A Question & a Observation

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

First off, an observation. After the engine went in my C yesterday, it became apparent that finding that elusive tow valve was a priority. So with what I knew from the pictures I was able to find it. I was pretty sure I found it before, but now it was a necessity I verify it's location. Sure enough there it was. Now I began to question the engineer's decision on placing this thing in a place that would make it very hard to get to. It's on the left side in front of the left rear wheel. It takes a 3/8" open end wrench to turn it. Now the opening to between the fender and the tire is very small and my arm won't reach through it. So I go from underneath and I'm able to get a wrench on it and turn it, about an 1/8 of turn. There is a bracket and control lever right there preventing any further rotation of the wrench. So after whining and complaining about the feasibility of this valve and it's location I'm able to turn it enough to push the tractor. Why did Wheel horse not put an access through the fender like they did on the earlier C's is beyond me. The earlier C's had an opening through the fender and you can turn the valve with a screwdriver. Ugh. Here's a picture of the offending area:

Now a question. It occurred to me that I can gain access through the left side panel. A couple of screws and I can have this thing off. Wait a minute, what's this spring? Whatever it is, I can not get the panel off with it there and not knowing where that spring is going, I decided to leave it alone. So the question is, what is this spring?

[illinilefttackle 399]

TREED-Thats just a indicator of your height level of your hydro lift arm-you just take a phillips screwdriver and loosen it, then you can "snake"your panel off around it-move it however you need it to go thru the hole. Then when done just put the panel back in reverse order and position and tighten the indicator in the same position it was. Hope this helps-AL :D

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Thanks, Al. I was thinking it was either for the tension or adjustment on the lift cylinder or perhaps, for the motion control linkage. I couldn't find it in the parts manuals, nor the owners manual or service manual. After you posted it though, I think I found it in the parts manual where it shows the mechanical lift mechanism. I wonder why Wheel Horse didn't have the hydraulic lift mechanism shown in the parts manual. :D

[Rollerman 290]

Terry it is a pain in the a$$ to get too.

Earlier versions of wheel horses had the tow valve to the back or the fender tipped up to access it easier.

I think the Cxx1 series is one of the 1st models to use the rear mounted tank that further clutters things up!

Looks like you've found the "easy" way in though.

As Al said pull the side cover...then losening the runnng board & slideing it over will help too.

Things would have been a lot easier if they put a hole in the back of the running board with a slot in the tow valve so it be accessable with a long screw driver.

Hmm...what years did AMC own Wheel Horse again? :(

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Stephen,

I'm a mechanical engineer and one of our priorities is to design for accessibility and maintenance. If I designed something that was that hard to get to, the maintainability people would be letting me know about it. You have to be able to get to this valve as you will never know when you will need to push it. What would happen if you ran out of gas in the middle of mowing a field and no gas cans around? :D

[kpinnc 11,881]

Good Grief! I thought the Eatons were a pain to get to!

Guess I'm "lucky" both my Sundstrands are older. Flip up the fender, turn the knob 1/2, and go.

I would say pin a tiny sprocket on it, chained to another on the outside with a lever on it. Up/down= tow/drive... There I go complicating something simple again!

Maybe just braze a little lever on it?

Kevin

[combatmp29r 27]

Good lord another reason to like the verts. All I have to do is push the parking brake down and lock it in tow. No tools, or access plates involved. I will say the C160s isn't the easiest to get to with the hydraulic cylinder and lines on it though.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

It's almost like they wanted you take the left rear wheel off to get to this thing. If someone knows an easier way, please let us in on it.

Kevin,

I actually thought about that but I don't think that's doable. I should take a picture of this with the left rear wheel on to show how tight it is. I'm sure though I'm complicating this thing - NOT! :D

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

I'm pretty certain that it's designed that way because the engineers knew the reliability of Wheel Horses was unmatched and that no one whould ever have to PUSH their tractor. :P

[kpinnc 11,881]

JD Terry,

That thing is definately in a bad spot. I can't say I envy you when it comes time to overhaul the engine. Might be easier to make some kind of "tractor dolly" to make it easier to move out of your way in the shop.

Working on one myself right now...

Kevin

[Curmudgeon 28]

Good lord another reason to like the verts. All I have to do is push the parking brake down and lock it in tow. No tools, or access plates involved. I will say the C160s isn't the easiest to get to with the hydraulic cylinder and lines on it though.

No, sounds to me like a good reason to get a stick shift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone ever consider Wheel Horse didn't make these transmission, so were kind of stuck trying to cram in whatever Eaton or Sundstrand did into the bodywork that also had to work with an 8-speed?

Compromises are made all the time. Mine is, nothing but stick shifts and NO tow valve problems! Not to mention less power loss to the transaxle.