Help with drive pullys

[c161rat 185]

I am looking for some advise on changing the drive pully on the c161. I am looking to make it go a little faster. Would it be better to change the pully at the transaxle or the motor? has anyone done this before? I am not looking for extreme speed just tired of getting passed by the Cubs at the tractor shows? any help would be appreciated!!!!! :dunno:

[Kelly 1,030]

If you have a 8 speed you could swap the engine drive pulley for one off a hydro, stick pulley is 4" hydro pulley is 5 1/4" but you would have to figure out a belt size, I have pulleys if you need one, send me a PM.

If you have a hydro tractor I personaly would not mess with the pulley sizes.

[c161rat 185]

If you have a 8 speed you could swap the engine drive pulley for one off a hydro, stick pulley is 4" hydro pulley is 5 1/4" but you would have to figure out a belt size, I have pulleys if you need one, send me a PM.

If you have a hydro tractor I personaly would not mess with the pulley sizes.

I have an 8 speed so the hydro pulley might be what im looking for. Will it be a direct fit on the 16 horse Kohler? If so what are you looking to get for it? I am willing to take on the challeng of figuring out what belt will fit. I was about to comission my friend who ownes a machine shop to make me one but if one exists i would like to try that first!!!!!

[wallfish 17,141]

I think it would be easier to change the trans pulley. You can experiment with different size ratios if you don't like one and easily swap them out or go back to original if prefered.

This one should get you goin and if it's too slow, go smaller, too fast, go a little larger.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-BK40-B&catname=powerTrans

[c161rat 185]

I think it would be easier to change the trans pulley. You can experiment with different size ratios if you don't like one and easily swap them out or go back to original if prefered.

This one should get you goin and if it's too slow, go smaller, too fast, go a little larger.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-BK40-B&catname=powerTrans

i am concerned with the function of the clutch and I know that the belt guard is vital in how the clutch works. Is it better to make the engine pulley bigger for the clutch pulley to function or is it better to make the trans axle pulley smaller for clutch function. ???????

[wallfish 17,141]

The belt guard is made to fit the existing engine pulley size so changing the engine pulley to a larger one will require you to modify the belt guard. Changing the pulley on the trans will not affect the clutch as long as you match a correct size belt. The clutch just releases pressure on the belt and the guard guides the belt to slack around the engine pulley.

[c161rat 185]

The belt guard is made to fit the existing engine pulley size so changing the engine pulley to a larger one will require you to modify the belt guard. Changing the pulley on the trans will not affect the clutch as long as you match a correct size belt. The clutch just releases pressure on the belt and the guard guides the belt to slack around the engine pulley.

thats what I was looking at. I want to avoid modifying the belt guard and think I would have to if I changed the engine pulley. Unless I used a belt guard from a hydro????

[wallfish 17,141]

MUCH more simple to just change the trans pulley and belt length.

[c161rat 185]

MUCH more simple to just change the trans pulley and belt length.

So smaller on the trans axle ='s faster speed????

[wallfish 17,141]

That's correct. The smaller the pulley the faster you go.

I did this rat rod and worked quite a few pulley combinations. I added a jack shaft after this post and have since sold the tractor. The new owner didn't like the centrifugall clutch and changed pulleys. He clocked the tractor going up hill at 32 mph

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18234

[c161rat 185]

That's correct. The smaller the pulley the faster you go.

I did this rat rod and worked quite a few pulley combinations. I added a jack shaft after this post and have since sold the tractor. The new owner didn't like the centrifugall clutch and changed pulleys. He clocked the tractor going up hill at 32 mph

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18234[/quote

http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n52 ... G_0422.jpg

This is what I am working on now

[c175inMA 8]

I think that Kelly was referring to the pulley off a hydro C161 so if the belt-guard isn't different 8speed to hydro then i don't think that it would require modification or that it would interfere with the clutch operation Just my 2cents

[wallfish 17,141]

OH, I thought you were just speeding up a stock tractor. Go with a 3" pulley 5/8" bore. If it goes too fast for ya then just use 2nd gear.

[c161rat 185]

OH, I thought you were just speeding up a stock tractor. Go with a 3" pulley 5/8" bore. If it goes too fast for ya then just use 2nd gear.

A little diffrent then stock.....And i like the second gear suggestion!!!! Hell I have 3 low gears to use also!!!! LOL

[c161rat 185]

I think that Kelly was referring to the pulley off a hydro C161 so if the belt-guard isn't different 8speed to hydro then i don't think that it would require modification or that it would interfere with the clutch operation Just my 2cents[/quot

Thats what i'm looking for....Peoples 2 cents!!!! Everyone on this site is awesome!!!!!! No matter what you can dream up some one has already done it and knows how to make it work!!!!

[wallfish 17,141]

A little diffrent then stock.....And i like the second gear suggestion!!!! Hell I have 3 low gears to use also!!!! LOL

Go 2.5" then. Low gears will still be pretty low. Now you need to add wheelie bars!

[c161rat 185]

A little diffrent then stock.....And i like the second gear suggestion!!!! Hell I have 3 low gears to use also!!!! LOL

Go 2.5" then. Low gears will still be pretty low. Now you need to add wheelie bars!

Wheelie Bars could be fun!!!!! Maybe a parachute while im at it!!!!! LOL....Seriously though what kind of speed can the transaxle hold up to????....currently the center of gravity is way to high to go nuts on the speed but if you wanted to push the envelope what could the rear end take????

[wallfish 17,141]

I don't know but that rat rod tranny had some whine to it. Never had a problem with jt.

Maybe my next project will bypass all those "slowin me down" gears and will have direct drive with chain and sprockets.

[c161rat 185]

Keep me posted on how that works for you with the direct drive. I do use the 161 for hauling stuff around the yard and dont think i would go that nuts on it but am always lookin for another toy and like to go fast. God knows those old Kohlers have plenty of go fast in them if they are geared right!!!!

[Kelly 1,030]

I'm pretty sure on the 78 newer tractors the belt guard is pretty much the same hydro to stick with wire fingers bolted to the engine to aid in the clutching, not all of them have the fingers, you should be able to swap pulleys with out any guard mods, on that model tractor, tractors before 78 would require guard mods.

On a side note be sure to use a iron pulley not a stamped steel one.

[littleredrider 409]

I had a 4" I think on the engine and a 2" on the tranny on my ranger. Dunno the speed, but it would blow your hair back. In my case a goat-tee. This is with the tiny 18" tires the rangers have. I had dual 6-12 ags on it, would do some killer donuts when there's snow on the ground. It has an 8-speed, so still had plenty of gear to slow it down. Only issue I had is when using the snow blower, 1st gear low was still too fast for deep snow.

But if you change the tranny pulley it won't interfere with the guard. Depending what gear you use, you might have to shim the guard out to clear. I swapped the rear pulley on the other ranger I had, worked great, couldn't tell it was changed in less you really looked.