Bronco 14 or C161

[Cjwv1975 66]

Missed out on a c160 last wk. Looking at a Bronco 14 and C161 now both seem to be in about same condition and price 350. Any pros and cons on each?  Thanks

[kpinnc 12,910]

Primary difference (other than 2 extra horses on the 161), is the tach-a-matic system on the 161. While it can easily be added on the Bronco, it still has to be added. The Bronco used an older belly hitch, and nothing up front. 

 

The tach-a-matic allows use of (most) any belly or front mount implement of any year after 1974. 

 

That being said, the Bronco is awesome. Mine is one of my favorites, though it has alot of mods on it. 

Edited January 9, 2024 by kpinnc

[Darb1964 1,069]

Just buy them both, no second guessing. one is never enough!!

[kpinnc 12,910]

14 minutes ago, Darb1964 said:

Just buy them both, no second guessing. one is never enough!!

 

Agreed! 

[WHGuy413 2,769]

I have a Bronco 14 that I love (although souped up with a 18hp twin in it). But What you don’t specify is if the c-161 is an automatic or a 8 speed? Then again maybe it only came as an auto and I just don’t know. But if it’s a gear drive that can make a big difference to people. Some will say each has things they excel at but I do most every task around my place with a variety of tractors with different transmissions. The Bronco should have a hydro lift which is nice for heavy attachments like a snow blower. You can also get down pressure with it on a mid mount grader blade. Curious to see what you end up with. 

Edited January 10, 2024 by WHGuy413

[daveoman1966 3,764]

I have a Bronco 14..  love it.  As for the 'Tach-O-Matic' attachments.  All you gotta do is mount a FRONT Tach-o-matic hitch to the tractor.  Drill 3 holes and bolt the front hitch ---LEVEL--- onto the hood hinge plate.  With that hitch in place, you can ditch the cumbersome and unwieldy side belt drive apparatus and install the front MULE DRIVE in the front hitch.  Easy Peasy.  I have a .pdf file to lead you thru it.   

     

MULE DRIVE UPGRADE DETAIL.pdf

Edited January 10, 2024 by daveoman1966

[cschannuth 3,817]

I’m partial to the 161 but it was my dad‘s. It mowed grass on steep hills and pushed snow for many years before I ended up with it. It still has its original Briggs engine and other than a different seat pan, 520 wheels on the rear, and a new seat, it’s pretty much like it was when he bought it. 

[Lee1977 6,895]

Buy both they are not making any more.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[oliver2-44 9,992]

1 hour ago, Lee1977 said:

Buy both they are not making any more.  

 

I love the looks of the early C161 with the long slim hood.

[Cjwv1975 66]

17 hours ago, WHGuy413 said:

I have a Bronco 14 that I love (although souped up with a 18hp twin in it). But What you don’t specify is if the c-161 is an automatic or a 8 speed? Then again maybe it only came as an auto and I just don’t know. But if it’s a gear drive that can make a big difference to people. Some will say each has things they excel at but I do most every task around my place with a variety of tractors with different transmissions. The Bronco should have a hydro lift which is nice for heavy attachments like a snow blower. You can also get down pressure with it on a mid mount grader blade. Curious to see what you end up with. 

They both are hydro drive.   The Bronco doesnt have a deck, the c161 has a deck and snowblower. 

[Lee1977 6,895]

The mid Tac-o-matic will bolt right up to the existing holes in the frame. You need a good 3/8" drill bit to drill the holes in the front axle bracket regular highspeed bits don't do much with it. . 

I put both hitches on a Raider 12 I also needed a 5/8" spacer at the top. I used two 1/4" and one 1/8" flats.

[daveoman1966 3,764]

2 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

The mid Tac-o-matic will bolt right up to the existing holes in the frame. You need a good 3/8" drill bit to drill the holes in the front axle bracket regular highspeed bits don't do much with it. . 

I put both hitches on a Raider 12 I also needed a 5/8" spacer at the top. I used two 1/4" and one 1/8" flats.

The Front Tach-O-Matic bracket already has three 3/8 holes drilled in it.  All you gotta do is drill 3 holes in the Hood HINGE PLATE and that is only 1/8" mild steel....no special bits necessary.  Find three (3) 1/2" thick spacer nuts to bring the front hitch vertical, centered over the 3/4" dia Axle Pin.   Here is a front hitch...