Which one to buy and restore?

[Blackm84 97]

Hi all I am new here, a co-worker of mine has 2 wheel horse tractors a B-165 and I think a C-145.  Both are I think 1983 and decent shape the C-145 is missing the panel that covers the hydraulic hoses and it runs.  The B-165 doesn't run and is complete, which one should I get to restore?  I am looking to use it for my 1 acre lot to mow and to pull a small garden trailer.  I like the older machines better then the new ones and would rather spend the money to restore one of these instead of 7 grand for a new Kubota.  What's everyones opinion?

[D_Mac 8,615]

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.

[Racinbob 11,076]

Definitely the C-145. The B-165 is a lawn tractor.

[ri702bill 8,318]

12 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

Definitely the C-145. The B-165 is a lawn tractor.

Agreed on that. The B-165 is a vertical shaft lighter duty grass cutter. I for one don't own any, probably never will...

[953 nut 55,216]

The "B" series has a Brigs and Stratton engine and if it is a manual transmission it would be a Peerless unit rather than a Uni-drive which is much stronger. "B" Wheel Horses are are fine for light duty residential use but I have a preference for the Kohler engine and Eaton 1100 hydrostatic transmission the "C" series has. That missing panel is strictly cosmetic.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,555]

 

I vote for both. The B to mow. The C to work... 

[peter lena 8,623]

@Blackm84  personally would get the c- 145 , much more useful , on the other hand if the price is right , you could easily  sell what ever you want . would love to slowly wake up that , 14 , drop carb bowl , run it on a seperate gallon of heavily treated gas , sea foam  favor a  faster idle for initial warm up , looking over everything . finish initial hot run , with oil change . have a regular  detailing I do to insure operation . also do my scary added zink oil change . good luck with what ever you do , pete 

[TJ5208 1,824]

2 hours ago, D_Mac said:

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.

I think he forgot to remind him that one turns to two then three and so on.

Edited February 4, 2023 by TJ Salyers

[Tonytoro416 1,034]

7 minutes ago, TJ Salyers said:

I think he forgot to remind him that one turns to two then three and so on.

This is very true.  Since September of 2022 I have easily drug home six tractors and numerous parts and pieces. Tractors were not all keepers and complete but few of them will live on. Needless to say it’s a slippery slope but a fun one 😂

[Ed Kennell 38,167]

 to the 

 

 

Without question,   grab the big  C  tractor that can use nearly all the Wheel Horse implements.

       The B is just a riding mower.

[Wheelhorse#1 1,657]

Both.One to cut the lawn and one to pull the trailer.

If you can only pick one Id go with the C .

[ohiofarmer 3,265]

Careful about this talk of buying more. I am pretty close to the Michigan State line, fellers.

  That fourteen will have all the onions you need if the grass gets tall. Almost as good as a c 160

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by ohiofarmer

[ri702bill 8,318]

1 hour ago, ohiofarmer said:

will have all the onions you need

Here, we call it "Cookies" !!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,555]

2 hours ago, ohiofarmer said:

Careful about this talk of buying more. I am pretty close to the Michigan State line, fellers.

  That fourteen will have all the onions you need if the grass gets tall. Almost as good as a c 160

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

[Blackm84 97]

Ok I was leaning toward the c model, one here is a couple of pictures.  Like I said I believe it is a c145 and a 1983 model year.  My co-worker wants 350 for it, he has the mower deck and a few attachments with it.  For an 83 I think its a pretty good start.  I included the engine tag so please correct me if I am wrong on the model.

[Ed Kennell 38,167]

Probably a 1984 with the Eaton 1100 hydro.   

[ineedanother 1,369]

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 

[Blackm84 97]

The few attachments are mowing deck, sbow plow and tiller

[c-series don 8,701]

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

[Blasterdad 2,692]

14 hours ago, Blackm84 said:

Ok I was leaning toward the c model, one here is a couple of pictures.  Like I said I believe it is a c145 and a 1983 model year.  My co-worker wants 350 for it, he has the mower deck and a few attachments with it.  For an 83 I think its a pretty good start.  I included the engine tag so please correct me if I am wrong on the model.

 

Poor thing,   For $350.00 grab it, with a snowplow, tiller, & deck ( if it's any good ) that's a great deal. 

$350.00 usually means they'll take $300.00, even better!

I'll sleep better knowing it'll have a new home too... Keep us posted...

Edited February 5, 2023 by Blasterdad

[ineedanother 1,369]

1 hour ago, Blackm84 said:

The few attachments are mowing deck, sbow plow and tiller

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. 

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

As John Boy and Billy would say, “Take C.”

[Blackm84 97]

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.

[peter lena 8,623]

@Blackm84  good luck with that , would go step by step on that recovery , being a newbie , easily excited , into over your head in problems , hope you have warm dry spot to do this , as far as rebuilding , how about just a verification of what you have ? maybe just a thorough grease job to every needed area , obvious lubricant drain / change / refresh , save your intended paint time , and use a penetrating oil spray down and soak , to feed that paint , and possibly wipe it down to dry next day , could easily look pretty good . would also shout out to any local w/h  owners for  help / ideas , brought back a few , pete

[Ed Kennell 38,167]

3 hours ago, Blackm84 said:

Only thing that scares me is the Eaton 1100

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.