice daily driver.

How long did it take Rylee to realise Jada was missing?

Finished all the hoods metal work today, thing is rock solid now and fitting tighter than OJ's gloves. The usual broken front mounts multiple issues fixed...all holes welded up...and the broken seams (both sides)... tacked back together. Finished up with an application of a paintable automotive seam sealer to the underside to fill the gap which will have it ready to be stripped to bare metal tomorrow and back into fresh paint like glass by C.O.B.

I'm sorry @Redneckdavis, but tell me you don't use the Silverado to go get Ford parts.

LOOK, fellas- ya done hooked another one!!!! @P2mfknj dont worry buddy, they hooked me too. Might as well start making room in your garage now

This photo would have been in 2000 or 2001 when the barn was freshly built. My dad had the 64 ford f600 buffed it looked new! My adopted mom accused dad of having it repainted. LOL and the other truck was our 1951 ford f7. The land around the barn is kendallville indiana soccer and baseball diamonds now.

Heard tell you get best results if you use all RED cards!

Your timing is excellent, @BOB ELLISON makes new seat covers that are exactly like the factory upholstery, but this may be the last year he will be doing it. Here is a picture of one on my 1055. I love the patina of the old sheet metal, but it is your tractor and your decision to make.

So In just arrived home from work, yes all four wheels are still wearing their original wheel horse branded "turf saver" tires. They do have some fine dry rot cracks. None the less Im impressed that they are still holding air. Actually everything about this machine is very impressive. I have owned many used riding mowers over the last 45 years but nothing as well built as this. I love that is not made of paper thin sheet steel. This is a well built solid piece of equipment. Im a quality engineer and deel with manufacturing standards daily. From what I've observed so far these were built with pride and care with strict quality standards. As they always say....they don't build them like they used to. Time to start digging through the forum for all the spec sheets and shop manuals! My favorite reading material of all time!

Nothing on the horses per say but did pick these up today. Complete K532, complete K301, complete K181 and a little bitty 1948 Briggs and Stratton “N” engine. Not a bad haul.

Here's my 10 HP dealing with some hood high grass... No problem with deck at highest setting and going in 1st gear... So...They can take a lot...

I was going to grab Rylee’s 401 to haul around a watering trailer this morning because it was closest to the door, but the slot hitch on a three piece transmission is narrower than that on a 2 piece!

I don't really think any of us know as they seem to know no limits on a fine runner. Usually run out of traction way before power! Tell you what push it then report back to us!

Oh yes, the herd, the herd ... it grow‘s and grows... 😂😂😂

That's just funny right there Mr. Kennel I'll tell you what. I'm here to help people out. I've got what I believe to be a 2005 model year Simplicity 38 inch cut snowblower. 13 horse. Plenty of power for spraying 💩 poop. You come on up to Maine and pick it up and I'll give you a great deal. Just keep in mind that if I hold onto this thing much longer it's going to reach the status of VINTAGE and the price will triple. So don't be dilly-dallying around.

Don’t know if I would want to be in the area when “the sh*t hits the fan”. Just sayin

Be advised these here like their so you may need one of these for serious pic uploads as well as down loading manuals! https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/store/

THIS, RIGHT HERE... Needs VinylGuy's attention!❤👍🏼😊 I see bumpersticker millionaire😉😁

Now, let’s talk about weeds! Sometimes though a burden, I wonder if weeds shelter the fruits of our labor from punishing sunlight in the eat? They also provide a natural structure to some of the vine plants! Note even a pumpkin is hanging from the weeds! images straight from the weed patch

surprise!!!

Why guess? https://www.redoyourhorse.com/wheel-horse-by-year/

Welcome...hope you have lots of storage space!

Ok... I will send the guy over to you who crashed into my tractors. I am sure he can give your tractors some character like he did mine !

My wife and I just purchased this new next week a 5th wheel camper. My question to those that may also camp, if you have a generator on your unit what are you using and does it get the job done? I will be running a couple in unit A/C's at times, so our unit requires a 50 amp service.

That's hilarious !!! Completely worth the three-peat.

