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I’ve decided to start this thread to keep this info together. It’s about this C-161 I have. It showed up at my house one day around mid-2021 as a “parts” tractor. I had no idea this was going to be left at my door, abandoned, tired, unwanted. I can’t remember a lot of what I was being told about it as I was staring at it wondering why I was chosen, apparently, as the one who was to strip it of it’s organs and transplant them into some other “being”. By the time those who brought it left, even though I never said it until just now, I knew I was going to attempt to resuscitate her. No longer an “it” she was certainly worthy of a shot at another life. 16 HP Kohler, Sunstrand Hydro and hydraulic lift! I had already fallen in love with the C-100 I grew up with that I later inherited, but this girl had something extra, something different about her that I thought was … appealing. Parts tractor? Not if I can $@%# help it! She was glistening. Maybe it had something to do with the rain that day on the ride over. But she IS glistening!

Side shot Saturday on Wednesday, why not!

Some had wanted to see the progress on this 857. I tried to put pictures in order, might not be, but enjoy. The weather down here has not cooperated very well, so things are going slower. Big difference from the original, had to include the Little Guy! He likes this riding tractor. Dennis

We about tripled what we've had all season so far. About 3". I wanted to get it off the drive because it was so wet and frigid temperatures are on the way. This one got the call today. The 76 is trying to hide behind it. I'm not going to ask what those two do when I'm not around.

I know you're all on edge for how this turns out... It made it! The logistics were magical with 3 legs and a week wrapped up in a tarp somewhere in the middle. There are surely a lot of great people out there, I'm thinking of three in particular. I'll start another thread now for my rapidly growing list of technical questions. Couldn't be more excited! Took it for a spin and the kids loved it too. As promised:

Not as many but what the heck.

She had a bad solenoid, coil and condenser. Her carb and gas tank had an extremely foul goopy brown viscous liquid inside. She was missing a battery, starter, rectifier, ignition keys and a multitude of bolts and washers that held the fender, side panels, footrests and a few other things on. She was limping on one leg, and couldn’t put any pressure on 2 others (above pic was taken just after filling/trying to fill her tires with air). She was leaking from her axle seals, too! But man was she something to look at! Alas, I had to put her up in a temporary spot while I finished getting my Dad’s (now mine) tractor going again (that’s a story for another time). I finally got the chance (about 2 months ago) to go in and see if she was ok. I put some more air in her tires, hoisted her up on some rollers and wheeled her over to the examination area.

I had to get the hell out of there before I bought every peanut butter cup they had!!! I had both saddle bags and the tour pak stuffed!

That loader is way too heavy for that tire, you can just sell the loader to me, easy fix!

I tried to find you a good chart online, what a confusing bunch of nonsense. Here is one that might help you, just plug in what you know and click calculate. I would use the alloy steel option. Be aware that the bearing area is hardened on a Wheel Horse axle and if that hardened area extends to where you are cutting, the cutter will be destroyed. Test the hardness with a file where you intend to cut. Be careful with that setup, climb milling may grab and suddenly pull the axle into the cutter causing breakage. It would be best to plunge into the axle and feed towards the axle end.

@WHGuy413Okay well ask and you shall receive!!

What do you get when you cross a Horse with a Moose??? A pretty good snow plow set up that's what. A friend of mine wanted a wider plow for his C195. To accomplish this on a budget he did a very good job of fitting a Moose ATV plow on to a plow frame. I was very impressed & thought that some of you might like to see the results. He had to add a little metal to the mount for the frame and the swing mount for the plow. The radius of the Moose plow mount did not match well with the frame so he had to add some metal to get the lock pin to work when angled. The plow swings as it should without leaving the comfort of the seat. A very nice addition to his "unstoppable" tractor.

Wouldn't be so bad if they didn't sell those "10 pound" sized Hershey bars and Reese's cups! I went through there in the mid eighties- when they still actually made the chocolate there. The big bars back then actually weighed 10lbs!

Hey! I spent a few hours in the shop today and no smashed thumbs! Just a few burns from TIG welding! I prefer the small drill bit method. I can control the twist and relief better than pushing a hot object towards my under skins.

Chocolate!

Looks good. I would be careful never to heavily load up only one side of that big blade so it doesn’t excessively torque the transaxle against the tractor frame. The 195 has a lot of power!

How about a whole line of sides for side show Saturday?

Those K341 engines are VERY capable. Bull strong. Plenty of torque and run great. Why someone would dismantle one that's fairly complete is beyond me. @c-series don here's ya favorite.

Calling the pain Guru....you out there Kev? @Pullstart

Just about to the point that it can be used. Only center harness left for that. Some decorations to do in arches and it’s there.

