Wheel horse C-161 automatic

[hebeegeebe 3]

Hi, I was searching my area for a replacement 16 hp motor for my C161, eight speed manual transmission. I should say I was looking for a low $$ parts tractor with a moving 16 hp motor. I found this C - 161 on a classified ad.  The seller called it a C 16. He said it was automatic and came with a snow plow. It looked a little rough, and he apologized. Said he’d always stored it outside.  I have no familiarity with the non manual machines., It started and I was able to drive it onto my trailer.  When I got it home and unloaded and ran it a little… dang!  That’s a sweet driver!  So, I decided to try out a 36” side dish charge deck.

 

 It didn’t have a mule drive or a way to engage PTO.  I exchanged the mule drive from my 161 manual with no problem.  I encountered a problem with the PTO.  The arced rod from the C 161 manual appears shorter and will not function.  I am uncertain about the installation but I’m wondering if that part is not interchangeable.  I notice that the 16 HP motors are not exactly the same dimension, with different mounting styles.  The name of the part would be helpful and any skinny about this automatic and how I can use the mower deck would be appreciated.  
 

thanks

Edited September 10 by hebeegeebe
Add photos

[oliver2-44 9,748]

On the C161 the Kohler motor is a narrow base block and mounts in a cradle the has rubber isolation mounts. 

These rubber pieces are expensive to replace and you can get steel replacement pieces from one of our vendors "Wheel Horse Parts and More.   

On some C161 they used a Briggs engine, so it depends on which tractor has what engine

 

You will need to post the model number of each tractor to help us help you sort out the PTO rod. Also some picture with a measurement would help.

 

To test the new tractor s hydro, chain it to a tree and see if it will spin the tire.. If it will, you have a good hydro.  

The C161 were a transition time for WH . The early ones had the Sundstrand Hydro Transmission and the later ones had the Eaton 1100 hydro.

Both are good, but the Eaton is the slightly better of the 2. 

The Sundstrand has the filter under the right side fender , rear wheel area. The Eaton has the filter pointing backwards at the rear of the tractor. 

The hydro's use automatic transmission fluid or 10w30 motor oil.  if its red its ATF, if it brown its motor oil. don't mix the two.

The filter is a NAPA 1410 or a WIX 51410. This is a hydro filter which does not have an internal relief valve.  Don't use a car engine oil filter because it has a relief valve.  

You have the best of both worlds, an auto and 8 speed C161. 

of both your tractors!

[hebeegeebe 3]

Thank you, kindly.  I will try to post photos.  The automatic tractor that I acquired recently is model # 16KS01.  The tag is mounted on the frame.  I think it is considered a C 160.  The motor is K341S.  I have looked at a manual for a C-160 on this site and determined that the part name is the housing rod, or yolk, or clutch rod housing 102938.  I was not able to find a manual for a C 161 to compare the housing rod part #s. 

 

I'm assuming that the PTO clutch for the C 160 automatic works similarly to the  C 161 manual transmission.  I am able to discern that the motor of the C 160 automatic is mounted directly to the frame, compared to the cradle style of the C -161.  I see that the motor is meant to move slightly via the rubber cradle when the PTO is engaged on the C 161.  It wont move on the C 160 and I'm wondering if the clutch housing rods may be different between the two models.  I attempted to install the clutch housing assembly from the C- 161 onto the C-160 (it looks like it should work) but it will not reach the bottom mount. On line I see many others that appear longer.  They say the are for later and larger models and many are black in color.

 

It appears there must be a difference.  

 

Another peculiarity is that the model number of the manual C 161, mounted on the dash plate, is 91-16K801-14531.  As near as I can tell, that number references a C-165.  The decals on the hood indicate C-161.  The model # of the motor is K341AS.  I imagine either the hood or the dashboard could have been swapped out, or the motor tin, but all seem like they have weathered similarly and it would seem odd to change out the dash plate, but it coulda happened.  The C 161 has a shiny looking carb, leading me to wonder that it is a replacement.  Perhaps the housing rod is different between a C-161 and a C-165?  Perhaps a housing rod from a C-161 would interchange with a C-160, but I actually have a C-165, which may use a different size?  Oh man, I'm getting dizzy!

 

I installed a 36" deck on the C-160 automatic and drove it around a little.  I'd really gotten it just for the motor.  That hydro deck height control is sweet!  It came with rear wheel weights and chains and a snow plow.  Seeing the real beauty of maneuvering the snow plow with the hydro has prompted me to consider working it.  And adjusting the deck.  And just not shifting.   I'd like to make the blades go and mow with it.

 

Any suggestion about a housing rod 102938?  

 

I see a clutch housing shaft of ebay that looks like it might extend the housing rod enough to function.  But there is much uncertainty about that.  

 

Getting the correct size rod seems ideal.

 

Thanks again for your attention my Wheelhorse matters.

 

Brian

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

A C-165 is a 1980-1984 model.

[953 nut 55,226]

7 hours ago, hebeegeebe said:

I installed a 36" deck on the C-160 automatic and drove it around a little.  I'd really gotten it just for the motor.  That hydro deck height control is sweet!  It came with rear wheel weights and chains and a snow plow.  Seeing the real beauty of maneuvering the snow plow with the hydro has prompted me to consider working it.  And adjusting the deck.  And just not shifting.   I'd like to make the blades go and mow with it.

Hydro is the way to go for snow plowing for sure.

Any suggestion about a housing rod 102938?  

Basically it is a 3/8" round rod with a bend n it. If the one you buy on eBay is too short you can buy a 3/8-16 rod coupler and some all-thread to extend it, if it is too long just cut it off and rethread it to fit.

I see a clutch housing shaft of ebay that looks like it might extend the housing rod enough to function.  But there is much uncertainty about that.  

 

Getting the correct size rod seems ideal

Now you need to look around for another parts tractor for the engine,          fall in love with it,       go find another,           then another,            and another.

[Pullstart 62,862]

    

[oliver2-44 9,748]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

Now you need to look around for another parts tractor for the engine,          fall in love with it,       go find another,           then another,            and another.

 

I just tell my wife I only have one Wheel Horse....................

It's the one I'm sitting on.  

 

Yesterday my wife told me she just bought a new heavy duty sewing machine (her 7th) and I need to help he go pick it up.

She said they were becoming like my tractors, so I said must be time for another tractor. 

(she doesn't know how many "parts" tractors I have in the barn at the farm.

 

 

 

[953 nut 55,226]

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

my wife told me she just bought a new heavy duty sewing machine (her 7th)

My wife is an avid quilter and has more sewing machines than I have Wheel Horses. A few of her machines cost more than my entire herd so I don't have to justify the expenditure. Yesterday she went to a Quilters' Guild get together and came home emptyhanded                  she must be slipping.