There absolutely was a C161 with a twin Briggs in it and is probably the original engine to your C161. For what you have in mind for a budget, I feel that you could rebuild the Briggs with money to spare. But if you have the desire to re-power, make sure your "new" engine has the capability to handle a Wheel Horse style clutch or else you'll have to use an electric clutch; lateral force from a Wheel Horse clutch will destroy the cranks from the lateral force. If you go the electric clutch, make sure your charging system is able to handle the current draw, run lights, and charge the battery. There are lots of used engines that can work if you can do the leg work, or if you want to budget some more funds, you can basically get a "drop-in" new Briggs and Stratton v-twin. The extra cost isn't a good thing but the extra power and ability to buy new B&S parts is. For used engines, any single cylinder K-series and Magnums will work with little effort and so will the majority 18HP Briggs & Stratton opposed twins as all of these engines have ball bearings on the cranks needed for the PTO clutch. I suppose that any horizontal engine could work if you aren't concerned with a PTO, though.

Probably why there is a push from farmers at least around my area they are using older equipment with no computer. LOL

Maybe funny with an snowblower also, but prevent to stay in front...😂😂😂

I use mine to grease dry sealed bearings.

Lots of good discussion here! I too agree, the days of old are simpler and “easy” horsepower, “there’s no replacement for displacement.” On the other hand, I’ve successfully swapped a fuel injected engine in place for a carburetor in my buggy, going from a 1641 to a 2500 and 50-ish hp to 165 hp, I have a brand new computerized small engine turbo truck and enjoy the competition that the new engines from the manufacturers are providing. Back to the first hand, I have a dinosaur flip phone and use it with pride when I talk to people on the phone

Due to lack of snow, I got rid of my blower three years ago. I don't spread mulch but, but I do spread horse manure on my garden every year.

You'll love that C-175.I have 2 of them.One I regularly mow with.One That kinda sits as a " someday " project.Got a 42 inch side discharge on the one I use.I can mow through grass and weeds over 2 feet tall and that tractor never misses a beat.Love the hydro trans and the hydraulic lift.The couple horses that I've re-painted,I used International Harvertor red.Pretty close color match.At least looking through my 67 year old eyes.Oh yeah........welcome aboard!! We all like pictures after it's in your posession.

Its got hydraulics and has snow plow and deck

C175 should have been made in the early 80s. Certainly isn't a 1970 model as you know. The c series in general started out in 1974. Had various configurations through 1983 or 84? All of my tractors are older and not original colors so I'll let the others answer what to use for paint. Decals can be purchased from our own vinyl guy. Terry. Great guy. @Vinylguy. Lots and lots of information and great people on this site. Just keep asking questions. Parts availability is excellent as well.

Got out this weekend to try the plow on my mom's garden. It hasn't been maintained for a few years so I wanted to turn the weeds and let them break down over the winter. Never used a moldboard plow before. This was the garden after removing some sticks that had been thrown in there. I didn't bring my mower deck up so my only option was to do a few laps and push the weeds down with my machine. They were taller than my muffler stack in some areas! The first attempt was pretty terrible. I got the dirt broken up, but it wasn't getting turned over and the blade wouldn't stay buried. After actually reading the manual, I made some adjustments, removed the Coulter blade and me and my buddy gave it another go. Unfortunately, we couldn't go too far as the entire garden is on a slope. With the right tires 5" in the furrow, I didn't want to risk tipping over. The bad attempts on the upper portion made it difficult to even drive over there. We did get a decent section turned. Going to go back in 2 weeks and grind everything up with the tiller. Even though the upper area want turned well, it still broke up the dirt and weeds quite a bit. We were going to do it this weekend, but my tiller belt seems to be too long. When it is tight the tensioner makes the belt rub on itself during the run toward the back of the tractor. I'll get a new belt and see how it goes. I think its a 1/2x 139?

Hi Jason, my 877 doesn’t use a bracket. It just has this dark sleeve piece that acts like a nut on the back side of the dashboard. It has teeth that grab the back of the dash.

It’s actually a 16hp Onan. Runs really good. I dig the sound of that big twin!

Because i ordered last time the wrong Airfilter, (doesn‘t fit while changed Airfiltercase) i found today the next in the Postbox, i have ordered. finaly that Fits.😎 ( yes now i know it‘s one for a Kohler.. ) added a Pict with the new Exhaust. aaaaaand a new Shifter Boot. Now the Gearbox is back safe, even if it begin‘s to rain while mowing..😎👍 Finally for today i dismounted the Blades to order others with Winglets. Here a Pict under the Pavillon The Seat works a bit on it‘s prespaning after Weather changes. But Seat feeling is great.

I use to do that stuff 30 years ago. Here is the machine I used. You don't try to get it up, you lean out over the handlebars so it doesn't knock your teeth out when it comes up. I had it to come up at around 75 MPH when I hit fifth gear.