Wheel horse C -101

[vmen84 61]

I was wondering were the wheel horse C-101 made in 1978 and what size deck is it by chance? and is it a decent  mower? Also can it handle a snow blade? 

thanks

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,177]

The A in the D&A is the attachment list

Garry

[can whlvr 993]

yes the 101 was 78 and 79,yes it will easily handle a snow blade,you will need chains and weight,the mower best suited would be a 37 inch,but I have run 42 side as long as the grass isn't too thick or long,it will cut thick lawn just have to go slow

[doc724 925]

The C-101 is a true garden tractor and can handle a tiller, snow blade and up to a 42 inch deck quite handily.  The C 1X1 is my favorite series of machines

[vmen84 61]

looks like a nice one and it can mow the grass the best of both worlds score.

[WheelHorse79 271]

My '79 C-101 has a 42" mower deck and a 48" blade.  Handles both well.  The deck has the best cut I've ever seen.  I just wish it has an extra gear between 2nd and 3rd, so it would mow a bit faster. 

[vmen84 61]

38 minutes ago, WheelHorse79 said:

My '79 C-101 has a 42" mower deck and a 48" blade.  Handles both well.  The deck has the best cut I've ever seen.  I just wish it has an extra gear between 2nd and 3rd, so it would mow a bit faster. 

  

Would you happen to have a picture?

 

I found one earlier today the guy said it was possibly a 36 inch deck but I'm not sure.

[Lagersolut 714]

The 79 C-101 was the first horse I had here - for years I mowed ( w/42" RD deck ) - pushed snow and plowed the garden. Right after we built the house doing the yard , I was hauling  loads of ground that would break what they call a lawn tractor today in half .

 

C series tractors are tuff little units that will take it and get the work done .

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,533]

15 hours ago, vmen84 said:

I was wondering were the wheel horse C-101 made in 1978 and what size deck is it by chance? and is it a decent  mower? Also can it handle a snow blade? 

thanks

So did you pass on the 8 hp Briggs pull start you were thinking about yesterday?

[oldlineman 1,489]

Bought my first wheelhorse in 1979 a c 101. It has mowed grass with a 42 " deck and plowed tons of snow in the 37 years i have owned it. It has plowed snow and I mean snow here in Somerset Co. Pa. and never let me down. Do the maintance and they will last and last.

[vmen84 61]

8 hours ago, T-Mo said:

So did you pass on the 8 hp Briggs pull start you were thinking about yesterday?

 

I haven't had the chance go look at it because Ive been busy and also don't drive and my father in laws the only one with a Trailer and he just got back from vacation so he's backed up with work so it's a waiting game at this point. I've also been looking into A  C-101 with an electric start but I'm not sure the size of deck.

 

[Horse46 519]

On 7 July 2016 at 4:10 AM, vmen84 said:

  

Would you happen to have a picture?

 

I found one earlier today the guy said it was possibly a 36 inch deck but I'm not sure.

This is my C101 with a 42 side exit deck, it cuts nice. B4 and after a motor swap n refresh. It's my first and only one and I love it!

[ronhatch 406]

On 7/6/2016 at 9:30 PM, WheelHorse79 said:

 I just wish it has an extra gear between 2nd and 3rd, so it would mow a bit faster. 

It''s a simple fix by replacing the 6 3/8" pulley  on the trans input shaft to a 5 1/2" or 5 1/4" pulley. Check out my post from June 27th; "C-101 A LITTLE SLOW MOWING IN 2ND GEAR."

 

[JohnnyO 9]

I am finishing up "refreshing" my C-101 that was abused so to speak, for many years..by someone else...I've got everything going right, adjusted, oiled, checked out, lubes, wires, all of it. Runs GREAT, but my problem is that it is soooo very slow. Not sure why it could be and need some help on it. It has the orignial belt, yes it has cracks and needs to be replaced, I think I'm right that the present # for the belt is 7473. As it is now? It goes thru the gears well in low range it's an 8 speed..yes, and believe it or not? Third, in low range is faster, just a little but actually faster, than high gear in the regular range. (?) But I see other vidoes yutube, the "shows" of them running down the street or yard "zoom!"..my tractor just creeeeps along no matter what gear I choose.I know i've got to get under there and measure that rear pulley..also the belt seems rather loose, at present. I don't want to race, or use a two inch, etc..on the transmission, no..but I'd like to get her going so I can mow at a reasonable speed. Any advice would be great. Thanks, and best wishes for 2024..

