1978 C-81

[vic4news 0]

Hello,

I recently aquired my Grandfather's 1978 C-81 Wheelhorse with a Kohler 8 hp engine (K181 spec. 30700) and 8 speed transmission.

Hard to believe, but he used this tractor for logging. It has about 50 lbs of lead weight on each wheel.

It hadn't been run in 10 years but seemed in pretty good shape. I changed the oil, put on a new air fliter and spark plug. Put a tube in one of the rear tires.

I had to take apart the starter solenoid and clean the contacts. Once it would turn over, I wasn't getting a good spark nor any fuel to the carb.

This tractor has the gas tank below the seat and a fuel pump on the engine. I replace the fuel line and put on a new spark plug wire.

I used a break bleader hand pump to fill the fuel line with gas before connecting it to the fuel pump and she started right up. Seems to run well without any misfires.

The tractor will be stored over the winter so I drained the gas tank and ran the engine till it died.

I'm curious to know from anyone else that has this type of engine/fuel pump if I'll need to fill the fuel line when I start it in the spring or if the pump should be able to

draw the fuel from that tank?

Vic

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,036]

First thing... .

As far as the fuel pump question, the pump should be able to draw the fuel from the under seat tank but why work it hard. I would pre-prime the line like you did.

Mike.......

[oldredrider 2,553]

Yeah, what Sparky said. An easy way to prime the pump is to give a shot of compressed air into the fuel tank.

[Fun Engineer 859]

Welcome to Vic.

[Amanda 81]

Welcome

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,203]

Welcome to the The C-81 is a nice tractor to have!!!

Edited December 1, 2012 by Terry M

[Kelly 1,030]

:WRS:

[tunahead72 2,516]

Welcome, Vic!

I would do exactly as you did to prime the pump. It's easy, only takes a couple of minutes, and works. The alternative is trying to start it, without succeeding, wearing out your starter and battery, and then having to prime it to get it started anyway. Is it obvious how I know this?

While you're at it, it would also be a good time to install a fuel filter in the line, somewhere easily accessible -- I usually install mine just behind the engine.

You guys sure look comfortable in those chairs! :handgestures-thumbup:

[AMC RULES 37,145]

:wwp:

:WRS:

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

:WRS: :ychain:

[vic4news 0]

Thanks for the welcome. I've already put the tractor in the garden shed for the winter, so I'll have to wait until spring before I can get a picture. This one's paint is quite faded. Not as nice looking as a lot I've seen on this forum.

Good suggestion about puting on an in-line fuel filter. I'll have to do that.

My avatar is a picture off of the label of my favorite beverage. I'm sure that only a handful of people from New England would recoginize it.

Vic

[varosd 1,185]

:text-welcomeconfetti:

[tunahead72 2,516]

You guys sure look comfortable in those chairs!

My avatar is a picture off of the label of my favorite beverage. I'm sure that only a handful of people from New England would recoginize it.

That's funny, I just assumed.... :beer:

[welderman85 53]

Hi and welcome

[JC 1965 1,532]

Hello Vic, :WRS:

[can whlvr 993]

:WRS:

[vic4news 0]

I used my C-81 all last year. Mostly to haul woodchips. THe low speed transmission is nice to use in the woods. Last fall the carb started to overflow with gas. I suspect that the float is stuck. I'll probably need to take it apart and clean it this year. Here are a couple of pictures using it while woodchipping.

 

Vic

 

 

[HorseFixer 2,013]

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