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Decided to give the front end a little different look. Although I like the look if the D series, I always thought the grille was just BIG. So I figured I would do an insert using an old D160 grille I had laying around. Took 4” out of the old grille width & 2” heightwise. I also welded the bottom up solid. This gives me 2” of clearance on the sides and 1” clearance on the top and bottom. The inner grille is only 2” wide as viewed from the side so it will clear the mufflers. It may also poke out the front a half inch. May make new slats to make the center or come up with some kind of mesh to stick in there. We’ll see. A simple photo hack showing the idea The beginning

Finished putting the C-125 back together after the exhaust valve replacement. Fired it up and let it warm up then set the carb. Got it running nicely, then I notice oil running down the front of the engine. Valve tappet cover leaking. So off with the carb then the cover. Made a new gasket and refitted everything. Fired it up and let it run for a while and no more leak. Refitted the bonnet/hood. Now ready for grass cutting duty again.

Not sure why this scares you. I have four tractors with this transmission and they all work fine. Some have over 2000 hours mowing and pushing snow. The only repairs I have done are to change a couple axle seals. BTW, $350 is the current price for a good used tiller alone. Just make sure you get all the brackets, pulleys, and lift attachment parts that are required. What does make me cringe is the picture of the poor thing stored outside covered with snow. Make sure you check the engine, transmission, and fuel system for water. Drain, clean, and flush all as required to remove any water before operating.

For the past week I've been picking at my 1257, I took the stack off and put a different muffler on. I also rewired/soldered few things like the lights. Also, I didn't like how the battery looked on the front so I relocated it with new cables under the seat (some cutting and modding required.) Still more to do, i just got a set of wider wheels for the rear so ill be ordering some tires within the next few weeks, along with new fronts/tubes.

Evening all. Right, I've started. First things first, it's a C-141 not a 121 as I said in my intro. A little knowledge is dangerous but I've educated myself. My aim is to get the old crate usable and working for it's keep, as opposed to doing a show quality restoration. The basic plan is to prep & repaint most of the exterior panels but just clean & seal the chassis, axles, inner panels. With this in mind I took the tyres off & dropped the rims to a local blasting/ powder coating firm. I stripped the panels & will drop them off to be blasted and primed when I pick the rims up on Tuesday. What's left is looking a bit sorry for itself.... The deck has got pretty corroded & has some stress crack that have rusted through. I bought it new as a bare shell 20 years ago so I thought I'd contact the suppliers and see if they're still available. "Yes Sir, they are. £ 1187.00 plus tax" ( at 20%). Gulp. 1500 pounds. I asked " I don't suppose you can remember what I paid fr the last one" ? Three hundred pounds. Gotta love inflation. So, I'll get that blasted too & weld up the holes. 1500 quid gets an awful of a lot of MIG wire..... Hopefully next week will bring a more productive update, including tyre ( or tire) choices. Cheers, Dan.

I figure that’s about the only way I could make it usable

Stopped by a buddies house to trouble shoot his GFCI issue in his garage..,afterwards he says “You want this? If not it’s going to the dump,” Of course I hauled it home. Needs both tires replaced. Not sure I got it in me to hook it behind one of my Wheel Horse’s though

@Blackm84 Here’s a few pictures from the brochure in 84.

Took a couple of sideshots today while fixing the the snowblower chute cable...

Fix the tires and hop in. I'll push ya down the hill. It'll be fun, trust me! Bring it to Zags in the spring! Those JD guys like to pay big GREEN for stuff for some reason.

At least the color of the truck is right !

Surprised you didn’t cover it with a tarp on the way home.

@ineedanother Did you say tiller behind a 165 ?!! This tiller (although it’s not a great picture of it) is a 1974 model 1-1251 that I bought in 1985, when I was 15! It’s now on its third set of tines. I also have a newer style tiller like yours that I believe works better because of the end plates and hinged leveling plate on the rear. That one is currently undergoing restoration.