Edited January 11, 2024 by JohnnyO
added info..

[rmaynard 15,805]

Just so you know what your actual speed should be, here is a cut from the manual for all 8-speeds.

 

So, with that in mind, start by replacing your worn belt. Check your tension spring on the the clutch to be sure that it is pulling the belt tight. Make sure that the pin in the idler arm is not sheared keeping the belt from tightening. Check to be sure that the input pulley on the transmission is not slipping. Check for missing Woodruff key. Next check to see that your hubs are not slipping on the axles. Be sure that the hi/lo range shifter is in the hi range. These are all of the mechanical things that I can think of that might be a problem.

 

 

 

[JohnnyO 9]

Thanks for taking your time to address my issue. I'll do my best to get into it..soon as I can.  The best as you say would likely be a starting place. It's original, or appears to be. This C-101 was used a year or two..then sat unattended, outdoors...for a very long time. A neighbor bought it, used it..awhile, then bought a later model with a 16 Horse Kohler, so it sat again for almost 15 years..out in the rain sun and snow. I have it now with a lot of work and replacements here and there that it starts immediately, runs smoothly, no smoke at all. I was going to "tear it down and do what some call a "restoration"...I've done several cars, Model A's, about 5 of them, frame up..as well as 4 or 5 Farmall Cubs, complete tear down and reassembly, so I know "what to do and how" but I've heard from others, and on the "web" and often here..about leaving a tractor in it's worn, "petina" condition, that is is considered possibly to be worth more later on. I'm 82 (so I won't know if that's the case most likely!...I have taken the time to take it from a rust bucket, with a lot of careful compounding, buffing, water sanding in some cases, and it doesn't look half bad! So I appreciate your input. I thought I had it "licked" but when I began to plow snow (has wheel horse weights on it) it was fine, except it was like sending grandma to get the mail from the maiil box..just crawled along slow enough to be irritating. I'll do as you suggested, and as stated thanks very much for you input and time in doing so.

 

One thing: I as well as others have used STP in the rear-end in Model A's, Cubs..etc. with no problem. I changed out the original transmission oil, replaced it, but added 1/4 of it with STP. That may be causing a problem, because one very knowledgeable member here suggested "Putting regular motor oil in the rear=end, to help the speed issue. Maybe I've created my own problem with the thickness of the STP? I hope to upload a couple of photos if I can do it..on here. That may help to identify something mechanically. Thanks.

 

Edited January 12, 2024 by JohnnyO
forgot about the STP matter

[c-series don 9,266]

@rmaynard All great advice Bob, my guess is that it’s one of the things you mentioned. I can’t think of anything else? 

[c-series don 9,266]

Well I’d say once you get the mechanical issues straightened out, restore it. Especially if you have the time and know how. I got this C-161 8-speed and it was literally a basket case. Most of it, except the big pieces was in milk crates. 

[JohnnyO 9]

Done well. Done right -nothing like the final result when it shows the time and effort as you say to get it lookin' brand new. Beautiful job and thanks. Hope somebody has something to say about the STP question, and the suggestion of adding just "motor oil" and not tranny oil..

I will consider tearing her down..health and age to be considered, but at least to date I've saved a good ole C-101  from the junk heap. I feel good about that.

[Lagersolut 714]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

Well I’d say once you get the mechanical issues straightened out, restore it. Especially if you have the time and know how. I got this C-161 8-speed and it was literally a basket case. Most of it, except the big pieces was in milk crates. 

 

C-160 8 or a C 161 8 was on my wish list for years never found one I wanted to jump on - 5 years ago a 416 8 jumped off a page on market place so I restored that as a worker - got the K 34116hp  Kohler I wanted ....its a beast

Edited January 12, 2024 by Lagersolut