6" of wet snow... E-141 quietly getting it done... 4 driveways... IMG_2069.MOV

@WVHillbilly520H sent a side movement limiter to me a few years back. It locks into the front attach-o-matic. That would be a great addition.

Leather work starts. Method is simple but proven for centuries. Increased friction under load is the secret to it staying put and strong.

No doubt all of us have had what @gt14rider is showing in his post on cutting a keyway.... So, my question is -- how do you handle this rather painful event?? Small drill twirled, sharp point of a knife twirled??? these work ... OK, but wow, is it painful! So, I'll share MY method in case you havent tried it, MUCH less painful. I like a paper clip but anything small metal (1/16" drill bit?) and using any heat source (I like a barbecue lighter) and heat the tip and quickly/gently press it in the blood area, may take 2-3-4 times but it will pretty quickly melt through and release the blood with much less pain...... Ahhhhh!

The wobble box on mine leaks and I keep thinking about rebuilding it. I was thinking about loading it up with corn head grease but I’m not 100% sure that’s a good idea?

Did one a little different today. Shot myself some lunch and cooked it up on video.

Not me under the suit. A good friend of mine builds duck boats and had been a paint and body guy for years. I am helping him with a 68 Commando 6 that he was given about 15 years ago. I provide him parts, etc....he helps me with paint. Heck of a deal!

Like a country song. The pain is gone but the memories remain….. for a while

Interesting hood decals you have there. I still say the C-1x1 models were the best looking Cs!

@Blasterdad @peter lena @c-series don Appreciate all your help! I don’t like running these wires on top of the fuel tank, but that’s the best route to take so I’m going to. 😀 But I’ve just ordered some of this fire retardant and abrasion resistant sleeve material that I’ll run the wire through. PET Expandable Braided Sleeving 100Ft-1/8 inch Wire Loom, Aibole Braided Cable Sleeve Wire Wrap,Black&Red https://a.co/d/8N3rcF8 I really appreciate all the feedback! Thanks again, Ed

Mashed fingers are painful! I also use the heating of a needle or paper clip to release the pressure.

Tomorrows auction full of Panzers and an AC.

To me, the cast nose flavors are the ones that make the brand iconic, them’s the only ones for us!

The list @Achto posted was just an explanation of the model names, letters, & numbers through the years... This is from the actual Model number list, your did indeed start out life as a "No Name" 12 Auto. Some PO has changed the trans... 1-0465 1973 Lawn & Garden Tractor 12 HP Automatic Kohler K301S-47421D 12 Sundstrand 90-1136 From left to right are... Model, Year, Description Type, Engine Model, HP, Drive Model. So... Model. 1-0465 Year. 1973 Description Type. Lawn & Garden tractor 12 HP Automatic Engine Model. Kohler K301S-47421D HP. 12 Drive Model. Sundstrand 90-1136 A couple of examples; 1-0485 1974 C Series Garden Tractor C-120 Automatic Kohler K301S-47421D 12 Sundstrand 90-1136 1-0356 1974 C Series Garden Tractor C-120 8-Speed Kohler K301S-47421D 12 Wheel Horse 5091 Just a heads up... There's going to be quiz on this due by the end of the day.

Should be easy to make.

That's the one I woulda went for. I have no idea why. The two seat maybe.

I think you're talking about Fibrex. Renewal by Andersen uses it in their replacement windows. Better than vinyl? Maybe but time will tell. Back when the Andersen Narroline windows were the hot ticket they didn't build the window to fit the opening. They only made stock sizes and you had to provide the RO to fit. These conversion kits we will be ordering only work on the Narroline windows. Because they weren't custom sized is why they can offer this conversion. They have a chart with 56 sizes. You measure the clear part of the glass to the 1/16" and match it to the size code then go from there with the options. It's pretty slick. I love vinyl windows. The first time we had them installed (in Florida) we had 6-8 outfits come out to give us the sales pitch. We settled on Window World and couldn't have been happier. The salesman was a good ol boy and didn't push one bit. One of the very few salesmen I enjoyed dealing with. Even their competition knew that if we got them involved their own product was doomed. Not because their windows were superior but they were as good as any and nobody could touch their installed price. They have the same lifetime warranty for anything happening to them. We even tested that once. There's a code on each sash that they keep on file. I called them with the code of that sash and within two weeks that came knocking with a new sash. After we moved back here the first house had cheap vinyl replacements. I think they were from Menards. I didn't know how the Window World branch up here would be like but I called them. Same story. I met him when he pulled in the driveway and after chatting a bit I told him not to bother with the sales pitch and leave the heat lamp and other sales junk in the car. They got the job. For the most part they have a one price system. Basically a double hung is a double hung. Because of that we pretty much knew what the price would be save for price increases. It would also be a test for their 'one price' method. Of the 19 windows 13 are quite large with 6 of those at the top of the chart. They were scheduled for yesterday but then the conversion kits entered the picture. I canceled the WW appointment Tuesday. Keep in mind Kevin, these conversions ONLY work on the Andersen Narroline windows that were once so popular. They will not adapt to anything else. Once I got to the point of wanting to use them I priced them per the MSRP. That price came to about what we figured Window World would be. Even at about the same price I wanted the conversions. Getting them for about 2/3's was just frosting. It's the same story for whoever would come out to replace the windows. Installers swarming the house like ants. Disruption of the exterior and possibly the interior. All of which I hate. By using the conversions I will do it myself, there's absolutely no disruption of any woodwork inside or out. I can do it 100% from the inside and even have the screen in place to keep bugs out. It's a big win in my books. Geez! My wife even agrees on this one. On the downside. The warranty is 20 years. But I'm realistic. At that time I'll be 88. If I'm still kicking and able to keep this property up I'll worry about it then. Lets face it though. A lifetime warranty at my age isn't worth as much as it is to a young pup. Buy, Andersen has been around for well over 100 years. Line up a bunch of window manufactures and try to determine who will still be here in 20 years.

