The Decrepit Thoroughbred....

[WildmanC120 613]

Snagged this little fella from @Super-C 4 me today while picking up parts to fix up my C-161.  She is a little beat up, but not off to the glue factory just yet!  This should make for a good winter project bringing her back to life.  I don't plan any kind of restoration just yet, just a good usable horse.  Hoping the engine and trans are in OK shape still. I'm excited for the extra ground speed.  I might turn this into my every day mower. 

 

[ZXT 2,401]

15 minutes ago, WildmanC120 said:

Snagged this little fella from @Super-C 4 me today while picking up parts to fix up my C-161.  She is a little beat up, but not off to the glue factory just yet!  This should make for a good winter project bringing her back to life.  I don't plan any kind of restoration just yet, just a good usable horse.  Hoping the engine and trans are in OK shape still. I'm excited for the extra ground speed.  I might turn this into my every day mower. 

Nice buy! 

 

Could you not have put the blower on this Horse instead of modifying your C-161?

[WildmanC120 613]

11 minutes ago, ZXT said:

Nice buy! 

 

Could you not have put the blower on this Horse instead of modifying your C-161?

 

Eventually the goal is to get a 520 or the like to put the blower on so I can return the proper hood to the 161. This 418 is pretty far gone at the moment and the engine/trans are in unknown condition. 

[ebinmaine 67,619]

I definitely prefer the looks and simplicity of the C Series. But that 418 "C" is one I'd consider...

 

[953 nut 55,320]

2 hours ago, WildmanC120 said:

bringing her back to life.  I don't plan any kind of restoration just yet, just a good usable horse.

That was my plan with the 418-C I picked up a couple years ago, then one thing led to another and I gave it a much needed cosmetic upgrade. It ran and drove so well it would have been a shame to not show it a little love. Well worth the effort in my opinion.

[WildmanC120 613]

10 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

That was my plan with the 418-C I picked up a couple years ago, then one thing led to another and I gave it a much needed cosmetic upgrade. It ran and drove so well it would have been a shame to not show it a little love. Well worth the effort in my opinion.

 

How do you like yours?  How nice does that magnum run compared to the onans? Is it noticably faster then a normal hydro? 

[953 nut 55,320]

4 minutes ago, WildmanC120 said:

 

How do you like yours?  How nice does that magnum run compared to the onans? Is it noticably faster then a normal hydro? 

The 418-C is a real pleasure to drive. It has become my #1 snow plowing tractor because of its power and the hydraulic lift. The only weak point I found was the fuel pump being on the top of the engine and I replaced that with an electric pump mounted low on the frame, problem solved. It can sit for a month or longer and fire up immediately. Never had an Onan and the only other Hydro I have is a GT-14, both are very quick!

[wallfish 17,011]

The 418-C are good machines and yes there's a little more ground speed but nothing to crazy.

I'm retiring mine from snow blower duty this year and putting the big 2 stage on a 520 HC, so we'll see how the Kohler is compared to the Onan. My first Onan powered tractor. Don't really expect much difference except for the 2 extra HP on 20. I know that Magnum grunts right through some heavy loads when throwing the sloppy heavy DOT drifts out at the road. I might consider selling the 418-C since I really don't have the room to keep it altough it has a whole bunch of good stuff for making another custom ride.

[c-series don 8,723]

I’m happy to hear that you guys know about the extra ground speed on the 418 C. I almost forgot about that, I believe that’s a little known Wheel Horse fact! 

[bds1984 1,435]

I would love to have some extra speed when plowing with my 520H straight axle like the 418C has.  I had a C175 auto that would run circles around the 520 despite both having the same transmission.  What is the difference?  

[WildmanC120 613]

16 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

I would love to have some extra speed when plowing with my 520H straight axle like the 418C has.  I had a C175 auto that would run circles around the 520 despite both having the same transmission.  What is the difference?  

 

I'm not sure. IDK if there is a difference in the valving or of just a pulley size difference. 

 

I do know that I need a 175 though.  That's the tractor I am really after at the moment. 