If you keep your maintenance up, then you're allowed an occasional slip up. That's the point.

I try to use allen head bolts when i remember to get them, i can spin them out faster and the driver doesn't slip off like flathead or phillips

Thinking a repo here of sorts here Dan ... don't think any AL jug was meant to be saved. Although I saved my first mini bike 5 hp Briggs?!? .. 40 years ago...

Im 99% sure kohler and onan are both 10-32x3/8. if you have a known 10-32 you can try it and see.

I kid you not.... Drop it off next time you're up around. She'll "fix" that wagon.

I've had up to a 1977 chassis as is your own. That's what Cinnamon Horse is from the frame down. That has tapped ends along all the 60s and 70s machines we've done. The C-clip style and cotter pin through style would work fine but I do prefer the heavier end bolt for my own usage. No worries there. USPS has everything you need right at the Post office. The ONLY way to go.

Can I drop it off with the paint department up there????!

Mike, I just showed the pictures to Trina. Her words, after 10 seconds of blank stare, "Why hasn't he painted it yet?"

The only reason I brought it up Mike is because my 312H that is stored in a heated 60F shop shows some moisture on the dip stik and sides of the fill tube. The tractor is only used once/week to haul in a load of firewood. I do leave it run at high idle while loading the wood, but is still only running maybe 30 minutes total. I do use a shotgun cleaning swab to clean out the fill tube and never see any discoloration in the actual oil. I just wondered if a tractor that is normally stored in an unheated building shows any signs of moisture.

I think the only thing its missing is the cover for the hydraulic hoses. But yes sitting in the snow i want to get it dried off and cleaned then brought into my garage where i can start inspecting im a paranoid nut so when i see leaks i want to know why. I will more then likley replace hydralic hoses and drain fluids and then start cleanin up and painting. Make sure theres no water and things move freely and function.

One great memory of using the inside pitwall was done by Rusty Wallace, probably back in the late 80's. It was on a short track, he tangled with another car and bent the left tierod - the car had like a 3 inch toe out condition. He was in the top 5 - radioed ahead saying he was coming in - make it look like a normal pitstop, but wanted all the crew to jump BACK behind the wall - he rammed the pitstall wall hard - hard enough to partially straighten the toe - out problem to less than half. He went back on the track, checked the steering - good enough!! Came back in for tires and fuel next lap... NASCAR Officials were not too amused at his bash-fix. He told them the car hooked a hard left trying to stop.....

Do you know for sure that the 312-8 transmission is good? It should a reasonably easy swap though it won't bolt right up. You will be going from a six speed to an eight speed so the clutch/brake rod setup will need modification. You may want to use the rear fender/seat support with gas tank from the 312 or could stick with the tool box, seat support, your choice. The shift lever may need to be swapped out. It has been done many times and there are several threads on here about it.

What kind of rookie doesn’t check the oil …….. 🙄

Most of my tractors take long naps fairly often over the winter months, but I do wake them occasionally for a good wam up .

Dedication. Most impressive. Makes me feel like a bum. My machines need attention!

It’s good to be volunteering at the Christian Youth Conference1700+ Youth this weekend. Back in February 2020 before COVID it was 2500+. I’m just a helper with a Security T shirt on. We help herd kids around. IMG_8932.MOV IMG_8932.MOV

Thanks for the info, does anyone know if the trans in this pictured 312-8 speed is the same as the one in my 1973? Would it be a direct bolt up?

We's got our best watchin' the southern border...

Went to the dump… where most JD’s wind up…

I believe that @RED-Z06 is correct.

You guy's are knocking the build out of the park !!! I like your control handle !!

She says: Ooohhhh absolutely!! He might wanna wait til snow's gone. We can take him for a trail ride.