Another good addition would be a coat of "WH Red".....

Thanks for all the ideas and the offers, things fell into place and I've got it! I'm totally excited.

Personally, I am a fan of safety switches, so.... If I were setting up a generator, I’d tap into the wiring of the PTO-linked seat switch with an additional pair of wires and carry them to the front of the tractor leaving them in a female, two conductor Packard connector. I’d physically, but not electrically, attach to the generator, a pigtail wire ending in a male two-conductor Packard with the conductors jumped. After I’d mounted the generator, I’d mate the connectors so the seat switch will not stop the engine. Remove the generator and the pigtail and the seat switch is properly restored to function.

Did she bring you back some chocolate?

The 314 hydro with tall chute snowblower is at the garage door ready to go.

As I said in the other thread, please keep us updated on the refurbishment. @ebinmaine knows that I believe the C-161 Automatic was one of the best tractors Wheel Horse ever built. I actually like all the 78-79 C1_1 series and have most of them. Those custom made hood decals tell me that someone really cared about that tractor at some point and now it’s you @TractorEd ! Also love that sense of humor as well, keep it coming!!

plus an unlimited lifetime warranty. Rocks from mowing? Billy threw a ball? Cat tore the screen? We’ll be right out! The company I used is the only place in Michigan who uses “Z brand” windows, manufactured in Ohio. They select only one company per state to represent them… a pride and quality thing. The gas charge ratings on a window sticker only have to prove that they were charged to that level on the day of construction. The company we chose claimed to go x% over that charge rating (significant difference) to assure the windows will be charged for years to come. Of course they had a heat lamp, window samples, frame samples, etc. Even if All a weather Seal of West MI couldn’t help you Bob, they might be able to put you in touch with whomever in IN sells the same brand.

Traditionally they are not even steam bent. They are bent over fire pretty much like one uses fire inside a barrel to make staves pliable for bending. A proper sized sapling of usually walnut ( around 4” diameter ) is split in half. It is dressed with a draw knife to almost its finished dimensions . Then using a rather rudimentary form it is bent while on the fire. The rate of success varies since there are too many variables in the process. That was however how they were all made. No steam bending and no laminating. Curves however very rarely are close to the extreme that I have on mine. With the type of oxen used in these yokes, this shape follows the neck better and it is more efficient and comfortable when pulling. I have steam bent them but the shape does not stay constant all the time and I find that it is a lot more work. This way there is more consistency and it is forgiving of material quality or grain direction since one is dealing with pieces less than 1/8” thick. When using them one has to fit them over oxen’s neck first by opening them up pulling them up over the neck. On steam or fire bent one’s one has to be careful as not to open them excessively because they may break. Over time it’s sort of inevitable specially if there is already a slight failure at bending. The laminated ones are extremely strong and extremely hard to open . One really needs help to do it. They are like a real tough spring. I am however the only one ever to make them like this. I like the consistent results . Wether I make two or twenty they are always identical to each other. Fire bent typical bows Typically made from walnut saplings typical fire bent shape Hand wrought hardware to keep them closed Another fire bent one this one made from eucalyptus Mark from the form Mark from clamping outside over form on fire

Last Friday we got 8"+ of snow. Fairly heavy. I ran the walk behind snowblower then Trina used her 867 to plow. Monday we got 14". Light fluffy stuff. She started to plow when it was maybe 10 to 12" deep. Worked ok as long as she took small " bites". I went out and got the snowblower in the fun. Now ... Tonight we're forecast for another 8 to 12 with a layer of sleet ice 🥶 rain 🌧️ on top of that. 🐻 🤠

Here is our rig. Haven't used it much this year, but we are ready.