Ready to Mow - 8HP or C160 Auto

[TonyBer 71]

Fun stuff, I had a snow plow on my 8hp and then later picked up a C160 for a snow blower.  I put mower decks on both.  Honestly, the 8hp mows like a champ and plowed anything I asked of her.  But......the 160 is a smooth beast and wouldn't want to be in her way.   Both are a joy...overkill but I think I'll keep both.  

[rjg854 11,361]

I have no idea on how much you're mowing, but if you're only mowing a little bit an 8hp only sips gas, where that 16 is going to really suck gas on you. I have an 8hp and a 160 also that I mow with and the difference in gas consumption is quite impressive.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

  I alternate between a 308-8 with a 36” deck, a 315-8 with a 42” deck and my GT-3000 with a 46” deck and triple bagger.
  Takes a bit longer with the 308 but it definitely uses way less fuel!
  And I enjoy mowing so I don’t care about shortening my mowing time 

 

 

 

 

 

[buckeyes 213]

Those magnum 8's are great little workers!

[squonk 41,104]

I mow a third of an acre. I love the hydro for mowing on the C-160 but the little 857 saves a quart of gas each time and turns sharper. Plus the gear drive deck makes a pristine cut! 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,319]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

 And I enjoy mowing so I don’t care about shortening my mowing time

Mowing to the sound of a sweet running K series single cylinder is the music that makes all the rest not matter...

Bill

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

15 hours ago, TonyBer said:

overkill

Overkill is in the eye of the beholder... Or something like that.  

 

[chip61 658]

Nice looking machines!! C160 hydro is my favorite. Not quite as bad on gas as the 416H Onan. I cut several acres and really should get a zero, but I prefer tractors. 

[Docwheelhorse 2,660]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Overkill is in the eye of the beholder... Or something like that.  

 

I don't much care about the MPG my 'Horse gets... gimme the K341 Thump all day 

[ohiofarmer 3,265]

Depending on the time of the year, horsepower matters.  once July hits, a ten or twelve horsepower  works. A 12 with hydro is pretty much maxxed out at the similar speed of a manual.

  Once the tough seedheads are gone and the grass thins out, then take your pick,I guess.  But come  on, a c-160 is a thumper with a 48 inch deck.

   Still, the toughest machine I have that takes on the high grass is just ten horsepower, but because the side drive deck hooks up so solid with the shorter belt, i can take down the much taller grass without  heating up the belt like a mule drive does

Edited June 6, 2022 by ohiofarmer

[clueless 2,991]

1 hour ago, ohiofarmer said:

Depending on the time of the year, horsepower matters.  once July hits, a ten or twelve horsepower  works. A 12 with hydro is pretty much maxxed out at the similar speed of a manual.

  Once the tough seedheads are gone and the grass thins out, then take your pick,I guess.  But come  on, a c-160 is a thumper with a 48 inch deck.

   Still, the toughest machine I have that takes on the high grass is just ten horsepower, but because the side drive deck hooks up so solid with the shorter belt, i can take down the much taller grass without  heating up the belt like a mule drive does

 Depends on where you live and what type of grass you have. My 1974 B80 4sp cut my 3/4 acer of centipede 1 3/4 inches, down here in the south every 10 to 12 days from May through Sept. for 20+ years just fine. I do like my C160 Auto with the 42 inch deck it cuts great also just faster.