Today was hit and miss again but good overall. I got the wheel studs and new skins on the rear of the 165, that went well. I didn't address the shaker mounts yet but that has to move up the to-do list. That having been settled, I thought I had better start to deal with the power on the 312 before it ends up sitting under a tarp somewhere so I drug a 310 parts tractor out to see where that might go. That mess sat out in the weather for years but for me it's essentially a $100 parts tractor with a Magnum 10 and a good gear box (I think). Lots of corroded wires to deal with, bypassing safety switches, and jumping the solenoid to turn it over, but it runs! Both carbs I had in hand were bad but I think the 312 will soon be a 310 and suitable for my needs. I need to do a bit more homework on exactly how I'll be switching from coil to magneto but I'll get a carb rebuilt first and deal with that in due time.

Hey Tim, I don't think you want to salvage that IMO. I know this might look a bit like scrap metal but it's actually pretty decent. I think it's from a b-100, I can't remember but I think it would work for you. The spindles are decent (not like NOS) and I can look around and maybe come up with a wheel. I'm a bit north of you but it's yours if you want it.

Red paint on the way I presume...?

Yes! that is a nice ! I had initially thought I would use my c-160 hydro because of the lift but the F-bracket is cracked on that one and the replacement frame is still stripped and waiting for me to get to it. I'm going to see how it goes with this 8 speed 165 and my suspicion is that the hi-lo range and fixed speed will do well. I'm beginning to think this will be my favorite

Yup!! Full scan running in the background - really saps the response time!!

I'm going to pick up the C model next week, he did buy the plow and tiller separately. It has an aftermarket carb, I guess the original cracked. My co-worker was going to restore it but instead got a late 70's craftsman from his dad so he wants to do the family tractor. Only thing that scares me is the Eaton 1100 but I saw rebuild kits and seals are available so as long as I can find a service manual I should be good to go. I will also try to find an original carb. Mower deck looked good but I will probably have to rebuild the spindles, when I tear it down I will sand blast then take the deck for powder coating. I plan I striping the tractor then painting with an automotive base coat/clear for durability unless that's not a good idea. Like I said I plan on using it. I was looking for one of these or a 80's gravley tractor. Of course my wife isn't too happy because its "old" but I would rather spend 1-2 grand restoring and using one of these over a new tractor that costs 7 grand and has all these crazy safeties and electronics.

Nice! Snow plow is a bit of a misnomer though, just so you know. This doesn't come without some words of caution, but those are dozer blades and can move more than snow. Those words of caution have been addressed on this site many times and something that the folks here would be more than willing to educate you on. The nuts and bolt of it are this: Misuse/abuse of the the dozer blade capability (slamming into piles of crushed limestone on an angle for example) can lead to fractures in the frame. In your part of the country it has likely been used as a snow plow and hopefully done in a responsible way, but I thought this worth mentioning. I always inspect the frame of a I'm interested in if it has been used to plow.

Before I left the shop I had to move the tiller so I went ahead and hoisted it to get a better look. I'll drain the gear case before I do anything more but there are no signs of leaks, the tines look to be lightly used and everything turns smoothly. Very promising. I need to get out and take the bracket from the 160 some time this week but I talked to Lowell yesterday and have a rock shaft and belt on the way so this should be behind the 165 soon

Guess I should have just kept these to myself. They are made for atvs. They are plenty tough My 416 doesn’t even weigh 700 pounds. For the third time now you use ramps to get on and off. My ramps are arched and work well.

Better than "Widow Maker"..... !!

A c-series hydro running would be worth that here in NC. "Running" can mean different things to different people though but if the deck is decent and depending on what "a few attachments" means, I think that would be a really good breeder for your herd

Awesome work. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your progress.

Flew home yesterday from a 2 week job in Washington state, needed to get some tractor time in! My vitamin T was very low . Cold and windy, but if ya dress right it’s doable. Rode for about an hour. Worse part is taking off gloves to snap you guys some pictures . Let the B-80 have the day off so the 315/8 could get some exercise.

Welcome to Red Square ! I think most of us here would say buy them both. We tend to believe that you can never have to many. One to use for mowing and the other to pull the cart.