[tom2p 2,394]

21 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

I would love to have some extra speed when plowing with my 520H straight axle like the 418C has.  I had a C175 auto that would run circles around the 520 despite both having the same transmission.  What is the difference?  

could be condition of the hydrostatic system ?

 

or adjustment / settings of the linkage ?

 

I believe the published top forward speed for 400 series Wheel Horse with Eaton 1100 transmission is 7 mph

 

 

[953 nut 55,320]

10 hours ago, wallfish said:

it has a whole bunch of good stuff for making another custom ride

[bds1984 1,435]

10 hours ago, tom2p said:

could be condition of the hydrostatic system ?

 

or adjustment / settings of the linkage ?

 

I believe the published top forward speed for 400 series Wheel Horse with Eaton 1100 transmission is 7 mph

 

 

The transmission is strong, never misses a beat, and is serviced regularly.  From the literature and websites I've read the stated top speed is 5.6 mph, which it runs at no problem, but is why I am wondering why the speed difference and what/if anything is different internally.

[pfrederi 17,741]

and no bothersome idiot light electronic complexities!!!

[19richie66 17,508]

418’s are beasts. That transmission should be fine. The engine runs smooth. I just reglued the magnets on the flywheel and it was charging last I checked. The Florida humidity kills sheet metal. Should be a good tractor for you. Find some replacement body panels and it would look a whole lot better. 

[WildmanC120 613]

12 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

418’s are beasts. That transmission should be fine. The engine runs smooth. I just reglued the magnets on the flywheel and it was charging last I checked. The Florida humidity kills sheet metal. Should be a good tractor for you. Find some replacement body panels and it would look a whole lot better. 

 

Well...I think this one is headed to be parted out. I got it running and the engine seems to run very well, nice and quiet.  I had to change the oil a few times as it was full of crud and looked like a chocolate shake.  Looking much better now.  

Looks like the rear end is no good on this one.  Its just pissing fluid out from somewhere I cant see.  Forward/Reverse also do not work at all.  The lift and lower also does not work.  Shame as I was excited for this. 

 

Engine Running

 

Oozing Oil

 

 

[19richie66 17,508]

I think the hardline from the pump has a rust hole in it. I drove it around the yard and it moved fine. Did leave a nice stripe in my son’s yard 😁

[WildmanC120 613]

21 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

I think the hardline from the pump has a rust hole in it. I drove it around the yard and it moved fine. Did leave a nice stripe in my son’s yard 😁

 

So is it possible that the hole is big enough that the tractor won't move because it can't build pressure? IDK much about how the actual system works so just guessing here.

[Pullstart 62,912]

So... let me get this straight.  @WildmanC120 Got it from @Super-C 4 me who got it from @19richie66?

[19richie66 17,508]

@pullstart   Yeah, kinda like that. 

[19richie66 17,508]

1 hour ago, WildmanC120 said:

 

So is it possible that the hole is big enough that the tractor won't move because it can't build pressure? IDK much about how the actual system works so just guessing here.

It may have leaked out too much fluid and it’s sucking air. I believe it is the hardline that is right under the tunnel/seat stand. Don’t give up on the transmission because I believe it is good. Take the seat/fender pan off and see if the hardline is rusted. It goes where the fitting is in the front and I believe goes to the lift valve or the filter housing. Can’t remember and can’t find any pictures right now.

Edited November 23, 2019 by 19richie66

[WildmanC120 613]

14 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

It may have leaked out too much fluid and it’s sucking air. I believe it is the hardline that is right under the tunnel/seat stand. Don’t give up on the transmission because I believe it is good. Take the seat/fender pan off and see if the hardline is rusted. It goes where the fitting is in the front and I believe goes to the lift valve or the filter housing. Can’t remember and can’t find any pictures right now.

Yes whatever that hard line is that runs from the filter side between the frame and trans is the one I believe is leaking. As long as the trans housing or something isn't broken there and I can't see it. 

[19richie66 17,508]

No.....I believe it’s that line. 

[Retired Wrencher 5,465]

WildmanC120 Glade to see more W/H up there in VT. I never seem to see them when I am there. Always looking. Good luck with it. Did you buy it VT?