Looking for info on the C-175

[Mike e. 26]

Getting my first wheel horse C-175Saturday have seen and done some work on them years ago was looking for some info on restoring the C-175 like what  decals and paint is the right ones I was told it might be a '70 model but I've heard that the C series did start untill 1980 also where to look for decals, paint and parts I'll have more specific info on it after Saturday 

Edited August 26, 2020 by Mike e.
Incorrect word

[ebinmaine 67,274]

 

 

C175 should have been made in the early 80s. Certainly isn't a 1970 model as you know.

The c series in general started out in 1974. Had various configurations through 1983 or 84?

 

All of my tractors are older and not original colors so I'll let the others answer what to use for paint. Decals can be purchased from our own vinyl guy. Terry. Great guy. @Vinylguy. 

 

Lots and lots of information and great people on this site. Just keep asking questions. Parts availability is excellent as well.

 

[AMC RULES 37,127]

Why guess?

 

https://www.redoyourhorse.com/wheel-horse-by-year/

 

 

 

[Mike e. 26]

Its got hydraulics and has snow plow and deck 

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

You'll love that C-175.I have 2 of them.One I regularly mow with.One That kinda sits as a " someday " project.Got a 42 inch side discharge on the one I use.I can mow through grass and weeds over 2 feet tall and that tractor never misses a beat.Love the hydro trans and the hydraulic lift.The couple horses that I've re-painted,I used International Harvertor red.Pretty close color match.At least looking through my 67 year old eyes.Oh yeah........welcome aboard!! We all like pictures  after it's in your posession.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

 

Love the Black Hoods!!! 

[953 nut 55,075]

You are going to love the power of the Kohler Twin engine and the hydraulic lift for that snow plow. For paint color most use Rustoleum "Regal Red" and for decals you can't go wrong with the ones Terry sells.If you post some pictures we can help determine the year.

https://www.redoyourhorse.com/search.php?search_query=c-175&x=0&y=0

[Pullstart 62,791]

 

Regal Red has a deep lush red, Sunshine a Red is more of a brighter option, both have been used.  We’d love to see some pictures of that beast once you nab it!  The 17 horse Kohler has a series 1 and 2, some say the series 1 have oiling issues.  If it happens to be a S1, make sure to check oil levels before each run and stay away from too steep a hill and you’ll be all set!  If it’s S2, you’re good to go as they improved the oil pump (added one!) and nothing starves inside.

[oliver2-44 9,684]

I also use Rustoleum Regal Red.  I mix in the Magic Brand Enamel Paint Hardener that I get from Tractor Supply or other brand Enamel hardeners. For the off white wheels I use the rattle can Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy, Biscuit color.

On this site in the "Restoration" section there is a thread pined at the top that gives the paint codes for several brands of automotive paint.  

I don't recommend the Magic Tractor Paint from tractor Supply. it takes forever to fully dry and seems to fade faster.  

[pacer 3,168]

The C175 is definitely one of the more popular tractors ..... with a couple caveats! One is there is a like/dislike for the "black hood" and the other is the 17hp engine. As mentioned there was 2 versions, early versions had no oil pump and later ones did. Find out which one you have as soon as possible so you can be aware of which you have and can treat it accordingly. If type 2 then treat it as any other Kohler, if type one just be conscious of steep slopes and run a bit over in oil pan, its a powerful engine and has a sweet exhaust sound - I have had 2 of the type 1's and I have a ditch that has about a 25/30° slope and never had a problem. Gotta love that hydro drive!

 

Paint is as mentioned, Rustoleum is what most of us use with Regal red and Sunrise red probably being the most popular. Rustoleum is a good inexpensive paint available most  stores (wallyworld is the cheapest) - but of course there are MANY other reds and some of us use various brands - it comes down to just whatever YOU like! As mentioned, the TSC brand 'magic' is pitiful paint, I do not recommend it

[Daddy Don 905]

[WHX?? 48,779]

Sounds like the fellas have got you covered so 

[Mike e. 26]

Thanks for all the help I knew it was a great deal when I seen it and I knew that the 17 horsepower Kohler engine was one of the best and it's been years since I even heard of wheel horse in New Jersey where I first heard of them I was about 10 and a half when I first heard of them and I've just moved here to Indiana in the past few months I started to look for a small garden tractor where I could do more than just cut grass and found the C-175 for sale for 150 bucks and I'm giving 200 to have it delivered Saturday and since I've been finding out so much about it I decided to do something of a resto-mod on it and thanks to a guy named mower outlaw who also has a C-175 (check him out on you tube) lol I found out of the capabilities of it being so sure footed and almost unstoppable in extreme conditions

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by Mike e.

