New Ride

[Grumpyjoe 13]

Bartered for a C121 looks like a 1979. The hood says c121, fuel tank is under the seat and there is a 12hp motor. THe serial/model number on the frame by the motor is 91-08k801 which comes back to a c81? so was the only difference on the c81 and c121 the motor? 

 

I am still cleaning things up to get a better idea of what I have. So far it looks better than my Sears l1000 mowers. I can assure you the steering is much stronger. 

[Blasterdad 2,692]

to 

They are the same frame & transmission,,,As far as I can tell from your pics someone has put a Magnum engine in it & different front wheels.

They either changed the hood or put different 

stickers on it too...

91-08K801 1979 C Series Garden Tractor C-81 8-Speed Kohler K181S-30700D 8 Wheel Horse 103916

91-12K801 1979 C Series Garden Tractor C-121 8-Speed Kohler K301AS-47648D 12 Wheel Horse 103916

Edited January 7, 2023 by Blasterdad

[ronwh 186]

 to Redsquare, you have came to the right place. There will be several people along soon to answer your questions.  One thing I did  notice is that the PTO lever is in the on position which will prevent the tractor from starting. 

 

Ron

[Pullstart 62,916]

 

Nice Brinly clevis adapter on the hitch!

[Blasterdad 2,692]

4 minutes ago, ronwh said:

 One thing I did  notice is that the PTO lever is in the on position which will prevent the tractor from starting. 

PTO lever is off...

[Grumpyjoe 13]

I am absolutely clueless today as to the levers and knobs. A good bath made an ugly black tractor pretty and red as well as showing what many of the knobs and handles are for. I did find a manual online in PDF i copied and will go over. As I continue to clean up and service this before Springtime mowing I will know more. I was more concerned with what it was supposed to be. I am sure after 40 years a lot has been changed bent and modified. The front pully mount for the belt feed to mower is bent almost 30 degrees. 

 

The biggest concern was the frame. As long as the base is the same I am OK with the deal still. I am sure there are some changes I will make, but all I want is a solid mower for the wife. She hates the zero turn and cannot use the Kubota and its 3pt finish mower. Now she can mow the small yards and I will keep the fields. Later I will try to do a custom paint job for parading. I have a WD45 with a small hay trailer made out of a 32 Duece Coupe we want to drive in parades with. I can put this mower on the hay trailer too.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am still reading old posts as well. Love seeing the teens getting excited on their tractors. 

[oliver2-44 9,761]

3 minutes ago, Grumpyjoe said:

The front pully mount for the belt feed to mower is bent almost 30 degrees. 

Please show us some pictures of the front pulley mount (called a "Mule Drive") It does sit at an angle on the front of the tractor so it may not be bent!

Lots of helpful people here, don't hesitate to ask any question!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,339]

 

  That Magnum 12 is a real nice upgrade! 

[Achto 27,609]

[SylvanLakeWH 25,602]

[Blasterdad 2,692]

2 hours ago, Grumpyjoe said:

I am absolutely clueless today as to the levers and knobs

 

2 hours ago, Grumpyjoe said:

The front pully mount for the belt feed to mower is bent almost 30 degrees.

The lever on the right hand side of the tractor is the PTO.

Straight up is off, pushed forward so it is facing the front of the tractor is engaged.

 

@oliver2-44 is right, those pulley's (mule drive) are supposed to be on an angle.

You did good! Nice tractor! 

[c-series don 8,724]

My guess is that it started life as a C-81 and someone swapped out the 8hp for a 12hp and changed the hood decals. By the way they are on backwards, I’m not criticizing your tractor please don’t think I am, I’m just letting you know because you said you may repaint it! I’ve said it here before many times, the 78-79 C-series and some of my favorite Wheel Horse tractors ever made! I have almost all of them except the C-101. Here are a few of them. 

[clueless 3,005]

The front pulleys (mule drive) for the deck drive belt are angled at 30 degrees to the right, somewhere between 1 and 2 o'clock when sitting on the tractor. Also the 12 hp is a mag ignition, and the original engine was a battery ignition system make sure you know the difference before working on the electrical system, you could fry that nice 12 hp.  

[Grumpyjoe 13]

C Series Don, I saw your twins already. Very nice. I really like the seed planter setup. I wonder if I will ever find one again? Couple of nice friends with old tractor yards I will ask to keep an eye out. Was there a model number or anything about it that might help?

 

Even at 60 years old I can learn a few things. Avid mechanic and handyman. I love working on things and the older things make me happier. Many of the old tractors nearby get cut up into racers. If I can I will grab a couple more just for giggles. First off I need to get this one going by April. We mow twice a week April thru August.  Having this little guy help will be nice. After we replant the yard I will post the tractor shed and garden. SOme will get a real kick out of it. 

[WHGuy413 2,707]

Nice looking tractor. As stated before the 12hp magnum was an upgrade. My son has a c-121. They are definitely great work tractors. His plans are to mow with his this spring too.