[Alex175 784]

It is my favorite model of Wheel Horse for sure.  I inherited my grandparents 1980 C-175 and it is now my primary mower, and I use it for either plowing or snowblowing in the winter.  It's a solid machine that in my opinion looks good, and with the KT17 sounds even better.  When it's purring along at full power and the mower deck humming it just sounds right.

 

For that price you got yourself a steal, we can't wait to see how it looks.  Just so you know the guys around here love pictures , before the restomod, during, and after should suffice  

 

One of the first things most people do to those models (if it hasn't been done already) is switch the rear fender pan over to a metal one.  The plastic fenders that they came with break easily, and in my opinion don't look as clean as the metal ones.  If you ever have more questions, there are plenty of people around here ready to help, and welcome to the Black Hood Club!

[Mike e. 26]

I just got the C-175 home I'll post pics tomorrow thanks for the help guys I'm thinking of going with Rust-Oleum Sunrise red for the main paint and the classic black for the hood and maybe some pinstripes for a little personal touch and all the original decals and thank's Alex 175 i will go with metal rear fender pan too the plastic one is broken 

Edited August 29, 2020 by Mike e.

[Mike e. 26]

[AMC RULES 37,127]

  Congrats, nothing but up from there.  

[Mike e. 26]

Now to get it running I'll post pictures of it and a pic of the identification plate tomorrow I already love it and it still has two years of dust on it from setting in a burn or garage so I'll probably be getting more I have two now a-165 and c-175

Edited August 29, 2020 by Mike e.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

7 hours ago, Mike e. said:

   I'll probably be getting more I have two now a-165 and c-175

Yes,they tend to multiply.Ask me how I know.Pic looks pretty good.Should clean up nicely.Have fun with your new toy.

[Alex175 784]

On 8/28/2020 at 11:33 PM, Mike e. said:

so I'll probably be getting more I have two now a-165 and c-175

 

Oh yeah, it's an addiction, this forum is really just our support group.  The only problem is we are all enablers 

 

Here's a picture of my C-Series with the metal fender swap.  To me it  is just a much cleaner look than the plastic, and it doesn't hurt that it is a heck of a lot more durable as well.  I haven't been able to find a metal fender for the C-195 in the back yet, I know there is nothing factory wise for them, but I have to figure someone out there made one, and maybe I can have one made too  

 

 

[WHX?? 48,779]

47 minutes ago, Alex175 said:

much cleaner look than the plastic,

Agreed and about the easiest swap one can do on a black hood. Mine came off a parts 520 & fit perfect. 

On the Super C I don't know if it can be done. might get tricky for gas tank filler and some custom holes for the lift levers. if I had an extra metal pan to play with wouldn't be afraid to give it a shot. 

 

I know the guy who is making hi test fiberglass replacement pans for the Supers. He is a member here. 

 

Looks like yours is a '84? 

[Mike e. 26]

'84 is what I was thinking I know the motor is a Kohler motor with points on top the motor ID plate on motor has numbers faded so I have to see of I can take it off to get a number also still can't find the main ID plate on tractor itself 

and I need a coil and probably a starter any ideas 

Edited September 2, 2020 by Mike e.

[WHX?? 48,779]

Just now, Mike e. said:

'84 is what I was thinking I know the motor is a Kohler motor with points on top the motor ID plate on motor has numbers faded so I have to see of I can take it off to get a number and I need a coil and probably a starter any ideas 

@PeacemakerJack told me the '84s are the only ones with the lift levers mounted high. The motor is probably a KT series 1 if original motor. The series 1 was not the best motor Kohler ever made. Vast improvements on the oiling system in the series 2. 

Starters are common and can be had here as well as other KT parts. 

 

http://www.psep.biz/store/kohler_starter_motors.htm

[Mike e. 26]

Whx24 thanks for the help I'm new to the brand I got a b-165 for 20 bucks it looks like the headlights will work I made a mistake and said it was a-165 sorry guys I got it while waiting for my c-175 it's all original and it's got the lever for hydraulics down on the panel between your feet and it needs a few parts I'll post some proper pics as I was asked and maybe a video I plan on starting work on it as soon as I can get time still working on my trailer I just moved from WV to Monticello, indiana so I'm planning on finding out on all the attachments that work with it and unfortunately I got bit by the horse it sneaked up on me lol

 

 

 

[Alex175 784]

44 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

told me the '84s are the only ones with the lift levers mounted high.

 

This is correct for the C-195's

 

52 minutes ago, Mike e. said:

'84 is what I was thinking

 

To find out exactly what year your C-175 is you need to look for a tag under the steering wheel column, on the side facing the seat between the upper dash area, and the hydraulic controls.  The serial number should be there.

 

1980	01-17KE01 (hydrostatic)
1981	01-17KE02 (hydrostatic)
1982	01-17KE02 (hydrostatic)
1983	01-17KE03 (hydrostatic)